A Special Place in Hell / How to win with Hamas

Israstine- One nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Israel is now facing an enemy that plays by no rules whatsoever. So while Israel worries about how it is being percieved by the Far Left and the Far Right, Hamas carries out a strategy that has no qualms about putting its people in harms way. Let us look at Hamas. Of course the Arab world is ruled by their own primitve take on humiliation, but they are also willing to strap bombs to young children and elderly woma, as if this is an honorable act. They even turned a woman on her way to receive medical attention in Beersheva into a bomb! They invite war and feel absolutely no remorse at seeing hundreds of civilians killed. In fact they see this as working to their advantage. These folks are demented, and to seek a rational way to deal with them is irrational.

how win hamas ? Next war ; buttle against enemy capitulation,to authorize wihtout distraction ....

Because that's a possible alternative. Hamas represents Palestinians, unlike Abbas, Fayyad, and Dahlan who are compromised. Hamas has offered peace to Israel numerous times, even a 100 year hundna, for 67 borders. They also get rid of the radical groups. Better take a realistic look at history. The more rejection there is their more radicalism there will be due to lack of positive responses to peaceful overtures.

The peaceful tactics of Hamas have been going on since they were elected. Destroying violent AQ groups in Gaza. protests and civil disobedience in the WB. If you remember it was Israel that killed a family picnicing on a beach before shalit was captured. How many political prisoners and children is Israel holding? Brandly, your myths of Israel don't meet reality.

'Hamas has made many Israelis grow callous to the plight of Palestinians' When was the time when Israelis were sensitive to the plight of the Palestinians?

Watching Israel "WINNING " against Hamas is like watching a monkey holding the peanut in the bottle!!!! The monkey insists its on to a good thing with the peanut in its hand. But the monkey is losing its freedom because it will be caught holding the peanut, Its paralysed as it cannot run or climb or fight with a bottle attached. Good lesson for anyone who is thinking, let the peanut go (in this case hamas ) and find your freedom again. The peanut will cause you a lot of pain and in the end you will have nothing.

Hamas is the result of Israel,s brutality and oppression which is their tool in satiating their lust for land. Very simple really Mr Burston. Give up the dream of an Arab Frei Greater Israel and all your enemies will dissipate. Can you learn to live enemy free????. But do it before what friends you have left will be friends of Hamas, an not unlikely outcome given that Israel,s behaviour is just as bad or worse than Hamas,s.

May be the real reason is that hamas is motivated by the might of right??? Many Israeli politicians are more inhumane murderors than the palestinian prisoners?? Sharon killed THOUSANDS of innocent children and women,, Even if I agree that palestinian prisoners killed TENS

Instead of releasing 1000 terrorists, Israel should dump every terrorist and common criminal into Gaza. Then with 6000+ terrorists and criminals released Israel should demand the release of 1 Cpl. Lets see how the media would spin this.

Perhaps Hamas is different. Different than Russia and Eastern Europe and North Korea and Iran. But if it is, it is the exception. Hamas and the Arab and Persian world that support it are flawed. They are specious and malicious. And they are simply wrong. The world knows it and Jews especially know it. Continue the fight economically and, when necessary, militarily against Iran and Syria. Drain the resources of these, yes, evil governments and we will see the fall of Hamas and Hizbullah as their supporters decline and die. It is a marathon. And the winner is always democracy and capitalism. But only when democratic and capitalistic countries have backbone. Lots of backbone.

with Hamas and Gaza, as he did in Baghdad to end the Arab threat against his forces at that time once and for all -- but Israel is too small and isolated to take the heat.

for all the failures of the Israelis that Burston cites in their war with Hamas, Sderot families are sleeping much easier than they were before...So much for his theories.

Israel has always adopted a policy of encouraging Palestinian quiescent leadership and isolating challenging ones. This not how agreement is reached. Hamas are the elected Government andrepresent a broad church of views from fanatical Islamic to more programmatic. Look at the pro-Israeli Trimble who was selected for the flotilla internal inquiry. He did a deal with the IRA and peace now reigns in Ireland

After all, he only claimed anti-Semitism to be a figment of Israeli imagination. That's par for the course on Haaretz, isn't it? So why remove it before scores of 'liberals' could agree with it?

Instead of waiting for the next rocket from gaza, why not send a few [ Katyusha] back at them ? Your inability to be ofensive is what is causing your demise. Shalom

start by getting ride of insolent, comments and articles like yours. What made you the expert?

How very predictable. Simple equation: Israel = bad Hamas = good But no useful proposals for solving the problem.

Hamas has merely only to survive to win.

is peace. And what does Israel do about it?

As Mr. Shalit is bitterly waiting for his son to be released, the Palestinians are waiting for over 11,000 prisoners to be released too. As Netanyaho is under one family pressure, Hamas is under 11,000 families, ie, some 100,000 Palestinians who are directly backing Hamas for its demands !!!

Likud's charter STATES specifically that there will be no new ARAB state Whatsoever, essentially that means there will be no new home for the ones without rights, how is that any better than Hamas' out of date charter from 1980 which believes that the Israel as a state should not exist. It's the same concept. Except the "Moral Decent" Israelis voted for Likud and the "Backward Stupid" Palestinians voted for Hamas (even though Israel and the US rejected that vote)

first, you should ask the question: "do you really want peace?" or want to drawn in the dirty games.

organization that deprives its own people of the necessities of life nor offers any resolution of disputes by compromise. Its true, hamas has changed Israelis for the worse making it more a 'Spartan' state, but it lives. So long as it is concerned for Shalit and does not 'sacfrifice or ignore his plight, its still a Jewish and not goyisha state. That's the difference and yeilding to Hamas terror, kidnapping, rockets and intimidation only invites more of the same. Hamas has the 'emotional mind' of an enraged 9 yr old; I want what I want and I want it all; I want what's yours, too. I want it all. Isreal should never yeild to such mentality, just the opposite. 'Refraining from comat'? - hudna, until the excuse for a rationale and opportunity to attack.

Burston writes: "It is time for Israel to be Israel. To stick by the principles that once made this nation strong." .......It is interesting that Burston fails to actually analyze these values. What are they? Are they Leftist values?.........Those who win are they most willing to sacrifice. Hamas is willing to sacrifice any and all Palestinians (the suffering of their population moves them not), while Israel seems unwilling to sacrifice even one soldier. Thus, Israel will lose.

I agree with the general idea that Israel needs to be strong, creative, and active rather than reactive in relation to its enemies. However, on the specific issue of prisoner swaps, it is crucial that Israel stop these terrible lop-sided trades that only encourage more kidnappings. Probably the worst one was trading 400+ LIVE Hizballah figthers for 3 corpses. Never, ever trade live prisoners for dead ones! It means that your enemies have less of an incentive to keep your people alive in the future. I assume failure would topple the Netanyahu govt, but I think a rescue operation for Gilad should be attempted at this point.

When I read this story, it was clear that the author assumed all saw events through the same jaded eyes. Now Hamas has actually rejected the offer that Israel was supposedly unable to make. Time to come back to earth

Bradley takes every single thing that has ever happened and blames Israel for it. He blames Hamas for nothing. I've never seen a writer like this. What the heck is wrong with this guy? Sharon walking at the temple mount didn't end peace talks, it's just a guy walking around the temple mount. The lunatic terrorists who want to destroy Israel are what ended the peace talks, by not talking about peace.

I can answer this question in a very simple ( and may look naive) way....In the words of Gandi...simply leave...and you won't win with just Hamas...but with the Arabs...Muslims...and the entire world. As long as Israelis keep thinking that they are superior to the Palestinians; they will have to deal with these issues ( suicide bombers... rockets...etc.)..may be not Hamas....but different names in the future..

Burston's advocacy is a thinly disguised appeasement policy. I also want Gilad Shalit's freedom, but not at any price. I wouldn't object to shipping some tons of cement and other non-lethal items, even luxury goods, to Gaza on condition of Gilad's release. But not in exchange for a large number of Jihadist killers. Remember the prisoner exchange with Hizbollah: Killer for corpses. Never again!

I'm Jewish and politically conservative (no one would ever call me a lefty) - but I have to agree with Bradley completely with his article. Hamas is not the problem - Israel and their policies are. After years of trying to undermine Hamas and not recognize the obvious fact that just as any government, they represent their own people and have to communicated with. Trying to delegitimize them - while a dream for every Zionist - is absurd and unrealistic and the proof, for those not in denial, is history. Instead of Israel taking every wished, but baseless position against Hamas and the Palestinians - in the hope they can avoid dealing with the Palestine/State of Israel issues - they have to realize that Zionism doesn't work, and their practices are what are causing all the peace issues and go completely against Torah and fundamental Jewish beliefs (Jews do not believe in killing innocent men, women and children for land - despite Israel's dogged claim that it's just because they're defending themselves" - they need to move on from Zionism. If the State of Israel cared more about the people (Palestinians and Jews) and less about Zionism, there would be peace - that is the reality of the situation. Why do think Hamas came into power in the first place - because of all the frustration felt by the Palestinians - seeing so many killed, having every part of their movement controlled by Israel and being forced to live in poverty. This is obvious - unfortunately Zionists seem determined to force the Palestinians to accept things on their terms and hence you have the conflict.

Hamas ....my ...heroes....they have humiliated Israel ..big time.....this is the case ....where ..David ...beats ...Goliath ....once more....

is for Israel to immediately release all Palestinian prisoners without restrictions on where they may live. Israel should then ask for Shalit's release - what will Hamas and others use as their reasoning for keeping Shalit under wraps then.

It is people like you who give Hamas the strength to continue. You really don't understand the ideology of martydom as the world is finding out. If not Gilad it will be another. Where Israel went wrong was making a partnership with the left wing. Barak should resign after the Gaza debacle and the recent Flotilla. The world respects strength not weakness and only this newspaper works at odds with our population's wishes. I want Gilad home but realise there will be another if not him.

If Israel actually promises its soldiers it will do absolutely anything necessary to get them back if they are captured, Israel needs to stop making that promise. Sodiers know following such a policy gives the enemy a hugh advantage and could easily lead to the destruction of the country for whom the soldiers are fighting. Rather, the right policy would be for Isreal to make Hamas, and the people who support it pay so dearly for capturing or killing any Israeli that they will think long and hard before capturing or killing another one. Israel's mistake has not been being to tough with Hamas and its enablers but in coddling them, offering unilateral concessions and refraining from responding with overwhelming force to the enemy's acts of terrorism and war. Germany and Japan surrendered in WW II because America made their lives a living hell, not because this country made unreciprocated concessions or played nice with them.

The Arabs are well known to be emotional people, and usually conduct their politics accordingly. For this they have suffered terrible defeats and humiliation at the hands of the zionist movement and the State of Israel, because these used to conduct themselves with realism and pragmatism. Enter the Revisionists and Likud. They act emotionally too. They objected to the Partition of Palestine Resolution, objected to reconciliation with Germany which helped build the young State, and keep conducting themselves according to mythical beliefs concerning Eretz Yisrael. There has developed a struggle between two emotional groups, the Arabs and the Jews. Who will win in this struggle? It seems that the more religious group is the stronger, because religion enables them to survive and persist in their way. Hamas is the most religious group, so they are the strongest. Jewish strength nowadays resides in the mind, not the heart. Most Jews are just not religious. If you put pressure on the typical non-religious Likudnik, he will bend, see Netanyahu for example. After all, what is there to sustain him? He doesn't really believe that God gave Eretz Yisrael to the Jews, he just believes that Jews always wanted Eretz Yisrael. What we see with Gilad Shalit is another emotional response. Here is a quote from a man I admire, when it comes to issues that involve a conflict between reason and emotion. I actually find it hard to believe that he would have acted accordingly in practice, but it shows his level of considerations: "If I knew it was possible to save all [Jewish] children of Germany by their transfer to England and only half of them by transferring them to Eretz-Yisrael, I would choose the latter--because we are faced not only with the accounting of these children but also with the historical accounting of the Jewish People." - David Ben-Gurion

ok suppose we do what Bradley thinks we should do and more soldiers are kidnappped what then............

Buston is the "word" warrior. Homer Simpson? Talk, talk,talk....Hamas laughs in his face (their hearing aid is turned off). Burston KNOWS what Hamas "understands". FORGET words.

If Bradley and the Reporters and Op-Ed writers at Haaretz publicly agree to pay Shiva calls on the families of all Israeli's killed in the future by the prisoners release in this and future such swaps, I would be more inclined to believe that have really thought deeply about the consequences of such a move.

I can understand reasonable terms for prisoner exchanges. But the Hamas terms are way out. So if Shalit is obtained on the Hamas terms, another Israeli will soon be captured. I believe many of US Maryland Jews feel similarly to me. Raymond Wishner

Because Israel has a tradition of exchanging hundreds of Pals for one Israeli, even dead Israelis, Hamas has the upper hand. Some day Israel will have to say as Margaret Thatcher said : "no deals with terrorists". That policy had the effect of reducing the Lebanese at the time to concentrate on kidnaping French or Germans who paid up. Make this horribly sad business profitable to the terrorists and dont' complain about the consequences, OR be brave and say no deals and you will see this business dying as non-profitable to the abductors. The reality may not exactly work as above in the immediate future, but eventually the kidnaping business will drastically diminish, in my opinion.

My dear Jewish friends, The Islamics are an implacable enemy, at least I think so. Here is what I would do. Execute a Hamas prisoner every day Shallit remains imprisoned. I know the Israeli government made a promise to the people, but the ratio of hundreds of hardened prisoners for one soldier is not sustainable, and the Islamics will interpret capitulation to their absurd demands as weakness. Therefore, resign Shallit to his fate, and offer no quarter to your enemies. Execute the prisoners, one a day, starting with the nastiest ones, and capture the executions digitally too, and allow the videos to go viral as well. Mutiliate the bodies, as they have done to yours, and ensure the method of execution is painful and lingering. You have to BREAK their will to fight, and set the tone for all future hostage negotiations on Israel's terms. The Palestinians are the architects of much of their own misery, and as far as I am concerned, worthless life. Put them out of their misery and there will be peace. Peace my friends, Sanjay.

The problem with Gilad Shalit is of our own making. He is the POW. Hamas is entitled to hold his as long as there is a conflict. We don't have to compromise our national security to get him. I know that it's cruel to Gilad, but he was a soldier who was taken prisoner and no amount of sentimental drivel will change this fact. This happens to soldiers. They die, they are being captured. In fact, Hamas, does know our Jewish proclivity to sentimental snot smearing. We like dramas and we can create numerous tragedies to sustain one such drama. We can send our soldiers to death, starve the entire population of Gaza, finish of our state just to retrieve one soldier. Sorry, it's inhumane as much as it's irrational. We should put an end to it and as a nation deal with the problem in the responsible manner, which means - exchange of the prisoners is either at the end of the conflict and even then excluding the terrorists who targeted civilians or now on one-to-one basis.

The only way Israel can win anything, with Hamas, PLO and all of the Palestinian people is to: 1. End the occupation. 2. Return all stolen lands back to the Palestinians. 3. End the blockade. 4. Allow the Palestinian people to create a state of their own. 5. And start a dialogue to create a peacefull and cooperative environment for Israel and the Palestinian people that would allow the two nations to build a strong and lasting freindship based on trust which will assure an ever lasting peace. Otherwise, the killings, misery and suffering will continue on both sides and the end result will be a dissaster on all.

Untill Jews recognize that Palestinians should be treated as people with equal rights as Jew, Israel will continue to go down the wrong path.

Burston’s sober & acute observation touches the essence of Israel, its fears, morality, or the lack of it in the heart of government & hysteric self-righteous electorate at its core. Simply outstanding, THANK YOU Bradley.

the author 's proficiency in English is admirable ;halvai alay but the conclusion has nothing to do with the dubious psychological analysis he has woven ;since the bestial enemies insist on it and we jews are commited for uncoditional physical redemption of our brethren , so cool estimates of future catastrophies are to be overlooked.

has pushed it further into a pariah terrorist organizaton. What are you talking about Bradley? What universe do you live in? I wonder why you aren't doing your research and just repeating what you want but not what is true. Hamas is losing the PR battle because people see thru it!. please read the following Hamas, a proxy of Iran is exposing itself for what it is http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=3221

Appeasement will not resolve the humiliation issue. Hamas will see it as a victory and embolden itself. And the Israelis will have more fear because of the people let loose. He is right in a different way however. Confrontation and isolation haven't worked. The way to pressure Hamas is with Compassion. Offer to negotiate with them. Don't give in on what you want, but be willing to negotiate. If Hamas refuses, Israel wins. If Hamas accepts, Israel wins. Do not give in, but negotiate.

it is time that we can be proud again to be an Israeli. right now I am not proud to be an Israeli.

And they win again thanks to this very piece of writing from Israelis.

Most of you do not seem to understand the importance of the doctrine, which Bradley sped through. Freeing hundreds of those who could potentially hit back, could even be thousands of lives. Possibly Hamas is not really trying to free prisoners. It could actually be after the doctrine. The doctrine which makes parents of tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers relax which their children are out playing games with the enemy. The two commanders do seem to understand the importance of the doctrine well, which someone here labelled as 'fatal'.

This is a funny article

the one sentence that ruined the entire piece and shows the author's true face: "The previous government, declaring all-out war on Hamas, adopted its practice of waging war on civilians." In my view this makes the author just another Hamas mouthpiece abusing freedom of speech to forward terrorist propaganda. Mr. Burston, you dishonor every IDF soldier, past and present, every Israeli and every supporter of the one decent, moral country in the entire region with your allegations. Shame on you, sir.

One of the most insightful analysis I've read in a long while.

A hundred years from now no one will care which particular negotiations with Hamas were successful. By that time you will have LOST because you were outbred. They know this, why don't you? If you want to win you either need to have more babies than them or move to Mars. Good luck.

"No matter what Israel has tried - undermining its power base, annihilating its leadership, sapping its international backing, bleeding it, jailing it, starving it, expelling it - Hamas has always emerged with new might." Yes, they've tried everything in fact except sit down and talk to them. Perhaps they should have tried this first, or perhaps they just don't want peace?

I was surprised by this article. It will be condemned by parties on both sides of this crisis which does much to lend credibility to its validity. All people impacted by this crisis have been given reason to dismiss the presence of humanity or empathy in the feeling for their opponent. This article speaks to this lack of humanity displayed albeit in the form of government actions. Hard choices are required to break with the status quo. Israelis, Palestinians, and Israeli Arabs are all humans even when they don't act like it.

Unfortunately for Israel, Hamas, unlike Israel, has credibiility with the Palestinians and also most uninvolved bystanders. It wasn't Hamas that broke the ceasefire prior to 'Cast Lead', it was Israel. Likewise, it wasn't Hamas that enforced a blockade against civiilians, nor Hamas that attacked aid ships in international waters. And Hamas has not promoted the demolition of homes in Jerusalem nor the continued expansion of settlements. Instead, Israel has demonised an indigenous nationalistic movement and refuses to acknowledge any legitimate grievances addressed by the Palestinians. And then Israelis wail when nothing positive ensues. It reminds me of the Lebanon War when even Israelis listened to Nasrallah and Hesbollah because at least that group told the truth, unlike the Israeli government and media.

Let's give in to Hamas, what a plan! he author is right though that a lot of the easier solutions have not worked. This isn't because of Israel however. It's because Hamas isn't even willing to publicly renounce their end game of Israeli destruction. I think Israel should consider tightening its legal system so when terrorists are tried and found guilty, they are executed with pig blood dipped bullets. While Hamas and other Muslin organizations talk a good story about martyrdom, it's not the big mouth leaders that are lining up to die for the cause. Raise the stakes

Great article, deep insight into the problem! But please consider this alternative view: There is no way to win against some dispossessed cultures. As long as these special dispossessed have an enemy, they will find ways to hurt, no matter how inhumane they turn, and they will justify it with holiness in their religion. And when they lack enemies, they will turn against themselves, these special dispossessed. It's their anti-human nature, really unfortunate to have to live with them.

medicare supplemental insurance

Isn't this a returning historic moment? If you believe in the bible, and, specifically the Torah, then these re-occurring events are merely small sat-backs to achieving their final goal: Being the nation God intended. If you don't believe this, or find its fundamentals rocky at best, then Israel is just trying one of its many defeated tricks. It always seem to end in them being exiled though....

and which may evidently bring about its downfall, let alone its exclusion and from the Palestinian epitaph, is the fact that the organization has repeatedly rejected the Quartet's three conditions of renouncing use of violence; accepting the agreements which have been reached between the PA and Israel; and recognizing Israel, the Jewish State within the Middle East.

Isn't this a returning historic moment? If you believe in the bible, and, specifically the Torah, then these re-occurring events are merely small sat-backs to achieving their final goal: Being the nation God intended. If you don't believe this, or find its fundamentals rocky at best, then Israel is just trying one of its many defeated tricks. It always seem to end in them being exiled though....

Hamas is a different breed of huma. They have no respect for life or individual prosperity. They are like an ant pile; sacrificing the individual for the sake of the whole.

Hamas is a cheap fighter like jehadis usually are. They hide under burkas and fire under shield of children. International community needs to define counter attack policy in view of this tactic applied by jehadis or Islamic terrorists. It needs to address these problems in view of the fact that hold the islamic society breeds germs of jehadi genocide at alarming rate and everywhere in world where they are in numerical strength and immune to fear of annihalation because of shield provided by burka clad women and gun toting children. Even education and good job has not been able to reform these persons who have great inclination to become jehadis which is evident from their activity in countries like USA, Australia, UK

What exactly does Bradley Burston suggest Israel do when Hamas takes 2 captives next time? There is only one language that terrorists understand. Israel should have rescued Gilad Shalit four years ago instead of continually talking about the issue. If Israel talked less and acted more, it would be in a much stronger position today.

Much as we would like to get one of our soldiers back after 4 years in captivity, it is insane to trade 1000 Palestinians for him. Especially when many have Jewish blood on their hands. Many of the newly freed prisoners would just go back to killing more Jews when they are released. We have freed hundreds of Palestinians in the past without getting our own returned.

Burston again shows us that logic can prove any proposition, and its opposite. Survival is mostly an instinctual problem not a logical one. Go with your guts on Hamas, don't let them spill them.

Smart man that Bradley, impressive article

...the most violent and radical forces in their community. It has always been so.

I am appalled that you could write this junk and further appaled at the paper for publishing such junk.

apparently Israel believed it a smart thing to do.

There's nothing more I'd like to see than Gilad being home with his family. But 1'000 cold killers..... not in a million years! Set them free Bibi, and watch the next, At least three soldiers being taken hostage. You're a softie Bibi and I am disappointed in your reckless move. Oh, by the way, are you sure Gilad is alive? Look for Gilad WALKING unassisted from his prison before one arab is let out of the cell. Or better still, let the arabs smell freedon from behind prison walls and windows until Gilad walks out free. Should that fail end the misery of the most dangerous prisoner whom Hamas wants desperately. Me, cold hearted? Yes, when it comes to a moslim!

Wow, what an insightful article. Best Regards

...Is that Mr. Burston is advocating that Israelis find the courage to be better than Hamas. That is how you defeat Hamas. With the courage to be better than them, no matter the cost. No matter the cost. Hamas is an idea more than anything, and you are never going to be able to fatally wound something that isn't physical. Those 11,000 Palestinians you have locked up? I'm willing to guess there's a lot of them that just want to see their families again and that aren't as murderous as you paint them, such is the case of running an occupation. Offer a counter list of even more than 1000 people without the more dangerous ones and add a few of the leaders that they want released to the list. Take the momentum of the argument back from them. Ease movement restrictions in the West Bank and let Fatah drive a crap-ton of food and medicine and concrete into the Gaza strip. You want to be safe in a world where no one is safe. Your goals are unrealistic and preventing a real solution. Adopt a more realistic approach with realistic diplomacy (and a surgical knife of physical force) and you will watch as more doors open up to you.

There is another universal truth about Hamas and other groups who oppose the criminality of imperialism and colonialism-capitalism, which is the right of human dignity and honor. The government of Hamas is the same as the government of Hezbollah and that of Iran and Syria in that they all a purely nationalistic thus giving them the moral will to adapt their counter-measures by relying on domestic popular support to replenish what every they lack during successive external attacks. Like the United States, Israel places it superiority on advanced weapons systems and brutal firepower, yet cannot stand high casualty numbers that are inherent when putting soldiers in the field in great numbers. There is the cost analysis of advanced weapons systems that over time erodes the domestic resource budgets leaving little for the civil sector to use in their everyday infrastructure maintenance and other vital programs of social welfare. Thus, a small insurgency or a less technologically advanced adversary has many other tactics that may be deployed that cost little or no real economic burden except for the untimely deaths of the foot soldiers who may give their lives for the higher purpose of the groups survival. The Taliban is one such group that has shown Hamas-like qualities and is zealously committed to the higher calling of Jihad, which western armies have neither the calling nor the spiritual-moral foundations to fight upon. I conclude that Hamas would be and is the “rightfully” elected representatives of the Palestinian people and that Israel would have a serious partner in a peace negotiation, because Hamas has shown it mantle on the battlefield and more importantly; has the rit of the masses.

What I get from this is Palestinians and Israelis know each other so well because they are brothers who have lived together for so long. Who knows you better than the brother you shared a bedroom with. The brothers should stop fighting each other and embrace.

Bradley Burston`s article is a breath of fresh air, sadly absent for so long ...I hope it heralds the peace so badly needed in Israel..

It's nice to see recognition of the fact that Israel contributed to the rise of Hamas by effectively destroying the Palestinian Authority after the start of the second intifada. Building settlements undermines the PA even further and conceivably could lead to Hamas gaining power in the West Bank.

Your analysis shows much insight into the nature of hamas and of ours. Nevertheless you are dead wrong. You don't win by losing !

.... that again in my opinion, Mr. Shalit has done infinite damage to his son! Netanyahu has given up to so much, that Hamas would have released Shalit much earlier had Shalit's father not interfered. But now, after this horrible march of the un-thinking anti-government people, who couldn't distinguish between their Leftism and the Shalit saga, I fear that Gilad will now remain in Hamas hands for a very long time, until when they realize they can't win more than they were already offered...I wish with all my heart that Shalit's father would recognize, his terrible mistake. Even now it's not too late, for the sake of Gilad......

... hamas was born out of the palestinian despair.. engendered by israel. it has nothing to lose and everything to gain. no matter how evil israelis may think hamas is... it is fighting for a just cause... palestinian freedom.... it will win eventually, thats if israel allows it to by continuing down the path charted out by sharon and now bibi and liberman. why doesnt israel get it.?

It's time to see that not the few tens of thousands of Shalit followers represent "THE PEOPLE" but we, the silent majority do! THANK YOU AGAIN! Your posts are all so good ! WOW !

very good analysis

Too bad that it won't change any hearts and minds on either side.

Sorry, giving into Hamas demands completely... is not a proper tactic. Sure, the Israelis have miscalculated visa vis Hamas. Let's not forget, Hamas is a valid partner in that miscalculation. For humanitarian reasons Gilad Shalit should be brought home. But by the same logic, why shouldn't Hamas be held to western standards of decency. And what's the reason Hamas is given a pass for its dark embrace of a Muslim medieval dogma. Its treatment of women and its hostility of other religions... or its absolute insistence that Israel has no right to exist. Sure, the blockade ought to end... but so too, should the lofty dream of Hamas and it's charter of death.

It´s so easy to deliver smart theories if you don´t have to be responsible for the consequences. What will you say to a mother whose child will be killed by a freed terrorist ? I would appreciate that you mention, that you also accept this possibility, just in order to get a captive soldier back. The discussion than will be at least honest.

let me me explain: Is it so difficult to understand that we, hundreds of thousands, or even, millions of Israelis, WORRY about freeing tens of murderers into the West Bank? Those people whom Hamas wants are their top murderers and we don't want them to be free to enter into Israel because we are afraid of them. It is maybe farfetched, but they may even create a situation whereby peace itself, that is so difficult to reach, may suffer - as we know very well that Hamas was regularly sabotaging any progress towards peace. And they declare RIGHT NOW, that they want to kidnap even more Gilads... What does Shalit family want from us, the people??? Shouldn't Mr. Shalit, if he wanted so hard to do something, in addition to the government, have DEMONSTRATED AGAINST HAMAS, and not against so many Israelis who do not agree with what he is doing? Hamas is the miserable organization, who doesn't recognize our existence, and rejects any possibility of an acceptable peace for all. That is against whom, we, Israelis, ALL OF US TOGETHER, must act to get Gilad back. Not demonstrate one against the other! USELESSLY! Hamas only enjoyed this weakness of ours for years and promises its people that they will WIN, and Mr. Shalit reinforces this instead of doing exactly the opposite, or, better, DO NOTHING. Netanyahu is 100% right this time. Only this time....

Since world opinion turned on Jews again some 20 years ago, forcing 'land-for-peace' on Shamir at the Madrid conference, these people (Levy, Hass, Burston, Derfner, etc.) have been snakes whispering into Israeli ear: 'Surrender.. surrender.. surrender..'

In every Israeli government's zeal to denigrate Hamas, there is a basic failure to understand that it is a national independence movement before anything else. Until that is understood, Israel will continue to be stymied by the organization.

Netanyahu is going to take one look at this piece and he's gonna say, "Oooohh,.. no you don't." It's sort of like when I was working with this Black friend of mine and we both divised this plan to get ourselves promoted from the front office to the field so we both wouldn't have to smell the fumes from the copying machine we were operating. I said to the Black kid, "Hey, let's both work like hell everytime the really big boss walks by." So we did that everyday for about a week and finally this guy who controlled everything stops by our machine and says to the both of us, "Hey! I think you two guys are the hardest workers here at the plant. I'm going to promote the both of you to Cost Estimating School tomorrow." So the next day comes and we ask, "Where's the Big Boss?" The reply is, "Oh didn't you hear? Last night, he had a heart attack." So nothing happens. About a week later I get a note that says, "Go see Mangione, an Italian (This was 35 years ago)." Another guy who ran the place, So I get out in the field and I tell the Black kid, "Don't worry. In three days, I will get him to hire you too." So they really have an opening and I see my opportunity. I says to Mangione, "Sir. I have this friend who would be perfect for this job." Mangione says, "Who?" I say, "Richard, the kid I worked with." Mangione stops and thinks for a minute. Then he figures it out and opens his eyes really wide. He looks at me and he says, "Ooohh no, you don't!!!"

We need to rethink the policy of "bringing back soldiers at any price" - urgently. Obviously we owe much to our soldiers, but has anyone recently carried out a sober cost-benefit analysis ? While that doctrine is an achievement in itself which in the 20th centuries truly set us apart from other nations, we need to analyse whether it has not turned into an Achilles heel in current asymmetric warfare. In the 1970's, the German public faced a wave of communist terror, but within a matter of a few years, the government led by chancellor Helmut Schmidt successfully dried up the swamp by adopting a policy of "No negotiations with terrorist" - even at the expense of the lives of the abducted. While it may apppear inhumane towards soliders in captivity and their families, it will reduce future incentives for Hamas and Hesbollah to carry out further abductions (which are risky operations anyway) - so that the long-term balance lives saved would certainly be positive. Don't we owe anything to (the yet unknown names of) those young Israelis, who will most definitely be abducted once Shalit has been baught free ? And just as importantly, is it not about time to remove one of the main strategic leverages that Hamas has in waging war against us? It is good and right to put Israeli lives first - but when discussing policies, we should use our brains as much as our hearts. Obviously such a rethinking of policy requires leadership - which is a rare commodity in Israeli politics these days.

Wow--what sophistry. First of all, this war looks bleak for HAMAS. They are unable to conduct a war against Israel and their own people are uncomfortable, but not starving--which is why they do not want additional food--they want cement to build bunkers and steel to make rockets. In six months the world will forget the flotillas but Hamas will still be a failure. And exchanging 1000 prisioners for Shalit would be a long needed victory for HAMAS-just when their fortunes are really down. I would need 1000 words and half a day to correct all the other errors in this piece.