Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., November 19, 2008 Cheshvan 21, 5769 | | Israel Time: 13:17 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 18:53 18/11/2008 Stop beating the drums of war By Haaretz Editorial Tags: Israel News, Gaza Strip  The Qassam-rocket fire on western Negev communities, Grad missile fire on Ashkelon and mortar shells aimed at Negev kibbutzim return us to the reality of around five months ago. The shattering of the cease-fire - there is no more point in semantic squirming - is attributed to Israel's blowing up a tunnel that probably was intended for Hamas to kidnap Israeli soldiers. That was the turning point at which Israel unilaterally decided that it could not quietly ignore the clear and immediate danger. This definition is essential to determine whether it was necessary to violate the truce and what the criteria are for breaking cease-fires, because the decision to blow up the tunnel, a move aimed at protecting soldiers' lives, puts residents of the western Negev in immediate danger. The situation has since escalated and each side is again counting attacks and victims as a way to measure its success. Even graver is the ranting and raving of politicians from across the political spectrum, who seek to portray themselves as security barons in the heat of the election campaign. Shaul Mofaz called on us to "wipe out the Hamas leadership," Haim Ramon said that "the policy in Gaza causes Israel grave damage" and suggested reoccupying the Strip, and Eli Yishai said he doesn't believe in the truce at all. All these statements are hollow slogans that could drag Israel into dangerous, reckless and imprudent actions. Advertisement Those seeking to occupy Gaza should be reminded that Israel agreed to the truce because it recognized that the price of a large military operation in Gaza would be intolerably high. The Israel Defense Forces and the defense minister continue to object to such an operation, and their arguments have not changed since before the truce. There is no arguing about the fact that Gaza has become a weapons-and-explosives arsenal and that Hamas is taking advantage of the truce to arm and train unhindered. The tunnel industry is flourishing and products of all kinds, including materiel from Egypt, are continually being imported. But as Israel isn't going to war in Lebanon because Hezbollah continues to arm, it should not go to war in Gaza because militant organizations there have more weapons. Such a war would lead to a direct, prolonged and complicated occupation of Gaza and make IDF soldiers easy targets, without ensuring the cessation of rocket fire. The policy breakdown is not that Israel is avoiding war in Gaza, but that it has failed to recognize the need for dialogue with a united Palestinian leadership. In the current situation between Israel and Hamas, there is no choice but to adopt the lesser of two evils and mend the shattered truce. Israel must open the border crossings and keep them open, and allow Gaza's residents to lead a normal existence. The chorus of people encouraging war provides no reasonable alternative except political sloganeering. They had better listen carefully to the residents of the western Negev, because they know better than anyone what the truce is good for. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Iran arrests blogger Hossein Derakhshan admitted to spying for Israel, claims Iranian Web site. Peace through sport Jewish and Arab youngsters are finding common ground through Hand in Hand.   1.   an adage for the leader writers total crap 08:54  |  victor hardman 18/11/08   2.   Message to Obama: Israel cannot make peace 08:56  |  Natallie Durson 18/11/08   3.   The crux of the matter 08:57  |  sh 18/11/08   4.   3 Sh - Not While Bush is Still-President 10:12  |  Mark of Lewiston 18/11/08   5.   Mark of Lewiston 12:39  |  sh 18/11/08   6.   Israel seeking peace "their Way". 13:07  |  Labhras 18/11/08   7.   Politicians need 14:44  |  Mark Lincoln 18/11/08   8.   It won`t stop the war drums 16:17  |  Frank 18/11/08   9.   Difference between Lebanon and Gaza 16:32  |  Jacob Blues 18/11/08   10.   Mark Lincoln, looking for the body count to pile up 16:37  |  Jacob Blues 18/11/08   11.   The failed logic in Haaretz editorial 16:40  |  Boris 18/11/08   12.   Mark of Lewiston, what excuses do you plan on using when W is gon 16:46  |  Jacob Blues 18/11/08   13.   Haaretz`s you shine the spotlight on the army`s real motives 17:46  |  Dutch 18/11/08   14.   You shine the spotlight on the army`s hypocrsy 19:17  |  Dutch 18/11/08   15.   Even Haaretz notes Israel broke ceasefire... 19:41  |  BBSNews 18/11/08   16.   Newsflash for the BBS 22:34  |  Jacob Blues 18/11/08   17.   Remedial Math 101 for Dutch 22:39  |  Jacob Blues 18/11/08   18.   Boris` failed logic #7 23:25  |  zeev 18/11/08   19.   drums of war 23:28  |  jorge 18/11/08   20.   Mark of Lewiston 23:29  |  Peter Williams 18/11/08   21.   to Jacob Blues #8 23:40  |  zeev 18/11/08   22.   # 12 Dutch 00:15  |  Alan 19/11/08   23.   Israeli officials are two faced ..... 01:41  |  dutch 19/11/08   24.   12 Jacob Blues - 2nd or 3rd Try 08:29  |  Mark of Lewiston 19/11/08   25.   20 Peter Williams 08:40  |  Mark of Lewiston 19/11/08   26.   17 Jacob Blues - Getting the Numbers Right 08:57  |  Mark of Lewiston 19/11/08   27.   Response to Labhras 12:23  |  FrankFarb 19/11/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: Dividing Jerusalem, one wall at a time Responses: 9 Peres: Obama told me he was 'very impressed' with Arab peace plan Responses: 55 Peres speech at Oxford University disrupted by anti-Israel protesters Responses: 79 Settler rabbi: The State of Israel is an enemy of the people Responses: 47 Hamas: We're prepared to end cease-fire and confront Israel Responses: 31 More Headlines 13:09 Assad: Israel never demanded Syria cut ties with Hezbollah and Iran 08:08 Peres: Obama told me he was 'very impressed' with Arab peace plan 10:38 Settler rabbi: The State of Israel is an enemy of the people 10:14 Hamas: We're prepared to end cease-fire and confront Israel 10:15 Dividing Jerusalem, one wall at a time 10:31 Vandals hang severed pig's head outside entrance to Jewish cemetery in Germany 10:27 Peres' speech at Oxford University disrupted by anti-Israel protesters 12:40 Israel rebuffs call by UN Chief Ban to open Gaza crossings 10:53 VIDEO / Slain mobster's family: Revenge is just a matter of time 12:54 Pentagon official says IAF 'very aggressive' in negotiations over fighter jet purchase 09:33 Israel may cede control of disputed Lebanon village to UN 03:51 Israel worried that U.K. pressure will harm exports to Europe 02:09 Jewish Agency resolutions ire liberals, conservatives 00:52 U.S. paper: War on terror must include war on terrorists' cash 06:48 'Palestinian banks are better than Israeli banks' 06:31 Patients wrongly charged for 'experimental' treatments Previous Editions Select Day 18 nov 17 nov 16 nov 14 nov 13 nov 12 nov 11 nov 10 nov 09 nov 07 nov 06 nov 05 nov

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