Finally, from what one can discern of the Olmert government’s goal in its war on Hamas, it seems to be to weaken Hamas and strengthen Fatah so that Mahmoud Abbas can retake control of Gaza and restart diplomacy with Israel. Michael B. Oren and Yossi Klein Halevi captured this idea in a recent article titled: “Palestinians need Israel to win: If Hamas gets away with terror once again, the peace process will be over.”
Bitter experience, however, invalidates this thesis. For one, Fatah has proven itself a determined enemy intent on eliminating the Jewish state. For another, Palestinians themselves repudiated Fatah in 2006 elections. It strains credulity that anyone could still think of Fatah as a “partner for peace.” Rather, Jerusalem should think creatively of other scenarios, perhaps my “no-state solution” bringing in the Jordanian and Egyptian governments.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Registration is currently closed. That means if you're not already registered, you can't comment. We will let you know if and when registration re-opens. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Quit b*tching about the Olmert cowardly past and KILL THE ENEMY.
ex-Democrat on January 11, 2009 at 5:56 PM
But that’s just the point! We aren’t. Cowardly Olmert is still here, along with cowardly Livni and cowardly Barak.
Shy Guy on January 11, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Wow… whatta straw man argument. “Here’s what I think their goals are, and they’re losing these goals therefore they suck”.
Skywise on January 11, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Will see, after the raid on the syrian reactor. It looks like they got a plan.
the_nile on January 11, 2009 at 6:05 PM
The real key to the whole situation is that there has NEVER been a Palestinian state.
Israel needs to go to Egypt and tell them they now own Gaza… and go to Jordan and say they now own the rest… and tell them if they don’t control the violence there, then Israel will be forced to take the gloves off and make a permanent solution, by forcibly expelling the populace from those zones.
Don’t talk to Hamas. Don’t talk to Fatah. Talk to reasonable governments in the area… and make them part of the solution.
Romeo13 on January 11, 2009 at 6:15 PM
I’m going to have to put my trust in the Israelis instead of Pipes.
Blake on January 11, 2009 at 7:01 PM
I’m glad someone else regards the counter-attack on Gaza as too little, too late.
Kralizec on January 11, 2009 at 8:09 PM
It’s easy to arm-chair strategize.
I wish the Israelis had never left Gaza, but you have to deal with what you got. Honestly, this is the best solution to a really stupid situation.
mjk on January 11, 2009 at 8:58 PM
Staging of mass prayers outside Christian churches in Italy a deliberate move as part of a strategy of “Islamisation” of Europe.
Scary Photo
Cardinal Martino raises his ugly head again, too. He has no problem with these staged mass prayers.
Blake on January 11, 2009 at 9:01 PM
d. pipes. i like you, but noone made you supreme leader of the idf so on this please SHUT IT …
Buckaroo on January 11, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Hitler is a nasty guy, but that Stalin! Wow, now THAT’S a guy we can deal with!
mankai on January 11, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Israel’s strategic shortcomings can be seen in the war that they have never sought to actually end. It flares up every 10 years:
1948 (almost lost)
1956
1967
1973 (almost lost)
1982
1990’s first and second intifada, establishment of a plan to create belligerent, terrorist states on much reduced Israeli borders, attacks on Israeli soil (Israeli cities)
2000’s almost non-stop terrorism/attacks on Israeli soil, Iranian nuclear threat, Europe threatening to embargo Israel
Defense strategy has not been Israel’s strong suit, since that nation has never won the war, but just mounted temporary defenses. Eventually, given enough chances, the arabs/persians will win one (as they almost did in 1948 and 1973).
progressoverpeace on January 11, 2009 at 10:05 PM