An editor of has declared that any pity for the Palestinians in Gaza is “unethical and immoral.” The editorial by Adi Dvir appeared in Israel’s largest newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, on January 4, 2009 as the international community has complained about civilians deaths in the campaign and the United States blocked a United Nations resolution calling for an end of all hostilities.

Adi Divr writes:

To pity the people of Gaza is to patronize them, in essence implying that they do not control their fate, the state of their government, or their own actions. It is to assume one of two things: Either that Gazans are too stupid to oust the cancerous Hamas presence in their midst, or that they are unable to do so.

A bit harsh I’d say. It is hard to view the current bombing campaign as a sign of respect.

I am sympathetic to Israel’s loss of patience over the incessant rocket attacks from Hamas areas. No country is expected to remain silent as such attacks occur. These rockets kill indiscriminately, including the recent tragedy where Palestinian rockets killed Palestinian children in Gaza. However, it is hard to see how this campaign is going to help end those hostilities. There is growing concern over excessive force, such as the killing of Iman al-Ham and the destruction of an entire apartment building to kill a Hamas leader. There are reports that Israel is using sound bombs and even calling homes to warn civilians before such attacks to reduce civilian fatalities, click here.

What is clear is that columns like those by Adi Dvir show how detached people have become to the suffering of people on the other side of the conflict. The columnist goes on to say “[j]ust as a crying baby who only elicits pity will continue to cry, the citizens of Gaza will continue to cry out to the world instead of taking matters into their own hands.” The total absence of any sense of humanity is all too familiar in this part of the world.

For those sane Israelis who support this operation, the condemnation of Adi Dvir should be shift and loud.

For the column, click here.