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YAAKOV

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Ponderings and Links on Israel and Jewish Issues and Technology
Articles Posted: 72  Links Seeded: 601
Member Since: 1/2006  Last Seen: 5/15/2012

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What is Olmert smoking and where can I get some?

Seeded on Mon Nov 27, 2006 10:09 AM EST
Read ArticleArticle Source: israelmatzav.blogspot.com
world-news, israel, gaza, hamas, peace, abbas, ehud-olmert, plo, hanniyeh
Seeded by Yaakov
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More analysis of Olmert's latest delusional blunder:

Olmert still doesn't get it. First, this conflict is not about territory - it's about Israel's existence. If this conflict were about territory, Gaza would not have become a terror base when it was gifted to the 'Palestinians' in 2005, and the 'Palestinians' would not be demanding that Israel vacate the towns that border Gaza. After all, those towns are within the 'green line,' and in Olmert's delusional world, the 'Palestinians' make no claim to them.

Second, the hudna that began at 6:00 AM yesterday (subject to its violation) has nothing to do with a 'new path' and everything to do with the IDF's effective fighting against the 'Palestinian' terrorists. The terrorists needed a break to regroup and rearm. They have said so. The IDF has said so. But Ehud K. Olmert, who was never even an officer in the army, thinks he knows better than the IDF. After all, he's a lawyer....

Third, Olmert has nothing to offer that will satisfy the 'Palestinians'. He's a lawyer. Note those carefully chosen words: "the Palestinians could establish an independent, viable state with contiguous territory in the West Bank, and have full sovereignty over recognized borders." But there's an elephant in the living room of the 'Palestinian' state. You see, the 'Palestinians' 'minimalist' demand (for now) is a contiguous 'Palestinian' state reichlet in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. You can't get from Judea or Samaria to Gaza without going through pre-1967 Israel. And of course, the 'Palestinians' don't want to be 'humiliated' with 'inspections' every time they go from one to the other. There's also a second elephant in the living room of the 'Palestinian' state - it's not economically viable whether or not Judea and Samaria are contiguous with Gaza.

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  • Public Discussion (3)
AdipicAcid

Or is Olmert crazy like a fox? Right now, Israel's popularity is in the sewer. Perhaps these overtures are necessary tactics to build faith and trust in the broader world, even if the Palestinians are pretty much a lost cause?

  • 1 vote
Reply#1 - Mon Nov 27, 2006 9:19 PM EST
Yaakov

Perhaps I might agree with you if this was the first time for this pattern to happen. But it is not. This has happened before and each time Israel ended up weaker then before, facing a new intifada or wave of suicide bombings, with nothing to show for it.

I do agree that it is about popularity. Olmert's popularity in Israel is even worse than Bush's in the US, and he needs something to boost his support. Too bad it will come at the cost of Israeli lives.

  • 1 vote
#1.1 - Tue Nov 28, 2006 1:12 AM EST
AdipicAcid

Yaakov, Israel has far fewer friends than it did before the aborted Lebanon campaign. It also can no longer look to the United States as a trusted intermediary, as our credibility is shot in the Arab world.

In other words, force alone isn't going to work either, nor are the old diplomatic alliances. A new way needs to be found, and that means taking risks. I understand your trepidation fully, but right now might be the time for honey, not flyswatters.

If these olive branches manage to educate the Europeans on the true agenda of the Palestinians, then perhaps the next time force is needed they will not be so quick to condemn Israel while turning a blind eye to human rights violations of Hamas or Hizballah, for example. Israel is going to need more partners than just the USA at this point to solve this problem. You can thank the Bush Administration's utter incompetence and lack of imagination in Middle East policy for that, not Olmert's.

  • 1 vote
#1.2 - Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:33 AM EST
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