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Biases drive conflict to the precipice

11/27/2012 14:05 By ALON BEN-MEIR

It's no wonder that the Gazan mindset has evolved into a siege mentality, leaving no room for mitigation and moderation.

BORDER POLICE detain a Palestinian stonethrower

Photo by: Abed Omar Qusini/Reuters

Israeli and Hamas officials have both argued how the other side is to blame for the current conflagration and the nature of the conflict. Listening to either side, one can come to a definite conclusion: they are both right. Upon closer scrutiny however, one finds that they are also dead wrong. Over the years, both sides have successfully managed to foster public perceptions that support their respective narratives and the notion that the other has wronged them. This conviction, coupled with a lack of unbiased and credible voices to the contrary, allow this violent and self-consuming conflict to fester, pushing both sides ever closer to the precipice.

It is pointless to try to establish which side is to blame for the recent flare-up. There was the deliberate firing by an Islamic Jihadist from Gaza on an Israeli jeep that wounded four Israeli soldiers. Israel in turn killed Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigade commander, Ahmed Jabari, in a pinpointed air assault. This is hardly relevant as the tit-for-tat that followed was not the simple result of initial attacks and counter-attacks. These incidents simply ignited a long simmering tension that would have exploded anyway since, at this particular juncture, both Israel and Hamas were determined to change the equation on the ground to their advantage.

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Biases drive conflict to the precipice

It's no wonder that the Gazan mindset has evolved into a siege mentality, leaving no room for mitigation and moderation.

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