(Washington Post) Charles Krauthammer - Why was there an Israel-Gaza war in the first place? Resistance to the occupation, say Hamas and many in the international media. What occupation? Seven years ago, in front of the world, Israel pulled out of Gaza. It dismantled every settlement, withdrew every soldier, and evacuated every Jew. In effect, Israel had created the first Palestinian state ever. Israel wanted nothing more than to live in peace with this independent Palestinian entity. It gave the land. It got no peace. The Gaza Palestinians voted in Hamas, who turned the newly freed Palestine into an armed camp from which to war against Israel. For Hamas a truce is simply a tactic for building strength for the next round. It is never meant to be enduring, never meant to offer peace. Hamas' raison d'etre is to "liberate" - i.e., destroy - Tel Aviv and the rest of pre-1967 Israel. Israel has once again succeeded in defending itself. But only until the next round, which will come. Hamas will see to that.
2012-11-23 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive