Opinion  Sever Plocker
The Hamas option
Sever Plocker
Published: 19.03.07, 16:01
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19 Talkbacks for this article
1. Wait a second, Mr. Plocker, how about destroying Hamas?
Daniel ,   Formerly Israel   (03.19.07)
As you rightly Admit, the ePA is now controled by a terrorist group committed to Israel's destruction. All economic efforts against them have failed (big surprise) and they have never stopped attacking Israel. That is causa b elli (reason for war for you non-latin speakers) so how about we retake the initiative by invading, conquering, and annexing Gaza? That will solve our security issues, and as for what the rest of the world will say, the world's opinion opinion of us won't change no matter what we do. Those who love us will love us even more those who hate us will hate us any more, but alliznces won't shift; we'll just gain more security and respect.
2. Military Option Is Still Open.
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (03.19.07)
We'll take a lot heat internationally that's for sure. But once it's done, it's done. Plocker is right on one thing - the military option would have been better before the Unity Gov't. But, we have plenty of provocations to justify a massive invasion of Gaza. How about an ultimatum on the release of Gilad Shalit? Kassam fire every day? Arms smuggling? No matter. Olmert's weakness as a leader has cost us yet another defeat. The paralyzed PM is afraid to make a move - but actually, he has considerable freedom of action. After all, he doesn't have to worry about the polls - he couldn't possibly be less popular than he already is. We do need to take the initiative - not to talk to Hamas but to eliminate them.
3. to # 2
Palestinian ,   Al Quds - Palestine   (03.19.07)
what military option are you stupidly talk about, the thing that failed in Lebanon or that failed in Gaza???? Look to your crying soldiers, and remember your lost boy in Gaza, think again and rewrite your great solution dumm...
4. Talking to Hamas government won't solve a thing!
Uzi ,   Haifa   (03.19.07)
The new PA government represents a broad consensus within Palestinean Arab society, that they won't give Israel anything in return for what they want. They don't want to live in peace with Israel. They do want that somebody or something remove Israel off 'their' land and out of their sight. You would better learn to live, and even prosper, with this sad fact of life!
5. talk
Michael ,   Haifa   (03.19.07)
Clearly, in our infinite wisdom, we are not prepared to talk to anybody about anything.....only the idiots in talkback will still be talking their heads off in their virtual world, when there is nothing left in reality
6. 1 MILLION DOVES FLYING OVER HAMAS DROPPING POO
THIS IS DIPLOMATIC ,   AND HONEST   (03.19.07)
7. The tail wags the dog:
Uzi ,   Haifa   (03.19.07)
The 'poor and helpless' Palestinean Arabs wag Israeli delicate souls (yefey nefesh) of the left, who try and sometimes manage, to wag the Israeli government.
8. Just like Oslo:
Uzi ,   Haifa   (03.19.07)
having got tired of 6 years of intifada that yielded zilch, the Palestinean Arabs 'offer a diplomatic process' and some tired Israelis fall for it.
9. direct talks with mediation
avramele   (03.19.07)
yes call their bluff and confront their lies in direct negotiations but bring in an outside mediator who can force Hamas to drop the right of return .... Clinton came through with an excellenct compromise and somewhere out there another smart and fair mediator can be found. The alternative is not a century of terrorism but, g-d forbid, a bi-national state in our lifetime. Compromise now!!!
10. Reply to #3 Palestinian in JERSUSALEM
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (03.19.07)
The name of the city is Jersusalem as it has been for 3000 years. And it is located in the State of Israel. I would remind you that Gaza is not S. Lebanon much as Hamas is trying. There is nothing stupid about a military option - correctly implemented, the result would be a disarmed Gaza, a closed border with Egypt, & the end of Hamas as a political force. It wouldn't be a bad idea to get rid of Fatah at the same time. It could be accomplished within a month with a large enough force. We could call the operation "Reverse Oslo" - a most appropriate name, I think.
11. Terry-
Shoshana   (03.19.07)
I'm not opposed to a military option, but if Hamas and Fatah are taken down, who will 'represent' and rule the Palestinians? We used to count down to Arafat's death, but once it came, we weren't left with anything better...
12. dialogue?
Yisraeli   (03.20.07)
How the hell do you talk with someone or a group that doesnt recognise your existense in the first place? and even if he recognises another human body across the table he makes clear his intentions are nothing other then to destroy you. Dialogue: Israel: So Hamas what would you like to talk about? Hamas: Hearing something said "Did someone say something?" Israel: Yes I did. Hamas: Who the hell are you and what are you doing here? Israel: I represent Israel and were here to talk preace. Hamas:Who and where is Israel I thought I was here to talk with Palestinians. Israel:No we exist here in case you didnt notice. Hamas:No you dont exist, no such thing as Israel, no such thing as an Israeli representative, I dont know who you are but as far as I am concerned your a non-entity. Israel:So what do you want to talk about? Hamas:Is there someone talking here again, who is it? The only solution is mass transfer. Deport them all, lets see if they can convert Jordan to palestine, but the hell you are going to do it to us Israel.
13. To: Shoshana #11
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (03.20.07)
The presence of Hamas & Fatah with armed militias have actually stifled any normal political development - bringing back Arafat & his thugs & gangsters with Oslo created a corrupt dictatorship that only caused more problems. Anyway, I don't recommend a re-occupation of Gaza - just a disarming & taking control of Philadelphia to close the border with Egypt & prevent smuggling. And, of course, getting rid of Hamas & Fatah. Mr Abbas can go into exile & the Hamas leaders can become martyrs. It certainly won't solve all the problems but who really thinks that there is a solution anyway?
14. what about negotiating with Saudi Arabia?
SD ,   London Uk   (03.20.07)
The PA government is not about peace negotiations, its about establishing an internal modus operandi and preventing a Palestinian civil war. The Arab reference for peace negotiations is the Saudi peace initiative, which is way above Hamas' head. If I were an Israeli I would negotiate with the Saudis, not Hamas.
15. I think there's a solution Terry; and its a very fair one
Daniel ,   Formerly Israel   (03.20.07)
We re-conquer and annex the Philedelphi Corridor, East-Jerusalem, Hebron, and the Golan, and any other strategic areas in the erritories: consider it compensation for Israel for sixty years of Arab agression. We then leave the rest wholly in Palestinian hands and recognize whatever government they elect and present them with the following rule: Israel does not intervine in Palestinian affairs an the Palestinians do not attack Israel. Should a palestinian attack on Israel occur, the land used to plan and/or launch the attack will be conquered and annexed (non-citizens will be expelled from the annexed lands of course). So we get peace either way, and if the Palestinians want a state they get one too.
16. If Plozker could have-he probably would have
oritush   (03.20.07)
negotiated with Hitler, Stalin, Crusaders and Inquisition--and i thought this guy had a brain-but he is obviously still only good in talking about economy-why is he even commenting on palis?
17. KICK OUT p'arabs & THEIR TERRORIST LEADERS NOW GIVES PEACE
MOSHE ,   US   (03.20.07)
PROMOTE JEWISH BIRTHS. ENCOURAGE JEWISH MIGRATION TO GAZA AND THE WEST BANK. GIVE A TEN YEAR TAX BREAK TO JEWS MOVING OR LIVING THERE. KICK THE p’arabs OUT. THEY MORALLY & ETHICALLY DEGRADE US TO THE EXTENT THAT ISRAEL WILL DEVOLVE INTO A MORAL DECLINE AND BECOME A THIRD WORLD NATION. KICK THEM OUT. THEY WILL NEVER BE CIVILIZED, NOR GIVE US PEACE. AND THE COST OF CONFLICT INCREASES OUR NATIONAL ECONOMIC COSTS AND PREVENTS WIDE SPREAD ISRAELI PROSPERITY. DISMISS INTERNATIONAL OPINION. AND PUSH AHEAD. NOTHING FROM NOTHING IS NOTHING. THIS IS WAR. MOSHE
18. Israel's, West's, Greatest Failure
James Thompson ,   St Pete, USA   (03.20.07)
Israel's, West's, Greatest Failure is failing to MANDATE that only Aristotle's philosophy be taught at any public expense, that BA's in Aristotle's philosophy and the Natural Law, be required for admission to Professional and Greaduate Schools of Arts and Science. The Natural Law consists of Aristotles's Rhetoric, Nichomachean Ethics, and Seven Exant Pages of Zeno of Citrum, Cyprus.
19. More War?
Francois Sanson ,   Brittany   (04.05.07)
Your concerns about the world’s opinion is quite telling. After all, amidst all paralyzes when it comes to addressing grave abuses and all double standards, citizens of many countries, e.g. in Europe, can nowadays identify who commits most abuses, e.g. on the Balkans, Caucasus and Darfur – something European history has thought us the hard way because no people have committed graver and more horrendous abuses than the people of Europe. The main, yet least popular item to identify victims populations would be the death ratio, which does not speak in favor of Israel in relation to Lebanon or the occupied territories and Gaza. Please, before you beat the war-drums next time, please check how many Palestinians and Lebanese lost their lives already!
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