Gaza: What Now?

What is happening in Gaza is not a "war," but a long-planned, one-sided massacre being carried out under cover of journalistic darkness. It was initiated only after getting a green light from the outgoing Administration, carried on with American-supplied weaponry, and continued thanks only to American vetoes of UN cease fire efforts – the parting legacy of a failed presidency.

What is being done is immoral and damaging to American – and Israeli – interests. It is not too late, however, to pull Israel back from a self-destructive brink and retrieve our own self-esteem and tarnished image from the shame of complicity. The current Administration must immediately join the global consensus and demand of both Israel and Hamas a full, mutual cease fire and the long-term opening of Gaza's borders.

The Obama Administration must then – on day one – engage all parties – Israel, Fatah, and Hamas - at the highest level (Now there's a job for Bill Clinton!)to negotiate seriously on the basis of the Saudi plan – '67 borders, divided Jerusalem, reparations for the refuges of 1948 and 1967, and full recognition of Israel by Palestine and all Arab States.

No more rockets, no more settlements, no more eye-for-an-eye idiocy. Enough! In the name of God, enough!