Your policies have been a complete disater for the country and you still have the nerve to spout your opinions. You speak as if Syria and Hamas are really interested in peace with Israel. What planet are you living on? What else has to happen to convince you otherwise? The disaster of the withdrawls from Lebanon and Gaza wasn't enough?

Eiland confuses common interest with perceived common interest because he confuses agreement on the goal with agreement on the tactics. The US, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority had factually the same common interest (preventing a take-over of power by Hamas), but the US believed that the way to get there was having the elections take place, since they believed Hamas would loose. So there were no "strange coalitions" at all. And who the hell says things Syria wouldn't have armed Hisbollah if they would still be in Lebanon? This is an analysis which combines hindsight with unfounded assumption about what would have been, if. The bottom line is that game theory tells us that it is impossible to share a common interest with your adversary in a zero sum game and as long as Hamas is currently demanding our annihilation how could yielding to their demands be benificial for us. Even the prediction that "world public opinion" will no longer view us as an occupier if Rafah is opened is unlikely to come true. Even w/o a single Israeli soldier in Gaza (except Shalit) we keep hearing that occupation of Gaza is the problem!

And Olmert's Israel seems ready to give both to them. Those elections can't come soon enough. As to the Rafah crossing, it mustn't be seen in isolation. If it's opened, while electricity, water, and medical assistance continues to come via Israel, it will have gained nothing while strengthening Hamas.

This Giora guy must have started celebrating Christmas doing some drinking! So letting other people hit you is clever? He says that because all this happens far away from his North Tel Aviv house! Cowards cannot be near government and shouldn't be allowed to express their opinion either!

Obviously not!

Lord spare us from Academics like Giora Eiland and their hare-brained ideas.The reverse of his theory is true,the enemies should comply with your demands.Eiland needs to find a proper day job .

Fancy gear will not help you when you are intellectually challenged ,faithless and unbelieving,morally and spiritually weak.One day this country is going to get a very nasty wake-up call,possibly sooner than we think.Those who want the "Good Life" ,have no faith and do not believe totally that they have the right to live here and that this land belongs to them by divine decree had best leave for greener pastures.I forgot to mention corruption,both physical and spiritual but that's another story.In other words,get real shape up or pack your bags because we may be in for a very rough ride folks.Remember you read it here first...

Who win a war then surrender to their enemies....bunch of stupid jerks.

he clearly suffers from " defetitus", a desease this entire govt is inflicted with.... o only bib can and will restore our deterence and fear in the arabs'.

And nobody with any balls...

You don't see that 'Divine Decree' is your own corruption? You've got to be kidding..If that be the case, anyone could make up a story to justify anything..and they usually land in prison of a hospital! I don't believe in your 'Divine Decree'..does that mean you're right and I'm wrong?And so what? You don't get it at all..and this tragedy will continue forever.. As there is always someone with their own 'Divine Decree!.. TATA.

Their civil war is winding down and someone like Giora Eiland would find it a real challenge to use what he has done here and start that silly old civil war up again. Go for it Giora. Your challenge is our relief.

Nice taking Lawrence's comments and "adding your twist". Actually its people like you holding your distorted views, that "dont get it" . Irrespective of "divine decrees" - Israel owns the land conquered and secured militarily. It might be a surprise you that - that is how your own country the USA exists. CONQUERED LAND .... ring any bells??? Israel and the Jews are staying put and if the recalcitrants continue to fire rockets, etc. then they will get full on war...again. They deserve every bit of it. You are right about one thing..this 'problem' will not go away... until the Palis accept they have no claim to the land. The world's #1 troublemakers.

we are facing. Idiotic ex-generals. Leave the thinking to colonels and below. Most sergeants have more brains than the general staff combined.

To claim that syria has no say in lebanon is is simply either naive or stupid (both typical leftist criteria)! Everything that happens day to day in syria is run by syria and its private terror group, hezbullah. EVERY politician that has spoken out against syria has been blown to bits. So explain please where syria is not in control? lebanon is,effectively, a syrian province.

Wrong...TATA

is not one them...TATA

Correct

I was a Sargent under Capt. Eilend way back....

This general is trying to sound like the wisboy in a small village. Where do you get this guys?

After reading your article, i made a copy of it, tore the dame thing, and flushed it down the toilette. Have a good one.

WHAT IS THE REAL PROBLEM WITH THESE EASTERN COUNTRIES? IF THATS THE WAY THESE PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE--SO BE IT. WE SHOULD STAY OUT OF IT AND LET THEM FEND FOR THEMSELVES. WE CANNOT DEFEND THE WORLD!! LIVE AND LET LIVE..IF THEY WANT TO LIVE UNDER TYRANY AND DIE MARTYRS LET THEM ALL GIVE THEIR LIVES FOR ALLAH AND THEN NO PROBLEM. EVERYBODY GOES TO MECCA AND NO MARTYRS LEFT TO CAUSE ALL THESE DAMN PROBLEMS. !