(Ha'aretz) Ze'ev Schiff - Even though the number of casualties caused by Palestinian rockets is relatively small, their psychological impact on Negev communities is great. The town of Sderot closed its day camps and sports facilities this summer, and parents are sending their children out of town. Sharon has declared that the Israel Defense Forces must put an end to the firing in any way it deems correct. Thus, if in the future there are similar attacks on Israeli cities by steep-trajectory weapons fired from Palestinian areas, Israel will have no choice but to reoccupy these areas. Such a development depends first and foremost on the Palestinians and their ability to maintain control. The road map has no chance of taking off if the militias of Hamas and related organizations continue to be armed and to maintain an army of their own that threatens Israel. That is a formula for war, not for a political agreement.
2005-07-22 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive