One hundred Palestinians for One Israeli?

It was reported today that more than 420 Palestinians have died and another 2,200 have been injured in Gaza since the recent outbreak of long simmering hostilities boiled over again in the Middle East. Israel has lost four citizens with another 57 injured. That's about 105 Palestinian lives for each Israeli life. If you added up all the deaths on both sides, I assure you a disproportionate amount of Palestinians have been killed - most notably, children.

According to B'Tselem, The Israeli Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, since 2000 the death counts for this conflict are 4897 Palestinians to date, and 1062 Israelis. In fact, 1050 of those Palestinians were children and 123 were Israelis. I'm not sure that such numbers could be justified as "retaliation" against Hammas.

Putting aside whether you support the Palestinians or the Israelis, is anyone doing the math? Is anyone asking the question why after so many years of bloodshed and loss do the Israelis continue to justify their excessive actions upon a (once nation) of disenfranchised individuals who have been, in my opinion, forced to live in extreme conditions of inequity? And, why does Hammas not recognize that whether they throw a rock or launch a rocket that the reaction from Israel will be extreme and cost lives? It has been that way for years so no one should react with surprise.

What is surprising, is the continued lack of response from the United States. I have long held the belief that the United States needs to treat the situation with less favoritism for US Political alliances and more equity towards humanity and justice. The reaction of Israel is not humane or reasonable, and the actions of Hammas will not gain justice for the wrongs committed against the Palestinians. Now is the time to take a step back and recognize that neither side will win this battle and only compromise, a fair compromise for both sides, will end this battle. Unfortunately, neither side is willing to meet in the middle and meanwhile the death count will continue to rise with the Palestinians losing the most in the long and short run.

Seriously, lets set aside our emotions and help to foster peace in the region. Whether Arab or Israeli, all are citizens of humanity and all deserve peace.