Topical Notes

Terrorist is such a useless word for so many reasons, one of which is that it homogenizes vastly different groups of people. For instance, having watched Al Manar, the Hezbollah TV channel, I can tell you that they have an army. This isn't some scratched together group of fighters (like we have here in Palestine). This is an army. They have the weapons of an army, the uniforms of an army, the training of an army, and now they're fighting like an army.

People in Palestine love Hassan Nasrallah. It's true. I think it's cathartic for them to see the big bully Israel finally 'getting some'. However, I've also read that Hezbollah's success will further promote armed struggle, and the groups advocating it, at the expense of so-called 'peace talks'. Quite frankly I think that's nonsense. People here are acutely aware of the differences between Hezbollah and the local military capabilities, hence the common refrain 'whatever Hassan Nasrallah says will happen, comes to pass'. (The subtext to this comment is implicit criticism of pretty much all the Palestinian political groups, who promise to return to Jerusalem and many other not so savory things, but have never delivered). If more people are supporting armed struggle, it's because the so-called peace talks have been so fraudulent. However, I think in the West Bank at least, people really aren't sure what to support any more, since the armed struggle has been equally ineffective.

Many people here don't seem to have much empathy for the people of Lebanon though. They would much rather cheerlead Hezbollah than face up to the devastating consequences of the war for the civilian population.

On a personal level, I seem to be increasingly numb to the devastation in Gaza and Lebanon (Yes, Gaza is still happening as well). I don't know whether it's the length of the conflict, the continued inaction of the international community or simply a mental self-defense mechanism, but it doesn't seem to be getting to me as much as it was... which is incredibly sad. Since it's still 'getting to' the civilians of Gaza and Lebanon whether they like it or not.

Finally, why is it that the swimming pool staff can't get the pool clean until 9:15 on weekdays when the summer camps arrive at 9:30, but on Friday, when only families come much later in the morning, they're done by 8:50?