Not a sense of defeat, but an acceptance of Israel's permanence

Submitted by Moshe Even-Shoshan (United States), Jun 29, 2006 at 19:29

The Palestinian offensive since the "Oslo Accord" must be recognized as such and certainly be defeated decisively. The refusal of their leadership to accept Israel and their various subterfuges must be exposed. Yet the goal should not be to inflict a sense of defeat in the form of a crushing of spirit but instead to engender an ultimate acceptance, even if grudging, of the permanence of Israel as a Jewish State and of the need to compromise with it.

Regarding a compromise, the Palestinians also must recognize that they are the weaker side in any negotiation and that they must accept Israeli security concerns regarding an agreement on the ground. But it is important not to diminish their dignity. The aim must be a lasting peace based on mutual security and mutual accomodation in an economically unified but politically divided Land of Israel. Otherwise, the Palestinians will remain forever revanchist and revisionist and that would not be in Israel's interest.

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