[news] Palestine & Israel: The Problem of & quot; Neutrality& quot;

[Resist!ca]

Neutrality in any conflict in which there is a gross imbalance of power is 
probably an impossibility and certainly immoral. Treading a middle path between 
one utterly powerless party and another party with total power, effectively 
removes all restraints on behavior by the powerful party. Yet this is the 
posture of those (Israeli and) American peace groups that put themselves 
forward as advocates for Palestinian-Israeli reconciliation. They take no 
position between the Palestinians and Israel, but only promote peace plans such 
as the unofficial Geneva Accord. without also taking action or even speaking 
out forcefully against Israel's occupation. The consequence is that these 
groups have given Israel the time and the license to devastate the land, begin 
its ethnic cleansing, and destroy any prospect for Palestinian independence. 
Their refusal to take a clear stand against Israel's oppressive policies is a 
statement that might makes right, that oppressive policies are acceptable, and 
most particularly that justice for Palestinians is less important than power 
for Israel. It is not historically true that both sides bear equal 
responsibility for creating the conflict; moreover, in the hopelessly 
unbalanced situation existing today, the two sides very clearly cannot bear 
equal responsibility for resolving the conflict. The failure to understand this 
indicates a wilful failure to acknowledge the actual situation on the ground.

URL: http://resist.ca/story/2004/7/12/192327/134