November 22, 2007
Peace Through Strength?
I am far from an expert on Mid East politics in general and really nothing more than a casual observer of the Israeli Palestinian conflict. My instinctual response is usually that Israel should take a hard line against the Palestinians. They have suffered decades of terrorism, rocket attacks and open warfare. There should be nothing left to negotiate. Nothing left to give. No concession they should be willing to make.
With every "peace agreement" is seems that Israel gives as required by the deal and the Palestinians attack. And yet they keep trying. I suppose it is probably nobler than solving the situation finally and militarily, but I have to wonder how much patience can the Israelis have?
And yes I understand that mine is a rather simplistic view of the situation. As I said, I am not an expert. I accept that. What I do have is a bit of common sense. And when I saw this story, there seemed to be very little common sense on display:
Am I missing something here?
I know they are about to go into yet another round of U.S. brokered peace talks. At least the Bush administration had the sense not to do it at Camp David again. I know they are doing this as a gesture of goodwill to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. But after years of goodwill gestures to Yassir Arrafat that got them nothing I don't understand why they are doing it again.
With every "peace agreement" is seems that Israel gives as required by the deal and the Palestinians attack. And yet they keep trying. I suppose it is probably nobler than solving the situation finally and militarily, but I have to wonder how much patience can the Israelis have?
And yes I understand that mine is a rather simplistic view of the situation. As I said, I am not an expert. I accept that. What I do have is a bit of common sense. And when I saw this story, there seemed to be very little common sense on display:
Palestinians to get armoured carsIf I had an enemy whose primary goal was the elimination of my country and who had been waging a decades long terrorist campaign against me, I would not be giving them 25 armored vehicles, 1000 guns and two million rounds of ammunition.
Israel has approved the transfer of 25 armoured vehicles to Palestinian security forces in the West Bank.
The move has long been opposed by Israeli security forces but officials described it as a goodwill gesture.
The Russian-made vehicles are to be deployed in Nablus. Israel also allowed provision of 1,000 guns and 2m bullets.
Am I missing something here?
I know they are about to go into yet another round of U.S. brokered peace talks. At least the Bush administration had the sense not to do it at Camp David again. I know they are doing this as a gesture of goodwill to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. But after years of goodwill gestures to Yassir Arrafat that got them nothing I don't understand why they are doing it again.
Posted by: Stephen Macklin at 09:08 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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