Defending Israel from Goldstone is very hard work.

Right wing Zionists are out in force these days, defending their state against the findings of the Goldstone Commission, that Israel (as well as Hamas) is guilty of serious war crimes as a result of its actions during the merciless assault on Gaza last winter. But it is very hard for them to defend Israel without simultaneously defending Hamas. The Israeli government is saying that the Goldstone report is unfair because Israel was defending itself, and a people acting in self defense should not have to worry about a few excesses. To expect Israel not to commit war crimes while defending itself is to expect it to fight with one hand tied behind its back.

That's a lot to take in, but there's a parallel logic to it, right? What then might Hamas say? A people under siege have a right to resist don't they? And if their only means of resistance breaks a few roofs, kills a few civilians, and causes some trauma, then so be it. To expect Hamas not to commit war crimes while resisting the siege of its people is to expect it to fight with one hand tied behind its back. If Israel is allowed to defend itself by any means necessary, denying this right to Palestinians is a double standard.

I think we can all agree that its better to have rules in place so that things like un-targeted rocket attacks on communities in southern Israel aren't thought of as "any means necessary." And so that white phosphorous, dime ammunition, rampant drone attacks, child casualties in the hundreds and civilian casualties above a thousand, attacks on UN facilities, bombs dropped on families and civilian police, demolished schools, and bulldozed homes, industries and farmland are not thought of as "any means necessary" either.

One day, a day postponed by the self-absorbed collaborators in the Palestinian leadership, Israel and Hamas will face international scrutiny for their actions. Those actions will be measured up to international standards and shown to be shamefully lacking. Hamas will need to take responsibility for its rockets and Israel will have to take responsibility for a lot more, but the proper thing for both parties to do is accept their transgressions. What they shouldn't do is mock international law and basic moral decency, but such is the way of the ultra right wing Zionists.

Even Hamas has kept its mouth shut this time.

- Update: Larry Derfner, blogging at the Jerusalem Post website, does a great job on this very point. Please check it out.