The assault on Gaza in retaliation for the terrorist attacks in Israel has divided the world this week. I am no longer in the Middle East Peace Process working group on Security Co-operation, but when I attended the twice yearly gatherings we were given privileged information about the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war and the last major Israel Defence Forces operation in Gaza in 2008, codenamed Cast Lead.
It does appear that the lessons that were identified after these conflicts have been forgotten as everything that happened before is happening again. One of the big ideas that was enshrined in our post 9/11 work was to build a coalition and win the media war. There was enormous sympathy for Israel after the initial attacks, but the Knesset seems to be losing this global support as human rights organisations claim the force being used is disproportionate.
As the new war plays out, the World has suddenly become even more dangerous, with a significant risk of the conflict spilling across the Middle East and North Africa. In the meantime, the families of civilians killed on both sides will be grieving like never before.
Rupert Wieloch 