Self-inflicted wounds bleed the Mideast

Circumstances beyond one's control may shape life options and limit possibilities, but one need never be a helpless victim of fate. I make this observation, in part, in reaction to the horrific scenes of violence playing out in Lebanon and Gaza. Both can be seen as a consequence of the lack of peace and realisation of justice, and the failure to resolve the region's long-festering problems. But while some injuries are inflicted, others are self-inflicted. And so, while fingers of blame can be pointed in many directions, for Lebanese and Palestinians, some should point close to home.

There can be no doubt, for example, that Israel bears significant responsibility for Gaza's long-standing crisis.

Because Israel refused to negotiate their departure with Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (which would have helped increase Abbas's authority in Gaza), because they refused to honour even the agreement negotiated by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that would have allowed post-withdrawal Gaza to import and export, and because they maintained a choke hold over all access and egress from Gaza - Israel "left" Gaza a reservation of poverty and anger, with Hamas in ascendance.

This much is true. But Hamas had choices - and they chose badly. After winning legislative elections in January of 2006, they had the duty to behave responsibly. They did not.

Despite history's lesson to "never pick a fight you can't win," Hamas persisted along a path of provocation, adding to the already nearly unbearable hardships endured by the Palestinian people and felt most acutely in Gaza. None of these blunders absolve Israel's inexcusable brutality, but nor can Hamas's failure be pardoned.

No good will come of this internecine war or the firing of "absurd" Qassams to provoke Israeli retaliation. Just as violence sabotaged the Oslo Accords and the 2002 Beirut Declaration, it once again threatens to give Israel the upper hand in diplomatic circles and an excuse not to make peace. The only effective options now are to return to the Makkah Accords.

Paralysis

In Lebanon, the situation is no better and no less deadly. The paralysis that cripples the country's political process has taken an enormous toll.

Hezbollah is still claiming that they won last year's costly war. Certainly, Israel did not win. Their stupidly brutal destruction of Lebanon's civilian infrastructure, gained them nothing. But where is Hezbollah's "victory" with more than a thousand dead and billions of dollars in damage and losses? Can they be so down that this looks like up?

Add to this the political impasse which now threatens to deepen the divide in an already fractured society.

Peace, security, and national reconciliation in Lebanon will require a new political formula that provides greater opportunity to the Shiite plurality. But should this come at the expense of failing to punish the assassins of Rafik Hariri and so many others?

As to the horrific scenes unfolding at the Nahar Al Bared camp, much more must be said. Surely, no society can tolerate the criminal behaviour and threat posed by Fatah Al Islam, and here this is plenty of blame to share. The situation in the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon is truly deplorable.

Lebanon's refusal to provide even the most basic rights and services to these Palestinians remains a black spot on the nation. Cut off, as they have been, the camps have become breeding grounds for violent extremist movements who have preyed on anger, despair, and vulnerability.

External players certainly bear some responsibility. The US, Israel, Syria and Iran must be held to account for seeing in vulnerable situations of Lebanon and the Palestinians the opportunity to play out regional ambitions.

The Lebanese, and Palestinians in Gaza and Lebanon, may be trapped in a war beyond their control. But even with that, they need not behave as victims, victimising each other and leading themselves down a path of self-destruction.

Dr James Zogby is the president of the Arab American Institute in Washington, DC.