Submitted by Dave Levy, Mar 7, 2008 02:36

To Jacob Cohen, talks will only embolden Hamas..as they would with Hezbollah. Both have nothing to lose and everything to gain if Israel allows itself to be fooled into thinking that there is some way out of this violence, only, if it negotiates with it's enemies. Both Hs are playing for time..until Syria and Iran, can combine with them, and finally uproot Israel. Yes, it is the death of 1,000 cuts, an attack here on the border with Gaza, a kidnapping there, a suicide bomber here, an outright massacre there (yeshiva). While the parts may be separated, and not coordinated, the ultimate destruction of Israel, piece by piece, peace by peace are the goals. No country would allow all of this to continue for any length of time. Israel seems caught in a quagmire, it simply doesn't know what to do. It's the Pluto effect. It plugs a hole then sees another hole, or the hole getting larger and allowing more water in. It restricts worshippers at the Mount to those under 45, while at the other end, those restricted plant bombs, etc. Halkin is not giving any advice or analysis that Israel already hasn't thought about for years.

If Israel wants to stop all of this, it must act decisively..it must make the Strip, and perhaps even the area controlled by Hezbollah into sheets of glass. It has the means, but not the temperment it seems. It has to force the issue in both areas. Otherwise, it's enemies will win this war of wills and attrition. Dead Jews do not go to heaven with 72 virgins.

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