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What Does a Country Do If Its Neighbors Won't Stop Terrorists?
(Newsday) Barry Rubin - International law is premised on the existence of authorities willing to enforce it. What does a country do if its neighbor not only refuses to stop or arrest terrorists attacking it on a daily basis but actually encourages and supports them? There is no alternative to direct action against such a safe haven. Equally, international diplomacy generally assumes that any dispute is ultimately resolvable through compromise and negotiation. Indeed, what does a country do when the other side openly expresses an intention to destroy it and implements that policy? Another international assumption is that by targeting terrorist leaders, Israel provokes new attacks. But no such encouragement is needed. The attacks will continue anyway, and they are more effective when directed by a leadership that enjoys immunity from punishment. Finally, it should not be forgotten that Israel spent seven years trying to make a peaceful compromise through negotiated agreement. The result is the Palestinian Authority - a safe haven that incites, finances, organizes, and permits terrorist attacks against Israel.