Israel coverage in the Guardian

Ahdaf Soueif’s article in the Guardian today http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,1819073,00.html calls for sanctions against Israel . Its intention is worthy – to end Palestinian suffering – but its rhetoric is disingenuous and masks the two-sided nature of the current situation in Gaza and Lebanon. Israel withdrew completely from Lebanon six years ago and Gaza last year according to international wishes and approval. The response in Gaza has been regular rocket attacks in the unconnected Israeli town of Sderot, whilst yesterday’s kidnapping of two soldiers and the further killing of seven on the Lebanese border was described by Kofi Annan as a “blatant breach” of Security Council resolutions.

Crossing an internationally recognised ceasefire line and kidnapping a soldier from another sovereign state has to be unacceptable, no matter the context. And the context, sadly, has been one in which Israel’s efforts towards a two-state solution have been constantly undermined by terrorist groups committed to the destroying the State of Israel.

Soueif’s article ignores the need for this context and ignores the compelling argument that both sides need to act responsibly if a two-state solution is ever to be achieved. It is a sorry indictment of a respected writer like Soueif to choose to write such a one-sided and deliberately provocative piece on a day when terrorist groups have demonstrably proven their absolute opposition to peace and a two-state solution.