May be the smartest move

Submitted by Boris (United States), Aug 16, 2005 at 16:17

The more I think about the event, the more I realize how smart decision to withdraw can be. Opponents usually bring quite emotional arguments. I am trying to bring more rational ones. Let's face realities:

1. Gaza's demographics are not favorable to Israel. Absorbing over a million of palestinians or two millions next year would be catastrophic for the country's identity.

2. The war with palestinian intifada is practically won. Arafat is no more, the most agressive leadership of terrorist organizations is exterminated, new leadership is not capable to govern, public opinion in the world has significantly changed in the past 5 years. "You break it - you own it". Israel puts itself to a position of owning a broken state filled with crime and poverty Do I want to own a broken, unrepairable car? No, I just send it to a junkyard!

3. The interesting nature of the modern war with terrorism is that there is no country anymore who would openly support terrorism. Saddam is gone, as well as Taliban. Civilized countries cannot declare war to anybody in particular if terrorist attacks persist. Earlier wars were simple - Japan attacked - declaring war to Japan! With whom are we going to fight now? Palestinian's tactic is smart - they are not forming any solid authority to avoid creation of a single party responsible for their actions in front of United Nations. I think Israel clearly understands this trick! And here is their response: take this land, even if you don't want it, go ahead and use it on your own, form your own government. But if you try tricks like in Afganistan or Iraq, we will know exactly who is responsible, we will not wait for anybody to "claim responsibility".

I almost guarantee, the last thing Palestinians would like to do in Gaza is to form any form of permanent or provisional government to keep themselves out of direct responsibility for anything. And I believe, Sharon and his government clearly understand that and push palestinians in the opposite direction by withdrawing from Gaza. I think it is a very smart move.

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