Stay true to the dreams of thy youth

I'm annoyed with the Israeli government right now. A disillusioned Palestinian attacks buses, cars, and people on Jaffa Street in Jerusalem killing three people with his Caterpillar tractor (Ironically, the same tractors that are modified to destroy Palestinian homes). From eyewitness descriptions, it sounds like a terrible experience and tragically resulted in three deaths and 40+ injured. The Palestinian driving the tractor was shot dead.

However, in sick retaliation, the Israeli government plans to bulldoze (with a Caterpillar tractor) the family house of the Palestinian attacker; however, 20 other people live in this family home as well. They will soon be made homeless.

First of all, this is a disgusting form of (in)justice. Collective punishment on 20 people for the actions of one. If the DC police demolished the family houses of every murderer in DC, there would be no more houses standing... nevermind that the grandmas, mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters have no connection what so ever to the act.

Secondly, it makes the situation worse. In seeking to "stamp out" extremism, the bulldozings are rather creating 20 more people who are pissed off at Israel, and with fairly good reason.

Finally, a study by an Israeli human rights group found that the bulldozings in no way serve as an effective deterrent to prevent others from attacking Israelis in the future.

Therefore, the bulldozings are creating more enemies of Israel, not deterring future attacks, and are collectively punishing the Palestinians who are already barely surviving.

Finally, on a side note, its time the media starts using the same terms for both sides of the conflict. If a Palestinian attack with a suicide bomb is considered 'terrorism' then an Israeli missile attack on an apartment building should also be considered a 'terrorist act.' If one Palestinian attacking a busy street with a tractor is considered 'terrorism', then a state-planned policy of collectively punishing the Palestinians by demolishing their houses should also be called 'terrorism."

Someone will disagree with my above statement, arguing that the Palestinians purposely target civilians and the Israelis just cause collateral damage... but that is just a pitiful excuse. The drastic disparity between the number of Palestinians and Israelis killed in the last 3, 5, or 8 years is sickening - roughly Three/Four Palestinians to every one Israeli, depending on how the numbers are tabulated. But they are just 'collateral damage' so our hands are wiped clean of any blood...


Israel to destroy attacker's home

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has ordered the army to prepare to demolish the home of the Palestinian who killed three Israelis in Jerusalem.

The order follows advice by Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz that the proposed demolition could create legal difficulties, but would not be illegal.

An Israeli rights group has said such a move would be collective punishment.

B'tselem says it has written to Mr Mazuz demanding that he prevent the attacker's home from being demolished.

The group argues that the demolition would, as collective punishment, be illegal under international humanitarian law.

Hussam Dwayat went on the rampage at the wheel of a front-loader vehicle, or bulldozer, killing three people and wounding dozens before security personnel shot him dead.