The Gaza syndrome

The Debate is Over.

"Instead of mucking about with failing policies of annexing as much Palestinian land as Israel can get its hands on in the West Bank, it is time for the Israelis to recognize the rights of the Palestinian people to the whole of the West Bank and East Jerusalem and invest the large amounts of money they spend on military operations in the development of new economic activities and water resources in the region. This is the way forward to peace, not Israeli settlements in the West bank and East Jerusalem." From Andrew Watson, Canberra, Australia in 'A simmering summer drama' Talkback.

You are victim of an illusion. The Gaza evacuation was a typical rightist move, artfully disguised as a Leftist one. By itself, it was a move to the Left. The way it has been done, humiliating the Palestinian President while opening the gates of Gaza to the more fanatical of our enemies, was a a typical Rightist operation, whose main purpose was to demonstrate for all to see how much the Palestinians deserve to stay under a foreign occupation, and thus, ensure a stronger Israeli control over the West Bank. Sharon, the brilliant tactician he always has been, knew very well what he was doing. Read Moshe Arens again, but this time, more carefully : "Who in Israel did not know that anarchy reigns in Gaza, that this is what we left behind?" I myself couldn't have said it clearer.

No occupier in the world has given up without fighting. Palestinian have no other way to get back their stolen land. Negotiations are meaningless when the weak one has a gun pointing to his head. The main problem of Israel was and is the use of force. Israel is now the biggest threat to the jews. Israel is replacing the old myth of deicide (now forgotten and solved) by a dark history of war crimes and crimes against humanity and, over all, a clear war against Islam. All the zionist websites are clearly anti-Islam. That it is big mistake. Pushing to the clash of civilisation is soon going to backlash on the jews. The world of the next century will belong to populated countries.

Forceful and truthful words and thoughts Mr. Pever. I certainly couldn't have said it better and I agree with your message. It is not impossible in this wonderous world of ours to see what is in store. The Jewish people have already been given a 2nd chance after what would have destroyed many. Israel cannot hesitate to not only defend itself but to defeat the horror around them in the form of terror and a strange group of humans who teach their young to HATE, out of the cradle. There is no guessing....these people have clearly said and say they want ISRAEL IN THE SEA.

seems that muslims want all of any land they are in and are not good to people of other beliefs and relgions since they always, throughout history, try to kill 'infidels'. jews are not safe when their neighbors want them out.

Moshe Arens is right, as always! I have always liked Moshe Arens. He is my idea of what Herzl had in mind when he imagined a new future for Jews. The exact opposite is Shimon Peres who is every non-Jew's favourite Jew. Why? Because he is the embodiment of the European idea of the Jew ... smart and inoffensive. Shimon Peres gets kicked in the teeth and he turns the other cheek. You would make a very good Christian, Mr. Peres. But my idea of a very good is Moshe Arens, no "Mr." and no submission! God send is more like him!

from what I've read about the Muslim history their people want only 'their people' who believe in their religion to live in an area that was a desert, with nothing more then donkeys. Jews lived there too, for centuries. That all changed when the 'Zionists' were given the land by a mandate by the UN in 1947. They were to live there with the others who I do not think were called Palestinans since there was no Palestine. There was Transjordan and they were part of that, basically...so as soon as the Jews and Zionists came there and called it Israel, these Muslims left. They left their honmes and disbanded into surrounding Arab countries as they were told to do. And then they attacked the Jews. Remember, they attacked first. They always do that. When the Jews, or Israelis strike back...they moan and groan...but they started it! de

Perhaps we should fight fire with fire; how about creating "non-governmental" groups armed with rockets and so on and let them fire back, "tit-for tat" into Gaza's cities. Then we can also say "Sorry, no one controls them - take your problems somewhere else."

It's the occupation, stupid. What do you expect? Please look at what is happening: Israel assassinates and kidnaps democratically elected officials, demolishes houses, steals land, uproots olive trees, randomly kills innocent citizens and systematically makes life miserable for millions of innocent Palestinians whose only sin is living on land that Israel illegally claims as its own. The Palestinians are people, and they respond to this brutal and unjust treatment exactly as any people would. They are obviously resisting this Israeli aggression by all and any means at their disposal. Again, what do you expect? Stop the occupation and peace will come. The rest of the planet is fully aware of this. It is all so very obvious. It's the occupation, stupid.

The point, Messaoud, is that we were given a state, less than we wanted, said thank you and built it. You were given a state, less than you wanted, said no thank you, and now you have nothing. That is the real point, Messaoud. You listened to your talk alot, do nothing Arab brothers who incited you into refugee camps. The UN facilitated the betrayal by your Arab brothers. You insist on perpetuating your situation and will find, in the end, that you are back to square one. Less than you wanted.

As usual the truth is simple, you dont have to contort you language to describe it. Mr. Arens does just that in this article.

8-Jews living in Israel, you have one choice, and one choice only. You kill them and their children or they will kill you and your children. Until you realize this thousands upon thousand of Jews will be sacrificed for the "mentally-ill leftist suicidal agenda". 115- Moshe Arens is correct Islam understands only extreme force , only then will they say - Inshallah - It is G-D`s will . FORCE PLACES THEM AT YOUR FEET . WEAKNESS PLACES THEM AT YOUR THROAT . IF THE GOV`T DOES NOT CHOOSE FORCE THE BLOOD OF INNOCENTS IS ON THEIR HANDS .

...;he overflows sympathy to the poor settlers. That is 10000 vs 1.300.000. When the likes of Moshe Arens realize that there is no room for racism in the ME, and that Jewish blood is no dearer of arab blood, then Sderot can sleep.

The arabs have done nothing but rebuff Israels peace initiatives with increased terror - HIT BACK NOW - Re-OCCUPY GAZA

Moshe Arens is correct Islam understands only extreme force , only then will they say - Inshallah - It is G-D's will . FORCE PLACES THEM AT YOUR FEET . WEAKNESS PLACES THEM AT YOUR THROAT . IF THE GOV'T DOES NOT CHOOSE FORCE THE BLOOD OF INNOCENTS IS ON THEIR HANDS .

In reply to your extremley testing 3 questions, I thought I'd offer you a polite response to your request. 1) How many Palestinian civilians have been killed since the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza? Only this last week the mimum estimates are 30. Including yet another pregnant women. Are we to assume that all these civilians are enemies of Isarel also who are involved in Qassam rocket building? Have you seen what an F16 helicopter can do to a busy market or a buldozer to a building with a family sleeping it at night? Neither have I, but you can imagine. Don't appease, find a solution. 2) Remeber Israel hasn't ALWAYS existed. The maps have changed dramatically sicnce its inception. Have you evidence of your statement? 3) Where in the HAMAS manifesto does this statement occur? Or are you trying to disseminate some hate-propaganda? People have the right to vote in who they wish. Its then their responsibilty to execute a poltical dialogue when in this position. Provocation is on both sides.

I also learned the facts as you did, David. This is the Israeli version. Then I wondered whether there is also another side to the story; and indeed every story has two or more sides. You forgot conveniently the whole issue

Mr. Birenbaum, how is what you are suggesting, that the Palestinians can go anywhere in the vast Arab world different from say one of the early Nazi proposed solutions to "the Jewish problem"? Basically, they were telling German Jews who had lived in that country for centuries and who had -- in that case -- even assimilated to the German culture that they had the whole Western world they could go to. Just get out!!! And then add to that the conditional situation we found in Israel, that those deposed ancient Palestinian residents would be replaced by strangers to the region and its culture from all over the world, taking over their homes and lands. How would you feel and react if this happened to you in Mt. Kisco? I'm not arguing that Jews don't have an historical claim as do Palestinians to this land. My dismay is with the lack of empathy I find so widely expressed -- as in your statement here -- by my people who otherwise are known for their compassion.

Your Recipe against the palestinian people, to KILL, KILL, KILL..add infinitum, has not work for the last 40 years..and does not work for the next 40 years.. Your comment are not part of the solution ..the only solution is JUSTICE, STOP THE OCCUPATION AND THE LAND THEFT..give freedom to PALESTINIANS IN GAZA AND WEST BANK...

I'd expect a smarter answer from a Friedman, you are a disgrace to the Friedman's!

Given a choice where would you rather live: In Israel with Jews or in the Gaza Strip with Arabs? Where would you feel safer to express your opinions??? Be honest.

When will Israel learn that its mighty army cannot give it security ? Nor would their early warning stations /colonies etc? .. True peace comes with the recognition of the historical injustices that Israel committed against the Palestinians. Does anyone in Israel acknowledge where the Gazans came from??? Why are they crowded in Gaza?? Who kept them there??? Moshe Arens is an American and should go back to America where he belongs . Brooklyn is is home. If Gazans are permitted to go back to their homes , then this whole craziness will stop. Moshe Arens does not have more right to live in Palestine just because he is Jewish than the indigenous people ( , the Gazans who are Palestinians , indigenous to " Palestine" from Haifa , Yaffa and Lod and Ramleh etc... Till Moshe Arens and his likes recognizes this , the so called ' Terrorists" will be fighting him and his likes even if they have the mightiest army in the world. So go ahead , hit hard , No security and "blood" on you hands.

Terrorists understand only one thing: FORCE. HOWEVER, force does not come down to just military power but world opinion. There is no end to Hamas's ability to twist things around and manipulate the public and MILITARY POWER DOES NOT TOUCH THIS. Case in point: The term "Collective Punishment" which Hamas came up with and Europe is lapping up. Why can't Israel come up with similar catchy phrases? The problem is that Israel communicates honestly (whether from the left OR the right), while Hamas allows itself the most absurd statements. And Switzerland, France, the U.N., etc. believe and encourage the terrorists every step of the way. I want Israel to fight back with WORDS, as well as ACTION. Israeli leaders need to come up with simple effective and powerful statements to convey to the world. I don't how but somebody in the government needs to start figuring it out. Study advertising or something, and then use this power to bring PEACE.

I will put myself in the position of an Israel hater and answer the questions as truthfully as an Israel hater can. 1) The Israelis are firing the Qassams at themselves and blaming it upon the Palestinians. 2) The maps being used by the Palestinians were supplied by Israel in order to discredit the Palestinians. 3) That is patently false. Hamas does not differentiate whether a Jew is from Israel or anywhere else. Hey, this is fun. It requires no brains whatsoever to be an Israel hater! How restful. It is no wonder that there are so many of them. Ha'aretz is to be commended for allowing so many of them the opportunity to express themselves.

An old Arab saying, "The Arabs are either at your feet, or at your throat!" says it all! -rachel e Both seem way too extreme! for me. Can I choose the 'knees'? lol

Hello Moony, Another illustration of how you cannot handle the truth or the reality of your self inflicted situation. Haaretz is a beacon of light in an otherwise dark and sinister order. Wise up before it is too late. The world is watching.

Moshe Arens thinking is based on war mind. War alone did not make peace for the last 56 years . Arens is an old man who see the holy land as a war zone forever. His New York mentality did not work for him in NY and he could not make it in the city how can he make it right anywhere.

Mr. Messaoud, It's vampires, not vempires. What else do you have wrong? Everything. You forgot to add the charge about using children's blood for Passover Matzah. Tell me that there wasn't enough oil money in the Arab Middle East to solve the Palestinian refugee problem years ago. But, it has been decided by Arab and Palestinian leadership, not Israel, better to keep them as pawns, pack them into Gaza and use them against Israel, over and over for generations. Ignore the quality of the individual Palestinian's life, use them against Israel and blame Israel for all evils. Sounds like you would be happy with no Israel and no Jews. Blessed be the Internet indeed.

How can you be so confident that an Israeli withdrawal to the 1949 Green Line will result in a final end to the conflict? For the record I am completely in favor of land for peace in just such a quid pro quo, but I don't see any indication that this would end the war. Withdrawal from Lebanon did not bring about a final end to the standoff with Hizbollah. Withdrawal from Gaza was rewarded with more rocket attacks. What makes you so certain that Palestinians are so willing to toss away house keys to long vanished homes in Jaffa, just for a chance to have self-government in Nablus? This delusional situation is nearly identical to October 1973 when all the "greatest minds in Israel" came to a consensus that the Arabs would never attack Israel. The Left keeps saying that withdrawal is the answer, despite all evidence to the contrary that this strategy has irrevocably failed. -Bloomfield-

An old Arab saying, "The Arabs are either at your feet, or at your throat!" says it all! "Might is right" is the Muslim/Arab creed. Only fear will make them leave Israel alone. Fear of the consequences if they don't! Hit them, and hit them hard, if you expect to survive!

The best answer to all this terrorism is to accept the declaration of war, to do it, and after to make the life of this guys a peace of hell. After this, all of them will go away to their real country: Syria, where they can explode themselves wherever they want. They have declared war and the israeli government is waiting what??????????

Billy Bob, the 7th grade drop-out from the rural south in Georgia understands that you cannot make peace with a people whose #1 goal in life is to kill you. The "palestinians" teach their children at a very young age to kill JEWS, they name streets after suicide bombers and they teach little children songs such as "with our blood all of Palestine will be ours". Where is your outrage against this CHILD ABUSE??? Yasser Arafat was given almost everything he wanted, yet he turned it down and chose Jihad. How can you be so blind that you cannot see that the "palestinians" never wanted nor will ever want peace???

Yesterday, after reading alot of posts, I decided to explore this issue some more. I went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. They have a lot of cleverly worded information about the Gaza Withdrawal. You'd have thought it had been negotiated as part of a peace treaty. Then I went to the maps section. What to my wondering eyes appeared? Lots ov color coded maps showing Israel in one coloc and the Occupied territories in another color. Gaza was the same color as the West Bank. Still claimed as occupied and disputed by the Israeli MFA. I'm sure you'll want to look the site over. I may have missed something. But the next time somebody doesn't believe you, maybe they'll believe the Israeli government. Regards

What do 95% of Israelis allegedly agree with Olmert about? About getting Gil'ad Shalit back? I pray he's alive and well, but that's still a very narrow aim, even though very important. What about the security of Israel's Jewish citizens (civilians), the people the IDF is tasked to protect? It seems more and more that the IDF's mission has becomee protecting its own soldiers instead. This is COWARDICE. If you can't stand being in harm's way, DON'T PUT ON THE UNIFORM!

Ha'aretz has to move in Gaza.

You guys make a good act. Lets make gaza legally unoccupied and have free reign to smuggle in better arms, and since they are "real" windmills now, Israel can use means to deter, which you guys won'r call collective punishment. Sancho pipes in about Likud exterminating the arabs and taking the land. Aldonza Aldonza lol, come on guys logical guy, don't get your feathers ruffled and bother answering, calm yourself.

Were conditions reversed, Israel would likely be doing exactly what Palestinians are doing and that Israel did to the British, and what the colonized everywhere have been doing (including the American colonies), that is, Fight back the domination and control. You fight with rocks or primitive quassams or sling shots from the windows of a Warsaw Ghetto. What else have you got, if you're self respecting?

“you have sat to long here for any good you have been doing. Depart, i say, and let us have done with you. In the name of god, go!.”

Dear Otto: Everyone knew about the Holocaust while it was happening and did nothing to stop it. Everyone saw 1,000 rockets launched as a "thank you" after Isreal left Gaza and said nothing. I urge self defense. Some people get upset when Jews fight back. Sounds like you may be one of them, a Dimi mentality, afraid to stand up for yourself. A bully picks on the weakest kid, the one who won't fight back. Right now, Israel is smacking the bullies in the nose. Can you point to any historic example of another way? Surely you do not belive that being a "light unto the nations," require passivity when attacked? If you do, go to Gaza, find a crowd, tell them you are a friendly Jew. See what happens next. Gaza must be demilitarized, all means of incitement must be silenced. Then there is a chance for peace. You incorrectly equate international opinion with reasonable judgement. By that standard, it was ethical, reasonable and correct that no nation acted to stop the Holocaust.

Force, for what purpose? To kill the Palestinians. To kick them out. To retaliate. To get them to be nice. The Jews have now decided to use force. Good! But the Jews need to have a purpose for the force.

Quite frankly, Mr. Wolman, I think the single most powerful way to diminish Islamoterrorism' recruitment around the world would be a mutually satisfying settlement of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. I'm not suggesting that this conflict is the sole source and justification for Bin Laden or Islamoterrorism -- evidently much of it is homegrown, as we see in Iraq. But this Hell in the Holy Land is a major fuel for its recruitment. And, yes, le't be honest, in this and other ways, the ever-boiling Middle East, with its heavy-handedness on both sides, is a heavy burden on much of the rest of the world and on world Jewry who have no electoral voice in the Jewish State. My deepest regrets is that Clinton's term was nearly over and that Sharon took his provocative walk to the Temple mount and that all parties didn't have a bit more patience when there might have been a break-through. It's been down-hill ever since.

"Lift remaining restrictions from Gaza; make it "legally unoccupied" by letting it have free access to international air and sea, and to Egypt. The government becomes real. Gaza no longer protected by Geneva. Use normal means (as Arens knows) used to deter "controlling governments" - Ben Gurion But then would the world let Israel exterminate the Palestinians and take the land? No? Well, the better in the Likudnik view to keep occupation and make it impossible for the Palestinians to stay. That way, so the dream goes, the occupied territories can become Israel.

You wrote, "Arens perpetuate the un-Jewish attitude of "destoy your enemies` rather than listen to them." We have listened - and all we heard was "Shahid". I'm sure that we would listen to the Palestinian "Peace Now" organization...

There is only one Terrorist state in the Middle East... You all obviously already know the answer... ISRAEL, of course.

Israel has given peace a chance: They accepted the UN decision of 1947. They built the infrastructure of the West Bank and gaza after capturing those two territories from the Jordanians and Egyptians (not the palestinians) in 1967 They opened the borders to the Palestinians in the 1990's. Sharon declared a unilateral cease-fire when he took office. Israel left Gaza in 2005. And what did Israel get in return - incitement and murder.

"When the state of Israel was created (by Man not god) There was a state also created for the indigenous people (the Palestinians). This was the West Bank and Gaza. These were run by Jordan and Egypt"-The Doctor WHen the PLO was formed in 1964 they had a charter. Art 24 states:This Organization does not exercise any regional sovereignty over the West Bank in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on the Gaza Strip or the Himmah Area. At formation the PLO was looking to "liberate" what they called Palestine which is the state of Israel. The West bank and Gaza were considered part of Jordan and Gaza. The PLO charter does not recognize Israel, there was a statement that they would but never took the steps to actually change it. The PLO emblem is a map of Israel. Had the combined arab armies succeeded when they attacked Israel in '48, what would have happened to "occupied Israel"?

We know you are not responsible for the Palestinian curriculum or whatever the Palestinian say or do;that is why you are not credible or relevantwhen push come to shove. You should be asking yourself the meaning of "recognizing" in English and teaching a NO Israel Map in Arabic to your children. You can peddle your merchandise somewhere else,we do not buy it here.

question 3. You ask if the Palestinians really want peace, why did they vote for the government they did? One reason is perhaps that they took Israeli history as a model of success. The same guys the British tagged as (today's equivalent of) terrorists, e.g., Ben Gurion, later became the glorified founding leaders of an Israel that their viciousness and persistence helped to win. And, they made peace with the English to boot. Look, I'm not a self-hating or Israel hating Jew. I was ready to enlist and even die for Israel -- if it hadn't ended before my plane left. The very best of Jewry is honest and open dialog of the sort we have here. I'm proud of that but am becoming ashamed of what my people in Israel have become. And especially of their self-righteousness in doing what they also would condemn, were it someone else doing it. Keep your money. That won't buy away my current distress.

Still can?t admit it?s Israel?s existence on land once conquered by jihad that?s fueling the violence, can you? How sad. Jihad violently invaded the region 1300 years before Israel controlled the disputed territories. Muslim riots slaughtered Jews in the 1800s, before modern Zionism. Arab riots slaughtered Jews in the 1920s, including the massacres and ethnic cleansing of Jews from Hebron, where they?d lived since before Mohamed popped his head out of his mommy. The Arab League declared war in 1948, 19 years before Israel controlled the disputed territories.

Mr. Arens, you are making sense for a change Ben Gurion Now it's your turn (Amos?)Ben Gurion to make sense - at least once. Please!

"Admit it; you like killing Pals." Colin Wright Hey Collin, how many young African Americans where killed last night in Oakland, California? In North Richmond, California? Didn't more African Americans die in these two cities than Pals. in the last year by Israeli soldeirs in Gaza? Does that mean that you like to kill African Americans? do you?

Indeed, it is high time for Israel and its political fossils such as Arens to change the tune and the modus operendi versus the Palestinians. The "tit for tat" has been proven for being a complete failure for the last 58 years. Apparently Arens and likes (some from Labor as well) are ready to keep the Independence War going for several more generations. Were is the Jewish brain? How many more need to be sacrificed on the altar of a stupid Messianic dream?

Gee, this is easy My Cheder teacher had a map that showed Jews covering "all the promised land" My Sunday school teacher not only had a similar map but we were told all the Biblical justifications for the Jews to "reconquer" all "God's promised land" (no West bank, no Gaza, no Palestinians and no "Goyem"). C'mon, this is still a strong view held by many Israelis and it's no secret that if the current Israeli government is willing, against that Biblical justification, to share the land its because the Jewish state would be demographically and democratically voted out of business in time. Not "just to have peace". (see part 3)

Rick, While Syria and Iran are not helpful in solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, they are certainly not the root of the problem. We must face it that the the root of the problem are Israeli occupation and the Palestinian's intransigience.When positive gestures, like the evacuation of Ghaza or the acceptance of the inmate's document on peace within the 67 borders by Hamas will be interpreted as positive steps rather than some canny tricks and when they will be reciprocated by equally positive gestures then we will start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The root of the problem, Rick, is that the two parties to the conflict not only hate each other but completely mistrust each other.

1. One plausible reason that the Palestinians shoot quassams into Israel after it vacated Gaza is that that larger "convergence" plan implicates Israel making its own choice of what to take in part 2 of the West Bank -- unilaterally. Another is that Israel has not ceased its "targetted attacks" in Gaza where recently, alone, 24 civilians (inc children) were -- ooops, accidentally -- killed. A third is that Israel wants to choose not only the Palestinian government of its choice but its "partner for peace". Gee, I'd love to negotiate with a kindred soul. But negotiations usually take place where two positions are negotiated from their extreme interests. (see part 2) coming up (and get your wallet out).

It is not hard to notice that increase in Israeli peace offers is met with increase in rocket attacks from Gaza.

When the state of Israel was created (by Man not god) There was a state also created for the indigenous people (the Palestinians). This was the West Bank and Gaza. These were run by Jordan and Egypt. The state of Israel does not own the West Bank or Gaza, it occupies it. 1.I have not said I agree with the Kassam rockets fired at Sderot and Ashkelon. I said that Gaza was still occupied. It is. Israel controls everyone entering and exiting, what goes in and what goes out. Israel created Gaza as it was ten months ago, as a way to avoid continual international condemnation. 2.The PLO charter recognises Israel. Benjamin Nethanyahu agrees with this. What part of that statement do you not understand? I am not responsible for the curriculum in Palestine. 3.The Palestinian people signed the Oslo accords a great man was assassinated. Nethanyahu did his best to destroy these accords. What happened after was down to Israel not fulfilling her international obligations

'The IDF and the GSS successfully did this following Operation Defensive Shield, dramatically reducing the number of Palestinian acts of terror. By using force against them, only by using force.' Actually -- and it always amazes me that this has to be pointed out -- compare 'terrorism' in 1996-2000 to 'terrorism' in 2000-2006. Force is the only solution? Force -- at least at the levels it is diplomatically possible for Israel to apply it -- has been demonstrated to NOT work. You spent five years trying to make it work. Then you withdrew, the bombings and killings subsided to a drizzle of Kassems, and once you resumed the killings, the 'terrorism' resumed. So tell yourself force is the only solution. It's like the guy who says he drinks wine because it's good for his heart. Admit it; you like killing Pals. That it doesn't accomplish anything is neither here nor there.

Israel was much safer in 1986 than 2006. That is a fact. A policy of restraint has failed to deliver, and no one is willing to take responsibility for the failure. I don't want to get into a big blame game here, but there is a need to recognize that the game plan just isn't working. There are still those on the Left who insist negotiation is the best answer, but the only ones remaining on the other side of the table are groups dedicated to the destruction of Israel. The government has come to an impasse. Palestinian moderates like Abbas are simply incapable of exercising any form of control. And since Israel has evacuated Gaza, this has meant control has devolved to radical Islamic forces. Despite intense international pressure, a ground invasion of Gaza may become necessary. At this point a withdrawal from any part of the West Bank would be reckless, as Palestinian militias would then have free rein to rocket Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. -Bloomfield-

Without the support from Iran, channeled through Syria, terrorism in Gaza would dry up. Action against terrorists in Gaza, while necessary, will only have a temporary effect. It was reported that the killers of Asheri received "tens of thousands of dollars" to kidnap and kill him. This money undoubtedly came from Iran. Unless Syria is forced to change its ways there will be no letup to the terrorist war against Israel, only temporary lulls.

1. Baically, you are saying that you agree with "palestinians" sending Kassam rockets into Israel. 2. You neve answered my 2nd question(see posting #31) which asks why do the palestinian educators show maps of palestine with no Israel. IF the palestinians want peace why do they do this? 3. Again, you are making excuses for a people who constantly choose terror. I hate the occupation too;;; that is the arab occupation of Jewish land. The fact of the matter is that Islamists have 99.8% of the Middle East, but that is not enough. They want 100% of the land. They will stop at nothing until Israel is 100% occupied with terrorists.

So let me get this straight, sg: Irgun blew up the King David Hotel -- a British headquarters -- and 91 mostly civilians were killed as response to "Arab violence"?!? And people who blow up hotels and kill 91 civilians in process are "militants" and not "terrorists"?!? And, following that logic may I suppose that those who capture an Israeli soldier are then, not "terrorists" but "militants"? Who was it said that "History is written by the victors"? Since there are no victors after decades of this infernal Hell in the Holy Land perhaps it can also be said that "Self-serving history is used to justify eternal warfare"

Sorry, Marc, but only a few Jews will agree with you. Maybe some Holocaust survivors They yearn for the powerful State of Israel, the mighty hand that will revenge their past suffering and vindicate their past helplesness. Most Jews want to see a prospering Israel at peace with its neighbors, a country bravely defending its borders but not by subjecting other people. Do you think that diaspora Jews enjoy Israel seen as an internationa pariah, an outcast of civilization? Your self centered view of Judaism as light to the nations through violence and strife is pathetic. You call darkness light. To be critical of policies of violence for solving a problem where both parties are in pain is not justice; it is self-justification. To be critical of Israelis not in contrast with loving it. Unfortunately, people like Arens perpetuate the un-Jewish attitude of "destoy your enemies' rather than listen to them.

Is Islamic fundamentalism different in the south as it is in the north? Does Hamas charter calling for Israel's destruction by Jihad relate in any way to Bin Laden's statements about America??? Are Afghan and Iraq towns not more precious than Americas? Ever heard of the story of the Goose and the Gander?

You mentioned that "a legitimate democratic election expressed the Palestinian people's choice of a government". That may be so, but HITLER also was ELECTED DEMOCRATICALLY. A democratically elected government doesn't give them a free pass for terrorism. The terrorists(Hamas government) need to be eliminated just like Hitler was. Additionally, I challenge you Mike to intelligently answer all 3 of my questions in the #31 Posting. If you can come up with a logical conclusion on all 3 questions other than the "palestinians" do not want peace and never did, I will give you 1 million dollars.

Masseoud, It seems that you and Arens are of the same ilk. You both think that violence will solve the abominable situation in which your brothers in Palestine find themselves. For Arens it's the idea of survival by sword. You are both wrong. Vilolence breeds violence. It may relief your need for revenge but it perpetuates the situation that is so abominable. I am not a Christian and I don't believe in "turning your other cheek", but don't you think that the cycle of violence has to be cut somewhere for the shy ray of hope to emerge? History of mankind is full of unsuccessful attempts to solve problems by war. The graves of the earth are full of "fallen heroes" (or fools?) who sacrificed their lives for a dream that was not attainable. Your best recent example is the Soviet Union that fell like a deck of cards taking with it millions of fools who died for it. Both you and Arens must give peace a chance or else you will blow off each other's head and solve nothing.

How should Holland react if she is shelled every day and one of her army bases is attacked?

Jewish self-defense groups and (ahem) militants like Irgun, arose in response to Arab violence - and not the other way around. Get some books, real books, and stop listening to propaganda.

So sad and disillusioned, and finding myself drifting to the Right, as all the noble leftist ideas have failed and flickered out - what remains? I continue to hold out hope and an open hand, seeking those who would meet us in the middle, seeking moderate Palestinians, those who too love peace - where are you? Will you speak before it's too late?

Sorry to disagree Mr. Wollman on both counts of "tactics" and "How to keep the Israeli Towns' safe" Tactics in the vaccum of strategy and a strategy in the vacuum of a workable policy is a formula for flailing about in the water to keep from drowning. Both the Israeli stategy and its policy are implicit to your very words "to keep ISRAEL'S town's safe". We've already seen the other side of that policy, i.e threaten the Palestinian towns by depriving them of even their own earned tax monies and hitting the infrustructure of Palestinian everyday life by taking out its electricity and so forth. Why? (in line with this policy and strategy) Because a legitimate democratic election expressed the Palestian people's choice of a governement which was far from Israel's choice. Here we have reverbecations of the same overall policy and strategy of insisting on a "partner for peace", where partner means a guy or gal of OUR choice. Understandable policy/strategy but so far failed

1. Israel has not totally withdrawn from Gaza, it may have removed it's army from Gaza, but Israel still controlled all the borders, prevented air activity, and would not allow the Palestinians to fish or open a Port. Israel still occupied the West Bank. We do not forget that even if you would like us to. 2. I understand what you say, but Israel still occupied the land even after Oslo, it is the right of those occupied to resist. Besides the PLO charter did acknowledge Israel's right to exist, something Nethanyahu acknowledged. 3. They voted for Hamas not because of their desire to destroy Israel. The Palestinian people voted for Hamas because they were sick of the corruption of Fatah, and Hamas was the only other choice. I assume you do not hear the Palestinian side of the story and their reasons for voting for Hamas. By the way I don't hate Israel. I hate the occupation there is a difference.

The fireworks will go on, selective strikes just to show what Israel can do, keeping pressure on until one of a few things happen. They free the lad, unlikely. Israel finds the lad and frees him, doubtful. Israel finds the lad was killed last week, perhaps. What's the next step? That's where Arens is, gaza cannot be allowed to continue being as it is. Here's your morality play. You aren't left with any "nice" options. What are you willing to do? Which morality do you look at, which lesser of two evils is more palatable?

Arik, My question(look at Posting #31) was a 3 part question. If you can intelligently answer ALL 3 questions without coming up with the only logical solution which is the "palestinians" do not and never did want peace, I will give you 1 MILLION DOLLARS.

"You can deter controlling governments from taking hostile actions or from permitting hostile activity from areas under their control. But there is no way of deterring phantom governments" - Arens Mr. Arens, you are making sense for a change, but only for very short duration. Arens solution is the failed policy of the past: occupation and control, with growing resistance by the population, and higher price to pay, both financially, morally, and in blood. But let us look at the Arens observation more closely (which he doesn't do since it is only a rhetorical device for him). If one CAN control an ACTUAL government and not a phantom one, how about making the Gaza government ACTUAL? Here is my solution: Lift remaining restrictions from Gaza; make it "legally unoccupied" by letting it have free access to international air and sea, and to Egypt. The government becomes real. Gaza no longer protected by Geneva. Use normal means (as Arens knows) used to deter "controlling governments"

Mike you state,"Turn things around and ask yourselves how Israelis would react if conditions were reversed." If conditions were reversed, and the palestinians controlled Israel, we would all be dead or exiled (again).

I wonder what we are arguing here. Most Jews and Israelis cant even think of the peace plan now. Shalit and the Rockets are the two main issues.So its not about peace right now,this second.It IS about Shalit and the Rockets. It is about the strategy about gaining the release for Shalit. It is about stopping the rockets. To invade Gaza now will put Shalit at risk.But by Olmert and the IDF conducting a war of attrition,using specific targets one by one until we wear Hamas down is a better idea. We want the terrorist infrastructure dismantled but we cannot have a completely wanton approach. This is the argument. Its about tactics and not philosophy. The philosophy is 99% agreed upon. The tactics are being worked now without regard for each individual persons need for instant gratification but with sound practice and sechel to a successful conclusion on the Shalit situation and a resolution of how to keep the Israeli town's safe.

Messaoud: did you take an opportunity to venture why those Gaza sites were attacked by IDF? Does the image of Hamas training facilities, Qassam production workshops, terrorist planning and warehouse stockpiling, not warrant immediate IDF action? Arab terrorists hide behind civlians -- men, women and schoolchildren -- and shoot rockets from behind schools, mosques and residential areas. IDF is obliged and charged with protecting their citizens. They do so with great sentitivity and care for Arab civlians. A similar vulgar approach has been used by Arab terrorists in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Lebanon, WEsst Bank, etc. As Golda Meir once said, peace will be appreciated and pursued by the Arab people only when they start loving their sons more than they hate the Israelis'. Wake up, Messaoud, preach truth not lies.

MESSOAUD AS THEY SAY IN BRITAIN "LEAVE IT OUT"

Because you occupy their soil. Go back to pre-1967 borders and you will have peace. If you want their land grabb you have Kassams.

I just think that to invade Gaza now is a mistake.To keep attacking as per Olmert is right for the moment.Getting Shalit released is paramount. Destroying the Islamic Fundamentalist infrastructure is important. And keeping civillian casualties to a minimum is important.

Moshe Arens is somewhat vague here. Does he want us to go into Gaza, take it over, and begin to run the place ? Does he want us to be responsible for the civilians in Gaza? Or he is talking about a kind of 'Defensive Shield' comprehensive clean- out- the- terrorists operation. I am not certain what he is suggesting. As almost always in these situations it is far easier to know what is wrong, than how to do what is right. Clearly our government in the months since withdrawal has allowed Gaza to bring in more weapons. But what exactly we should do now is difficult to know.

In the history of mankind has there ever been a country that willingly gave land to a people whose leaders openly call for the destruction of that country? Did anybody really think this would lead to peace?

In reading this article which re-iterates everything that was obvious before the disengagement, onel clearly sees how the hopes and dreams for peace can completely cloud ones senses of reality. Jews have hoped for this for thousands of years, it will not come in one or two generations. Israel must come to its' senses, It is a pity that Sharon has left this legacy and that Olmert continues with it. Israel needs a leader who can act like Arens talks and get out of the fantasy land of negotiating before the terrorists are destroyed.

Mr. Arens, your assessment of the Gaza situation is incorrect. The disorder of the Palestinian government with factions fighting for control has nothing to do with Israel's successful and couragous Disengagment. In fact, both the Fatah movement and Hamas have been reaching some agreement on this matter. More or less, there has been less violence in this region; no fatality from the Qassams; and Hamas has decided to moderate. You must realize, Mr. Arens, not all Palestinians quantify as being terrorists. We're all hoping for a different era - unlike yourself. The perpetuation of the past is unacceptable for Israelis, for Palestinians and for the Diaspora. It's more than obvious that almost all Palestinians want to pursue negotiations and come to a compromising settlement. That's the real fact, so please don't misconstrue the Middle East situation.

Violence can only be concealed by a lie, and the lie can only be maintained by violence. Any man who has once proclaimed violence as his method is inevitably forced to take the lie as his principle.

Blessed be the internet. Blessed be live transmissions through satellite channels Blessed be the noble journalists and reporters who risk their own lives to expose the war criminals in action. Last night "your israel" bombed a University in Gaza, the night before a school, the night before that two bridges and a power plant, and two weeks ago butchered a whole family who dared to go to a Gazan beach! These were seen filmed on fire, reported by international media. You can't hide the truth anymore. There is a new age. Israel is a terrorist state driven to disater by war criminals and vempires who only feed on destruction and blood. Wake up and smell the kebab!

After all, settlements contribute nothing to Israeli security in the war against terrorist/militant groups. An IDF security role beyiond the fence, for the protection of those behind the fence, may or may not be required. But convergence should go ahead. Thus there is no need to waste time on this matter when there is any peace partrner in the future.

I had the honor and privilege of meeting Moshe Arens in person, during November of 1995, at the Jewish Community Center in Houston, Texas. Minister Arens was one of the few Israeli politicians to oppose the Oslo accords. He spoke about the danger of bring back terrorists with blood on their hands to Israel. When I read in HAARETZ that the killers of young Eliyahu Asheri are Fatah and Al Aksa, and not Hamas, the words spoken by Moshe Arens continue to resonate with me. I am proud to have a signed-autographed copy of Mr.Arens' book, BROKEN COVENANT, in my library. Moshe Arens is one man that I will always listen to and respect.

Annex Gaza and the West Bank and give the Palestinians Israeli passports and let them participate in government! Your next Prime Minister will be a Hamas member! How about this for an idea. End the occupation and Israel will live in peace!

Show them strength and they will all be with you. Show them weakness and indecisiveness, and they will pull away in shame. Use your heavy hand without shame or restraint. Do not threaten - warn. No not give a second chance - strike. Be strong. Otherwise, Israel will not survive.

The world prefers a Judenrein world, because Jews stand for absolute right and wrong. Jewish witness is a constant thorn in the side, an embarrassment to a world filled with dictators, intolerance and hatred. Power only respects power. Do not bend your knee or humble yourself before any force other than truth and honesty. When a Jew stands up against injustice, the injustice will fall. That is our strength, that is what earns the world's respect, and that is what you must do. Be Winston Churchill, not Neville Chamberlain. Do not stop until the last voice of intolerance is silenced. Be strong or Israel will not survive. This is an existential fight, no less than against Iran's dream of atomic bombs. Continue, no matter what Jews with bended knees say from the United States. Each time Israel backs down and pulls away from victory, it shames those Jews. In their shame, they pull away from Israel. Show them strength and they will all be with you. CONTINUED IN NEXT COMMENT

Dear PM Olmert: Use a heavy hand in Gaza, do not turn away or hold back your power. Destroy their radio, television, newspapers, their school textbooks, their posters, their mosque sound-systems - destroy all media they use like Goebles did to brainwash and create hatred and intolerance. Do not be afraid of "world opinion," fear only for the safety and destruction of Israel. You are either Neville Chamberlain or you are Winston Churchill. Each rocket from Gaza is a Nazi gas chamber "shower head," nothing less. Gaza is the Nazi "final solution." This is the Holocaust alive and murdering in our own day. No more hand wringing, no more sweet-talk. No more negotiating. Power must come down with a heavy hand. The entire world knows injustice and hatred when they see it. The world knows the true goal of Hamas and the PLO. The world prefers a Judenrein world, because Jews stand for absolute right and wrong. CONTINUED IN NEXT COMMENT

Izzy's policy of assassinating as many of the Palestinian leadership as it could continues to come back and bite him in the ass. With the intelligensia wiped out, lesser lights come to the fore. Doesn't Izzy remember thay Anwar Sadat was a "terrorist"? (But, then,"the clever Israeli" probably factored this into the equation long ago. After all, (s)he didn't win all those Nobel prizes for nothing).

and they lived happily after. right? what are you a liberal democrat from the Bronx ?

Mr Arens assessment contradicts that of the majority of Israeli military leadership which specifies that the solution to the problem is diplomatic and not military.

As always Moshe Arens is brilliant in his analysis of the issues and problems. His conclusion and proposed solution to the problems are equally brilliant. The government will do very well by heeding his wise counsels.

if the palestinians were getting 1/100 of the help from their neighbors like south africans enjoyed against the racism regime ..the story will be differents and people like Arens won't be saying stuff like that . only recent records made by Arens himself prove that he is wrong ...force does not work against the palestinians ..period .

You have to be very careful when talking about Palestinians "supporting" terrorist groups. Remember after the Disengagement, when certain groups had to be admitted to Israel because they had "collaborated" with Israel and would have been murdered? It's not "support" if you know that if you don't you will be shot. There is no choice -it's show enthusiasm or die. No Palestinian dare open his mouth against the terror groups. Orwell's "1984" looks tame by comparison. How many mothers of suicide bombers really wanted their children do die? But what could they do about it? Maybe - just maybe - the result of destroying the terror groups (if we do it without harming the civilians) will be not hate but gratitude. They won't be likely to say so out loud as a matter of saving face, but in the long run there could be much more cooperation.

In August 2005 through political gut wrenching the Israelis pulled ALL Jewish setllers and all IDF personnel out. Gaza was now 100% solely Arab land. Time to build a new life for the Gazans ?? Time to show they can govern and sit now to negotiate the next Israeli move out of West Bank sttlements. No !!! that is not the Palestinian mindset. Their mindset is to attack inside Israel . All this shows me is that even pre 1967 borders are not what the Palestinians want. They want 100% of Israel. Fellow Jews and Christians. Pls see what the real long term motive is from these people. Pls take off your blinders.

It is easy to talk and do things behind a desk. Cut the power, send troops, bla bla. Why you dont start promoting cooperation and peace. Of course there are millions packed in Gaza. Like a rush subway they live, and now without water and electricity. Really, after meeting hundreds of Israeli leaders, I am starting to think that they are not knowing what to do. At least our government is trying to force a change in Irak institutions. But what is the plan of the Israelies? Probably we will have to make the UN to take this. We are tired of Israel talks.

Those who seek to oppress populations can be successful for a while but there will always, of necessity, be resistance. In most cases, the resistance eventually overcomes the oppressors. In either case, there is no peace.

We have a way to go yet.Arens will not accomplish anything by his invasion of Gaza. No doubt we have to attack the terrorists and make Sderot and Ashkelon safe but saving Shalit is most important now.

will resolve the continued violence in Gaza and the West Bank.

If you repeat the same lie over and over again then it becomes true? Please. Israel is the only democracy in the middle east. It is a Human-Rights Bastion. Who ever heard of an enemy being able to appeal to your supreme court and get a ruling in your favour? Only in Israel. Is israel a terrorist state? Can you define terrorism for me please? If Israel was such a violent state and didn't care about peoples lives then why would it time and time again risk the lives of its own soldiers instead of just bombing from the air? Hey! You forgot to mention the "massacre in Jennin". Oh yeah? I forgot there was no massacre because there were 57 people killed and 24 of them were israeli soldiers who went door to door so as NOT to harm civilians. When you start to respect life as much as you honour death then we can talk about root causes.

1. If Palestinians want peace, why do they fire Kassam rockets from Gaza into Israel after Israel withdrew from Gaza? 2. If Palestinians want peace, why after Oslo when Jewish-Israeli teachers and parents were teaching their children to live in peace with palestinians, palestinian teachers were showing a map of Palestine WITH NO ISRAEL? 3. If Palestinians want peace, why did they overwhelmingly vote for a terrorist organization whose polital slogan is TO KILL EVRY JEW living in Israel? Can one of you Israel-haters intelligently answer ALL 3 of these questions?

Ronnie, I don't know where you get your information. Suicide bombings have gone way down only because our ability to stop them has gone way up. There are over 30 attempts per day that are intercepted by the IDF and ina ccordance with their policy of not giving the terrorists free publicity do not report this. I am now in Israel, and I have to tell you that the Qassams are not harmless. You live in Toronto correct? Imagine that everyday there are rockets that are being fired from the CN Tower to King Street?? After more than 800 qassams in less than a year (since the disengagement) would you care if they were 'some deaths'? So Ronnie, while I agree with you that Separation is good. Moshe Arens remains correct. Force is the only language these animals will ever understand.

Moshe Arens can talk about the syndrom, but is unable or incapabale to tell us about the root of the cause of the syndrome. Terrorism was FIRST brought to the region by the zionist terrorist gangs: the Irgun, the Haganah, etc. etc. the butchers of Dir Yasin, Kafr Kassem and Qibya... these terrorist gangs merged and formed what is today israel's army. It is therefore LOGICAL that this army used terrorist tactics and commits war crimes routinely. This is the root cause of the syndrome Moshe. Stop your terrorism and war crimes, and calm will be restored. But I doubt you can live without it. Or may be you are tired and exhausted after all the murders and land grabbing, and you are thinking: time to enjoy some peace and tranquility and enjoy the steal?... why should the Palestinians give it to you?

Moshe Arens represents the tunnel vision part of Israel that still believes that the army is the problem solver of Israel, while all those inside and outside Israel involved peace efforts say that the only solution opennegotiations are. The IDF last few days has made sure the animosity of the Palestinians will continue for another decade. Todat there won't be Kassam's, tomorrow there will be twice as many. The destruction of an electricity plant is another was crime that has guaranteed the Israeli pariah status in the international community: even the best diplomats cannot explain why this was necessary and why hundreds of thousands of civilians have to suffer from it. In two words: complete failure!

The same voices, the same mind-set that took us into and kept us in the debacle of Lebenon. A few inches away, in this same Haaretz edition is the results of a Poll of the increasing popularity of Hamas among Palestinians. Meanwhile thousands of Palestinians are rotting in Israeli prisons, some for simply being affiliated with Hamas. Turn things around and ask yourselves how Israelis would react if conditions were reversed. For now, much of the world is still tentatively supporting Israel, but this support even among us American Jews is likely to wane if occupation is restored by brutal force and with predictable ongoing resistance to it, as is now happening to U.S. for its use of unilateral force in Iraq. And morally, ultimately human sensitivities trump our Jewish and national identities...even as history may be rewritten in the the world's mind blurring persecutor and persecuted. I have no vote in my Jewish State. Only this small voice in a not yet stilled Israeli press

The 'rabs thought they'd won when Israel ceded Gaza! ONLY if Israel now strikes back uninhibitedly will this, in fact, NOT be true!

Just goes to show the clear divide and how opinions are so utterly entrenched and contrary. You have continued violence because pulling out of Gaza was a half measure. " We will only cause perpetual suffering and lourd over the west bank, so from now on be good little Palestinians because we gave back the land we took from you and made life a misery in, we did you a favour so now all lie down and don't defend yourselfs or fight for your rights" That's Israel's stance. you want peace, do what everybody with half a brain knows you have to do, get out of the west bank and manage with the lowly 95% you already have and let the Pals and the Israelis' have some peace. Conditions are something approaching bearable you will no longer have any support from Pals for Hamas etc, that support is borne out of misery and frustration that Israel has caused. Moving out of Gaza was a step forward but doing half a job will never create a solution.

I do believe that terrorism is a hobby as well as a job for the terrorists-I honestly believe they enjoy killing and they had proven again and again they have no regard to human life-any human! But we do - and we should not only say it but behave like it - so yes terrorist should be terminated and never be negotiated with as that will only bring on more of the same -and rightly so - but we should show more regard to the Palestinians life then they do and at least try and make their life better so that when we say to the world -'Look what they're doing to us'- the world can not answer back 'you are to blame' or shout 'human rights'- but it seem Olmert is getting us back into the Gaza nightmare and Arens is complaining he left to begin with...where the hell are we heading to?

Everybody with an open mind and an ounce of common sense knew that by giving more land to a people whose #1 goal in life is to kill you will just empower them. Even Billie Bob, the 7th grade drop-out from the rural south knows that you can't make peace with people whose #1 goal in life is to kill you. The Israeli Left has JEWISH BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS. Since Oslo, they are responsible for the suicide bombings and terror that have killed and terrorized the Israeli Nation. Their "Neville Chamberlain appeasement to terrorist policies" have killed countless Israelis. Haaretz is responsible too for their outwardly suicidal leftist agenda. Jews living in Israel, you have one choice, and one choice only. You kill them and their children or they will kill you and your children. Until you realize this thousands upon thousand of Jews will be sacrificed for the "mentally-ill leftist suicidal agenda".

Overwhelming force is. I know it sounds sick, but it is a sick reality - you have to fight terror with terror.

Are you kidding? The only people who have a right to even disagree with this are those who live in Sderot and endured the daily shellings. Were you there? If not, put up or sh** up.

Thank you, Mr Arens, for the most lucid, logical and candid assessment yet, of that disastrous thing that happened to us last year called "disengagement". I recall vividly, that last July, just before the retreat from Gaza, a Knesset parliamentarian from Likud came to address a gathering of Jews here in Sydney. I forgot his name but he said that he was of Yemeni extraction and that he had fought in the Yom Kippur War. He was about 50 yrs old. he predicted that within a yr, we would be back in Gaza. How right he was. How right is Mr Arens!

Cutting Gaza was a good thing.Suicide bombings have gone way down and the Quassams although have struck fear,have not caused much more than that (there have been some deaths) It also gave the Palestinians an opportunity (which they havent taken) to start a new chapter. Israels security Im sure will entail much better surveillence in the future and quicker hits against the batteries. Seperation is good.

Every single strategy of the Left has failed, and to be completely honest I supported every one of them; from Oslo all the way through to the pullout in Gaza. I never thought I would ever move this far to the Right. I admire your honesty and self-confidence in being able to admit you were wrong. I wish more on the left would have the guts to do the same.

"I thought I was out, but they kep pulling me back in". Arens is 100% correct, they need to be cut off from Israel one way or another, FORCIBLY if necessary. We will have nothing to do with them anymore. The only interraction we will have with them will be from the end of the gun's barrel. The jig is up, we are taking off the gloves from now on.

I have always respected Moshe Arens, always unassuming, modest and realistic. Listen to a man of experience.

As always, Mr. Arens is right on the mark. Would that he had been Prime Minister long, long ago.

I think the most responsible people/thinkers right now are those who were formerly on the left but are now moving to the right.

Military campaigns achieve nothing. Re-occupy and take full control; it's the only viable option. Run a fair regime to the benefit of both, well-being of the Arabs and security for Israel and leave your settlers at their new homes.

we've been using force since 1967 and that hasn't worked...time to change directions, I mean really change directions and stop the bloodshed, on all sides...

you all seem to forget that the gaza pull-out was an empty measure as far as any move towards peace is concerned. True, settlers from Gaza were being relocated to within present Israeli state borders. But at the same time new colonies were being built in mass on other occupied territory. Did you expect Gaza Palestinians to quickly forget any hope for some kind of unified selfgovernment????

While one voice of sanity (one doesn't talk to terroristsl; one KILLS terrorists!) is welcome, and a breath of fresh air amongst all the "spin," will the government of the State of Israel finally wake up to the reality of an Arab enemy bent on its destruction no matter what, (killings in pre-State Israel, killings from 1948 thru pre-war 1967, when there were no "territories," killings to this day) and ACT DECISIVELY already?!! The only thing the Arabs understand and respect is strength and determination. We HAVE the strength, but has the State of Israel got the steel, or is "We are tired..." its new slogan?

Israel has withdrawn 100% from Gaza, yet the rocket attacks, and worse, are still continuing. After the Israeli pullout, it would have been easy for Palestinians in Gaza to simply get on with their lives had they so desired. Every single strategy of the Left has failed, and to be completely honest I supported every one of them; from Oslo all the way through to the pullout in Gaza. The government must now remove the shackles from the military and allow them to do what needs to be done, indeed should have been done a long time ago. Israel has the means, but the government lacks the will. I never thought I would ever move this far to the Right. -Bloomfield-

in the statement that the terrorists only understand one thing: force.

Of course Moshe Arens is correct. This is not a radical position. An elegant op-ed, short and direct. If Ehud Olmert is intelligent, he will think good and hard about what Arens has to say; after all, this piece: "The Gaza Syndrome" was obviously written to him personally, an open letter. Ehud, give Moshe a call...and Ehud, 'lend him your ear and he will sing you a song and he will try not to sing out of key...'

Without going into the necessities of the present situation, Moshe Arens? solution has ALWAYS been ? War, War and more War. It may well be that a full scale invasion is required to prove to the Palestinians (all of them ? not merely the Hamas leadership) that their present policy will only result in additional suffering. BUT Arens? solution to every problem has always been to engage in a full scale war. We have a problem in Ra?anana. Many children are crossing Rehov Achuza against the light. Arens - ?Invade Kalkilya?

It really is ashame how the Moslims living in Gaza (The Philistines) have wasted an oportunity to create a peaceful and prosperous state. I feel now it is too late to reverse their "expantionist" and "aggressive" ideals and they should be dealt with more harshly than ever. Israel MUST (re)occupy the whole of the boarder between Gaza and Israel and push the expantionist Moslims into a still smaller failed state adjacent to the Egytian border.

we in isreal have the land, we kicked the majority of the non jewish population in 1948. The are refugees and we are the power. We have a state, we are free, they live under our control. Naturally they need their freedom. We are keeping them under our control and call them terrorists. When they are free like us, all of this will not happen. this man should have never be a defense minister. he had to learn that we are humn and they are human. if we are free they have to be free. If we have guns and army, they should have guns and army. Once we realize the above facts, peace will come and prevail

Arens is no longer Defence Minister.

...Arens is no longer defense minister.