Submitted by JULIUS ROMANOFF, Jan 1, 2007 00:05

Israel permitted Rockets to be fired into Israel from Gaza without any retaliation. After two children were seriously injured by a rocket explosion, PM Olmert gave permission for the IDF to strike back. Even this was a half-hearted response. Once a rocket is fired, the instigators melt into the civilian poulation. To retaliate at pin-point objectives is the same as doing nothing. Any IDF response will result in collateral damage to others. since the launchers are purposely placed in civilian areas. This is part of Hamas strategy. Any Israeli counter attack would be condemned as a "disproportionate" response. It has effectively tied Israel's hands. To counter this strategy Israel needs to adopt a Behavior Modification approach.

Announce and publicize to the Gaza inhabitants that if a Kassam rocket is fired at Israel from Gaza, the IDF will retaliate by attacking the area immediately. If another rocket is fired, Israel will destroy 100 feet surrounding the site. Another rocket fired will have 200 square feet of the area attacked. It is up to the so called "civilians" to leave the ares from which rockets are being fired. If they permit rockets to be fired from their neighborhood, they are no longer civilians , but combatants. Facing possible injury to themselves may give them more incentive to stop the rocket launching than Abbas. When the negative result overpowers the gain, it may influence the people to act to voice opposition to continued fighting. It will of course lead to condemnation of Israel for retaliating so brutally. However, has any nation permitted it's citizenry to under go daily bombardments without reacting. Israel is being attacked, and is in a war with a Terroristic element, and is entitled to defend itself.

As a veteran of World War II, I recall the how dropping the Atomic Bomb brought a quick end to hostilities. The punishment far outweighed any gains continued fighting could achieve. Israels ' leaders need to learn from history how to deal with Terrorists.

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