Mr. Pipes is right, but...

Submitted by Mark Tyler (United States), Aug 9, 2005 at 12:20

I think Mr. Pipes is completely correct in his assertion that withdrawal will be interpreted as weakness, and lead to more violence.

However, to the extent that the territory actually belongs to the Palestinians, it may be in the long term interest of Isael to give it back, and finally draw a line in the sand on higher moral ground.

There will still be violence, but Jerusalem is the place to draw the line, not in territories annexed in war.

The alternative is continued violence without end, and greater justification on the part of Palestinians, or an all out war on the part of Israelis, for which there is no support either in Isael, or among its friends.

In the long run, the release of captured territory back to the Palestinians will either take some wind from their sails, or put wind in Israel's or both.

Every possible decision will lead to violence, the question is, which will eventually lead to peace? I can't say I'm certain.

Mark Tyler

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