There seems to be some difficulty on the left in relating to Israel's predicament on the Gaza issue. So I think it might be helpful if I transposed its complexities to a more local setting.
Imagine that Wales has been taken over by a Celtic nationalist movement (the CNM) dedicated to restoring England to the Celtic people. Rockets have been fired into the West of England for many years, striking Bristol and other towns. So far there has not been a great loss of life but the people in that part of England are daily living in fear. from these attacks. Others living further afield have suffered from gunmen and suicide bombers using Wales as a sanctuary.
There have been similar problems with another Celtic nationalist group but they have not been on the same scale as the current troubles and that group has now agreed to a peace process involving a two-state solution.
However the CNM is refusing to engage in such a process, clinging to their sacred claim on England. In doing so they are, of course, jeopardising the chances of an overall settlement. So you, as an English person, are having to live with a neighbouring country that is continuously brainwashing its people to become martyrs to the cause of restoring the homeland, thus producing an endless stream of potential suicide bombers ready to go into England when the opportunity presents itself.
The CNM's command structure is embedded in densely populated parts of Cardiff and retreats to bunkers under schools and hospitals when there is any prospect of a retaliatory strike. Moreover its weapons are manufactured and stored in rows of terraced houses, teeming with women and children. The rockets are fired from such areas at regular intervals.
Your government has blockaded Wales to prevent resources getting through that might sustain the CNM's military effort and to stop any suicide bombers getting into England.. But this move has failed to bring about any real change in the situation. The CNM refuses to participate in any meaningful negotiations which might end its claim on England The rockets attacks continue and there is little prospect that you will be able to live a normal life in the forseeable future.
Your government is therefore faced with this dilemma. Invading Wales to stop the attacks once and for all would mean massive civilian casualties because of the way that the CNM use their people as human shields. Not invading would mean that the terror attacks could go on for years with London and other big cities in England. eventually coming within range of the CNM's rockets.
Question: What do you think your government should do in these circumstances? (No jokes about the Welsh, please!.)
