How much longer?

I have tried many times over the past week to blog about this. Everytime I started, I couldn't finish my posting. My emotions overwhelmed my ability to transfer my thoughts into words.

I could not just comprehend the inhumane act of terror that is transpiring in Gaza, Palestine. I could not accept the unnecessary loss of innocent human lives as a result of a transgression of the Zionists. People the world over, Muslims or otherwise, are enraged and outraged by the atrocities.

And yet, that is all that we could do. For so long as Israel has its "guardian angel" in the form of the United States of America, then the world is helpless, no matter how disgusted and angered the world is. Everyone knows that what is happening is a war crime against humanity. And yet, no one - including the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Conference, the Arab League, the European Union and what-have-you - could do anything to stop the blatant act of terrorism.

We could only watch. We could only offer our sympathies and prayers. We could probably send in our medical teams (like what Mercy Malaysia is doing). But I guess, those are the only things that we could do. [While world leaders continue doing what they do best - talking and more talking].

This is my two cents on what's going on in Gaza.

The Israelis are bombarding Gaza while they think they can. I suspect they will stop by the 20th of January. Why this date? It is the inauguration day of the 44th president of the United States. None of us know how the new president will be towards Israel. The president-elect has been rather quiet on this issue. No doubt, a certain air of friendliness between the USA and Israel will continue to be there, but will it be at the level of the George W. Bush's era or the Bill Clinton's era? That remains to be seen. So until the question is answered, Israel will pound Palestine like there's no tomorrow (just in case, they won't get to do so when Barrack Obama is in the White House).

Oh, another reason for the attacks on Gaza? What else, 2009 is election year for the 18th Knesset to be held on 10th February, 2009. [Knesset is the legislative branch of Israel]. For Ehud Olmert's party, Kadima, to retain power under the new leadership of Tzipi Livni, it must show to be "in control" of the Palestinian issue. And what better way to show it than by showing brute military force on to the people of Gaza?

How much longer before the aggressions are ended? And how many more lives have to be killed before it all ends?

Silent anger

This past few weeks, the Middle East conflict have been dominating the news. I have been keeping tabs on the goings-on but have refrained from writing or saying anything till today. Why? Mainly out of frustration.

We know for a fact that the Muslims are incapable of defending the Muslim brothers in Palestine and Lebanon. The most we can do is to provide lip service. The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) is busy doing just that --- organising conferences. There is no real unity in the Muslim world. The OIC is just a talk shop, but cannot do more that that.

Here in Malaysia, we have people demostrating and trying to be street champions. Yeah..., what a way to do it. This is stuff which is nice to watch on television and read in the papers. Wonder if this person has the guts to be in the frontline in Palestine or Lebanon. Sure, by demonstrating, we have a way to vent our anger and show our frustration for the whole world to see. But what comes after that? Would the Zionists stop their military assaults? Would the US and British leaders start supporting the plight of the Palestinians and the Lebanese?

In a way, I agree with the suggestion of Tun Dr. Mahathir. Hit them where it hurts them most. Stop using their currencies. That'd dent their economies somewhat. Think about it.

In the meantime, I will resume my silent anger position.