<< Why? I don't see that they have any choice other than to consent to be terrorized. The weapons and bomb factories that they are finding along with the fact that the terrorist attacks have slowed dramatically are a good indication of the direct complicity of the Palestinian Authority. Further, evidence has been uncovered that the bombings were being financed by the PA. >>
The death and destruction the IDF is causing is churning up so much hatred against Israel that it is hardly worth any anti-terrorism benefit it might provide. It is also simply wrong to punish civilians to this extent for the actions of terrorists. (This is all in my opinion, of course.) Sharon is creating thousands of potential new enemies as well as destroying any hope of a normal life in the occupied areas for years to come by destroying buildings, infrastructure, etc. And for what? To hold on to a few settlements? Israel would be far safer, in my opinion, if it could summon the will to dismantle the settlements, renounce the occupied territories, and build a wall around itself and let the Palestinians rule (or, more likely, misrule) themselves. But Sharon cannot let himself allow Arafat anything that the latter might call a victory, and the Israeli right wing would rather have the settlements than peace (this is why they murdered Rabin, after all). In my opinion, it is wrong for Jews to act this way. We are supposed to be better than everyone else. We are supposed to serve as a model for mankind, to show the world how to do things right. Israel has a right to self-defense, but there are some things Jews may not do under any circumstances. I think what Sharon is doing now is wrong for several reasons - a, it's wrong; and b, it won't work. Tom Beck "I always knew I'd see the first man on the Moon. I didn't realize I'd also see the last." - Jerry Pournelle
