Two unilateral ceasefires later, and we're all back in school, quite confident that this means we can relax--for at least a week. I'm not so convinced(!) But we haven't had any rocket attacks in two whole days. I am finally pushing myself to get down to business with school work with the prospect of them extending the semester by a week. I had a great day yesterday, very productive, and a very interesting class on the Iranian Revolution. My professor had some interesting comments about Iran's involvement in Gaza and the military op, which I will try to relay to you here (although know that this is just one person's opinion/suggestion, and I may not understand it entirely):

The Iranianization of Lebanon and Palestine

Here in Israel, Hamas' full name is "The Iranian-backed Hamas." There has been so much talk about Iran being behind the scenes in the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon, yet throughout this whole current conflict, we have barely heard a peep out of Iran. Whats the deal? Its true that because Hamas was boycotted after the election, it went to Iran for funds, deepening their relationship. But with 1200 dead and 5000 wounded in Gaza and only 13 soldiers and a few civilians dead on Israel's side, you have to ask, is that all Iran can do? You also have to ask, how did Israel (or "the Israeli War Machine," full name) get away with such atrocity?

My professor suggests that By linking Hamas and Hezbollah with Iran, it removes them from the Palestinian struggle and puts them into a constructed category of "the war on terror," insinuating that all terrorist organizations are linked together, with united crazy purposes, ultimately linked and backed by Iran, axis of evil. He warns against assuming that the weapons used in the Lebanon war by Hezbollah can from Iran. They may have, but they were Chinese in origin. The truth is, no one knows much, especially the media. He says that by saying that Hamas is backed by Iran, that the Palestinian struggle is just a pawn in the grand Iranian conspiracy to wipe Israel off the map would be just like saying that Israel is a pawn in the hands of America, used to wipe Palestine or the Arabs of the map. Though some might argue that this sentiment holds true, one has to admit that it seems a bit far reaching.

But putting Hamas into this category, this obscures the national struggle, and in a way legitimizes what Israel has done, as part of the global war on terror. He also reminds that the most violent and destruction that Iran has done in the past 30 years has not been to the outside world, but to its own Iranian people, and that this is something that is always overlooked.

anyway, something to think about. I would really appreciate comments.

Pictures below are:
1) smoke from an explosion I passed in a bus last weekend on the way to Jerusalem. yikes!
2) and 3) view of Jerusalem on a dramatic, hazy afternoon
4)sign in Jerusalem with everything spray painted out except the Arabic