So what do you propose Israel do? Taking sides Egypt would be a huge mistake and could backfire big-time. I think Israel is doing the right thing. Egyptians have to solve their own problems and all Israel can do is watch. Even the US, which is at far less risk, has to be careful not to meddle as it can be blamed if the outcome goes awry.

In "normal" Middle East times they warn that no Peace (meaning Israel giving and Arabs taking) with Arabs will destabilize the region. When Middle East is in chaos then they warn that not making fake Peace with Arabs is a lost opportunity. None of it is the real reason, but their deep seated delusional belief that Israel has somehow the duty to remedy the perceived wrong to Arabs. For this they will take advantage of any circumstances that may sound reasonable to the public to persuade them by deception that it is actually good for them to commit suicide.

There is not much we can do. Is except monitor. And be ready for all eventualities .

who on earth wants to hear from pinkus, kurtzer, ross, beilin, livni, peres and their tired old pathetic bromides. As a matter of fact, israel should consolidate the status quo, encourage emigration and tell all these beilinists to shut the hell up. Enough israelis have died or been maimed because of their dumb policies sold to many PMs. I would settle, encourage arab emigration one way or another, enact laws to remove citizenship for violations against state sovereignty(zoabi and company( and tighten status quo.

since day one. The more it changes the more it stays the same. Israel in spite of poor leadership and the fact that it resides in a crappy neighborhood, is doing fantastic and is well on its way to becoming a very wealthy country. Less hand wringing and more confidence is in order. Israel will continue to do well in spite of all the turbulence surrounding her. While Israel produces MRIs the Arabs are roasting nuts. Stop the whining.

Israel needs to take advantage of any political turmoil in the Middle East to kick out to Mecca all Arabs residing in ancient Jewish land.

The government is doing the right thing by monitoring the situation. Only fools like Pinkas would rush in and make irreversible decisions with this pot boiling and about to blow.

of the "Palestina-Two State Solution" of trumpeting their agenda regardless of what the Hell is going on around us and what the real causes are. It is nauseating, arrogant and sensless beyond rational human behaviour. That what Osloites suffer from. What is this article (if anything at all) really about?!

Opposite must be done.!. So make the journalistic suggestions

Pinkas is another delusional wanna be peacnik. Israel is absolutely justified in hunkering down and observing the chaos all around us. NOT our problems and not our business. Until the Arabs prove that they are capable of stability and capable of being honest brokers we are standing vigilant and at the ready for any surprises they may throw our way.

The Arab world is in flames, and Pinkas says we should seize the opportunity to surrender our country. This is one of the dumber ideas floated by the far left.

I haven't read a dumber article since the one that declared that history had ended. I'm actually wondering whether it could've been my cat that wrote it. I wouldn't discard it right away.

Nothing but miraculous. We have to heed the words of the Lubavicher Rebbe that moshiach is on his way. This is all prep work. All the peace deals we had with the Palestinians yielded nothing but bloodshed. Lets heed the Rebbes words not to yield one inch of land.

Obama stumps me. Before the change plays out hed= is already cutting the aidn package to this poor country. Leadership and caring of concerned by-stander. So perhaps we should cut aid to Syria and Egypt Mr Pincus. Take a leaf out of OBH book.Israel has many of its own challenges. We have too many por families including arab ones. Should we not focus there. Your summary Mr Pincus has some merit. With respect your cricism of denialism and not getting involved has very little ground to stand on and you want us to go blind and do what??? We are there for giving treatment to special medical cases more than likely for free in most cases.Mr Pinkus do you not enjoy being Jewish and occassionally hanging until the appropriate time. If unfotuately the country explodes we may well have a different roll to play. Time re-read your short article and reconsider what you are trying say till you get it nright. All comments fair disregard your vague proposal and reponse. This must a serious hint to you. You do better have try.

Retaking the Sinai is what must be done. Israel would have no reason to worry about events in Egypt had we not foolishly ceded the Sinai.

I agree that Israel, Turkey, and Iran are the region's major players. I'm not there, I just can't fathom how a military coup precipitated by the largest demonstrations in the history of the world would have no effect on a neighboring state.

What should Israel/US/EU - or any other country - do? Egypt is chaotic at the moment - but the majority of Egyptians seem happy with the direction events are moving in. The future of Egypt is in the hands of the Egyptians - where it belongs. All our various countries should just stay away from interfering. I pray the Egyptians get a stable government that is for *all* Egyptians. I wish the Egyptian people well.

Israel is in denial?? Israel and it's leaders are perfectly aware of all the points made by Alon Pinkas. They're also aware that any form of interference can only be to our greater detriment. Maybe he's suggesting we invade Egypt? or Syria? Why not both, and throw in Jordan and Lebanon as well.

The first paragraph is nonsense! Everything that goes on in the Arab world concerns Israel- especially the neighboring countries. Most Arabs want Jews exterminated and if the opportunity was presented for the conflicts in Syria and Egypt to spill over to Israel they would suddenly forget about their problems and unite in the fight against Israel. Hence, the Israeli flag being burned in Egypt this week. The author- you re in denial.

is he suggesting Israel should take other than ensure secure borders? As for political action who knows who Israel is communicating with in Egypt, presumably the Army and politicians, and no doubt also with the US. Perhaps a follow up article would be useful with his suggestions as to what he thinks Israel should be doing, other than just keeping a watchful eye on developments in Egypt.

I'm from the left and I didn't understand his reasoning or what being in denial means. What makes this a good time for action/talks? No-one knows if the people you talk to are going to be there tomorrow. None of the players in the middle east, incl US and Israel are going to commit themselves to anything until they know how things are going to pan out in the different arenas.

exactly this was passing through my mind

Israel missed all opportunities to express and practice empathy towards the ordinary Egyptians, Syrians, Palestinians....under Nasser, Sadat, Mubarak, Assad, Arafat, Hamas... Everything else means that the Israeli regime lives in denial. The civil administration of the west bank and gaza was a very half-hearted affair.

The whole EARTH would breathe a sigh of relief