Middle-Eastern Conflict Could Lead to World-Wide Unrest

Israeli forces are continuing air strikes on the Hamas controlled Gaza City, in response to the continued firing of rockets into Israel from Gaza. With the situation escalating by the minute, governments across the world are calling for a cease-fire. Protesters are taking to the streets in nearby countries calling for an end to the Israeli air strikes, and government leaders are condemning the actions of the Israeli government.
Israel and Palestine have long been at odds, but this new wave of violence between them could lead to global unrest and undermine the security of the Middle-east. Neighboring countries of Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen, Turkey, and Iran have called for a cease fire. Lebanon, which suffered greatly after the 2005 violence between their Hezbollah regime and Israel, has played host to numerous protest against the Israeli air-strikes. Egypt which brokered the last cease-fire agreement has called on the two factions to resume their truce.
If the other governments get involved, this situation could unravel into a global crisis. Iran, under the watch of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has openly called for Israel to be “wiped off the map.” If his government gets involved, it could potentially lead to conflict with the US which already has strained relations with Iran. In addition, Turkey, which is a mostly Muslim country, actually has relations with Israel. Continued air strikes by the Israelis could lead to dissolution of those relations with Turkey. France, Russia, and the UK have condemned the actions of both sides. The US has essentially defended Israel and have blamed the attacks on Hamas for their continual assault on Israel with rockets and mortars. The US has already seen a strain on their relations with France and Russia due to the failed foreign policy of the Bush Administration. Any type of conflict between the US and Russia could ultimately lead to a contemporary “cold-war.”
Rather than take sides, the international community must call upon both the Israelis and the Hamas militants to stop the violence and to work together towards achieving a peaceful existence between them. The world cannot afford another conflict. Global economies are in shambles, there is a war in Afghanistan, an occupation of Iraq, escalating pressures between Pakistan and India, and genocide in Darfur and Zimbabwe. We need to resolve this situation as quickly as possible. The United Nations need to act quickly to prevent individual countries from getting involved. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon of South Korea has been nearly invisible since taking the reigns from his predecessor Kofi Annan, who was much more outspoken. This conflict must come to a quick conclusion; prolonged violence between Israel and Palestine could seriously impact the rest of the world.