Mike Hudack is a tumblelog.

The Bush administration has blamed the renewed violence on Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. The United States said Hamas broke a cease-fire by firing rockets and mortars deep into Israeli territory. The Arab world, however, has reacted with rage to the aggressive Israeli counterattacks, which has killed and injured hundreds.

My Way News - Israeli foreign minister defends military strikes

Again, this is the problem.  Hamas shelling of Israel kills one or two people.  The retaliation kills or injures hundreds.  In the West we’re likely to look sympathetically at the Israeli response.  In the Muslim world, however, you can’t help but feel that the response is disproportionate.  

Israel needs to decide whether it’s fighting a simple military conflict or a public relations battle.  I’m not sure that it can reliably fight both.  This offensive is likely to set back the dramatically improved relationships that Israel has developed with its neighbors in recent years, and that’s extremely unfortunate.