Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., December 28, 2008 Tevet 1, 5769 | | Israel Time: 12:15 (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 Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

It cannot go on like this By Haaretz Editorial l - are worthy of recognition. However Egypt, and the rest of the world, must realize that the Israeli public and its government is losing their patience. Mubarak must make it clear to Hamas leaders that they bear responsibility for the well-being of the citizens of the Gaza Strip and that they will have to deal with the results for the escalation in the south. The challenge that the government faces, then, is not finding the perfect solution that will stop the bombardment of the southern communities, continue the boycott of Hamas and weaken its strength while also improving chances for returning abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit from captivity in Gaza. Decision makers must first and foremost concern themselves with the safety of the citizens of Israel. They must reexamine the methods of operation and means of punishment whose effectiveness has proven limited and short-term. The government should once and for all abandon its goal of returning the Hamas genie to the bottle and rescinding the decision of the Palestinian electorate. Advertisement To reach such long-term goals the next government must find ways to convince the Palestinian public that a viable alternative exists to Hamas' ideology. Until then, the government must leave no stone unturned in searching for ways to reestablish calm for the citizens of Sderot, Ashkelon and Netivot and prevent the escalation from spreading northwards. Past experience has often shown that aggressive shows of force such as bombing civilian population centers and land invasions have produced opposite results from what was intended. Bookmark to del.icio.us   The closest thing to war Israel's strike on Gaza is near as it gets to a war with Hamas. Israel seeks support As it confronts terror, Israel expects understanding of the international community.   1.   If Haaretz Has Its Way, Yes It Will 01:48  |  Tod Zuckerman 25/12/08   2.   The Leader Of Hamas Bully Israelis and Palestinians equally 04:29  |  Unite4Peace 25/12/08   3.   Hamas 14:57  |  Joe Kelsall 25/12/08   4.   Gaza 18:16  |  Edward Kone 25/12/08   5.   Iran 22:00  |  Yechiel 25/12/08   6.   Haaretz, What exactly is the effective way you suggest? (2nd try) 22:56  |  Rob 25/12/08   7.   You omit one rational method... 11:13  |  raymond deane 26/12/08   8.   Haniyah and Zahar are the marrionettes for Meshal the puppeteer 14:33  |  Palestinian 26/12/08   9.   Why not just give them what they want? 14:40  |  Johnboy 26/12/08   10.   GAZA OPTIONS 14:42  |  mike 26/12/08   11.   Toxic Combination 14:51  |  Michael 26/12/08   12.   #9 - "Why Not Give Them What They Want" 19:34  |  Brian 26/12/08   13.   #12 Why not desert that old old slogan once and for all 00:57  |  berit 27/12/08   14.   when israel stops trying to starve 5 million palestinain children 04:43  |  PINAR 27/12/08   15.   Update to #1 - Finally ! 06:22  |  Tod Zuckerman 28/12/08   16.   Citizens of Sderot, Ashkelon, and Netivot... 08:11  |  Steven Grumman 28/12/08   17.   #9 - "Why Not Give Them What They Want" 12:10  |  Anna 28/12/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: The worst anti-Israel charges you'll hear in wartime Responses: 77 Two rockets hits Ashdod, as IDF ground troops prepare to enter Gaza Responses: 140 Hamas: Time for a third Intifada Responses: 45 Gideon Levy: The neighborhood bully strikes again Responses: 47 More Headlines 12:02 Two rockets hit Ashdod area, Gaza militants' furthest target yet 11:47 IDF tanks and ground troops deploy along Gaza border 11:22 UN Security Council calls for immediate halt to Gaza violence 11:53 Hamas: Time for a third Intifada 00:24 Disinformation, secrecy and lies: How the Gaza offensive came about 08:42 The worst anti-Israel charges you'll hear in wartime 09:07 IN PICTURES / Israel strikes the Gaza Strip 08:23 GOC Southern Command: IDF will send Gaza back decades 04:38 Gaza offensive clouds chances for Shalit deal 02:58 ANALYSIS / With Gaza raid, Barak is back in the political ring 03:04 ANALYSIS / Let's hope this time we'll know when to stop 08:57 Sderot Mayor: If Gaza operation gives us 2 years of calm, that's enough 02:26 Hundreds of activists in Tel Aviv protest IAF strike in Gaza 06:38 Publisher of disputed Holocaust memoir cancels book 11:33 Long-term Gaza mission could have serious impact on Israeli economy 05:58 Women's success in politics may be a hollow victory Previous Editions Select Day 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec 22 dec 21 dec 19 dec 18 dec 17 dec 16 dec 15 dec 14 dec

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