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Is war preferable? By Haaretz Editorial Tags: Tahadiyeh, IDF, Egypt Most members of the security cabinet reject the tahadiyeh, the temporary cease-fire that Israel and Hamas are negotiating indirectly via Egypt. Their main explanation is that such a deal will allow Hamas to arm itself in a way that could pose a strategic threat to Israel. The concern is that Israel will not be able to act against its enhanced strength because a cease-fire will prevent it from engaging in military actions in the Gaza Strip. Therefore, Israel is asking Egypt, and through it, Hamas, for a commitment that there will be no transfer of arms to the Gaza Strip. Were this the only reason for rejecting the tahadiyeh, it could conceivably have been resolved. Egypt agreed to closely monitor the border between it and Gaza, and last week it even reported that it thwarted an effort to smuggle a very large amount of explosives and arms, including anti-aircraft missiles. But Israel has recently posed another condition: the release of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit in return for opening the Rafah crossing. This complicated the formula that served as the basis for achieving a cease-fire; it would start in Gaza and apply to the West Bank as well six months later. A basic condition for this is Israel's willingness to open the Rafah crossing. Shalit's release, on the other hand, has been perceived as a separate deal that is unrelated to the cease-fire. In that deal, Shalit would be released in return for 1,450 Palestinian prisoners. Advertisement It is therefore hard to be persuaded by the security logic of the demand to link the two deals, and the move to make one contingent on the other. This is all the more the case when the tahadiyeh's opponents are not offering a reasonable alternative. If they are concerned about Hamas' increasing power, are they willing to embark immediately on a wide-scale military operation? If they are concerned about Shalit's welfare, are they willing to release all the prisoners Hamas is demanding? In the absence of a policy that would yield satisfactory answers to these questions, it can be assumed that the opponents' concerns are mainly about Israel looking as if it capitulated to Hamas' terms, and that a decision favoring the tahadiyeh would reflect the bankruptcy of the security policy in Gaza and those responsible for it. But anyone concerned about his reputation or the government's reputation must say outright what the alternative is and why what is permissible and right when it comes to Hezbollah is not permissible and right when it comes to Hamas. The government's reputation and the state's security have already been damaged by Shalit's abduction, and the government's failure to eliminate the Qassam threat or protect the South's citizens. Opponents of the tahadiyeh must clarify how they intend to restore this lost glory and stabilize the state's security. Otherwise, it would be best if they let the original deal move ahead, bring back Shalit and provide a little quiet to the South. Bookmark to del.icio.us   A staunch ally Obama to AIPAC: I'll do everything to prevent Iran from obtaining nukes. Pro-Israel Nazis German group condemns anti-Semitism, says Holocaust 'unjustifiable.'

Read & React Olmert to AIPAC: We must stop Iran threat by all possible means Responses: 217 Diplomats: Syria won't let IAEA see 3 alleged nuclear sites Responses: 170 Moshe Arens: A truce in Gaza means victory for the terrorists Responses: 68 Palestinian negotiator: Only miracle can bring peace by year's end Responses: 80 Obama to AIPAC: I'll do everything to prevent Iran from obtaining nukes Responses: 166 More Headlines 22:32 Obama to AIPAC: I'll do everything to prevent Iran from obtaining nukes 20:06 AIPAC and Obama / Cheering toughness, silent on peace 00:33 Al Qaida No. 2 slams Egypt for sealing border to Palestinians 23:09 Abbas drops demand for Hamas to relinquish Gaza before talks 23:11 Bush to Olmert: 'Existential' Iran threat must be taken seriously 22:21 Shin Bet: Ex-MK Bishara likely recruiting Balad activists to Hezbollah 00:37 Report: Terrorists try to lure IAF officer in effort to kidnap him 21:47 German neo-Nazis: We're pro-Israel, condemn anti-Semitism 23:46 Pioneers or pirates? New novel questions pre-state Zionist narrative 23:20 Religious MKs promote bill to ban Jerusalem Gay Pride Parade 19:23 PA negotiator: Only a miracle will bring peace by the year's end 15:25 Israel eases exit restrictions for 4 of 7 Gaza Fulbright scholars 17:11 Rabbis launch 'prayer for Europe' at EU ceremony 17:25 Defense sources: Syria arming Hezbollah, despite Israel talks Previous Editions Select Day 04 jun 03 jun 02 jun 01 jun 30 may 29 may 28 may 27 may 26 may 25 may 23 may 22 may

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