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Israel Must Not Trade Concrete Gains for Empty Promises
(Israel Hayom) Meir Ben Shabbat - If, before the Israeli elimination of the Houthi political leadership and the severe humiliation of the Zaidi movement, the war in Gaza was the main stated reason for the continuation of the Houthis' struggle, now the motivation for revenge has been added to it. This in no way raises doubts about the course of action Israel chose. On the contrary, this is the way to demonstrate, and not only to the Houthis, the change that has occurred in Israel's approach following the Oct. 7 attack, and this is the line that should characterize its policy in the other arenas where it is contending as well. Under no circumstances should tangible achievements be traded for political ideas that may stir the imagination, but their chances of materializing are doubtful. Thus, one can welcome the Lebanese government's decision to task the Lebanese army with formulating a plan to disarm Hizbullah, but also assume that the likelihood of this happening is slim. Since Hizbullah leader Naim Qassem made clear that his organization will never agree to disarm, it is not right to reduce IDF strikes in Lebanon or reduce the Israeli military presence, nor allow the reconstruction of Shiite villages that threaten our communities in the north. If and when Hizbullah is disarmed, then it will be possible to show openness to other ideas as well. The same applies to Syria: we need to wake up from the dreams about the refined jihadist ruler in Damascus. The barbaric attacks by regime supporters against the Druze reminded us and the rest of the world what the base of the new president looks like. It is hard to assume that the gang of jihadists surrounding him has abandoned the vision of establishing an extreme Sunni religious state in Greater Syria, and that it will allow action in complete opposition to this vision. Security without political arrangements is preferable to arrangements without security. The writer, head of the Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy, served as Israel's National Security Council head during 2017-2021.