Well terrorism would lose some of it's funders, there could be an increase in trade tourism, and economy. Israel's current economy is in the pits. They could also gain increased world standing for no longer violating the 4th geneva convention. What part of the 4th Geneva convention is the U.S. guilty of breaking? If they are guilty how long have they been breaking it? Israel has been breaking it almost since their inception. They would also be doing the just and sensible thing. Not using innocent civilian Palestinians as shields for the IDF when they go into dangerous situations, not using helicopters firing missles into crowded areas as an assassination technique would not be giving into terrorism. Terrorism can be fought at the same time peace is being pursued. Giving the Palestinians a viable state, and still fighting terrorism would be the best option. And while it's not guaranteed that the terrorism would stop, what is guaranteed is that if they keep doing what they are now, terrorist attacks will still keep happening. Seriously what are they thinking? It hasn't worked the first thousand times we've reacted this way, and so we'll react this again, because for some reason this might be the one to stop it all? That goes terrorists, and the Israeli govt. To keep doing the same unsuccesful thing over and over is stupid. Many of their oppressive laws have zero to do with terrorism, and only to do with nationality. Israel should lift the ban on Palestinians drilling new water wells. Israel should stop slant drilling of water well underneath existing Palestinian wells. Israel should should not charge Palestinians more for water than they do for Israelis. Fixing the laws regarding water rights wouldn't lead, in the slightest, to increased terrorism attacks. Again doing what's right and just isn't giving in to terrorists. If I'm murdering 5 innocents to kill 2 guilty people I would quit. Just because I quit it doesn't mean I'm giving into the will of terrorists. I can still fight terrorism. What did the whites in S. Africa gain from ending apartheid? A fair system of governement. They lost some power, but it was still the right thing to do. One big difference is that there was a huge world wide boycott against S. Africa for their oppression. Israel however doesn't face such pressure. Maybe that kind of incentive for them to change their tactics would be a start. Yes in a way what ISrael is doing is far worse than Apartheid. At least in apartheid people in the banthus had some recourse to be self sustaining. Their is a military Israeli ordinance that authorizes ISraeli forces to destroy any Palestinian business which can compete economically with an Israeli one. This says nothing of the restricted movement that Palestinians are under. Palestinians resort to terrorism more than Israel, Israel oppresses Palestinians based solely on nationality. The cycle is endless. Both sides need a change of tactics. The Oslo deal was unworkable, and completely unjust. They should do better than that. The U.S. got tough about enforcing signed agreements with Iraq, they should do the same with ISrael. I don't mean to invade Israel, but I do believe they need to put serious pressure on them. Israel signed the 4th geneva convention. It's time they lived up to it.
the same can be said for both sides israel must show they are capable of being a mature nation that will show regard for the lives of palestinian children. yes hamas is wrong for their actions, but israel inflamed this situation much more than should have. that is simple to understand during very important peace talks can you not agree?
Dear Lord. I can't believe there are still people who maintain a distinction between a government that has ruined generations of an entire people, and a few terrorists who blow up buses. Are the terrorists really worse? The effects of their actions certainly are less dire. And their goals are no different (they both want their side to win). The people who suffer (innocents) are the same. Terrorism just has a nasty ring to it to complacent Westerners (including myself) who have big tanks and nice bombers. We don't tend to like asymetric warfare because we've become accustomed to thinking ourselves safe from their puny militaries. Suicide bombers represent a threat to us. Awfully convenient that we're placing moral condemnation on the only way our enemies truly threaten us.
This is why helicopter revenge killings on streetcorners are inappropriate: The Reality Principle By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN Have you noticed how often Israel kills a Hamas activist and the victim is described by Israelis as "a senior Hamas official" or a "key operative"? This has led me to wonder: How many senior Hamas officials could there be? We're not talking about I.B.M. here. We're talking about a ragtag terrorist group. By now Israel should have killed off the entire Hamas leadership twice. Unless what is happening is something else, something I call Palestinian math: Israel kills one Hamas operative and three others volunteer to take his place, in which case what Israel is doing is actually self-destructive. Self-destructive is, in fact, a useful term to describe Israelis and Palestinians today. "Both sides," notes the Israeli political theorist Yaron Ezrahi, "have crossed the line where self-defense has turned into self-destruction. When self-defense becomes self-destruction, only an external force can bring people back to their senses. And that force is President Bush. I think he is the only reality principle left that either side might listen to, and I hope he understands that." You know that both sides are in self-destruction mode when you can look at their military actions and say that even if they succeeded they would be worse off. The question is not whether Israel has a right to kill senior Hamas officials. They are bad guys. The question is whether it's smart for Israelis to do it now. The fact is, the only time Israelis have enjoyed extended periods of peace in the last decade has been when Palestinian security services disciplined their own people, in the heyday of Oslo. Unfortunately, Yasir Arafat proved unwilling to do that consistently. The whole idea of the Bush peace process is to move Mr. Arafat aside and replace him with a Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, who is ready to rebuild the Palestinian security services, and, in the context of an interim peace settlement, corral Hamas. Hamas knows this. So its tactic is to goad Israel into attacks that will unravel the whole process. The smart thing for Israel to do — and it's not easy when your civilians are being murdered — is not to play into Hamas's hands. The smart thing is to say to Mr. Abbas: "How can we help you crack down on Hamas? We don't want Israel to own Hamas's demise. Palestinians have to root out this cancer within their own society. If Israelis try to do it, it will only metastasize." Israel's supporters argue that if America can go after Osama bin Laden, Israel can go after Hamas. Of course Israel is entitled to pursue its mortal enemies, just as America does, but it cannot do it with reckless abandon, notes Mr. Ezrahi, for one reason: America will never have to live with Mr. bin Laden's children. They are far away and always will be. Israel will have to live with the Palestinians, after the war. They are right next door and always will be. The fact is, Ariel Sharon's two years of using the Israeli Army alone to fight terrorism have not made Israelis more secure. He needs a Palestinian partner, and he has to operate and negotiate in a way that will nurture one. And the people who get that the best are Israelis. In a Yediot Ahronot poll released Friday, two-thirds of Israelis were critical of Mr. Sharon's tactic of targeted assassinations of Hamas officials and said they wanted Mr. Abbas to be given a chance to establish his authority. It may be that Mr. Abbas can't step up to this. It may be that the Palestinians are capable only of self-destructive revenge, rather than constructive restraint and reconciliation. But surely Israel has more to gain in the long term by giving Mr. Abbas every chance to prove otherwise, and to empower him to do so, rather than killing one more Hamas "senior official," who will only be replaced by three others. Because if the two sides cannot emerge from this dead end, then you can forget about a two-state solution, which is what both Hamas's followers and the extremist Jewish settlers want. They each want a one-state solution, in which their side will control all of Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. The one-state solution would mean the end of the Zionist enterprise, because Israel can rule such an entity, in which there would soon be more Arabs than Jews, only by apartheid or ethnic cleansing. It would also mean the end of Palestinian nationalism, because the Israelis will crush the Palestinians rather than be evicted. That is the outcome we are heading toward, though, unless the only reality principle left, the United States of America, really intervenes — with its influence, its wisdom and, if necessary, its troops.
Everybody keeps harping on about Israel's misdeeds, and it is not that addressing those is not important (it is), but to fail to point the finger at the Palestinian side is to totally misunderstand the situation. If you fail to hold the Palestinians accountable for their terror, then there will never, not ever, be any sort of peace. Only a Palestinian civil war will bring peace Dennis Prager June 10, 2003 Like the proverbial broken record, some of us have been saying for years that only one thing can bring peace to the Middle East: a Palestinian civil war. It should now be as obvious as anything can be that this is the case. A significant percentage of Palestinians do not want peace with Israel; they want peace without an Israel. If these individuals and groups are not fought by those Palestinians who want peace with Israel, peace is impossible. The need for Palestinians to fight one another in order to make a state is hardly unique. Many states, including the United States and, to a lesser extent, Israel, have had to fight civil wars in order to survive. If the American government had not been prepared to fight a civil war, there would be no United States as we know it, and slavery in America would not have been abolished. Likewise, the first prime minister of Israel, David Ben-Gurion, killed fellow Jews who resisted his call to put down their arms and accept the Israeli government. The questions for the Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazen are therefore as stark and as difficult: Does he have the courage and leadership qualities to be the Palestinians' Lincoln or Ben-Gurion? Does he have enough support among Palestinians, who in every poll over the last years have supported terror and the destruction of Israel, to engage in political and military battle with fellow Palestinians? Can he neutralize Yasser Arafat, who encourages the Palestinian terror groups? And if the Palestinian prime minister does take on Hamas and other terrorist groups, can he avoid being assassinated by fellow Palestinians who want Israel destroyed? Could he survive an almost inevitable assassination plot organized by the Iranian regime, the major supporter of those who seek Israel's destruction? We do not know the answers to these questions. But we will know them soon. Because without a positive answer to each, peace is not possible. We are at one of those rare and important moments in history when anyone who wants to can see the roots of a world conflict with perfect clarity. The only reason there has not been peace between Israel and its Palestinian and other Arab neighbors since 1948 is the refusal of most Arabs and large numbers of Muslims elsewhere to accept the existence of a Jewish state in Israel. Israel showed at Camp David in 2000 that it will do everything except commit suicide for real peace with the Palestinians. Yet precisely when Israel offered a Palestinian state on 95 percent of the West Bank, Palestinians resumed blowing up Israelis wherever Israelis live, eat, travel, pray and work. It was clear to all but those who hate Israel that Yasser Arafat and the Palestinians wanted Israel destroyed more than they wanted a state. And now, once again, Israel is making clear its willingness to do just about anything for peace -- this time under a right-wing prime minister. It is time for the world to see the 55-year-old truth that Israel wants peace while its enemies want Israel destroyed . . . unless the Palestinians are willing to fight their terrorists. Nothing will demonstrate that Palestinians are willing to live alongside Israel as much as their willingness to fight fellow Palestinians. For those who claim "war never solves anything," a mantra of such ignorance that only the well educated believe it, the Palestinians can provide another example of how war, or at least a willingness to wage war, can solve a great deal. Just as the Nazi atrocities were ended only by war, so, too, the Palestinians will have a state and enjoy peace and freedom only by declaring, and if need be fighting, a war. A civil war. For their sake and the world's sake, let us pray they wage it. ©2003 Creators Syndicate, Inc. http://www.townhall.com/columnists/dennisprager/dp20030610.shtml As I have always maintained, the peace process cannot begin until the terror issue is addresed. If it is not, or if people are expecting Israel to make concessions before it is addressed, then we will be waiting for a long time. Like it or not, nothing will happen until either A) Israel/PA take out Hamas, etc or B) the Palestinians reign them in themselves. Like it or not.
I think the difference is that you hold Hamas accountable, and still work with the Abbas toward statehood. It's wrong to punish all Palestinians because of Hamas. Having a Palestinian state does not mean that the battle against Hamas is over, or that they will no longer be dealt with. Give the Palestinians a state and continue to fight Hamas at the same time.
How absolutely disappointing. That's your worst post ever. If there was no war when Israel was formed, there would be two nations living side-by-side and no 'ruined generations'. The 'generation ruination' you referred to did not occur in a vaccuum. Terrorism is terrorism, no matter what games you want to play. Intentionally targeting civilians, or even letting them die in an attack out of seeming indifference, are both clearly wrong. Having them die as 'collateral' effects is arguable. (And FWIW, I don't consider attacks on Israeli military to be 'terrorism' under the present circumstances) To not be able to see the difference between intentional murder (terrorism) and the West is down-right idiotic. I don't 'have a problem' with terrorism because it's a threat, but because it's wrong. And don't be so naive to think it is just a threat to Westerners. It's effect on all civilization is profound.
Since so many feel that targeting civilians is okay, or at least no worse than what Israel is doing now, why don't the Israelis just exterminate the Palestinians. Since it is no worse than what they are doing now, the backlash shouldn't be too great, and it has the advantage of not creating future generations of terrorists. Peace becomes instantaneous and the whole isue becomes academic.
Lets hope the extremists on both sides don't Mess this up. And please SHARON, don't send in Apache's to take someone out in the next few days otherwise you will prove to us that you truly don't want peace. I'm praying that this works. Hamas, Islamic Jihad OK Truce With Israel 2 minutes ago By DAN PERRY JERUSALEM - Three key Palestinian groups, including the Islamic militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad, agreed Wednesday to halt attacks on Israel for three months, a senior official of Yasser Arafat (news - web sites)'s Fatah (news - web sites) faction said. The official, Kadoura Fares, speaking on behalf of Fatah, said a formal statement about the cease-fire would be made later Wednesday. Fatah also signed the agreement. According to another Palestinian official, the document outlining the truce terms was signed in Damascus, Syria, by top Hamas leader Khaled Mashal and Islamic Jihad leader Ramadan Shalah. It came after lengthy negotiations between the militant groups and Marwan Barghouti, a leading Palestinian figure in Fatah who is jailed in Israel. Barghouti signed the agreement on behalf of Fatah, which is headed by Arafat and Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, the source said. Another militant group, the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, is associated with Fatah. Word of the accord came as Palestinian officials said Israeli helicopters fired rockets at two cars in the Gaza Strip (news - web sites), causing an explosion. However, there was no confirmation from witnesses and militants have previously set off explosions while transporting or building bombs. The military wings of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Al Aqsa have carried out bombing and shooting attacks against Israelis during 33 months of fighting, killing hundreds. The cease-fire was a key element for implementing a U.S.-backed "road map" peace plan that aims to halt the fighting and create a Palestinian state by 2005. A Palestinian official said on condition of anonymity that according to the cease-fire document, the militant groups agree to a moratorium on attacks for three months. In exchange, they demand that Israel end targeted killings of militants and stop military incursions into Palestinian areas, the official said. The groups also call for a release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel — but do not set any deadline for this, the official said.
This truce really surprised me, i really hope this works out somehow. I can't even imagine what it must be like trying to live with the constant threat of attacks from one side or the other, very scary.
Well that truce was over before it started----Is Israel stupid--Yes. Israel Kills 4 in Gaza; Militants Deny Truce Pact By Nidal al-Mughrabi GAZA (Reuters) - Israel killed four Palestinians in a missile strike and gun battle in the Gaza Strip (news - web sites) on Wednesday and Palestinian militant leaders denied agreeing to a cease-fire needed to bolster a stumbling new U.S.-backed peace plan. The latest bloodshed deepened doubt as to whether Hamas, the main militant group behind a campaign of suicide attacks against Israelis, would soon call a "hudna," or temporary truce. Political leaders of the Islamist groups denied media reports they had tentatively decided to suspend attacks after talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and said Israel's military action would not help calm the situation. "We have no idea about these reports. We are still in a process of consultation within the movement. Every time we near a decision (Israel) slaughters more of our people," senior Hamas figure Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi said after the missile volley that wounded a targeted Hamas militant but killed two civilians. "A decision will be made in coming days. We will take all developments and the continued Israeli aggression into account," said Rantissi, who escaped with light wounds when Israel tried to assassinate him with helicopter missiles on June 10. Hamas's military wing, the Izz al-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, issued a statement saying the missile attack was "clear evidence that the criminal occupier does not want to achieve the calm it claims to be seeking. We will not stand by handcuffed. On the contrary we will respond to such crimes," it said. Aides to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) said Israel had the right to pursue militants plotting attacks in the absence of a crackdown on them by the new reformist Palestinian leadership. Witnesses said missiles crashed into two cars near Khan Younis in southern Gaza, killing two Palestinians including a woman and wounding their apparent target, a Hamas operative. ISRAEL SAYS IT TARGETED 'HAMAS TERRORIST CELL' An Israeli army spokesman said a helicopter fired two missiles to take out a "Hamas terrorist cell on its way to firing mortar shells into Israeli communities," most likely Jewish settlements in the Mediterranean strip. Military sources said the large explosion of one of the cars hit confirmed intelligence that it was laden with mortars. Hospital sources said the militant, Mohammed Seyam, had his leg amputated in hospital. Palestinian security sources said Seyam was on Israel's wanted list and that he was in one car while the two people killed were in the other, a taxi. Israeli troops also killed two Hamas fighters in a gunfight not far from where U.S. envoy John Wolf met Abbas to try to move ahead on the road map envisaging a Palestinian state by 2005. In Washington, President Bush (news - web sites) was skeptical about reports a truce was near. "I'll believe it when I see it, knowing the history of terrorists in the Middle East," he said. "It's one thing to make a verbal agreement, but in order for there to be peace...we must see organizations such as Hamas dismantled," Bush, who launched the peace plan at a summit with Sharon and Abbas three weeks ago, told a news conference. Palestinian Authority (news - web sites) officials voiced confidence that Hamas and Islamic Jihad would accept a moratorium on attacks shortly. But Israel and both Islamist factions have shown little inclination to abandon a cycle of tit-for-tat violence that has killed over 60 people since the summit. "We are willing to stop these (targeted killings) if the Palestinian Authority assumes its rightful responsibility and prevents such suicide and homicide killings emanating from territory under its control," Sharon adviser Raanan Gissin told CNN. "Despite many obstacles, we are very hopeful (of a truce)." Sharon's right-wing coalition accepted the road map only under strong U.S. pressure. Its parties still oppose Palestinian statehood and remain committed to settlements on occupied land.
They BOTH look bad, and like I've said before, no progress will be made until Israel gets a new leader than can keep the hard-liners in check and the Palestinians get a new leader that can keep the terrorist organizations in check. Abbas has not yet proven he can do so.
I know it makes Israel look bad to some people (not to everybody). But I quoted this: "Well that truce was over before it started----Is Israel stupid--Yes. " There was no truce. Israel can't be stupid for breaknig a truce that was never there.
I think its Official that Ariel Sharon and the Israeli Government do not want peace. As long as violence continues, they can continue to illegally occupy more land. They were so close to a TRUCE between the militant groups and then this happens the next day. Hamas Activists Killed in Israeli Raid 3 minutes ago GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Israeli soldiers killed three Hamas activists and destroyed a house in a village south of Gaza City early Friday, Palestinians said. Israeli forces entered the village of Mujarkha before daybreak, apparently looking for Adnan al-Houl, a local Hamas leader, and surrounded his house. In an exchange of fire, three Hamas activists were killed, including a cousin of Adnan Al-Houl, who was not at home at the time. During the raid, soldiers destroyed the house. Palestinians said the Israeli military was holding the bodies of two of the dead and had turned over the body of the third. Israeli military sources would say only that an operation was in progress in the area, and one Israeli soldier was slightly wounded. Israeli forces have tried several times to kill or capture al-Houl, killing his son in a previous raid, Palestinians said. The Israeli raid began around 4:30 a.m., and the echoes of gunfire could be heard in nearby Gaza City. The Israeli operation came as Palestinian groups were working on a cease-fire declaration after agreeing to a temporary halt to attacks.
Hamas isnt one of the Palestinian groups working on a cease fire. They are too busy killing unsuspecting civilians. Until Hamas PERMANENTLY halts these murderous attacts..expect Sharon to continue to protect citizens from these rabid terrorists..any way he can.
