Living here in the UK I have witnessed the massive public outcry over the Israel-Gaza conflict, from both sides, and have seen the reputation of Israel tumble in the majority of the press and media. However, since the start of the Gazan offensive in December I have found myself questioning my natural inclination to side with the Palestinian peoples in order to try and understand the conflict from both sides. This has been accelerated through heated exchanges with people of Pro-Israel leaning, including those of Israeli descent. I have read articles from various news organisations, both here in the UK but also in Israel and the Arab world.

However, Israel’s parliament yesterday announced the banning of two Arab political parties from running in the upcoming general election. The move was proposed by members of two right-wing parties, but backed by members of the majority of the political parties. The Arab parties concerned have been described by Israeli intelligence as a ’strategic threat’ to Israel’s existence.

It is difficult for me to continue to try and take a moderate line in my opinion of the conflict when Israel seems to be stamping out any glimmer of representation for it’s Arab residents – who make up to 20% of the Israeli population. I sympathise with those living in areas of Israel targeted by the Hamas rockets and for those who have lost friends or relatives to the conflict, but if the internal dialogue between Jewish and Arab Israeli’s is extinguished then there is little hope for widespread condemnation of the Israel-Gaza conflict itself and the reconciliation which is needed.

I hope that Israel begins to understand that removing a section of its populace’s freedom of political expression can only add to the lack of understanding – both domestic and international – which surrounds the Gazan conflict.