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Last update - 00:00 22/06/2008

Quiet is muck

By Gideon Levy

Tags: truce, Gaza, Gideon Levy

Click here for more articles by Gideon Levy

A great disaster has suddenly come upon Israel: The cease-fire has gone into effect. Cease-fire, cease-Qassams, cease-assassiations, at least for now. This good, hopeful news was received in Israel dourly, gloomily, even with hostility. As usual, politicians, the military brass and pundits went hand in hand to market the cease-fire as a negative, threatening and disastrous development.

Even from the people who forged the agreement - the prime minister and defense minister - you heard not a word about hope; just covering their backsides in case of failure. No one spoke of the opportunity, everyone spoke of the risk, which is fundamentally unfounded. Hamas will arm? Why of all times during the cease-fire? Will only Hamas arm? We won't? Perhaps it will arm, and perhaps it will realize that it should not use armed force because of calm's benefits.

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It is hard to believe: The outbreak of war is received here with a great deal more sympathy and understanding, not to say enthusiasm, than a cease-fire. When the warmongers get started, our unified tom-toms drum out only encouraging messages; when the all-clear is sounded, when people in Sderot can sleep soundly, even if only for a short time, we are all worried. That says something about society's sick face: Quiet is muck, war is the most important thing.

Even before the cease-fire was attained, everyone was raising the blackest of black scenarios: The agreement will not hold, it will be broken immediately, Hamas will arm, Israel has given in. Not one of these assumptions is necessarily reality. Not one prophet of doom could suggest a better alternative to the cease-fire, except more and more unnecessary bloodshed on both sides.

Calm will be maintained only if it is a prelude to further positive developments; therefore, more than anything, calm needs the tailwind of goodwill and constructive statements, not destructive ones. If we continue being so dour, the pessimism will fulfill itself. Much depends on us.

Hamas wants the calm because it serves its goals. That is not necessarily bad for Israel. A few months of quiet and the lifting of the terrible siege on Gaza could create a new reality. Noam Shalit's protest is understandable, but the new atmosphere of calm is precisely the time to finally secure the release of his son Gilad and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners - two positive developments for the two peoples.

Yes, the zero-sum game between us and them ended long ago. It is a shame we are the only ones not to have internalized it. And yes, even the release of Palestinian prisoners, a step always presented on our side as a "price," can be an Israeli achievement, not only a Palestinian one. A new and somewhat better life in Gaza will assure a new life for Israel, too. It is not for nothing that the days when the fence was breached between Gaza and Egypt were the quietest days the Negev had known in two years.

In the wake of the cease-fire, a Palestinian government of national unity may arise and be a real and not virtual partner, the representative of the entire Palestinian people and not half of it. True, Hamas will not quickly abandon its hard-line positions, but under the aegis of a unity government it may surprise people, at least in a passive way. An agreement with such a government will not be an agreement of puppets between Ramallah and Jerusalem, the one known as the "shelf agreement." If it is attained, it will be a real agreement. The cease-fire has already proven that not only is Israel willing to negotiate with Hamas, Hamas is willing to negotiate with Israel. Is this not good news?

If I were prime minister, the kind that believes that without a two-state solution Israel cannot continue to exist, as Ehud Olmert has declared, I would do everything to extend the cease-fire immediately to the West Bank. It is not at all clear why the attainment of calm in Gaza, without extending it to the West Bank, is considered an achievement for Israel. An achievement? A disaster. As long as calm is not achieved in the West Bank, calm in Gaza will totter. In Gaza they will not be able to keep quiet over violent acts by Israel in the West Bank. Is that the reason Israel does not want to extend the cease-fire?

The very thought that has taken root among us, that calm is surrender, should be rethought. Is our strength only in assassinations? Are we headed only toward bloodshed? The opposition to extending the cease-fire to the West Bank also shows, again, that Israel only understands the language of force: It will agree to calm in the West Bank only after Qassams are fired from there as well. What message does that send the Palestinians? You want calm in the West Bank? Please fire Qassams at Kfar Sava, too.

So this about something much deeper than only a cease-fire. This is about Israel's image. The negative Israeli response to the cease-fire once again raises a deep suspicion: Perhaps Israel actually does not want peace?

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1.	ANYTHING THAT CAN`T KILL YOU, WOULD MAKE YOU STRONGER	10:02	\|	indrajaya	22/06/08

2.	Arab League Ordered To Dhimmi Kadima To Take Down Shia Bomb	10:21	\|	Joseph.E	22/06/08

3.	Very very true....	10:40	\|	Johnboy	22/06/08

4.	George Orwell	10:44	\|	Clickfool	22/06/08

5.	Agreement	10:47	\|	Ralph	22/06/08

6.	If not now, when?	11:03	\|	JW	22/06/08

7.	Excellent Article, Mr. Levy	11:06	\|	Palestinian in UK	22/06/08

8.	Are you blind and deaf?	11:08	\|	Ofer	22/06/08

9.	Green Grass	11:39	\|	Shimon Cleopas	22/06/08

10.	Yes Gideon, sometimes I wonder if ...	11:41	\|	Edith	22/06/08

11.	Hamas has indicated they would accept a two state solution	11:45	\|	Natallie Durson	22/06/08

12.	#2 Joseph	11:46	\|	Edith	22/06/08

13.	The abused	11:46	\|	sh	22/06/08

14.	Perception among Jews is that Arabs want timeout not peace	11:59	\|	Sam	22/06/08

15.	scared for a cease fire	12:02	\|	rm	22/06/08

16.	The usual Sunday taqqiyah from a known Hamas fifth column	12:04	\|	Freethinker	22/06/08

17.	Clickfool: read Orwell!	12:08	\|	Orwell`s Fan	22/06/08

18.	Can you blame many Americans for wanting to dump your warmongers?	12:12	\|	Dutch	22/06/08

19.	israel has seen nothing yet	12:38	\|	ravi	22/06/08

20.	# 10, EDITH	12:46	\|	indrajaya	22/06/08

21.	Idiots at Haaretz: We want peace if it`s real	12:56	\|	dyinglikeflies	22/06/08

22.	clickfool who is the saner one	13:03	\|	yirmi	22/06/08

23.	clickfool what would orwell make of your killings in iraq	13:05	\|	yirmi	22/06/08

24.	the certainity of war	13:44	\|	barry	22/06/08

25.	Israel is like a naughty child	13:46	\|	Marilyn	22/06/08

26.	Gideon , Gideon	13:49	\|	Nephtaly	22/06/08

27.	The talkbacks speak volumes	13:55	\|	Arie	22/06/08

28.	Peace for peace	13:59	\|	Dr Eric	22/06/08

29.	#11-Natalie Durson-And you have proof?	13:59	\|	Arie	22/06/08

30.	dyinglikeflies..21... get real yourself	14:02	\|	ravi	22/06/08

31.	israel can defend itself!!	14:03	\|	Dr eric	22/06/08

32.	Shame on those that side with terrorists!!	14:08	\|	Dr Eric	22/06/08

33.	THE ARABS STARTED THE INTIFADA they will suffer the results!!	14:10	\|	Dr Eric	22/06/08

34.	Why does the PA deserve a prize for terror!!	14:13	\|	Dr eric	22/06/08

35.	Why should the arabs deserve trust?	14:17	\|	dr eric	22/06/08

36.	The dogs of war are uneasy	14:17	\|	chelemer	22/06/08

37.	Israel wants peace with those who want peace!!	14:19	\|	Dr Eric	22/06/08

38.	Why does Gideon support Israel`s enemies??	14:25	\|	dr Eric	22/06/08

39.	Which Israel Mr. Levy?	14:25	\|	Mark Lincoln	22/06/08

40.	dr eric... get real as well	14:26	\|	ravi	22/06/08

41.	Israel is never going bk to 1949 borders!	14:28	\|	dr eric	22/06/08

42.	# 14 Sam...it also looks that way to me	14:29	\|	Lynn	22/06/08

43.	A PA state on theWB is not on the best interests of the arabs!	14:33	\|	Dr eric	22/06/08

44.	Giving up territory has not brought Israel good relations	14:35	\|	Sam	22/06/08

45.	The PA offers no chance for feedom or democracy!!	14:40	\|	Dr eric	22/06/08

46.	Occupation is the best solution for Israel and arabs!	14:46	\|	Dr Eric	22/06/08

47.	For Yirmi, Zebulon, Harzion, Yashekel etc # 22	14:51	\|	Clickfool	22/06/08

48.	Naive	14:53	\|	Paul Easton	22/06/08

49.	Oy - Dr Eric is another trading style of Yirmi, Zebulon etc	14:54	\|	Clickfool	22/06/08

50.	For Sam # 44	15:01	\|	Clickfool	22/06/08

51.	Great Wake up Israel article	15:28	\|	US Fred	22/06/08

52.	If history repeats itself	15:30	\|	Boaz	22/06/08

53.	to clickfool - #49- keep up the hate! It will get u no where!!	15:32	\|	Dr eric	22/06/08

54.	to clickfool - The more you hate is the more Iam compassionate!!	15:34	\|	Dr Eric	22/06/08

55.	Israel must build credibility before Shalit is released	16:17	\|	Warren Dew	22/06/08

56.	Clickfool	16:20	\|	Sam	22/06/08

57.	#50 clickfool - stolen land?????	16:31	\|	dr eric	22/06/08

58.	Clickfool - SHAME on you and your like!!!!	16:34	\|	Dr eric	22/06/08

59.	# 14, Arab Perception	16:49	\|	Another Arab	22/06/08

60.	good job, gideon levy	17:06	\|	noor	22/06/08

61.	The evolving Israeli Gaza policy	17:19	\|	Tosefta	22/06/08

62.	Ofer, you dont know what hamas even is!!	17:21	\|	noor	22/06/08

63.	I second Marl Lincoln`s posting (#39)	17:42	\|	Michael N	22/06/08

64.	#38 Dr. Eric , The wrong perspective	18:13	\|	Dutch	22/06/08

65.	Arie that is complete nonsense	18:19	\|	Marilyn	22/06/08

66.	Finally the nail is hit on the head - talk the talk but no walk	18:28	\|	Amsterdam Jew	22/06/08

67.	Peace Plan: The US should appoint Slowman as peace mediator	18:29	\|	Gideon Levy	22/06/08

68.	When war is normality, peace is a frightening step	18:49	\|	David	22/06/08

69.	Reply to #8 - Ofer, It Must Be Genetic	18:50	\|	Tod Zuckerman	22/06/08

70.	The "cease-fire" is used by Hamas to smuggle in more weapons.	18:52	\|	Chaim	22/06/08

71.	#39 Lincoln. What polls do you mean? Peace doesn`t equal suicide.	18:57	\|	Chaim	22/06/08

72.	Gideon Levy. Who are you anywa?	19:01	\|	John Allen	22/06/08

73.	LEVY AGAIN VIEWING FOR	19:09	\|	Robert	22/06/08

74.	#18 Dutch	19:12	\|	John Allen	22/06/08

75.	What is wrong with wanting Israel for Jews?	19:20	\|	John Allen	22/06/08

76.	#55 `Opticalrectitus" deff.	19:25	\|	John Allen	22/06/08

77.	#59 Tosefta is pretty bright. I am impressed.	19:48	\|	Paul Easton	22/06/08

78.	THANK YOU, MR LEVY	19:57	\|	Gray	22/06/08

79.	A Cease-Fire?..Expect An IDF Outrage	20:00	\|	chet	22/06/08

80.	More good news	20:02	\|	KUTW	22/06/08

81.	Funny question: `Will only Hamas arm?`	20:08	\|	KUTW	22/06/08

82.	#61 Michael N on Lincoln	20:09	\|	Afikoman	22/06/08

83.	One more question	20:11	\|	KUTW	22/06/08

84.	Shalit = terrorists (!!!)	20:36	\|	KUTW	22/06/08

85.	DOES GIDEON LEVY`S JEWISH SELF HATE HAVE ANY LIMIT	20:39	\|	HENRY MANN	22/06/08

86.	The breach of the Egyptian fence	20:40	\|	KUTW	22/06/08

87.	Quiet is Muck	20:43	\|	julie	22/06/08

88.	Does Gideon Levy want an Israel?	20:45	\|	Joel Stein	22/06/08

89.	Why are celebration & caution opposites?	20:48	\|	Rachel	22/06/08

90.	#47 Clickfool, Re Impoverished people of Afghanistan	20:54	\|	Dutch	22/06/08

91.	#70 Chaim, The israelis are stock piling arms too.	21:00	\|	Dutch	22/06/08

92.	Gaza could have had a better life for long	21:00	\|	KUTW	22/06/08

93.	The Lady of Israel	21:04	\|	H. Ruth	22/06/08

94.	CLICKFOOL #3	21:07	\|	Brant	22/06/08

95.	noor, you exhibit the IQ of a cactus	21:10	\|	Freethinker	22/06/08

96.	It`s better to be cautiously optimistic than overly optimistic...	21:12	\|	Smadar	22/06/08

97.	#43 Dr Eric	21:36	\|	Boycott	22/06/08

98.	Hamas Statement	21:54	\|	Ron	22/06/08

99.	GIDEON, IT`S ABOUT PALESTINIAN LAND, STEALING IT ON THE WEST BANK	21:55	\|	JH	22/06/08

100.	A greater threat to Israel than ....	23:25	\|	Gray	22/06/08

101.	Sons of prophets	23:27	\|	Joseph	22/06/08

102.	Peace is a great risk	00:02	\|	Mark	23/06/08

103.	#26 You expected different from Mr. Levy?	00:13	\|	DesMnsDave	23/06/08

104.	Cease fire calmity	00:18	\|	Steve	23/06/08

105.	Levy - we want PEACE not PIECE .. do you know the difference?	00:26	\|	get a clue Levy!	23/06/08

106.	#95 freesphyncter	00:51	\|	Steve	23/06/08

107.	Levy`s "face is sick", not society`s	00:54	\|	Free Gilad Shalit	23/06/08

108.	How many times is Levy going to write the same article?	01:06	\|	Realist	23/06/08

109.	quiet is muck	01:25	\|	peter green	23/06/08

110.	# 101 Joseph - Sons of Idolators you mean	01:45	\|	Yahweh	23/06/08

111.	#91 Dutch. There is no sane comparison between Israel & Hamas, Fa	01:45	\|	Chaim	23/06/08

112.	#93 H Ruth - It makes sense	01:49	\|	Paul Easton	23/06/08

113.	#100 Gray. Israel`s reputation falls as a RESULT of appeasement.	01:52	\|	Chaim	23/06/08

114.	#67 Gideon Levy	02:02	\|	Paul Easton	23/06/08

115.	#67 Gideon Levy - PS	02:07	\|	Paul Easton	23/06/08

116.	#108 Chiam	02:39	\|	Paul Easton	23/06/08

117.	The real great disaster	02:43	\|	Frank	23/06/08

118.	clickfool you have not answered the question	02:49	\|	yirmi	23/06/08

119.	A totally shot logic	03:34	\|	TOMY	23/06/08

120.	No..Israel must stop talking to itself !	03:49	\|	Akram Zekaria	23/06/08

121.	freethinker, i know this will make you sad, but...	04:07	\|	noor	23/06/08

122.	Chaim; Thanks... (Part 1; resposne)	04:38	\|	Gray	23/06/08

123.	#75 What wrong is that other people live there too.	04:53	\|	Diane	23/06/08

124.	Yawn	04:58	\|	Meryl	23/06/08

125.	Chaim; Thanks..... (Part 2 from earlier post)	04:59	\|	Gray	23/06/08

126.	Natalie Durson	05:06	\|	Diana Shaw	23/06/08

127.	#4 Clickfool understands the Zionist agenda	05:18	\|	L A	23/06/08

128.	Mr. Gideon insists on discrediting Haaretz paper	06:25	\|	Rachel in USA	23/06/08

129.	113#Grat:But it is not Palestine the Palestinians they want now!	06:58	\|	Akram Zekaria	23/06/08

130.	Read the Koran	07:05	\|	Martin	23/06/08

131.	Haaretz censored my reply to Clickfool.	07:42	\|	L A	23/06/08

132.	Chaim if beaty is in the eye of the beholder so is righteous	07:50	\|	Dutch	23/06/08

133.	#113 -116 Gray , well said !	08:00	\|	Dutch	23/06/08

134.	hamas sais, so have israelis...	08:21	\|	hanif manjoo	23/06/08

135.	Levy`s treasonous dishonesty	08:34	\|	Shalom Freedman	23/06/08

136.	Shalom Freedman - I second your opinion!	09:13	\|	Free Gilad Shalit	23/06/08

137.	Shalom Freedman - I second your opinion!	09:15	\|	Free Gilad Shalit	23/06/08

138.	124# Dutch Believe me there is no beauty in Hamas	09:35	\|	Akram Zekaria	23/06/08

139.	For John Allen # 75	09:54	\|	Clickfool	23/06/08

140.	There is no `perhaps` about it; peace the last thing Israel wants	09:59	\|	Chanalau, Tova	23/06/08

141.	11 Natalli sanctions unlikely	10:07	\|	Truth	23/06/08

142.	Israel Want Peace?	10:19	\|	Thomas Jackson	23/06/08

143.	Shalom Freeman, trying to distorts the truth again...	10:44	\|	Dutch	23/06/08

144.	Resolution 242 that was killed by the Arabs	11:45	\|	Akram Zekaria	23/06/08

145.	136 Akram, Palestinians didn`t bring thisviolence upon themselves	11:52	\|	Dutch	23/06/08

146.	136 Akram Palestinians didn`t bring this violence upon themselves	11:54	\|	Dutch	23/06/08

147.	# 109 Chaim There is no sane comparison between Israel & Hamas	12:04	\|	Traude	23/06/08

148.	146# Dutch aren`t you trying more of the same ?	15:52	\|	Akram Zekaria	23/06/08

149.	145# Dutch; Why Israel must NOT speak with Hamas and	19:32	\|	Akram Zekaria	23/06/08

150.	Israel will violate the truce, as usual...	21:11	\|	T Trimper	23/06/08

151.	#145	10:21	\|	Fadhil	24/06/08

152.	#148 Akram, Re Public Protest & outrage	13:09	\|	Dutch	24/06/08

153.	#151 Fadhil, you make a valid point...	17:34	\|	Dutch	24/06/08

154.	#149 Akram, You are mistaken about Hamas` election	17:55	\|	Dutch	24/06/08

155.	154# Dutch you are always turing the subject on its head.	14:56	\|	Akram Zekaria	25/06/08

156.	Dutch	13:09	\|	chanah	12/07/09

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