Olmert Warns of Jewish Extremists

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has criticized a recent surge in violence committed by extremist Jewish settlers:

An “evil wind of extremism” is threatening Israel’s democracy, outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned Sunday, after a pipe bomb attack wounded a professor critical of Israel’s settler movement.

Olmert’s forceful comments came amid growing concerns in Israel about violence by hard-line radicals, including extremist West Bank settlers.

Israeli defense officials and human rights groups have noted a rise in settler violence against Palestinian soldiers and Israeli soldiers in recent months.

Now, perhaps, is also not the time to delve into the injustices of Israeli rule in the Palestinian territories (for instance, how Palestinians who live in the territories are governed by the laws of military occupation, but how Jewish settlers who live in those same territories are governed by civilian Israeli law).  I view this story as a further example of how most acts of extremist violence (however unforgivable they may be) arise out of issues more concrete than simple ideological hatred.  Palestinian violence is motivated more by instances like these than by radical Muslim ideology.  I am not justifying any act of violence, but I do believe that understanding the true causes of conflict can help in its resolution.

A New Permanent U.S. Military Presence…In Israel

The United States has permanently stationed troops in Israel, according to the New York Daily News:

The United States has stationed 120 American troops and an early-warning radar system in Israel – marking the first permanent U.S. military presence there.

Soldiers and technicians from the U.S. European Command flew to the Nevatim military base in the Negev Desert last Sunday, bringing with them advanced radar systems designed to help protect Israel against a potential ballistic missile attack from Iran, according to the weekly Defense News.

Perhaps now is not the time to rant about the extraordinarily high amounts of aid the United States provides for Israel.  This, however, is another example not only of the United States’ support for Israel, but, more significantly, of the United States continuing to extend its military presence worldwide.  For someone like me who believes that the ever-expanding number of American military bases throughout the world has at least something to do – if not a great deal to do – with the terrorism we are facing, this is truly a step in the wrong direction.  While I do not want to see Israel attacked by Iran, I do not believe that establishing a United States military base in Israel will help them avoid such an attack.

Wait, I have a bracelet too!

During Friday’s debate, John McCain mentioned a bracelet he was given to wear in honor of a soldier who was killed in action, and then Barack Obama was sure to mention that he, too, wears a bracelet in honor of a fallen soldier.

While I recognize that the two Senators were making different points regarding these bracelets, it seemed a little bit much.  I believe that it was too much of an emotional, visceral appeal to voters.  I have to hope that the average American voter is better than that.