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Convergence to Combat Lines

(Ha'aretz) Ze'ev Schiff - It is possible that Israel will maneuver itself into a unilateral implementation of Prime Minister Olmert's convergence plan. It is important to clarify to the public that the chances are the convergence lines will be Israel's new combat lines. That is what happened with the lines of the disengagement from Gaza: They turned into new combat lines. It is natural that Hamas chalked up a military achievement as the group that employed force and pushed Israel into the withdrawal. That is how things look to the Palestinians. Hamas' election victory only magnified its triumph. The disengagement may have shortened the IDF's lines and saved money, but the savings will be spent on defensive fortification of the communities around Gaza. With a new unilateral convergence, Israel will give up on the demilitarization of any Palestinian territory from which it retreats. It will give new momentum to Hamas, not to Abbas. And it will endanger Jordan and the Hashemite regime. Jordan is beseeching Israel not to act unilaterally. It understands that unilateralism would mean a continuation of the fighting, and that could increase instability in Jordan. Once the withdrawal lines turn into new combat lines, it will only be a matter of time until the IDF moves into the towns and cities of the West Bank in full force. All it would take is one Kassam landing at Ben-Gurion International Airport. Kassam rocket attacks on Israel's coastal towns are a strategic threat.
2006-06-23 00:00:00
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