Opinion  Nahum Barnea
2 dreadful options
Nahum Barnea
Published: 02.03.08, 12:34
Comment Comment
Print comment Print comment
Back to article
34 Talkbacks for this article
1. When faced with choosing between 2 bad alternatives..
Aryeh Wetherhorn ,   Elazar, Israel   (03.02.08)
Always select the third choice. In this case it appears to me there are many other options, and the only reason Hamas is seeking a cease-fire (implicitly or explicitly) is because the violence they initiated is no longer under their exclusive control. Unfortunately, the education of Palestinian children is still under their control. Until the anti-Israel, and indeed, anti-Jewish, content of that education is changed no talks wili ever result in a viable cessation of the violent behavior that Hamas encourages.
2. talk to hamas? lol, right
(03.02.08)
take over gaza again and stay forever!
3. Its time to put this old hack out to pasture.
Al   (03.02.08)
He is clearly a very very foolish man.
4. I saw that old goat out in the pasture running this way
Steven Wilson ,   Anchorage, Alaska   (03.02.08)
then that way, in utter cofusion......as rockets from Gaza were landing in his pasture. What are you going to talk about???? Which buildings to avoid when they are firing there rockets into Israel? They have declared war by firing these rockets incessantly. Their government supports this war and promotes it every day of the week in the news media. War means you get to fight the enemy....not negotiate with them. When you win....you negotiate the terms of surrender.
5. I respectfully disagree...
Roscio ,   Rome, Italy   (03.02.08)
When Jews are given a "Hobson's choice" between an unacceptable A and an unthinkable B, we historically always choose C, a third path created by our own "out of the box" thinking. I do agree with the writer that the two choices that he posits are similar to plague and cholera - so why then even consider them? There IS a third path - not easy at all, and not acceptable to world opinion - however, NOTHING that Israel does to defend itself from genocidal fanatics is easy or acceptable to world opinion. The time has come to say goodbye to the idea of placating a world that only approves of dead Jews. The third choice is exactly what the Arabs have been wailing about for 40 years - Land for Peace. Each time Israel has given the Arabs land, they have used it as a weapon. One PA terrrorist put it precisely after Oslo: "Every centimeter that we gain will be used to launch missiles and bombs against the Zionist enemy." So, the time has come to end the experiment of co-existence with death-worshippers who only use land for war. Israel must TAKE BACK Gaza. These monsters have proven that they do not DESERVE the land. Let the land - with the help of the IDF - vomit out this plague. Let them wander in the Sinai, and see if it helps them mature as a people, as it did so long ago for us. TAKE BACK THE LAND - FOR A TRUE PEACE. Enough of unacceptable and non-viable experiments with Jewish children's lives and safety. CLEAN OUT GAZA, AND SEND THESE UNDESERVING SQUATTERS PACKING.
6. For Arile Sharon's sake, take back Gaza. It will wake him up
M.M.   (03.02.08)
7. Replace “peace” with strength and determination.
Jean Van Daem ,   Metula   (03.02.08)
Current proposals like the Road Map are totally unworkable and should be abandoned. Considering the fact that the only possible relations between the Muslims and the non-Muslims are war or a limited ceasefire, it follows that the word “peace” should be deleted from Israel’s lexicon as well as the notion of peace with the Arabs as a viable, political possibility. The maximum that Israel can aim for is a limited ceasefire or an armistice, taking into consideration that the Arab side will violate it at any time, as the Palestinians have been proving on a daily basis since the signing of the Oslo Accords in September 1993. The solution to the Israelo-Arab problem should be find elsewhere as explained at : http://israelagainstterror.blogspot.com/2008/01/win-win-solution-to-arab-israeli_7104.html
8. third option
Reality Check ,   BaGolan   (03.02.08)
Neither option offered up is needed. The third option is a more obvious and palatable option: destroy the enemy!
9. only the right path is left
steve ,   london, england   (03.02.08)
In the western world the distinction between right and left in political philosophy has become understood by empirical experience at the ballot box and in virtue of scholastic education provided to children. No single political party has been comprehensively competent or successful in securing peace and prosperity for people anywhere. The European Convention on Human Rights provided the first non partisan philosophy and this has provided for more qualitative progress for the individual human being than any definition of citizenship defined by any party. Today Palestinians call out to the EU to censure Israel. But the same Palestinians chose to ignore the EU's call for an end to rocket attacks. Children are falling victim also because the adult morality in Gaza is either wicked or suppressed by Hamas. When this military operation is over the UN and the EU have to send official observers and advisers into the area to scrutinize the ideological character and curricula specification of the Palestinian education system. The Palestinian Authority moreover has to introduce legislation to define broadcasting and reporting standards for Palestinian Mass Media. Hamas has to accept its role is the role of political party. Not sovereign State. This conflict has come because the international community has failed to put enough qualified people on the ground in Gaza. The same problems pertains to Lebanon. Palestinians will never be free of this sort of warfare until they free themselves of the love of warfare. Many of them do not have the academic ability to change their minds. They lack proper education. They believe as the Arab League's Declaration of Human Rights declares "Zionism is a form of racism". The UN and EU have not worked hard enough to get that particular article of the Arab League's Declaration revoked, deleted and erased from their conscience. There is a dearth of humanity in the region partly because too many people make millions of dollars from this warfare. The leaders and officials of Hamas and Hezbollah are millionaires. There are whole micro economies built on terrorism. So the only right path left open to Palestinians and Israelis is the path of ideology. This is the territory that must be settled and the constitution of its sovereignty must be the International Bill of Human Rights. This contains the articles of faith required in order to set both peoples free of warfare. There is no land. There is life, struggle and death. GOD sends rain on the just and the wicked. The sun tans all shades of human skin and boils all blood groups. Disease does not discriminate between nations. There is only one difference between human beings and it is gender. It is time for the EU and UN to engender some ideological praxis with regard to the popular comprehension of human rights. Spend millions of dollars on educating people into their DEFINITION and eventually their political philosophy will mature that way.
10. It Was A Mistake To Have Left
Reuven Brauner ,   Raanana, Israel   (03.02.08)
It will be a mistake not to go back.
11. you mean 2 options
Israeli   (03.02.08)
Israel can either win the war or surrender to the Hamas; there’s no other way
12. Ego or virtue?
A Watcher ,   Canada   (03.02.08)
I don't agree with the writer of the article I think the leaders of israel have to control their egos in order to settle this problem. occupying Gaza gonna cause lots of death on both sides is not a virtuous thing to do. in addition starting a war nobody knows where it lead in my opinion I doubt leaders of israel could stop any war they might start
13. You are wrong, Mr. Barnea
Gershon ,   Kfar Saba   (03.02.08)
There IS a third option. To exact such a fearful price from the Hamas that they will stop all attacks on Israel for generations, and it can be done without sending a single Israeli soldier into Gaza.
14. "victory" is the only VIABLE option!
tom ,   toronto, canada   (03.02.08)
15. There are plenty of Gaza options
Ken Besig ,   Kiryat Arba Israel   (03.02.08)
Gaza is enemy territory, no more and no less. Every attack from the Strip should be followed by a military reprisal from Israel, that is, if our civilians are targeted, then so should the Gaza enemy civilian population. We should also make it plain that the political leadership and their families are legitimate military targets so long as our civilian population is under attack. No civilized nation negotiates under fire if it wishes to win, to win that nation must be willing to fight and punish the enemy so thoroughly that he will never use the option of violence again.
16. another option
sarit ,   jerusalem Israel   (03.02.08)
Carpet-bombing, with mop-up by tthe tank corps, then tunnel-clearing with MOABs, then clearing the rubble with bulldozers. After that, boots on the ground to make sure the Hamasnikim stay gone....Noncombatants can get sanctuary in UN camps somewhere else, and Hamasnik terrorists can die fighting, go to Paradise and everything is finally settled....
17. Oy Nahumi - Where were you during Oslo?
ys ,   Judea   (03.02.08)
High 5'ving your leftist cronies about how good it will be to finally have *some peace* and eat shishlik in the kasbah in Gaza like in the old days? Where were you when the intifada started and the rivers of blood were running throughout Israel and the rabbis were warning against making pacts and deals with the enemy - and to make ZERO concessions with them? Eh? Where were you then? And where are you now Nahum? Still sitting on the fence? Why aren't you busy shouting in the ears of your leftist cronies in the media - ESPECIALLY the radio to just keep quiet for once. TO stop the spin. Just stop it - because it's all been one stinking lie - and to reflect, consider and weigh - that the time has come for some EMET. Some Truth Nahum. What you're doing is preaching to the choir. We're been telling you all along that there's no other way but to fight to the end. Now you can convey it to your friends wearing black and the comrades in the kibbutz. Go to tell them the Truth Nahum. Nahum - takoom.
18. Talks with Hamas? But does Hamas want talks?
JPS ,   Efrat   (03.02.08)
Since when did Hamas ever say it wants peace talks with Israel? They don't, so far as I've read in the media. The other option is an open declaration of an intention to reply to Hamas attakcs with a deadline for a declaration of war. Of course, we dangle an olive branch that Hamas sit down to direct peace talks with a 3rd party mediator (like Egypt) or face war. Talks with Hamas, yes, but on the terms of a 3rd party mediator that would include recognition of Israel and a declaration of their intention for peace, not some wishy washy "ceasefire" that simply allows them to re-arm and re-group.
19. Israeli Goverment Shouldn't Talk With Hamas
Palestinian ,   Gaza   (03.02.08)
I believe in Peace with Israel, but a ceasefire with Hamas will only allow Hamas to become stronger and more able to take over the West Bank and continue firing rockets at Israeli cities and towns. Killing the leaders of Hamas is the only option.
20. No, There's a Third Option: Ignore This Loser
Dan Friedman ,   NYC, USA   (03.02.08)
Of the three options available, the third makes the most sense.
21. What's there to "negotiate" with Hamas?
Kyle ,   Southpark, CO, USA   (03.02.08)
They have said what they want: unconditional surrender by Israel for a "10 year truce" which they can break at any time. Such a deal. What are you, retarded?
22. The real option surrender
Shulamit   (03.02.08)
The real option is to seek peace and surrender. Israel is occupying Palestine and the war will only end when the occupation ends. Stop the violence and end the occupation.
23. There's more closet support for Israel than Israel or anyone
Dr. Michael Gröener ,   Berlin, Germany   (03.03.08)
As difficult the situation, we all realise in our hearts that IDF is defending civilisation against death-hungry barbarians and tyrants. Remember that Gazan civilian deaths here are collateral, i.e. not intended outcome, rather the result of Hamas using kids cynically and cruelly as human shields. Ultimately, & perhaps ironically, only Israel will be relied upon protect West and its cherished democratic society against Islamicism emanating from Gaza, and eventually Iran. Though our press may condemn you in word, in our hearts we say Go Israel, Go IDF.
24. Palestinian education
Samy ,   Gaza   (03.03.08)
listen Mr.,enough with your 'palestinian education' crapp.. my baby cousins first word ever was "rocket" because of the regularity he heard people screaming that word.. Palestinian kids learn how to hate Israel because they only see the ugly side of Israel, they experience it first hand. they see soldiers, tanks, they see checkpoints, and injured teachers... their LIFE is the school, any effort to educate these kids to hate Israel is a WASTE, there is no need to educate them to hate.. Israel is the Greatest teacher of all! take care of your fifi kids, cause our kids are paying the price so your can have fun in night clubs.
25. Are you mad or are you being bribed?
Zip   (03.03.08)
Iran, Syria, the architects of this war and the suppliers to Hamas will never stop until ALL of Israel is conquered. They have it written in their charters and they scream it daily, in their newspapers, school classes and in mosques. Why are so many Israeli's blind or so corrupted as to not deal with this truth--your reality? This is what corrupt politicos have brought upon yourselves, into your own backyards. Your mortal, murderous enemies that will never live in peace with you. WAKE UP and GET RID OF ALL YOUR TRAITORS----NOW
26. Mr Barnea, missing a vital point or more
eddie ,   London UK   (03.03.08)
Mr Barnea is trying to describe the options for Israel and brings a false dilemma - which is a common tactic fro intellectual dictators. As if the option of negotiatign with Hamas is a real one. As if negotiating with PLO has brought any peace. He fails to acknowledge that each step int he peace process has brought about its own war. Oslo and the unnamed intifada of stabbings, shooting and bus bombings carried otu by Fatah and Hamas. Camp david and the al aqsa intifada. (The lebanon withdrawal and the subsequent lebanon war - but this was not part of Oslo). Gaza withdrawal and the kassam war. And this current war could be called the annapolis war. In the upside down world of land for peace, there is actually a war for each mythical stage in the peace process.
27. Small Strip of Land - Bulldoze It Now
Woodah ,   LA, CA   (03.03.08)
Sadly, the areas from which rocket fire emanates must be cleared and bulldozed. Then, mined. Continue to clear territory farther and farther back as rocket range increases. Get the Egyptian border fence up now, bc sooner or later a lot of fleeing Arabs will push into the Sinai. The leadership needs to be strong in order to take this decisive and frankly brutal action -- mainly to withstand international condemnation. That was the best thing about Sharon; Olmert can't seem to tolerate the foreign phone calls coming in. But do it now, Israel, before the next US president is elected. No one over here will say anything while an election is going on.
28. Israel
Jon ,   Vancouver, Canada   (03.03.08)
I agree strongly with this comment from Rocio in Rome! No other country in the world would put up with continued attacks! The world needs to shut up and let Israel defend itself and Israel needs to fight a war not the media
29. Israel
Jon ,   Vancouver, Canada   (03.03.08)
The true way to stop the rockets into Israel is to eliminate it's source! So forget about Hamas for now and DEAL with Iran/Syria.
30. The real "third option"
RedStarYeast ,   USA   (03.04.08)
Want to put an end to the agony? End the brutal and illegal occupation of Palestinian territory.
Next talkbacks
Back to article