An Alternative to Middle East Violence

Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy recently condemned Israeli aggression saying: "Just because their (Israel's) two soldiers were kidnapped, they carried out a major military operation in Lebanon.” For the record, Indians supporting Palestinian cause should accept the fact that Hizbollah was the aggressor who crossed the border and kidnapped Israeli soldiers. Moreover, Hizbollah is at fault for amassing weapons on the border without the knowledge of the Lebanese government. For the rest of the world it may be a matter of “just two soldiers”. However, Israeli forces are secure in the thought that their government could go to any length to bring back its soldiers. If anything we should be first to blame the terrorists for starting this spiraling violence.

Mr. Jaipal Reddy seems to forget that there exist an honourable alternative to violence to attain freedom through non-violence. India is the living example of this virtue preached and practiced by Mahatma Gandhi. Instead of advocating such principles Indian leaders resort to appeasing the provoker for the sake of minority vote bank. Indians no doubt sympathise with Palestinian cause, however, they (Palestinians) should restrain their hostile intent- of teaching young children to hate Jews and kill them - and should embrace non violence and diplomatic means to reach the meaningful settlement.