Israel hasn't grown up since the last Gaza war

Just like Hamas leaders, Israeli politicians want to come across strong, even when they're pressed against a corner, and especially when the elections are around that corner. The Israeli offensive may have been the right thing to do but as days pass it becomes less effective from the logistical military aspect as well as from PR view as the enevitable increases of civilian to militant death ratio will cause people to change their mind and say enough. The world will grow wary of the war as is human nature and Israel will be forced to stop its military operation. The advice I would give the Israeli politicians is, don't wait to be at this disadvantage point, swallow your pride and do whats right for the country, not what will get you reelected, as peoples emotions play a big roll in this. Take the initiative and surprise the enemy by using the back channels and offer a truce even if it gives more to the enemy, Hamas has already lost more than they can admit to. And use Abbas to make the truce, that way you also empower the Palestian Authority rather than Hamas and give the Gazan's more of a reason to support Fatah. I really hope the Israeli Leaders have the foresight to make the right decisions and this junction, as it will decide whether those that have supported Israels right to Self Defence will continure to do so.

but they're both full of it.

it must be all that propaganda and war mongering stuff....

Yes, Palestinians just want an end to occupation. Which, as they openly and repeatedly say, means the destruction of Israel.

The Israelis and Palestinians obviously can't solve this themselves. Time for the US and the Arab countries to negotiate the terms, then enforce the agreement.

Gidon Levy has my support. It will never ble a solution until Israel ends the occupation og leave all the illegal settlements established on land which belongs to the Palestineans.

Mr Levy, may I suggest you ask Hamas to alter their Charter/Covenant as a starter to any peace initiative.

How naive can one be? The Arabs have 700 times as much land as the Jews. When is enough enough?

Thank you Mr Levi. I have long suspected, that Munich 1972 massacre never happened, along scores of other PLO terrorist attacs in 1967-1987, when you say Palestinians "tried doing nothing". You are a genius for waking us up from our terrible dream to, unfortunatly, terrible reality - that even you, with your power of persuassion, cannot deny.

Great article.

How incredibly refreshing it is to hear sanity from an Israeli newspaper. If only the New York Times would follow your lead. They continue to be a mouth piece for the Netanyahu narrative, even as they pretend otherwise.

Hamas will not be satisfied with any compromise, concession, or withdrawal Israel could possibly live with. After withdrawing from all of Gaza, what did the Palestinians do with their freedom from occupation? Hamas took over and invested in weapons and missiles instead of their people. Stop dreaming of a utopia, take your head out of your .. and see reality. They will not be statisfied until every Jew is killed or expelled from Israel, no matter how small it is. They have said those exact words, and we must believe them.

Mr. Levy.As a Gentile who has studied the history of the Holy Land for years and desires peace with love for all involved I believe Israel desires peace.They gave back the Gaza and have had thousands of rockets rain down on them for peace.The Arab and Russian and almost all other nations have controlled the U.N. since it"s inception.ISRAEL,DO YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE ALONE?