Submitted by Dave Levi, Nov 30, 2006 16:10

Mr. Halkin, you are terribly naive and innocent. Let me remind you that Abba Eban, also somewhat of a peacenik, notwithstanding his ability to articulate his thoughts, said that Israel will just have to live with a certain amount of violence. He said that decades ago, and it is more relevant now than ever before. Israel went into Lebanon, after numerous massacres within Israel by guerrillas. It finally withdrew, just to be replaced as we have witnessed, by Hezbollah and 22,000 rockets (including Syrian and Iranian made). It withdrew 22 small settlements (8,000 residents), hoping and expecting some sort of Palestinian effort towards peace. In fact, peace in the mind of all the Arabs surrounding Israel is Jihad, getting Israel out of the area once and for all. This goal looms larger now with Israeli concessions and Iran's nukes. As far as hoping an International force, (a UNIFIL prototype) can keep the area quiet, dis-arm Arab militias, and maintain some semblence of stability, just look to Iraq and Lebanon. Today we read of Israeli concerns that if Lebanon's pro-West gov't falls, Hezbollah will force UNIFIL out, AND the Lebanese army back to their barracks in the north. 140,000 US and British troops cannot quell the insurgents, Al Qaeda and the low-level (only 1,000 deaths/week), civil war between Sunni and Shite. Just think what Sunni Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan will do once Iran gets the "bomb". And what of the Christians in Lebanon, look at their plight, and they are all Arabs, despite their religous affiliation. Can anyone imagine what the Jews in Israel will face, once the Shias control that wide ark (with Iranian bombs loaded onto Shihad Missiles?). No, no, no, you are wrong Mr. Halkin, and I'm ashamed of you. This is not about speculation, it's about reality. Your article indicates you, like your naive ilk, have yet to appreciate the nature of this conflict. Remember your brethen who walked like sheep into gas chambers, after passing the overhead sign on Auschwitz., "Work Makes Free". over 2m Jews believing that nonsense, hoping for some kind of miracle. For them, it never came.

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