« Script | Main | My Buddy Sarah »
September 03, 2008
A New Strategy
Photo by Robert J. Avrech
An articulate and important policy paper by Lt.-Gen. (ret.) Moshe Yaalon, Former Chief of Staff, Israel Defense Forces, Distinguished Fellow, Adelson Institute for Strategic Studies, Shalem Center
Another myth is that at the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the "occupation." This term refers to the territories conquered by Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967. Among Palestinians from all sectors and factions (Fatah, Hamas, PIJ, PFLP, DFLP, etc.) there are those that use the term "‘occupation" simply as a euphemism for Israel ("from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River"). This view has proponents even among Israeli Arabs. They consider Israelis to be foreign colonialists and the entire land mass of Israel including its cities, towns, villages, and kibbutz farms as "occupied" territory.
The Palestinians have maintained a posture of implacable hostility to Israel's most fundamental and inalienable rights. The PLO, for example, existed and launched terror attacks against Israelis before 1967 when the West Bank and Gaza were not yet occupied by Israel. The PLO's pre-1967 raison d'etre has not magically disappeared in the meantime. Both Fatah and Hamas continue to maintain charters denying Israel's right to exist as an independent Jewish state. We find the rejection of Israel forms an integral part of the Palestinian ethos, and is expressed in no less than the founding documents and actions of the largest and most important Palestinian factions.
Rejectionism, far from being a "mere" matter of official policy or posturing, reaches the rhetoric of the Palestinian national leadership (including Mahmoud Abbas), the educational curriculum, and the Palestinian media. It deeply informs Palestinian strategy and policy. During the preparations for the Annapolis conference, it was demonstrated in the Palestinian refusal to make a basic declaration of their belief in "two states for two peoples." Instead they spoke only of "two states," avoiding explicit recognition of the Jewish people's right to an independent state. This quibbling over words is only the tip of an iceberg.
To read the entire article, please click here.
Hat Tip: Serahic Friend, Jake Novak
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at September 3, 2008 09:02 AM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
This article misses the more urgent issue of Israel's use of squirrels in its quarrels with other Muslim states in the region, in flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which bars the use of rodents for international espionage.
Full story at Ynet:
Posted by: Ronit at September 4, 2008 10:24 AM
Ronit:
I want to see the interrogation of the rodents by the Persian secret police.
Should be, um, enlightening.
BTW, over a year ago you told me you were for McCain. I was doubtful.
What do I know?
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at September 4, 2008 10:36 AM
Killer squirrels! Beyond parody!
There was a Bond squirrel called James
Who could make his tail burst into flames
He went out to find nuts
But was caught by a yutz
With a very unusual name
Ahmanijedad ommenced to crow
"Put that Zionist squirrel on show!
He came on a mission
Of nuclear fission
To set all of Persia aglow!"
James knew that he just had to flee
Did a flip and then ran up a tree
Pulled the trick with his tail
Mullahs started to wail
And now the spy squirrel runs free
Posted by: kishke at September 4, 2008 08:11 PM
Kishke:
Brilliant!
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at September 4, 2008 09:09 PM
Thanks.
Posted by: kishke at September 4, 2008 09:21 PM
Great article. I will give it a read thanks
Posted by: Mike at September 6, 2008 11:58 AM