U.S. peacekeepers a very bad idea.

 U.S. NEEDS TO STAY FAR AWAY FROM GAZA

ONLY UN PEACEKEEPERS ACCEPTABLE

The Israeli/Hamas conflict is now entering its 3rd week.  Not much has changed, Israel is going to continue until it is satisficed that Hamas is no longer a serious threat to Israel. It seems that Israel has decided that it is not going to be persuaded to relent even as threats of retaliation from Turkey, Iran and other groups threaten to intervene. While this is understandable, Israel also has to consider alternatives that give this displaced population some alternative to the present situation.

So far, no one has voiced any serious plan to remedy this 70 year conflict. A two state solution, with a Palestinian state on the border of Israel, is no solution at all. Giving this population the legitimacy of a country will not change the dynamics of this conflict. In fact, Gaza and the West bank have had opportunities to grow these areas into independent viable economic entities, but then voted to choose  Hamas, whose charter calls for the elimination of Israel, as the governing body. That just indicates to Israel that these populations are united in their desire to eliminate Israel.

Indications are that Israel has decided that the present situation is to end now. No more rockets fired into Israel, no more terrorist acts and if it brings the rest of the world into global conflict, so be it. It is yet another dilemma with Israel at the center. 

Coupled with this is the view by some in the Israeli community, by some in the Iranian and Islamic community and some Christians that the messiah will only come when the world is on the brink of total destruction. There is the possibility that they will get their wish.

The U.S. has proposed U.S. peacekeepers to go to Gaza. They would just be targets that would threaten to escalate the conflict. The U.S. is not a neutral entity, they need to stay out of this. A U. N. peacekeeper force with some Arab participation would be a much better option. It needs to be very temporary and the large countries in the region need to start debating a permanent solution, other than the elimination of Israel. A homeland separate from the borders of Israel. I suspect that many Palestinians are ready for a different hope for the future. 

It will take some real diplomats and a serious commitment from all in the region to make this happen. It is past time to end this dispute, the alternative is certainty no longer acceptable.