Israel is a nation at tentative peace with itself. In diplomatic terms the incursion into Gaza cost it extensively. The popular opinion weighs heavily on the minds of negotiators. It’s not easy to say yes if persistent crowds shout no. It’s not easy to say no if pressure exerts itself on those selfsame people to say yes.
It’s the same in the nation state at war. It’s a struggle to win hearts and minds over. It’s even more difficult as resources are focused on an enemy. Israel is as deeply set as Britain during its wars. The stories are similar. The military tactics are seen to be misguided in the short term. The goal of peace is still too far off.
The historic support is in question too. In England, there is a lot of evidence to suggest people are misguided. The propaganda that festers in private residences and in secret community meetings says things are awry. The misgivings people have are fraught with mistakes. It’s a whitewash of current perceptions.
The limits of diplomacy are not often seen. It’s not regularly explained in popular formats why it’s beyond our reach at times. The days of saying “Stop The War” have turned to “Stop The Genocide”, and yet neither are realistic. It remains that street politics is an art that has few points. It says very little.