Opinion  Ron Ben-Yishai
The Hamastan dilemma
Ron Ben Yishai
Published: 18.08.07, 08:39
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1. There's another solution
Howard K ,   NYC   (08.18.07)
When the Palestinian state is created, there's going to be a huge number of Jews who will be ethnically cleansed, evicted from their homes and forced to join the Jewish population on "the rest of Israel". These things are not only possible, but endorsed by the UN, EU, and everybody else. Even most Jews in Israel think it's OK. Now, about Gaza. 1) Look at the map. 2) Think long term. Do you see yourselves living side by side with a time bomb for ever or until Israel is hit with the final blow? Draw your own conclusions.
2. The minimum
josef cohen ,   hezliya   (08.18.07)
The minimum it seems would be shut down all mechanisms that fund and allow Hamas to distribute aid directly. Obviously it will also be nescessary to insure that aid is only available thru a non hamas party and that Hamas can not be in any position to control it's distribution. Good luck in accomplishing that....At the end of the day as the author opined they will have to be confronted and disassembled by force. This of course will mean many dead Israelis and that is not a scenario our political leadership is prepared to risk and by risk I mean their jobs. For consideration, Josef Cohen
3. We Are Hostage To A Failed Peace Process.
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (08.18.07)
The real reason we are doing almost nothing against Hamas is because we are being held hostage by a failed peace process with the "good terrorists" of Fatah represented by the irrelevant Abbas. Should we operate against Hamas with a heavy hand, the little support Abbas has among his own people, including Fatah members, will evaporate amid cries of "Israeli aggression". Since our delusional gov't. along with the equally delusional American State Dept. has bet their political future on a losing horse, they are averse to risking their bet on any real action. That the "peace process" with Abbas has no real chance of success has become a minor detail. Their only short-term goal is to maintain the illusion of a process; there is no long-term goal. Now back to Hamas. We will only be able to effectively deal with Hamas if we jettison Fatah. Abbas can't deliver the goods. Fatah will either be wiped out by Hamas even in the West Bank or, more likely, will find an accomodation with Hamas in some kind of unity gov't. - at which point it will take quite a bit of intellectual gymnastics on the part of our lying politicians to justify their previous policy - but I'm sure they'll be up to the task. But Hamas may force our hand & in this Mr. Yishai is correct. What Mr Yishai does not say is that the only way to deal with Hamas is to kill them. Not one to mince words (I won't damage my professional reputation by being so politically incorrect), there is not much else to do. Just destroying "terrorist infrastructure" will accomplish nothing. Then what, you may ask? No Hamas, no Fatah - who wants Gaza? Egypt won't take Gaza. An international force is not likely. America is over-stretched militarily & politically cannot be seen as "occupying" another Arab country. The most beneficial thing to do would be to de-populate the place, make it uninhabitable & force Gazans to flee anywhere they could go. Politically, this is almost impossible to accomplish. So, what can be done? Any suggestions?
4. Ridiculous conclusion
Secular Realist   (08.18.07)
Countless empires and other political entities saw over the millennia that brute force, ultimately, does not work. Short of eradicating every Gazan off the face of the planet, a military clampdown would only serve to temper Hamas' strength. The only way to deal with Hamas is to cut off its funding completely. Since we completely control Gaza's borders, that should not be too difficult. Allow ONLY certain goods in and out of Gaza; no hard currency whatsoever. Insist the humanitarian goods be disbursed by, say, the U.N. not the mosques. They'll run out of money soon enough...
5. Easy...
enzo ,   london,uk   (08.18.07)
It's going to be a cold winter in Gaza...
6. option 5: terminate leaders, disrupt finance, invade
aaron ,   ra'anana   (08.18.07)
7. The Body Count solution
Ariel Yochanan ,   London UK   (08.18.07)
If we learned anything in the Second World War, it's this; "You had better slay the dragon while it is young and not yet strong! Being squeamish in the early stages, only leads to a higher, more painful and more expensive death toll later on." In the end, it all comes down to the very cold statistics of the least worst body count. That means go in hard and fast now, and while you're at it, be prepared to fight Iran, Syria and Hezbollah all at the same time.
8. the best solution for Israel seems to be?
jack bauer ,   AU   (08.18.07)
Declare that the final status has already been achieved. Gaza is and shall be the "palistinian" state. Judea and Samaria are now and forever part of the state of Israel. Fatah, it leaders and supporters have the choice to apply to permanently leave to other arab countries that would have them....if not they should be sent to live with their comrades in gaza. Security should be in the hands of Israelis only and not in the liers and thugs that claim to be interested in security. Any arabs that wish to stay on Israel must agree to swear that they will not harm Israel and renounce all violence against it. Gaza must not be supplied with cement, food, power,or anything else for that matter. The cord must be cut. If they need electricity then Egypt can supply it. If they need other things they can get them from the other arab countries. They dont seem to have any problems getting guns and bullets. I dont think they would be incapable of finding their way through the mess they helped make.
9. IDF to use ruthless military force
Mikle White ,   Canada   (08.18.07)
against hamas to achieve military victory against the enemy. Declare close military zone, kick out all media, deploy overwhelming force: air,naval,land and win a clear victory. Build deep water trenches against tunnels where needed and close the chapter on hamas and worry about syria, hizballah, iran next together with US.
10. Economics 101
Robert Tilden ,   Sheridan Wyoming   (08.18.07)
Suppose Iran funds Hamas with $10Trillion. So now they transfer this sum from the Iranian budget to a Hamas bank account in Switzerland. Now what? If Isreal really did close down the crossings the prices everything will skyrocket in the strip. In Ashkelon a batch of medicine might cost 100 shekels. But since it is in higher demand in the strip and we said Iran funded them with so much money, people who need this item will pay more for it. 1000 shekels or 10,000 shekels. What is the price of the last dose left in the strip? Does that person care that the Hamas bank account in Switzerland is slush with funds? The solution is to make money meaningless in Gaza. I am not a religious man but you should all read the book of Lamentations or Jeremiah or many other places where a city under siege is depicted. When people are eating their babies. What do you think the value of gold is in that situation? Oh and I don't have sympathy for the people of Gaza, they voted for this.
11. #7
joell ,   atlanta, usa   (08.18.07)
"and while you're at it, be prepared to fight Iran, Syria and Hezbollah all at the same time." you should make that "and while we're at it." do you really believe UK & USA troops won't be involved in this war you're so eager to start?
12. 4 options
Juan ,   Spain   (08.18.07)
Anyone with a modicum of common sense knows that Israel has many more options that your reporter has not thought of, or has ruled out. A poor article this.
13. Nothing positive can happen until Olmert & Livni are deposed
Malcolm   (08.18.07)
These two are the creators of the current situation acting as if they were on the ayatollahs' payroll. They gave Tehran EVERYTHING they ever dreamed of WHEN they wanted it...and on a silver platter. It is inconceivable that these two arrogant, power hungry, self righteous, so called "leaders" will ever engage in a military operation in Gaza. This would implicate them as the root cause of the current problem. So until they are out of the picture Hamas will grow as well as future IDF casualties. Every day that these two are in power more lDF soldiers will die in the future. Olmert has already proved that he doesn't care about dead soldiers as he sent dozens to die for SPIN in the last days of last years defeat to Hizbollah. The coy Livni on the other hand may care but she is far more concerned about being RIGHT as that is arrogant streak the essence of her personality.
14. You forgot the Samson Option.
Israel   (08.18.07)
15. Only One Option
john ,   nz   (08.18.07)
Build a huge prison something like Guantamo, Get in round up all Hamas members, lock them up and throw away the key.
16. "handwriting is on the wall"
Paul ,   Concord, USA   (08.18.07)
A hellstorm is coming. Hamas/PA, Hezbollah/Lebanon, Syria, and Iran are only awaiting the time for an all out missle assault. Everything from Lebanon 2 until now is only strategic posturing and arming for the event. for zion's sake! wake up oh Israel, and may your great lions not rest, nor your lambs stop bleating. This is the hour of decision! don't be caught arguing! don't be caught ignorant! Stand up and be prepared to decisively squash your enemies! they are convinvinced you are sleeping in weakness. I pray you are lying in wait!
17. BottomLine:: Hamas(Muslim Brotherhood) going to stay 4ever!
KMR ,   Middle East   (08.18.07)
18. #10 Democracy 101
Khalid   (08.19.07)
I won't deal with your inhumane genocidal remarks, about making people eat their babies and whatnot, but just FYI the people of the West Bank voted for Hamas too, any sympathy for them?
19. to Terry #3 and anyone who believes in a fair solution
Brooke   (08.19.07)
There is a fair and sane solution. www.jerusalemsummit.org has all the brilliant details. In a nutshell--pay the palis $50,000 per family AFTER they leave the territories. Over 80% have been polled and said they would love to take the money and run. Their "leaders" won't let them because without them, they could never continue to receive billions in aid to steal from their people. Cua will take them and the rest of their arab brethern (sarcasm) Please visit the site and support this great plan. Thanks. G-d bless Israel with brave and uncorrupt leaders!
20. hang on a minute
Yisraeli   (08.19.07)
what happened to the call for no gaza "occupation"? are we not out of there lock stock and barrel? So what responsibilities did Israel have for gaza prior to '67? None, zero, nadda, nuttin. So whats the dilemma? They wanted Israel out, they got it. Now seal the border that not even a cockroach can get through and throw away the keys. They have a border with Egypt and as was prior to 67 all but egypt in name. Gaza is not our problem, they can eat sand and drink from the sea its their problem. This is what they wanted now let them live their dream, what has Israel to do with it? Oh the rockets? What would any country in the world receiving a salvo of rockets do? you send rockets back 100 fold, how long do you think they will desire sending rockets into israel? Send in our forces to get killed by them? to save who exactly? to save palestinians from Hamas? to improve theyre lives? for them our soldiers should be killed? Revert back to pre '67 and have nothing whatsoever to do with gaza, no crossings. What do we need crossings for? for israelis to enter gaza? if the world wants to send in forces there by all means gaza has nothing to do with us. They can sink in the quicksand of gaza along with its inhabitants. Have they not been wishing to get Israel out? Have they not said we want nothing to do with Israel, the country they only seek to kill and destroy. Now allow them theyre death wish. Whats the dilemma?
21. The real dilemma: the media serve the terrorists
Cheese Eater ,   Paris   (08.19.07)
200 years ago, freedom of the press was a great idea. But since WW2, the press has weakened democratic forces. Of course, such a big picture is unimaginable for the "free press" of Israel--including the fool Ron Ben-Yishai. What a delightfully ironic way for the West ultimately to collapse--by the media helping elites manipulate the mass into viewing the Muslim enemy as no enemy or as one that it is immoral to fight. Normal people (without media training) would just send rockets to Gaza and kill them, or starve them into fleeing. Stupid Ynet, stupid Jerusalem Post, stupid Haaretz: the same rotten vegetables in cans with different labels.
22. Here is aplan to sort out Hamas and end the occupation:
Uzi ,   Haifa   (08.19.07)
Israel should let Hamas to depose Abbas and smash Fatah in Judea and Samaria, or even help Hamas to do so. Then everybody would like to abolish the PA and wipe it off the world map and consciousness. It will also open the way for the Kingdom of Jordan to take charge as the only viable nation state of all the Arabs of Greater Palestine. Having got rid of the PA, Israel and Jordan should agree on the border between them in Judea and Samaria and maybe cede Gaza to Egypt that would sort it out quite smartly. Everybody, Jews and Arabs, should continue to live in peace where they are and nobody should move from their homes or land. Israelis who would thus become residents of the Kingdom of Jordan should be given rights and conditions like the Arabs in Israel.
23. #19 Brooke - Who said I believe in a fair solution?
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (08.19.07)
There is no fair solution - there is only winning. In this particular case, either we win or they win. Forget fair solutions - we just have to do whatever is necessary to win. Our enemies are not looking for a fair solution, they are seeking our elimination. The minute you start talking about "fair" or "just" solutions - you lose.
24. Re Democracy 101
Robert Tilden ,   Sheridan Wyoming   (08.19.07)
Oh Please, Elections to democracy is like paint to art. Just becuse something has paint on it doesn't make it art. Where is the rule of law? Where is the responsibility of a democratic process? Blaming Israel for all their problems means they have no democractic fiber. What happens in Gaza reguarding Democracy has nothing- NOTHING to do with Israel. It's all about their own choices. A whole poplulation is choosing to starve rather than get real. At some point the rest of us should let them live with that choice. Should they choose to follow a more constructive way of living I see no reason not to trade with the Gaza strip. The point is, it is their responsibility to make it a good choice for Israel. Trade is not an aid package. There is enough suffering in the world that Israel can be busy saving the world with people more worthy of help then the Palestinians.
25. #11 While the UK is at it? You must be kidding!
Ariel ,   London UK   (08.19.07)
Well Joell, The truth is there are are no easy options. It's a matter of looking for the least painful. As far as fighting Iran Syria and Hezbollah, you can almost guarantee that if Israel where to move against Hamas, these three would jump in the fray at least in some capacity. It is reasonable to expect that the US would involve itself particularly with regards to Iran. But, and here is the big "BUT," so long as Israel is in the fight, you can certainly rule out the UK. The Populace is mostly anti Israel and so is the labour government.
26. #12
Ariel ,   London UK   (08.19.07)
To #12. By all means share your wisdom with us!
27. #14 The Samoson Option?
Ariel ,   London UK   (08.19.07)
to #14. Don't you think we should wait for Armageddon before deploying the Samson option?
28. #17 Oh no they won't!
Ariel ,   London UK   (08.19.07)
To #17. As the Lord G-d of Israel lives, they shall die like Senacherib and his Army!
29. #23, #19 Fair Solution - A question
Glenn ,   Canada   (08.19.07)
I agree with Brooke's solution (Jerusalem Summit financial assistance to emigrees) because it would be a win-win situation. It's, in my opinion, the ONLY solution, considering how much influence public opinion has on Jews and the government. The question is why aren't Israelis pressing for the Jerusalem Summit proposal. It's almost a secret. It should be high on the government's agenda, it should be promoted by people who have no taste for war or expulsions. The media gives plenty of coverage to small left-wing groups such as Peace Now an other so-called human rights groups, which may consist of a few dozen people. But this very important proposal gets no coverage, no columns, no nothing. My question is why isn't it under consideration?
30. The hope for peace is found in the Bible.
Rivkah   (08.19.07)
The international community must recognize the land grant of God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and change the borders of Israel to include ALL the land given under that land grant. The international community must recognize as supreme commander of the earth, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their descendants. ALL people in Jerusalem who cause unrest must be removed and forced to live outside the city and not allowed to go there again because the Bible says if there is peace in Jerusalem, there will be peace in the world. Jerusalem must not be divided because the Bible says that is THE cause of Armageddon, the last war of the Gentile world era before Jewish world rule is established forever with the Messiah.
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