Voice of the Jewish News: Still no end game

Just over 100 years ago, in November 1917, the British and Ottomans fought what is known as The Third Battle of Gaza, the first and second battles having taken place months earlier. This small strip, alas, has known as much war as it has peace.

Now, approaching summer 2018, we may be about to see a fourth war in 10 years.

What to do? What would any country do if it were being shot at by terrorists? News this week of rockets fired at Israeli school nurseries tell their own story.

The people of Gaza know what is coming, yet still they fire at Israel. It is as inexplicable as it is cowardly.

But what is the end-game? Surely it cannot be more of the same, to
continually quell a restive land with short bursts of devastating destruction?

There must be a plan, and that plan must be to develop the strip in return for demilitarisation, achieved through a series of confidence-building steps. A people with something to live for don’t endanger their existence.

In the meantime, the British Jewish community stands ready and willing to defend Israel as Israel defends itself.

We hope and pray that nothing starts, and if it does, that it is over quickly.