On: Fears of renewed Gaza war as Hamas disarmament talks stall

Another day, another committee meeting about disarming the inevitable. They talk about stalled talks, as if talking ever stopped a good fight. It’s like a marriage, isn’t it? The more you discuss the terms, the closer you are to throwing the china.

Disarmament. A lovely word, full of hope and empty promises. It always reminds me of those peace treaties, signed with one hand while the other sharpens a knife. They say Israel is preparing to resume fighting. Well, what did they expect? That Hamas would suddenly decide to take up knitting? People don’t disarm because of talks; they disarm when they’ve run out of bullets, or excuses, which often amounts to the same thing.

The whole thing is a club, really. One side says, “We want peace,” and the other says, “We want peace, but on our terms.” And the terms are always the problem. If you join a club that wants peace, you’d think peace would be the main item on the agenda. But no, it’s always about who gets to keep the biggest stick. And if you ask me, the only thing that ever gets disarmed in these talks is common sense.