Spiral of terror

THE destruction in Gaza is evil. It is justified by recourse to the so-called war on terror — a catchphrase so vague it can be used to justify nearly anything.

The destruction itself is state-sponsored terror by people whose ancestors perished in analagously dreadful circumstances just two generations ago. And so the spiral of hatred, vengeance and retribution continues.

Why are these seen as inevitable? Have the political leaders of Israel and Hamas no positive values to offer?