Submitted by Dave Levi, Dec 1, 2006 18:02

Without going into a deep philosophical argument about why peace between Arab and Jew is futile, all we have to do is look to Lebanon today. Lebanon after all, is pro-West, economically viable, once known as the "Paris of the Med", with a democratic government, and a bustling tourist economy. It also is fragmented with powerful Sunni, Shia and Christian populations, about equal in numbers. No matter how democratic and pro-West the government, we are now witnessing tactics similar to the NAZIs prior to WW2, when they eliminated brutally, all oppositon. German thugs made sure there was no opposition to the NAZI takeover of the country or Adolph Hitler's leadership. Hezbollah, similarly is doing much the same now to the Lebanese government's authority, without to date, the violence. Once they control the goverment, they will kick out UNIFIL and subdue the Lebanese army. That accomplished, all of Lebanon will become a 3rd front against Israel, with Hamas to the west, and the PLO, Fatah, Islamic Jihad and Hamas, to the east. (And I don't want to exclude Israel's Arab population). Not to be outdone, we read that Al Qaeda is encouraging the assassination of the king Abdullah of Jordan, most likely to install an Islamic government on Israel's long eastern border. Hillel Halkin's article says much about his naive view of the M.E. crisis., a view that if carried out, will eventually lead to Israel's destruction. We, who see from a distance the true gravity of Israel's problems, must use our influence to thwart the scenarios recommended by people like Hillel and his ilk. It's a sure recipe for disaster. All Israel has to do is look at what is going on around it...in Iraq, Iran, Syria, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, to appreciate why I am pessimistic.

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