Terrorism and Relying on Good Intentions

Sixty years ago a nation was created. A small nation with deeply religious roots. The land had to come from somwhere, and it came from a part of the world that had changed hands many times throughout its history. The group that got it wanted the land very badly and had settled there over time both because people didn't want them elsewhere and because they believed they belonged there. Of course, they still had to share it with the people already living there. In the end, control over the area shifted from the one group to another, and someone was left feeling a bit left out. Shouldn't they have control over the area? haven't they lived there long enough? isn't it important to them and their families as well? And, like any other disputed region, a bit of negative sentiment still exists today.

They are still arguing over who owns the area, and the two groups have come to blows many times. Many have died, more have been injured, and still more live in fear. 

So, the UN has decided that they will call for an end to the violence. Too many people have died and there has been too much civilian suffering. 

It reminds me of a problem at many workplaces. A CEO was once asked, "Can we make sure people always fill up the coffee maker when they've had the last cup?" "You can't ask people to have good intentions," he said. The fact is, people are sometimes going to leave the coffee maker empty unless they have a damn good reason to fill it up. Sure, nice people will fill it up when they're done, and more likely, if they aren't in a hurry, but unless there's a mechanism in place, you're still just relying on the fact that they're nice and that they'll feel like doing it.

Meanwhile, back in the Middle East, we are asking people to stop doing what they were doing because it's wrong. Fact. They know it's wrong (and maybe some don't even think that it is), and they're doing it anyway. Palestinians attack and Israelis retaliate with increased force, but the fighting does not stop. Missiles are still flying into Southern Israel. Tanks are still firing in Gaza city. The violence is horrible. Hundreds have died. Perhaps we should give them a bit more of a reason to stop than just asking nicely.