Submitted by John, Jul 10, 2007 09:02

Mr. Halkin is a decent man whose opinion essay amply exhibits his confusion. But the problem is not that hard. Israel, as the only nation on earth whose existence is questioned even in the United Nations, does not have to be diffident or apologetic about its self-preservation. If there is one nation on earth which should, and must, pursue its self-interests with unalloyed vigor, it is Israel.

As for losing the propaganda war, it is time to put this canard to bed. For forty years, Israel's behavior, if not perfect, has been a model of charity and humanity by world standards and, most certainly, by middle eastern standards, and it has gotten Israel precisely nowhere. Machiavelli wrote, "it is better to be feared than loved". I think it is past time for a whiff, and more, of machiavellianism in Israeli geo-politics.

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.