Dropping the Bomb
Here is Krauthammer's plan for dealing with Palestinian rocket attacks following the withdrawal from Gaza:
Israel should announce that henceforth any rocket launched from Palestinian territory will immediately trigger a mechanically automatic response in which five Israeli rockets will be fired back. There will be no human intervention in the loop. Every Palestinian rocket landing in Israel will instantly trigger sensors and preset counter-launchers. Any Palestinian terrorist firing up a rocket will know that he is triggering six: one Palestinian and five Israeli.The idea of automated bomb launches is frighteningly Strangelove-esque, but the principle of massive retaliation is the correct strategy, and the only one. Israel's only other recourse would be to reinvade Gaza and go after the rocket launchers itself, thus negating the significance of the withdrawal it is now completing, at great costs to the treasury and Israeli morale.
Israel would decide how these five would be programmed to respond. Perhaps three aimed at the launch site and vicinity and two at a list of predetermined military and strategic assets of the Palestinian militias.
As almost everyone seems to agree, the withdrawal is an enormous opportunity for the Palestinians to demonstrate they can responsibly govern themselves. Whether or not Gaza becomes even more of a haven for terrorists than it already is will be a pretty reliable benchmark of their success. Unfortunately, as they have time and again throughout their tortured history, the Palestinians are setting themselves up for failure, seemingly so comfortable playing the victims that they are incapable of taking responsibility for their own future. Their two most articulate spokespeople have been assiduously laying the groudwork for the excuses to come when the PA fails to step up to the plate, telling the media all week that the disengagement is meaningless -- at best an empty gesture while Israel continues to control the borders and airspace; at worst, a cover for a major landgrab in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Hamas has been busy claiming victory for bombing the Israelis out and promising more of the same, while the UN has been so preoccupied with financing anti-Israel propaganda that they have neglected to explore the development opportunities posed by Israel's abandonment of miles of prime Gaza beachfront real estate. And Abbas, well, where the hell has Abbas been?
After nearly four decades of occupation, dismantling the Palestinian culture of victimhood is proving far more difficult than dismantling the terrorist networks that pose the greatest threat to Palestinian self-governance and Israeli security. At this rate, I predict 5 rockets will be landing somewhere in Gaza by the middle of next week.
posted by anguswit @ 22:19
2 comments
2 Comments:
Ben,
I can't believe you are still thinking along these lines! When will you wake up?!
In my opinion this has been a disastrous month not only for the residents of Gaza, who have lost their homes, their livelihood, and so on, but for all of the worlds’ citizens who desire peace (including Arabs in Yehudah, Samaria, and Gaza who desire true peace) and an end of terrorism. The disengagement has set a most dangerous precedent, and has given terrorism a major victory.
Until now, the terrorists have been able to wound us, very badly at times, to kill us, many of us at times, but they haven’t been able to beat us; until now that is. They have just had their first victory – we have given them land as a direct result of their terror tactics. This sets the world stage for a new era – a time when terrorists now know that sooner or later, their tactics will bring them the results they want, whether that is land or other demands.
Unfortunately, the proof is in the pudding. Right away, actually before the disengagement was completed, terrorisim began: stabbings in the old city, bus bombings in Be'er Sheva, shootings along highway 60, and more.
While the 6 missle idea is an interesting one, the world will be in an upcry and outrage about it. While I don't think Israel should act based on world opinion, they have already shown that they do, and it is the primary barometer of their actions (generally). Hence, the idea will never fly (no pun intended).
Israel has begun a very definite path of self destruction, the likes of which only a tourtured Jewish mind can think of.
In my opinion, the only way to reverse this, is for Israel to publicly admit their error, and when violence begins from Gaza again, to enter and retake Gaza, never to give it away again.
The concept of land for peace is a corrupt one, and one that will in the not so distant future bring the world to World War 3, if we are not there already.
I'd love to hear what you have to think.
Have a great move to MA
Ben,
Welcome back.
In light of recent developments along the Gaza/Eygpt border, the Philidelphi line, you can readily see how foolish Israel has been to negotiate and believe these terrorists.
I only hope that they haven't dug a national grave for themselves (which includes me, as I currently live in Israel).
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