A study in contrasts- Israel and India

After a week of aerial bombardment of Gaza, Israel has launched a ground attack against Hamas. This came after the ceasefire expired and rockets were launched into Israel. According to the NYT, "After her visit to Paris on Thursday to explain to French authorities why she thought this was not the time for a quick cease-fire, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni of Israel said, “There is no doubt that as long as Hamas controls Gaza, it is a problem for Israel, a problem for the Palestinians and a problem for the entire region.”"

Islamic separatists and militants, aided and abetted by the Pakistani military (which was humiliated in the 1971 war) , have been launching attacks against Indians for more than thirty years now, and many thousands of Indians have been killed. Yet the Indian government turns a blind eye and treats the situation passively. The pressure exerted by businesses and the U.S. on the Indian government means that this situation is going to continue for a long time.

Condi Rice and George Bush support Israeli action and blame Hamas. According to the NYT, "the Bush administration said it was working toward a new cease-fire, but rather than calling for a halt to military action urged Israel to “be mindful of the potential consequences to civilians.”" But Condi and George both urge India not to use force and to show restraint.

In the world where lives are in the balance, people at the top are playing games.