Kidnapped by emotions

The reality according to the "wishing" response is that "they live next to people who want to destroy western civilization" If that were true of the majority, I would say we need to bomb them back to the stone age. However, it is not true - a poll shows that 3/4 of thsoe voting for HAMAS want a two state solution and what to live in peace with Israel. But the refusal of Israel under Sharon and Olmert to engage those Palestinians who have peaceful desires is just what HAMAS wants - and that refusal plus the coutinal taking over of land, the destruction of houses, the abuses at checkpoints - and no beginnings of talks that might lead to a two state solution is what led to the election of HAMAS.

IF they were one isolated gang, we would not respond as we have. BUT they are Hamas-government-funded and voter-approved and they are targeting our innocent civilians bc that is what the Palestinian population wills. This is the reason that a 'gang of rocket launchers', as you say, has the power to cause the IDF to decimate the Palestinian population. Basically, Palestinians voted for suicide. They want to die. That is their choice, I guess, although I agree with Ronnie Wolman that it's a sad choice and I wish they could show more wisdom as a people.

"Why would they attack us when Gaza is no longer occupied?" -- Indeed, why are they not prepared to build their state on 6.50% of all the occupied territories ? Isn't that the best proof they are all set to destroy the Jewish state? "Israel must get rid of all the terrorist and set up a true democratic government with a body that would recognize Israel." -- What you are calling for has already been tried in numerous countries, at different times, with the success everyone knows, but you. Just to quote a few instance, it has been tried in France with Petain, in Norway with Quisling, in Lebanon with Bashir Gemayel, in Czechoslovakia with Klement Gottwald, in Chili with Pinochet, and so on. This has never worked, anywhere. Of all the advices ever given to the Israeli leaders, yours is the most ridiculous of them all.

you never thought who started all this bloodshed wars? You may bet your nose that it wasn't the working and peaceful Israelis. Please read the Israelis wars and then write again your opinions. I hope that the jews will not repeat their mistake from Europe during the nazi domination!

Last year, Olmert believed that by withdrawing from Gaza to the 1967 line that the palestinians would sieze the opportunity and work to building a state. Why would they attack us when Gaza is no longer occupied? The missed point here, is what my grandfather said to my father almost sixty when he decided to leave Iraq for Israel. "be prepared to carry a gun for th rest of your life because these Arabs will never leave you alone till they destroy you." Let's hope that when Israel realizes that it's them or us, it won't be too late. There will never be peace. Realize it and fight this war to win. There should be no government in the territories except for a government that is ready, today, to negotiate a palestinian state. Israel must get rid of all the terrorist and set up a true democratic government with a body that not only recognoizes Israel but is not tied to "right of return" like Abbas is. Of course this will be difficult but in the long run it will be worth it.

Akiba's piece sounds good to the simple minded and profers solution to only to the blind. Akiba is himself a hostage of his pacifist nature that that denies the existence of the facts of history and track record of Israel's enemies. The kidnap of a soldier in Israel to Gaza is a declaration of war on the state of Israel and must be met with force. The palestinians will never relent until the destruction of Israel; Israel therefore, must always be ready to use force on terror.

You are absolutely right - the Arab Terrorist Collective Punishment of Arabs & Jews should be stopped, the sooner the better for both the sides. The question is who can do it better ? IDF, who has been trying its best for 40 long years, without much success, or a Palestinian national leader, in a sovereign Palestinian state?

When hamas terrorists hide behind children to shoot kassam rockets in order to murder israeli (muslim, christian & jewish) women & children, this is the most brutal and tragic collective punishment.........

If getting rid of the terrorist muslims is what our leaders are only looking for, they could have succeded a long time ago, by letting the Palestinians have their own National Home. He who desagrees with that, should look under: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan - and ask himself why, with a population made of more or less 70% Palestinians, not one Qassam has ever been launched from there, and not one suicide bomber has ever crossed the river. The problem is that our leaders have always most foolishly believed they could riddle the occupied territories with Israeli settlements, as if it was their natural right, AND, at the same time, get rid of the terrorist muslims. Until they are able to admit they failed to do this, and that, blood will continue to be spilt, and precious ressources, wasted. All in vain.

How BLIND is everyone? The terrorist MUSLIMS will NEVER live peacably among Israelis and they never planned on it. They have constantly attacked Israel and when Israel retaliates and protects herself, then SHE is called the terrorist. I pray to GOD that Israel attacks the enemy and destroys them for once and for all. STOP TELLING ISRAEL TO BE PATIENT, KIND, LOVING and to SHOE RESTRAINT. WAKE UP!! Since when did that EVER get rid of a BULLY? DUH!

"Our relative peace with Egypt and Jordan is only because of the threat of a superior military, and severe repercussions if the peace is broken." -- Your thinking is inaccurate, and the examples you gave us of Egypt and Jordan are incorrect. If we have been able to sign a Peace Treaty with these two, it is because we had, while negociating with each of them, sitting on the opposite side of the table, the representatives of a STATE. This is why he who expects the Palestinians to make their peace with us, "when they understand that continued rocket attacks or suicide bombings could mean the end of their country", deludes himself and is chasing a mirage. Nothing could "mean the end of their country", - not until they have one.

congratulations, david, no one has said it better. if only there were some divinity who could grab both idiotic sides by the scruff of the neck and make them cut it out. i still say that international intervention is the only way out, cut all of them off from any aid until they stop shattering our peace. there are many more urgent matters, such as global warming, famine, nuclear arms races, energy crisis, natural disasaters, cancer, etcetera. basta!

The actions of Israel against the Palestinian population are a violation of basic humanitarian principles. Collective punishment is what Germany did in WW2, it is what Saddam is being tried for in Iraq. It is the action of a state that places no value on human life and on human rights. "Kidnapping" a soldier is bad. Demolishing the lives of a million people is worse. The best way to avoid being kidnapped is to stay on your own land and in your own home. Keep out of bad neighborhoods and you will be safe. It was not the kidnapped soldier's fault he was ordered to serve in enemy territory so he too is a victim of Israel as much as Palestine. Let's get back to the Jewish homeland we had until 1967 and leave the Palestinians to their pathetic slivers of territory. How much more misery before Israel and the US stop behaving like tyrants and start to treat their fellow human beings with respect.

HAVE YOU STUDIED US MILITARY TACTICS IN IRAQ??? KNOCK OUT POWER STATIONS ITS A KNOWN MILITARY TACTIC. STOPS YOU PUMPING GAS FOR A START BLOW UP BRIDGES STOPS VEHICLE MOVEMENTS. QASSAMS HAVE TO BE HAND CARRIED !!

Yes, Akiva, learn. Hopefully, you'll not come up with the same historical eyewash which Doc is trying to peddle.

what has religion got to do with israel????

Concentrate every criminal in the Sinai. . .no cell phones, water bread. . .cell phones in prison now there is an idea and television and movies on Saturday. . .better the Gaza. . .pride, you have to earn pride. . .and no Red Cross. . .where was the Red Cross under Sadam. Treat them like they expect to treat you with a bullet in the back of the head. Poor Russians, but they dont fool around because they do not care what the world THINKS. . .they are interested only in their interests. . .I could not believe it when they murdered the Russians. . .they have no idea who they have set upon themselves. . .TBE RUSSIAN BEAR.

How would you feel if you were the hostage being held in Gaza when your leaders suddenly found the "courage" you desire? What would they say to your family when they abandon you to appease the murderers you hold so dear? There were those like you in the 1930's that employed the same logic against Hitler. Like you, they pulled down their shades, closed their doors, and did all they could to not give justification to genocide. Yes, how polite and accomodating they were as they were marched off into the gas chambers. Learn from history, Akiva. There's no negotiating with those who seek to kill you simply because you exist. Wake up!

One doesn't become a monk on a whim, and after reading the process of one becoming a member of the Carthurian order of monks, requires a commitment far beyond simple conversion. Given your letter, you appear to have already taken steps down this path well before the recent incidents in Gaza, and if what is written, true, your aunt's passing has a large part in your decision. Your public declaration though, has more elements of the stage than plans for leading a life of religious contemplation.

Appeals to reason are merely exercises in futility with respect to the Israel/Palestine conundrum. Both sides are addicted to death and revenge. There will only finally be peace when the land is the domain of nothing more than lizard and cockroaches. Much of the prattle here on Haaretz (aside from the patently racist garbage) has to do with arguments about who is to blame for this or that incident. Really, who cares? There are no saints here -- only stupid, stubborn, self-righteous, macho morons -- marching in lock step down a long and bloody road that ends only in the grave.

It's wonderful to have an academic conversation about peace: to sit on the sidelines and pat ourselves on the back at how enlightened we are. Unfortunately, real peace can only be negotiated between parties willing to put down arms and realistically discuss issues and compromises. The Palestinians and Hamas aren't looking for peace -- they're biding for time, waiting for a decisive blow to retake the Israel. Historically, Arabs (unfortunately all Arabs) have only understood power. Our relative peace with Egypt and Jordan is only because of the threat of a superior military -- and severe reprecussions if the "peace" is broken. Our Prime Minister is doing EXACTLY what we should have been doing years ago -- a thoroughly devestating, one sided reprisal for any violent actions that occur to even a SINGLE Israeli. When (if?) the Palestinians understand that continued rocket attacks or suicide bombings could mean the end of their country, they'll come to the bargaining table.

You, Israel is the power player in this dance of death and humiliation. You hold all the cards. You thereby also have the blame for this tragedy of militarism and humiliation and death and destruction. You could end this horror anytime you would give the Pal's justice and their dignity. That however is in-consistent with a Jewish state of Israel. You are thereby condemned to this macabre death dance of winning battles and killing and killing and killing and losing the war so long as you maintain the racist megalomanic ambition of a Zionist state of Jews. Shalom, Sam I am BitinDawg@Yahoo.Ie

I doubt that converting back to Christianity for the purpose of making a political statement will avail you very much. Christianity is a faith- the only true Faith from my perspective. You convert because you believe. Otherwise the conversion is in name only, and will be quite meaningless.

don't let the door hit you on the way out. cheers

All because of Israel provocations in Gaza. http://www.xxxxx.dircon.co.uk/Cart/1ys.htm

Seanirl, I too hope that I am right but I can't be sure. I am afraid that more than peace, Israel wants land especially land with few, if any, Palestinians. I hope that the Palestinians will have a partner for peace but, once again, I can't be sure. Unfortunately, Akiva Eldar does not speak for those in power who want to force the Palestinians to accept total surrender in walled off centers controlled in almost every aspect by Israel. This will never lead to peace.

Right you are Ronnie, the Palestinians have to confront themselves. And leave us, Israelis, alone - so we can go on building more and more settlements.

They will never let Shalit go. Do you think Maashal is an idiot? He wants Barghouti rotten in jail.

I hope your right and Im wrong but I think Israel is more afraid of peace than the Palestinians and will never try to really negotiate with the palestinians

I haven't read a single Akiva Eldar article that didn't take a highly emotive view of the conflict. In any case, considering that the Israeli leadership took a very long time to plan the Gaza invasion and to allow the Palestinians to defuse the situation by releasing the two hostages, I think Eldar isn't simply a hypocrite -- he's just plain wrong.

Excellent op/ed, Eldar. And to those who have commented that us goyim just don't understand how valuable human life is, I would say that I'm happy I know plenty of Jews who believe ALL human life is valuable, not just Jewish lives. But you're right. I don't get why Jewish lives are more valuable than the Palestinian lives that have been taken by the IDF and will be taken by the IDF, along with Shalit's, when they invade Gaza.

so, one Israeli combatant is taken prisoner and everyone in Gaza has to suffer their power being cut off, sounds about right if you are a racist state that tribalistically values Jewish life over anyone one else. And the Palestinians have figured this out long ago. As long as there is an illegal occupation and no just settlement, Israel will be a pariah state, the backing of the US only makes this worse. Everything else is details.

I am convinced that faux Israel's 'final solution' is to secure all of Palestine and to eventually drive out all the Palestinians from the little bit of land that they still possess or control. The Israelis will continue to invent reasons for occupying or reoccupying Palestinian lands. Only one thing will stop them- my country. The U.S. must disengage totally from Israel. She must stop all foreign aid dollars to Israel. She must no longer supply military hardware and technology to Israel. It is a bad marriage, and must be annulled. American interests and Israeli interests are irreconciliable. The key to Palestinian survival is to be found here in America.

Thank you Akiva Eldar for your wise words. Would that those in power would heed them. Keep on writing and expressing your deep sense of morality.

You wrote : "The two kidnapped Israelis must be freed to enable IDF to leave Gaza Strip completely." -- How can't you see that those who ordered the kidnapping are not the least interested to see IDF leaving Gaza ? Why should they be ? Our leaders are now caught in the trap they set for themselves when they chose to turn their back on Mahmoud Abbas, under the most foolish excuse he was not a suitable partner, and left the Strip to be grabbed by the more brutal fanatic of our enemies.

True peace will arrive in this troubled land when Israel and Palestinians will genuinely desire peace, and move forward to grab it. The alternative is politics of hate, which clearly is now winning. Congratulations to the politicians of hate.

S.Freedman is right : "Nothing has worked". And nothing will work - until the Palestinians are allowed to have their own homeland. "History teaches us that nations behave wisely, once they have exhausted all other alternatives." Abba Eban.

Encouraging the Hamas government to agree to elements of the Prisoners' Document is a preliminary step towards an arragement where the Palestinians can be partners and thus share in the honor that comes from wise statesmanship. The Prisoners' Document is a way for the Palestinians to see that the Israelis *will* treat them as partners and listen to the more moderate of their leadership. Releasing Marwan Barghouti and Abdul Khaleq Natshe in exchange for Shalit will accomplish three things, all good for Israel. First, it gives both sides a way to resolve the crisis without losing face. Second, it weakens the hardliners in Hamas who have opposed and watered-down the document's main points. And, third, it may cause a positive revolution in Palestinian political life -- Barghouti is wildly popular, and SECULAR, and it would serve both us and the Palestinians well to see him returned to the Palestinian street.

It is whether Akiva Eldar is saying the truth or not, which should have been your concern. For if we have come to be in such a position that telling us the truth about ourselves is helping our enemies, then may God have mercy on us.

DO THE ARABS UNDERSTAND ANY GESTURE ?? EINSTEINS THEORY OF STUPIDITY TELLS THAT THEY DONT !! SO INEVITABLY THE ARMY GOES IN AGAIN AND AGAIN. HAMAS CANNOT NEGOTIATE AS THEY ARE STUCK IN A TRAP OF THEIR OWN MAKING .

more than they love land and power - then there will be peace in the middle east, Not until.

As a humblest believer of Torah, Psalm, Bible and Quran and lover of entire mankind as being the members of One Human Family of God, we strongly condemn the terrorists and fanatics/extremists of all religions and race. If the muslims will not follow the humanist lessons of their Books nor the Jews of their Books then how there could come any solution. It is clearly ordained in Torah " not to kill/punish fathers for the sins/wrongs of their sons, nor the sons for the sins of their fathers ( Devarim:16)." I very humbly beg to Israil PM not to cut water and power of even the infants and minors of Gaza who donot even know the difference between Palestinians and Israil, Islam and Judaism? The whole world is in grief for their sufferings. This will only multiply the hatred and violence. The majority of Palestinians and Israilies wants peace. Unfortunately their peace is hijacked by any external forces, then who are responsible for the same?

Akiva Eldar is very right with this perspective about the Israeli Government's response to the Qassams - over reacting to deflect the possibility of negotiating with the Palestinians. We're patiently waiting.

"Meshal`s strength is that he is less subject to Israeli pressure, thus Hamas militants can see him as a more genuine leader." - Ben Gurion And his weakness is that he is safe in exile. Meanwhile the young turks are in Palestine where the heat is on. Why Olmert should wish to build support for Meschal while undermining Abbas and the more moderate Hamas factions I don't know.

A soldier gets kidnapped and every palestinian must suffer as a consequence. This would also apply to any other population. That is to say, harm any jew and our revenge will be to punish all your people. We are a sad and ugly people.

Eldar is on crack. Months of missile attacks - and he thinks Olmert has been "kidnapped by emotion"?? Gaza should look like Berlin or Dresden did in June 1945 - no building standing. Let's then see the Palis (world's biggest leaches) dance around with their guns and banners and "death to the Jews" rants.

Roberto slowly the world has started thinking of all Israelis not just the Prime Minister, Defense Minister and Military Chief of Staff as war criminals. For what countrys citizens would allow the killing of so many innocents with no one being sent to the war crimes trials in the Hague and stripped of their ranks and pensions. Proof that Israels government is ordering war crimes is a law, Israel just passed, whereby the government has to pay for all legal charges, IN THE DEFENSE OF OUR GENERALS WHO ARE ARRESTED ON WAR CRIMES CHARGES AND WERE ONLY FOLLOWING THE ORDERS OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL. This law proves Israels government is ordering gtenerals to commit war crimes. England already has war crimes warrants for 6 of our generals.

state youre willingness to support the creation of a pali state with the 67 borders, WHEN, ONLY WHEN.... there is complete peace and normalcy... you will have peace within months not years. it is israels hunger to grab more and more land which is putting a question mark over israels very survival

THE only two men i see that are kidnapped by emotions is Ehud olmert and Akiva Eldar not the national leaders.IF you need help look at men like EFFIE EITAM.

Akiva Eldar has outdone himself here. Such wisdom and insight. I fervently hope that Olmert reads this article.

If Israelis really cared about lives of other Israelis, they would offer driving classes and save lives. More Israelis kill each other in traffic accidents than Palestinians kill them. To punish 700,000 Palestinians is insane and only deepens hatred of the Israeli occupiers. Many will lose their lives for one soldier because Israeli egos were bruised by the kidnapping. As the head of the Arab League, Amr Musa said this morning, Israel wants a soft occupation in which it is protected from the occupied. It ain't going to happen. Only withdrawal to the 1967 border will do it.

Some people every day,but not you.Its ok I understand send you another post re partnershop etc

They dont need a document.They need to sit down both sides and somehow gain trust little by little doing little things over a longer period.To find mutual benefits slowly. To work together and to help each other in a small way and build it up and both have to be sure that they wont cater down to their extremists. I know its sounds immature and naive but you can write it more eloquently perhaps but thats what it needs. Then dropping of the charter and other physical moves of greater significance etc

This article does not help us, Israelis, it helps to enemoies of Israel and the USA.

It has the tone used by those saying that Israel should build up HAMAS, because it would come at the expense of Arafat and his group in exile. We see how well that went. There is little sense in splitting HAMAS in two. Either rhetorically or physically. The same argument could be made over Gaza and the West Bank. And as of today, we see that the Palestinians in the West Bank matched those in Gaza in the kidnapping front.

Israel has more than 300 kids under 18 , more than 100 women kidnapped and prisonned , Palestinians are humanbeings too.Do not tell me that they r terorristscfor God's sake.

with the prisoner's document. It's a bunch of word games, that hammers out the maximalist Fatah position, while retaining the flexibility to continue the war against Israel. It's an attempt to unify the Palestinian national structure. Nothing new here. Remember Egypt has been trying to do that with the various Palestinian groups for the past two years. This document doesn't even reach the minimalist peace goals of the so-called Saudi plan. I see no reason to cling to it as a holy grail, or even akin to the panglossian hype around the old "Geneva" plan. The angst of whether or not HAMAS would sign the document, is no more of interest than when everyone held their breath as to whether or not Arafat would do the same, and the PA legislature, or the PLO executive committee, would ratify such blatherings. It's not the writing that needs to change, nor the issue of recognition, but the actions on the ground that are key now.

Sure, the Palestinians hate us. So we will improve matters by denying them electricity for six months by destroying their power stations. How does one keep food safe in a mideast summer, provide drinkable water, run hospitals, and see to the other necessities of life? The costs in innocent Palestinian lives will be very high, but the value of those lives seem to be very heavily discounted by my people. We are a stiff-necked people after all.

Every Israeli leader since Ben Gurion has seen every minor & major Arab problem as a nail, and Israel as the hammer. This worked until the 73 war when Egyptian hammers killed over 2500 Israeli nails- (soldiers). This failed policy hasn't worked since. Israel lost the disastrous Peace for galilee/S. Lebanon idiotic incursion/occupation and Hizbullah emerged victorious even killing an Israeli general Gerstein & other high ranking officers. Israel lost both intifadas and Gaza is proof of this failure. Now Gaza will become proof Israel can no longer hold the W. Bank.

I know for sure that one day, justice will prevail. The easiest thing to do is fool the people, not nature.

I could not agree with you more. Violence will breed more violence. So stop your Crappola or you will find our what violence is. Israel has the means(Not the willingness yet) to show you what violence is.

Why are they bombing a bridge? Why are they bombing station power? THEY ARE CRIMINALS AND RACISTS.

Befitting the present high emotionally conditions/ military situation which is extremely tense i n f l a m m a b l e b e y o n d the l o c a l i s s u e. The t w o kidnapped Israelis must be freed to enable IDF to leave Gaza Strip completely. To achieve this ?international / outside? real pressure is the order of the day. Let us hope that the kidnapped are alive and will be handed over even to a ?neutral authority? without delay. After this all possible workable ideas should be weight to get us out from this vicious cycle.

But this is under prevailing circumstances more than just a c o m p l e t e t u r n a r o u n d declaration etc! Unrealistic! The issue Israel facing is more than a geographical, geopolitical, and a basic religious real problem, namely we are caught in the middle of the worlds issue by the extreme Islamic movements to become t h e o n e world?s religion. In cases like this ? no quarters are given? and the local political Captains become nothing more but Coxswains. Undoubtfully there exist a very respectable group of peace seekers on both sides of the Palestinian ?Israel - not yet existing - border line, which is opposed by a larger counter weight H A T E. To stop hate and start reeducation is a long, long stretched out effort which stands a chance only after an extended period without ?events.?

Akiva your present appeal for a cool, head equal to a change in the basic approach to what you consider as a Palestinian ? Israel problem has chosen a very unsuitable moment. - The Olmert you picture as a tribune of fiber is unfortunately far from the facts. A year ago he appeared as ?a deputy? who follows his master?s line, he wanted to show off and secure his position as heir. Now as number ONE he wishes to show his ?ingenuity? by coining the term ?convergence? another word for the same old expression ?disconnection.? So consequently what can you expect from him?! - Your approach, like of all of us is basically the search for peace and a peaceful coexistence in the Holy Land.

Hello Ronnie, I hope you are not too sour from yesterday. I was too tired and the thin veneer of late-life acquisition of patience may have failed temporarily. That both sides of the signatories to the Document did not participate in the kidnapping is clear to all. Is there value to it? Indeed there is. The Hamas movement is not monolithic, and the action was carried out by the "external"- Hamas, followers of the leadership abroad. This might be viewed as good news, because the "internal" Hamas has moderated a good deal (as the Document shows). A split would be nice; Israel may even be able to work for it. The history of Jewish struggle provides examples and lessons of all types. One lesson is that extremists are not always united; think of Etzel and Lehi. Another lesson is that the "internal" group ends up winning. In the struggle within the Zionist movement, the BG group, living in Israel, was victorious over the Weizmann group of London. The present situation is complicated

Israel will never release Marwan Barghouti, because that could lead to a solution. Israel is contenet to fool the world into thinking the Palestinians are the only ones breaking agreements, etc. Israel is just a guily, has blood on her hands. I hope this kidnapped young man is released and unharmed, just as all those kidnapped by the Israelis, children included, are released.

Negotiation is not an option, it would only encourage more killings and kidnappings. If a murderer came and murdered two of your sons and kidnapped a third, would you ask the police to negotiate the release of some murderers? No, you would ask the police to find the perpetrators and punish them. We know who the perpetrators are...Hamas. They do not even deny it, they should be held accountable for their actions.

take a look at the link that discusses responses to terrorism http://www.rootoutterrorism.com/blog.shtml#2006-06-25

I quote you:"Now you have elected Hamas who hates the PLO and does not even recognize Israel!" ....and does not even recognize Israel. Do they ever recognized Palestine State? Palestinian Films are not treated as Palestian but as PA Films. Quite ridiculous, don't you think? Palestinians and their territories are under occupation. Even Gaza, so called liberated, has no free border.Israel troops controll all access to Gaza by land, air or sea. Gasa is under a "Blocus". Palestinians Gaza live in a large internment camp. Israeli troops day by day arrest Palestinians in the West Bank. Israeli Jails are full of Palestinian prisonners, about 9,000, of all ages and genders. Do they, DO YOU, recognise a Palestinian State?

This response shows the enormous abyss between extreme right wingers, who see themselves as wise and skeptical, but truly are paranoid and brutally hostile to our neighbors (whom they call Pals but don't see them as pals) and the left center that wants tho change the course, the course dictated - by the Arab blood revenge moral code. Yes, it is correct to demand from a leader to cling to his pre-election statements. Unfortunately politicians are amoral chameleons who change their colors according to need. Israel wants the kidnapped youngsters back but alive. Keep it in mind before continuing with the bravado! If they die in action, the public will turn against you, chameleon. Isn't it possible to release prisoners without connection to the kidnapping? Later when the atmosphere cools down and a real cease fire is in place?

You say that 'things will improve'. Why should anybody trust your suggestion? You are from Gaza, aren't you? When have you voluntarily improved ANYTHING in the past 60 years? Ever since your infamous PLO leader took power in 1994, things got worse for you! Now you have elected Hamas who hates the PLO and does not even recognize Israel! You are further away than ever from a normal situation! You are in a deep crisis, but you keep blaming others! You don't even have peace among yourselves. That is because you do not have a vision of peace - hudna is the best you can offer. Why don't you ask the Jews how to make peace, instead of trying to kill them?

he who votes for war now should face the music...and he who takes captives is nothing more than an animal and should be treated as such..hence gloves off..there is no living with such a people..they do not want peace only a piece of every jew..as jews are asked to leave so too should they be asked now...and forcefully if needed...it is clear negotiations only postone the inevidible.

I agree take the deal and then tear the paper up.Its blackmail.

"If Olmert really was blessed with the courage of his words in New York, he would offer to trade Shalit for the signatories of the Prisoners' Document, Marwan Barghouti of Fatah and Abdul Khaleq Natshe of Hamas. Their release would be the decisive blow to Khaled Meshal.." - Eldar I couldn't have said it better, but I did say it earlier (a couple of days ago). Olmert even now should work to encourage the signing of the Prisoners' Document. Can make a declaration that this is means Abbas will be a partner, instead of laying blame on him for the kidnapping, implying he is no good and giving more ammunition to Meshal. Meshal's strength is that he is less subject to Israeli pressure, thus Hamas militants can see him as a more genuine leader. Let Israel show that the Hamas concessions (in the Document) bring more benefits than the military action. Good words now, and good action after the militiray situation is resolved.

Bruce, Olmert schlepped his "Convergence" plan to anyone in the world who would listen. Even most Israelis oppose it (for differing reasons). He is determined to go ahead with it anyhow. Either he is incredibly pig-headed, or he is simply afraid he isn't able to play diplomacy at the world level.

People like you who project your own feelings on the arabs rather than accept them at their word. You take this prisoners document and see it as a great step, a leap in moderation. They didn't agree to attacks only in the territories, which makes you smug and safe in Tel Aviv, they agreed to FOCUS attacks on the territories. They call for a state on "lands captured in the '67 war", where does the Golan fit into this equation? something they want or just an open door to keep hostilities? They implicitly call for a state of Israel.BS. It's ambiguous so people like you can believe it because you want to, and they can believe otherwise , because they want to. People like you bring our own downfall because you just aren't willing to survive. You need to aplogize for living on our own land in our own country.

Violence, by both side, will not solve anyhting.... The only way you can bring peace is by negotiation. Negotiation is done with your enemy not with yourself, No matter how much haetred and distruct there is, you have to speak to your enemy if you are serious about peace. Israel has the strongest military in the middle east, still all this might did not bring Israel not even one day of peace. Time to sit down and talk to your enemy.

Shiek Olmert started out as a chicken and ends up as a chicken. Back then he was tired of fighting - he would rather be French and run away.... Now he got himself into a position of power where he could execute his running away. Why must it get to this? If YOU SHIEK OLMERT is tired of fighting for Israel, step aside theres plenty of us who will fight for her. We all wait for new on a missing soldier and your best answer is "limited engagement". Limited best describes your brains at this point. Why must Israel have to deal with this year after year? Why cant you just acknowledge its a war, fight it - be done with it (shouldnt take more then 30 mins with air power) and for once END it? You just now realized (shattered illusions) that u cant make peace with the arabs - WE TOLD YOU SO YEARS AGO. After we get back the soldier - you will wait not 5 mins to BEG Abbas to come back and "negotiate". Shameful. My janitor can do a better job then you !

The one who has been kidnapped I fear is Mr Eldar. It is sad to witness the decline of Mr Eldar, as this article graphically demonstrates, into fits of incoherency occasionally illuminated by lucidity. Like the sons of Noah, Shem and Yefet,covered their father in his nakedness, Haaretz should cover Eldar's mental nakedness.

Oh, if we only had the wise leadership of Shimon Peres at this critical judgment. Under his leadership, Israel could be the Las Vegas of the Middle East instead of being held hostage to kidnapped boys. What happened to the wise leadership of the diaspora during WWII, in which they rightfully viewed the German persecution of Jews as an internal German affair, and didnt intervene?

..some little nebish ,in Boston..consider great ,strong (protocol like)Zionists to have stolen... ...its Jewish land...in a Jewish state... Just like all of Jerusalem...eternally so....

This article is simply pathetic. How many Israelis would Eldar have the government surreneder to the Palestinians in the name of the murky "vision" which Olmert voiced during his more naive days. Suppose that the "vision" of reconcilliation of the Palestinian claims and desires is even possible; suppose that it is desirable to be "tired of fighting... to make enemies... friends;" even given all of these concessions, there still stands an obvious question: "at what price?" According to Mr. Eldar, "the precious lives of two soldiers and their buddy" are not so precious as to outweigh the value of the pursuit of a mere "vision." Let Mr. Eldar martyr himslef to this cause: he revolts his countrymen when he tells us that some "vision" is more valuable than his life.

Akiva, It seems Olmert is so misguided. i feel he is listen- ing to more IDF shop talk instead of his prior feelings. I couldn't believe how touch he was in his speech. He was so unreasonable. For what? To hit them hard? How ridiculous. Besides no one likes bullies and tyrants and he sounded like he was headed for the bull pen. I wish he was like you Akiva--you seem so wise and sensing of people. I don't know how you and others can stand the war mongers in Israel. The world is fed up with them. I don't know why they can't grasp you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. It's seems so simple. Dutch

Yeah right, Eldar, Saudi Arabia wanted to reconcile - that is why its plan would have liquidated Israel in two stages, and why,at the same time it introduced its plan (which, by the way, was Arafat's plan) it instructed its television watching pre-schoolers that Jews were pigs and had to be killed. The only reason why it went through this PR exercise was because of the lambasting it was getting in the U.S. as the world's no.1 purveyor of hate.Nevertheless, the Israel haters and useful idiots (Eldar is in the latter group, and possibly the former,too)touted this liquidation document as a peace plan.

Can Palestinians be good friends and partners until they stop convincing their children to blow themselves up, stop promising people 72 green-eyed virgins if they kill themselves, stop disseminating anti-Semitic educational materials, stop firing rockets on a civilian population, stop allying with Islamic dictatorships that don't respect human rights, stop rejecting viable peace plans, stop voting for Islamic groups that vow to kill "Jews"? Or maybe they just need "useful idots" like Joachim to stop supporting these immoral actions? Your call.

"and now the total destruction of any hope there may have been for peace negotiations." If I had a dime for every time someone on the Palestinian side said that. "The Israelis have destroyed all hope of negotiations by crossing all red lines" (usually said after Israel defends itself, such as in this case). Don't worry, Abu Mazen will be running back to negotiate next week. Why didn't hundreds of rockets on S'derot destroy any chance of negotiation? Oh that's right, we are Jews: we deserve that kind of treatment!

Theres no cause to interest you amongst your people.... Your not Palestinian and your not Jewish...altho I do realize Jewish affairs and Envy interest you to such a bizzarre extent that your completly `addicted` to OUR problems.... pherhaps I can suggest stamp collecting...or pottery? Or adopt a cause that involves your people?

The problem, is how Olmert is handling the opposition to convergence. He has been appeasing security hardliners, to show how they are on the same side. Too much artillery, the relaxing in civilian risk standards in air attacks and now this gratuitous use of IDF force to restore some macho pride. An even more cynical assessment, is that this is "panic" over the apparent Pal idea of moving from terrorism to armed resistance militancy (not targeting 49 border Israeli civilians, only the IDF and settlers). Of course until the PA actually disbands and disarms remaining terrorist groups, there is no actual diplomatic threat from their strategic change. But some in Israel would find this discomforting (it makes it harder to marginalise Pals as of the terrorism world), thus security hardliners are going to insist on being deliberately provocative.

There will be other leaders soon, the failures of Olmert prepare their way. Be prepared for some strong people to turn Ghaza around! VIVA ISRAEL!

Olmert has failed in his first test as Prime Minister. A man with no plan to cope with the Palestinian problem except a unilateral withdrawal, has failed to cope with that situation ever since Sharon died. This led to a gradual escalation of economic attacks on the Palestinians, a ever increasing violence on both sides, and now the total destruction of any hope there may have been for peace negotiations. The chances that this operation will rescue Shalit are nil. A pointless exercise conducted for show, and internal political gain.

In the totality of the conflict the Palestinians have suffered immensely more than the Israelis. In this tit for tat mentality (on both sides), it is futile to pin point which action preceded the other but unquestionably Israe's retaliatory moves are grotesquely disproportionate. The response to a kidnapped soldiers is a wholesale destruction of infrastructure. When Iran took 52 hostages in 1979, the US did not retaliate but embarked on arduous diplomacy which won the day. I believe Israel behaves the way it does because its leaders are angry that they were tricked and outsmarted by the digging of the tunnel; and supposedly they were forwarned. They vent their anger towards themselves and their frustrations on the Palestinians. They are immature, psychologically and politically.

proistatic view on the real world. Who pays him for such grandious crap. Speaking about emotions , he is the one that shouldn`t overcome them after he has abandonned his own kids and still left to write his moralities in Haaretz . HOw suitable is , his moral immorality...Before teaching anybody anything or expressing the views he maybe should check in with authorities

Palestine has been defeated militarily and that will not change. Explain your proposal for defeating the Palestinians as at present your statement looks like chilling statement of pure evil ie extermination.

Thats why we are different....We are Jews... One 19 yr old is worth it... Thats whay you have so much difficulty with us... GET IT? Good....

But of course it's acceptable that settlers are targetted. Their presence on stolen land is an act of war against Palestine. People who wage war are legitimate targets for retaliation. Settlers are dangerous extremists. They should be regarded as such

It is funny and pathetic to see that the only support for the Haaretz editorial line comes from the Israel haters in Eurabia. I do not see much Israeli support. It has become a forum to delight at the paranoia an hate of the usual gang of posters. Otherwise the political influence of Haaretz is the same as that of the Israeli Chapter of Aree Krishna. Just a picturesque place to visit like the Sunday art street market

Akiva Eldar. Take off the rose colored glasses. Who in the heck is in charge. It seems to me that signing off on the "jail papers" is useless. If the Palestinian leaders really wanted to show their peaceful streak they would already have found the soldier and the settler and forced their people to release them. As it stands now neither leader is in control of their armies.

"Most conflicts only successfully end with one side being defeated". Not necessarily the case. Often, it ends when both parties realies the stupidy of their actions. The US was not defeated in Vietnam, it remained a superpower. All it did was to realises the stupidity of its war on a whole nation and the impossibility to break the cycle. Similarly, France did not loose its war against Algeria. De Gaule realised that it was simply senseless and pointless to try and prevent the inevitable (independence). You can think of India/Britain, and other examples. Returning to reason is what ends conflicts. Israel will also have to realise that it cannot indifinetly keep a gun on Palestinian heads, oppressing and robing them, when they clearly aspire to have their own state. The sooner this happens the better. "The Palestinians can and should be defeated if we ever expect to have a legitimate form of peace." Haven't they already been defeated?! Do you have extermination in mind?

Can Zionists really be good friends with Palestinians until they return the country they stole, restore the villages they destroyed, repatriate the people they expelled, and pay massive compensation for the lives they have shattered?

Israel will not secure the Israeli's life in this way. It just shows how little they value Palestinian life. All this to reassert the manhood of the IDF. It's the same nationalist pride as that of an imperial beast, not of a respect for human life.

The document, which is based on a cessation of all violence inside the borders of the state of Israel Its OK for Eldar that settlers will be targeted. In fact, its probably his wish.

I feel horrid for having to use wikipedia as a source to explain my earlier point, but i cant be bothered to sift through all my International Relations books! Power projection (or force projection) is a term used in military and political science to refer to the capacity of a state to implement policy by means of force, or the threat thereof, in an area distant from its own territory. The United States Department of Defense, in its publication J1-02: Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, further defines power projection as The ability of a nation to apply all or some of its elements of national power - political, economic, informational, or military - to rapidly and effectively deploy and sustain forces in and from multiple dispersed locations to respond to crises, to contribute to deterrence, and to enhance regional stability. [1] This ability is a crucial element of a state's power in international relations. Any state able to direct its military forces outside the limited bounds of its territory might be said to have some level of power projection capability,

Its very romantic what olmert said, i only wish he would have worked to turn his words into action....its hard to believe that the man who said these words is now turning gaza into a war field

How naive you truly are... The fact that britain was doing pretty much the same thing in the 1850's under Lord Palmerston in the Don Pacifico indcident, except we sent a Squadron of the British fleet to rescue one guy trapped in Greece. Its got nothing to do with being Jewish,there are so many examples of this, governments do this years to show how important those who identitfy with the state are to them (a young soldier is a perfect example)those who do not identitfy with the state in such a strong way would not be so lucky. Trust me Frank if you think this is about preserving Jewish life you dont understand politics.

I have no idea what Akiva Eldar is talking about. Without emotions there are no humans, only sociopathic mammals. And Eldar's argument has plenty of emotion behind it. Whose doesn't? Also, using the term kidnapping in a "theoretical" manner when terrorists are performing actual physical acts is demeaning. An emotional attack on emotion. Oy! What's next, Haaretz, blaming jews for being jews?

And you would make them martyrs in the eyes of the local population and quite possibly have them replaced by other even more radical leaders. But hey! The important thing is that you keep up the macho image and feel like a big man. A working solution HAS to be secondary to that.

I could not believe my ears when this morning on Sky the news presenter asked Gideon Meir whether Israelis would think the military action was worth it for the life of just one soldier. He replied eloquently and politely it is all to do with our religion our history and our respect for human life. This attitude makes me very proud. Let us hope his kidnappers display some humanity and turn away from the gates of barbarism.

Akiva Eldar,you are a courageous person of excellent vision who cares about your own people different of those who become blind of power when in office.What the IDF is doing will never end hostilities but quiet dialogue based on recognition of each parties right to live in this sacred piece of land and by keeping guns far away ,that will bring peace.You and I will be the happiest people to enjoy that moment for the sake of your and my children.As well as mankind.

Although the idea that akiva is presenting to us seems ideal at first sight for confidence building, and i also must agree with him that force is part of the problem not the solution. It seems that we have short term memory loss , when dealing with our neighbours. our confidence building steps had always been hijacked, granted sometimes we fell in the trap and should have used restsraint instead of show of force...sometimes though its importnat to show your neighbour just that ...that good fences make good neighbours, and that a line in the sand must be drawn.

I am so sick of reading all these condemnations of Palestinians when Israel is at least 50% responsible for the current situation. Shalit's was kidnapped which is wrong of course but in light of the large numbers of innocent Palestinian civilians murdered by the IDF in recent weeks no-one can pretend to be appalled. Israel expects such high standards of behaviour from the people they are oppressing and punishing on a daily basis yet makes all sorts of lame excuses for their own crimes. Israeli leaders are idiots. Otherwise they would have been negotiating with the PA already. Start treating the oppressed Palestinians as humans deserving of the same rights as Israelis and progress might be made. If Israel doesn't do that then it should shut up whining.

Akiva's article misses the two seminal points: 1) Most conflicts only successfully end with one side being defeated. In our case such a defeat would be an unthinkable thing. The restrictions of the politicians on the IDF have allowed the Palestinians the illusion that rejectionism and continued terrorism will accomplish their goal of no Israel. 2) The present situation has arisen from Israeli leaders not representing the Israeli people. A strong response and a re-entry into Gaza should have taken place with the first qassam flew. Israel and Israelis would be better served if Akiva wrote that the best course to peace would be a massive strike on Gaza to end Palestinian illusions that they will win their war of attrition with Israel. The Palestinians can and should be defeated if we ever expect to have a legitimate form of peace.

The reason Israel doesn't do anything is because they don't want peace. They talk a big game to get American support and money from their evangelical and Jewish lobbies, but when they get "home" they show their true colors. They do not want to co-exist and do not want any Palestinians on what they think is their land! They are nothing but hypocrites! Trying to justify knocking out power plants and bridges to get a soldier back?? Come on .. that is ridiculous! They want to do everything they can to make life even more miserable for the Palestinians and will use the moral justification of getting a soldier back to do it. Pathetic!!

Sharon is one of the most mobbed politicans all over the world, because of his disobedience against the US (and the Wallstreet-Jews.) I.e. he didn't care about the deal between the Saudis, Wahabits, Brits (US) and Hashemites concerning Jordan. He is a really Israeli by heart what means: Be a Mensch...

The Israeli people is still being held hostage by the settler enterprise and its yesha council, and other zionist extremists.

They prefer to attribute their failings toconspiracies and plots of others, such as Israel, Jews, the US or the West - or all of them. On this, see: http://www.danielpipes.org/article/3706

Israeli leaders come to America and talk about the desire for peace in one side of their mouth, and then in the other, they announce more settlement construction, and imprisonment of Palestinians. Actions speak much louder than the dishonest rhetoric from these corrupt leaders. Jews must face their grave mistakes and injustice as much as Arabs should face their stupid rejection of the Jewish state. The facts speak for themselves. The Arab World, 5 years ago, offered peace to Israel. Hamas recently accepted Abbas' power to negotiate with Israel. And in return, what has Israel done? Nothing.

Look-- Olmert says these things about the Palestinians because he has no intention/desire to do anything--but pursue his unilateral agenda. Any fool (meaning Olmert) who tried to "spin" this event--and blame Abbas for this attack--and call an attack on soldiers a "terrorist attack" (when by definition an attack on soldiers is not)...in the face of these things obviously NOT being true...has a hidden agenda in which he has no intention of dealing honestly or fairly with the other party (the Palestinians). Olmert wants to say that "the world is fed up" with the Palestinians. Please--really talk to the world/see their actions--they are either more fed up with Israel...or equally fed up with both Israel and the Palestinians. Still-- Kadima is the best chance for peace on the Israeli side--so we have to work on Olmert...so that he goes from being a fool/hidden agenda idiot...to a Prime Minister who will take actual steps to make peace...and do it with Abbas.

From the Israelis point of view, in the time of crisis like this, I think most of the Israelis, especially the for the age of 30 years old or more citizens, they missed Sharon: cruel, brutal, timing precision, military instincts, the hell with diplomacy, hit hard and stay as long as it needed. Olmert and Sharon have more or less a comparison with Bush and Reagan. Olmert and Bush just doesn't fit to their offices. I can see it.

"If Olmert really was blessed with the courage of his words in New York, he would offer to trade Shalit for the signatories of the Prisoners' Document, Marwan Barghouti of Fatah and Abdul Khaleq Natshe of Hamas. Their release would be the decisive blow to Khaled Meshal..." The release of Barghouti & Natshe etc. would be the beginning of the really solution. But Israel (in reality the US) is not interestet in peace, because they changed the Clausewitz Axiom: "War is continuation of politics by other means ... Subordinating the political point of view to the military would be absurd; for it is policy that creates war. Policy is the guiding intelligence and war only the instrument, not vice versa." But they create war by "Endless Enemies" (Jonathan Kwittny), because: "Policy is continuation of war by other means": http://www.loosechange911.com/

Mr. Howard you are kidnapped by emotions. I have no other explanation for your ourburst. ThePalestenians are attacking towns and villages across the border with rockets, did you hear about it? That, after no Israelis are left in Gaza. What do you want us to do? Shouldn't the US react on Japan's attack in 1941?

The article should have had the title "Israeli leaders kidnapped by greed and blind arrogance" and not "Kidnapped by emotions". It is the greedy nature and the blind arrogance of the succesive zionist leaders that made the ME what it is today: a hot spot for wars and instability, a basin for terror and chaos, a fertile ground where rivers of blood shine. The greed to steal land and property (illegal settlements like unwanted poisonous mushrooms spread everywhere), the blind arrogance that it is invicible and that what it has taken by force could be kept forever, the blid arrogance that a whole nation (the Palestinians) could be subjected to total unconditional surrender and the expectation that it will have no ability and even no right to resist... all this, led the zionist leaders from failure to failure, reaching a dead end for their dream. Everyone now is hostage to that greed and blind misplaced arrorange. Everyone must suffer.

So everybody, including the Saudis and Hamas wants peace, only the Israelis don't want peace? The Saudis who teach genocidal anti-Semitic racism in their schoolbooks want peace? They and all the Islamic extremists (whom they fund around the world) who teach that Jews are like monkeys and pigs? Poor man, he has been smoking something hallucinogenic lately, apparently.

Its too easy and too glib to just blame the leader of a state of those who survived the Shoah for being "kidnapped by emotions." And that the Palestinians have never faced their own legacy of Nazi collaboration with Haj Amin El Husseini, the main Palestinan leader from 1929 until Yasir Arafat succeeded him as RAIS, and that the world never insisted upon the Palestinians ever acknowledging this genocidal connection, has not helped matters at all. Yes Akiva Eldar and David Howard and all you "justice seekers." You can say that the Shoah has nothing to do with it, or is an excuse, or whatever you want, but in fact the Shoah did take place, and the Jewish people's emotions have thus been effected, as have their behaviors. "Kidnapped" by emotions? Its a lot deeper than that.

And against whom do you have one of the largest armies in Europe,together with a Foreign Legion? To opress your own Arab minority or to shoot at unarmed demonstrators in Ivory Coast??

Israel is a military state- every citizen joins and serves in its army. The leaders of Israel are nothing but puppets in the military establishment. Pulling out of Gaza was based on military considerations- it is easier, safer and cheaper to control Gaza without the settlers. This article has fallen victim to the Israeli illusions of being a normal state. It never was and never will be!

If you base your policy on instinct, gut and God, wrong and right, and abandon analysis, rationalisations and plain common sense like Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld have done,look at the outcome: a lost war, an ideology that is broke, deminishinh power and respect in the world (only miliyary power remain) and policestate USA.

Akiva Eldar writes beautifully using simple words and simple ideas. I personnally long for reconciliation between the two peoples and I know that if it happens one day, Israel-Palestine will become a true power in the Near-East... This article has been translated in french and can be read at : http://questionscritiques.free.fr/edito/haaretz/Akiva_Eldar/Shalit_Ehud_Olmert_280606.htm

it is a mainstream philosophy from all aspects of the Arab and Muslim world, be it secular or Islamist. It is zionist propaganda to paint such an obtuse picture of radicalims when it clearly is not.

While the Palestinean groups are engaged in a war against Israeli Jews. It is unbelievable. The same mantras.

The IDf and Israeli government did exactly what the rejectionist Palestinian terrorists wanted: everything the abducters were hoping for is happening. Each time the IDF bombs another bridge in Gaza or renewa more hostilities, Khaled Meshalis cheering in his home in Damascus. The Israelis are so predictable! The hostile takers didn't take one Israeli soldier hostage, they took the next ten years of opportunities hostage. Go one IDF, kill, bomb, destroy! Make sure to make all the wrong choices. Does the destruction of a concrete bridge in Gaza really help to bring back Shalit one minute sooner?

Israelis and Americans cannot impose anything on the Arabs.We cannot teach the arabs.They have no respect for us. What can happen is that they can confront themselves.They can change.But they have to do it from within. There are muslims now willing to stand up around the world against the radicals.Its still small but it is growing.That we should support that as much as we can. Of course Jews get emotional.We have a history of pogroms why wouldnt we? But we also have a tendency for human rights and civil rights too and we for sure are in conflict now with ourselves. This is healthy. I wish the same for the arabs.

(..continuation) Soldier Gilad Shalit was taken prisoner in an attack to a MILITARY outpost. He is prisoner like thousands of Palestinians are prisoners in Israeli jails. Why is it to be different? Enough with the argument of "they are terrorists"! Then about 3 million of Palestinians, your neighbours, are terrorists since they are all fighting against Israel. So how can your government manage that reality? Can he kill or jail all of them? Release of a prisoner is to be negotiated against prisoners, not by invasion and killings and destructions.. Your goverment is not right at all.. AGAIN : WAKE UP! UNQUOTE Just one thing more : Isn't PM Olmert obsessed and "kidnapped" by his "Convergence Plan" and unilaterally fixed borders, i.e. steps which will only lead to nothing but war, but unpeace, but total Israel's unsecurity etc..etc..etc..???

Akiva is so rational that he cannot see that the only (small) thing that the Palestinean leadership wants, in their "prolongued popular war", is Isralis Jews total surrender.

Well, why not try it? You can take all the extreme left wing in Israel, they can cross over into Gaza and offer themselves as replacement hostages! Lo and behold! They may even make friends over there, and convince those misguided Palestinians to change their thinking?

Is this what Mr Eldar would be telling his daughter if she had constantly been beaten and tortured by her husband? That it's her fault? That she must not let a few blows to the head cloud her judgment? Eldar shoud quit lecturing Israel's leaders and start hectoring his friends on the other side of the fence. Meanwhile the IDF should be allowed to fulfil the prime state obligation: to protect and defend the citizens of Israel.

Israel tried the Eldar way. It brought Arafat back so that we could make peace. Despite what Eldar wrote at the time Arafat had no intention of making peace. 'Hamas' does not either. Appeasement has not worked even in regard to Kassams on Sderot. Restraint has not worked. Withdrawal has not worked. Removing Jews from their homes has not worked. Nothing has worked , no concession, no compromise. Unfortunately the Reality Israel has to deal with cannot be transformed by the formula of Surrender given here.

rather than strike a new and revolutionary path with Kadima, Olmert is desperate to emulate the previous generation of Israeli politicians, many of whom are seeped in the legend that is the creation and survival of the Israeli state. unfortunately, they are the ones that allowed the situation to become what it has...I say vote for a diaspora Jew in the next elections.

The resort to the military option is wrong. I have little polite/constructive to say. The Israeli government seems to fear the new direction within Palestine and the opportunity involved, so it chooses to remain trapped in a mindset related to showing them who is boss and how, "we" won't accept any challenge to "our" IDF supremacy. The over-use of artillery shelling and the loosening in the conditions for air strikes, was immoral and risked compromising diplomatic strategy. This is a strategic mistake affecting future hopes, both working relationships and the plans for convergence. The environment for this, both local and international is now more marginal. The domestic opponents of convergence have successfully mobilised a security first agenda. The expectation that only pacification and the will to enforce this can coincide with a withdrawal (both past and future) has been established. The present government has thus been compromised. This will allow opponents of convergence on the Pal side to provoke either Israeli opposition to it, or IDF actions of escalation.

Docrines.... shmoctrines. Show me one person in this world who is not held hostage by their emotions. The truth of the matter is there's a time for peace and a time for war. Liberal thoughts of peace and love becomes popular when threats recind and rapidly wanes when there is a need for action. It would have been quite impossible for Winston Churhill to have been elected as British prime minister between the years 1920-39 and he was voted out of power in 1945. World events are fluid and those who stubornly cling to a warrior or pacifist ideal , at apropriate times in history, are swept into insignificance.

Dear Akiva Eldar, I had decided to stop participating in Haaretz' subjects and blogs, because a point I sent about "Gaza beach massacre : international probe"? wasn't even edited.. After the "Summer Rain" (!), I couldn't contain myself, so I sent a response this morning under name ? and the above subject. In homage to you and yr article, and as I'm convinced that this time it's Israel, not the Palestinians, which is "losing the opportunity" of security and possible peace, as you expressed it very well, I'm resending it to your blog with my real name : Lebanese. Quote The Israeli operation against Gaza last night is the best way Israel is taking to rekindle and spread again the hatred towards itself in the Palestinian people as well as in millions and millions of Arabs allover the Arab countries. Wake up, Israelis! Like always done, it's the worst Israeli government's policy that enormously harms your country in the medium and long-term. (continuation by other response

Admit openly Akiva,you're a convert to paleo-Catholicism,turning another cheek is THE way forward for you . Not responding to Netanya Park Hotel massacre and other pal actions-only a recent convert,hating the very idea of a sovereign Israel could come with such an idea.

Best idea I saw here all day long was Israel arrests all the Palestinian leaders (Politicians and Militants) and sticks them in jail. They don't get out of jail until they have a real peace plan they all can agree on! Selah!

This so-called Prisoner's Document is not even worth the toilet paper it is written on, without any signs of discpline or consensus on the other side. Until the Palestinians have their version of the Altalena, there is no point in any agreement with any figurehead "leader", be he Marwan Bargouti or Abu Mazen. The ability of any of these to impose discipline on their people is matched by the ability of any Abu Charta gang leader to impose anarchy. These are not people one can do business with. We withdrew from Gaza, and used force on our own people to do that. Rather than build on this as the beginning of a solution, the Palestinians are trying to use this as the beginning of our end. In the absence of any valid partner, we need to do what we need to do. Period!

Before the rhetoric and blame comes out...(i.e. the Zionist are criminals and morally corrupt and the Palestinians want nothing but terror) I would just like to say that the biggest plague in this conflict is the dehumanization of the other. WWII was possible only because Jews became less than human. The rhetoric that is spewed here against both sides is similar. Israel made a grave error when it mistakenly bombed the family on the beach, but Israeli soldiers do not intentionally murder children. Many of the Palestinians employ heinous tactics, of a far greater illegality than the "apartheid wall" Nonetheless, their cause is just. If Zionism is just, so is a Palestinian state. And vice versa. Now, let the blaming continous rhetoric begin.

Akiva, Do you refuse to acknowledge the reality of your enemy? How many dead Jews defines "smart" and "risk-taking" strategies? Clearly, the Palestinians are not willing participants in this two-way street plan. Much more than a pitiful people being undermined by a "gang of rocket launchers," the Palestinian people are unified in hate and they have already trained an entire generation of youth to see glory in killing Jews and their nation. You refuse to be honest, while maintaining consistent academic dialogue. Please stop pretending and look honestly at the history of your ideology.

No matter how much Israelis want to believe that they live in Europe, the reality is they live next to people who want to destroy western civilization; forgeting this by it's leadership has cost a lot of Jewish lives. If Israels leaders want to risk their own or their families lives it would be one thing, to risk the lives of others is heartless. Taking money from Europeans to risk others lives is criminal.

The killing of Israeli border guards and kidnapping of one soldier is the copycat crime of what happened to the American soldiers at an Iraqi checkpoint last week.The American military has the luxury to remove itself to safe harbor in Kuwait or America, Israel does not. what is next? Iran. The European Union and the United States gave Iran to the end of the month,which has basically arrived, to respond to the package it has been offered or consequences will occur.If Iran does not respond by the end of the month, as the EU and USA demands,what will be the consequence- more carrots or sticks?

SIGN A PRISONERS DOCUMENT: UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!

Akiva Eldar-trust the Saudis? The article was based on an emotion; Hope, nothing more. He is what he says the others are; just wishing and hoping and relying on their emotions. Akiva, we need MEN, not writers to protect Israel. Stick to day dreaming and leave the thinking to those who can.

This is one of the most shameful, barbaric and reckless acts of vengeance and bluster in recent memory. What on earth is Olmert trying to prove? That he is as macho as the serial human rights abuser Sharon? That he will continue to pursue a policy of 10 or 100 of theirs dead for every 1 of ours? That the IDF is "the most moral army in the world"? That he is "a man of peace?" That he's not afriad of Condi Rice? (Which, of course, he will be, if she ever tugs on her pursestrings). What an abject and miserable disappointment Olmert has been in his short time as head of state!

I think this response is natural, both from Olmert and Israelis in general. Revelation, everyone: Israelis are human beings, they want peace and not perpetual war. This is something I think many people conveniently forget, and I'm not just talking the anti-Semites here. There are too many of the belligerent pro-Israelists on here that get off on viewing Israelis as only heroes and hardened by harsh Middle Eastern reality. Truth is, they are simply human, all too human.

do not kidnap dozens from a village at a time, do not shoot kids or women, do not fire missiles at thich crowds, allow workers into Israel, do not steal the water, restrain the fanatical settlers etc etc etc. These gestures of good will improve relations. Do not ask for anything in return, that will come in time as a natural reaction to good. This is human nature.