Israel would be best served by leaving Hamas alone (as long as Hamas does not attack again)

Submitted by Ken (United States), Nov 27, 2012 at 23:32

Dear Dr. Pipes,

Israel acted wisely in avoiding a ground assault and would continue to be wise to continue to avoid sending ground troops into Gaza. If we accept that Israel does not want to re-occupy the Strip, we have to ask ourselves, even if Israel wipes out Hamas, who will take its place? Nobody good for Israel is likely to control Gaza, not in our lifetimes. Israel must accept that it cannot control who controls Gaza.

This conclusion leads to another thought. As is the case with many other disputes all over the world, Israel should learn to live with Hamas on its border and reach spoken or unspoken truces with it just as it has with Hezbollah, Syria, and a long list of other enemies. In the same vein, Israel should not waste resources and good will trying to control Gaza's borders. Let them import what they want and arm themselves, just like Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, etc. already do. If they attack, Israel can make them pay for it painfully every time (I would advocate a ten-rockets-for-each-rocket policy (aimed at legitimate targets, of course)). Meanwhile, Israel can continue to engage in quiet efforts against Hamas, similar to what it does now with respect to its other enemies.

This is not an ideal solution, but it seems to be the most practical, and one within Israel's power. Anything beyond that, it seems to me, would be an over-extension and lead to worse troubles for Israel. Further, it seems to me that the worst thing that has happened to Hezbollah is that Israel has ignored them (as long as they have not attacked Israel, which they have not dared do again). Why would not the same be true of Hamas? Arab Muslim hatred, unable to hit Israel, tends to turn inward. Let it do so again in Gaza. Maybe that will cure them?

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