Trouble brewing

An AP cameraman recounts his experience of being kidnapped in Gaza:

"I have been covering the Gaza Strip as an APTN cameraman since the outbreak of the Palestinian uprising five years ago. I know the area well and always travel with Palestinian colleagues. After a recent string of kidnappings of foreign journalists and aid workers, we recently had begun employing unarmed security guards when we went out on assignments."

There may be trouble in Gaza, but if Israel dares interrupt the upcoming elections there due to Hamas involvement, its international reputation will take another deserved battering. Democracy means multiple sides, with various viewpoints, competing for the public trust. Israel can't pick who the Palestinians want.