Brilliant analysis, incorrect detail

Submitted by Malcolm (Israel), Dec 24, 2016 at 04:11

The only incorrect detail is the statement that proclaims "Isaac Herzog heir to Ben-Gurion." Indeed, it is contradicted by the statement that: "Deterrence, that is, convincing Palestinians and the Arab states to accept Israel's existence by threatening painful retaliation, underlay Israel's formidable record of strategic vision and tactical brilliance in the period 1948 to 1993."

Those years include the entire period in which Ben Gurion was Prime Minister of Israel! In fact, Ben Gurion used both strategies described in the article, but gave them different preferences at different times. Under the British Mandate, when Jewish military and political power was circumscribed. he inclined to the strategy that the article ascribes to him. Even at that time, though, the Haganah did engage in punitive raids against the sources of Arab terrorism, while cultivating relations with Arabs who detested the Mufti. Once Ben Gurion became the leader of an independent state possessing its own sovereignty and armed forces, he gave preference to the strategy that the article recommends.

Even now, however, the first strategy is not wholly irrelevant; it suffuses the part of the article that lists the advantages for Palestinians that will follow from the utter defeat of their current leadership and their acceptance of Israel. Moreover, Israel should desist from acts that exasperate even most of its firmest international friends.

From this perspective, the "Regulation Law" currently making its way through the Knesset is a disastrous error of judgment.

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