Let's talk about Israel and Hamas

— and military aid

Today Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel.

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/sirens-warning-incoming-rockets-sound-around-gaza-near-tel-aviv-2023-10-07/

Lots of death on both sides. Hamas gets military aid from Iran. Israel gets military aid from the U.S.A. Everything looks balanced so far. Two groups killing each other; two groups supplying the killers.

Equilibrium? Balance of Nature? No problem, right?

Since we are involved, we have the power to make changes. Biden says we are rock solid behind Israel. That has been our position for 75 years. Shall we expect a better outcome in 75 more years doing more of the same thing?

What if we withdrew aid from Israel, or if we increased aid? Would that be worth trying, or should we just leave well enough alone?

Does it matter who has nuclear weapons in this case? Well, so far, only Israel and we do. The nuclear deal with Iran that Obama negotiated was ended by Trump. There is risk that Iran may develope nuclear weapons in the near future. Should we just wait and see, or does this give us leverage to make a “grand bargain” with Iran, Hamas and Israel?

Thought experiment: what if we or someone could broker a deal that —

1. Iran stops nuclear weapons development

2. Israel disarms her nuclear weapons

3. Iran stops her military aid to Hamas

4. we stop our military aid to Israel

5. U.N. creates a durable 2-state solution for Israel/Palestine/Gaza

Israel would surely support 1 & 3, Iran, the 2 & 4. We like 4 & 5. Palestine/Gaza and Hamas like 5. Are there incentives that could accomplish all this?

Worth talking about? Or let’s just stay rock solid for the next 75 years as is?