Reading through Sandy Tolan's recent article which provides historical context on the Israeli - Palestinian conflict, there was a particular quote that caught my attention. The quote comes from Rabbi Yaacov Perrin certainly expressing an extreme view, "One million Arabs are not worth a Jewish fingernail." This is not a recent quote, but I use it to illustrate my intention to lightly examine the proportionate use of force in war.
Certainly the Rabbi's statement exceeds the standard limit of proportion as meted out in old testament times or by those adhering to old testament rules of engagement i.e "an eye for an eye." If revenge is your thing then the latter is your golden rule.
Regarding the most recent outbreak of Middle East violence where Israel is in combat with Lebanon, we saw George Bush at the July 15, 2006 G8 press conference with Vladimir Putin. Regarding Israel's incursion into Lebanon, Putin states, ".... the use of force should be balanced." Putin is stating the need for vigilant concern for civilian casualties and a use of force by Israel in proportion to the offense.
In recent years, we are seeing the use of collective punishment. A large reason for the recent Israeli invasion of Lebanon is due to the capture of two Israeli soldiers. George Bush says as much in the aforementioned exchange with Putin. However as I write this on July 15, 2006, the deaths as a result of the Israeli invasion are nearing 100 people, mostly innocent civilians. July 15, 2006 BBC article also truthout Dahr Jamail article
If we review The Principal of Universality we might consider this situation of collective punishment occurring in the United States. Consider this possible scenario: Say two gang members from Montreal, Canada, vacation in Chicago, Illinois. On vacation they get into a knock down street brawl. In the brawl they end up killing an electrician who lives in Chicago. The killers run for it and escape back to Montreal. Now the authorities in Chicago find out about the killing and bring in the Federal Government on the slaying. In a collective punishment scenario the US Army invades Canada and quickly bombs Montreal in the vicinity thought to be occupied by our two guys and their gang. In this process, 200 innocent people are killed and millions of dollars worth of property is destroyed.
This is absurd of course so how come we sanction this type of thing in the Middle East? People in the US don't even seem to blink at the idea of collective punishment when the link to terrorism is made. Somehow the innocents killed in this type of action are truly the "collateral damage" that Tony Snow so "eloquently" states.
The bigger question is this. How does collective punishment improve relations between the Arab world and Israel/ USA? One would have to think that this is another way of triggering even further hatred, further animosity, and further distrust. How does this win the "Hearts and Minds" of the people?
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