Because Israel has begun its “realignment” and “retreat to defensible borders,” the timing of the recent escalation in violence couldn’t be any more unreasonable for the Palestinians. Israel cannot be perceived as wavering in response to terrorist activity, so it cannot continue with its plans to evacuate. While I understand that some groups would only be satisfied with Israel’s total elimination, doesn’t it seem more reasonable to at least wait until it finishes voluntarily returning the land? Israel abandoned Gaza, so it seems foolish to have started firing rockets. If I were planning Israel’s defense, every time a rocket landed inside my borders I think it would be quite reasonable to reclaim a chunk of Gaza until there was enough of a buffer that the missiles no longer posed a threat.
Kidnapping the Israeli soldiers was an even worse mistake. Public morale requires that Israel be fanatical about its citizen’s safety and bargaining with terrorists would only encourage them further, so what alternative remains but a large-scale offensive? Blair and Harper apparently had some other idea, but maybe someone can explain to me what they expect to accomplish with their demands for negotiation and continuing to “follow the roadmap for peace.” Since Israel cannot reasonably be expected to cede anything in exchange for their captured soldiers –which would only encourage further terrorist kidnappings– what possible negotiation can take place? I might think he’s the best prime minister we’ve had in my lifetime, but Harper definitely made a mistake by apparently backing down from his position the day before that Israel bore no responsibility for the escalation and had the right to defend itself.
While I’m sure Israel would love the opportunity to prove their good faith by ending the bombings and then continuing to return pieces of land, without the soldiers’ safe return I can’t see any quick resolution to the increasing violence or alternative actions for the Israeli government.
