Civilized Clashes

[Eli Lake]

Originally Posted by mvantony

I agree. Eli, you were much better when people here hated you! What's happened?

I don't think I've changed that much. If it was not clear in my comments on the diavlog when I said Hamas profits from the misery of Gazans, I will make it clear here. I don't think it's possible to have any peace in Israel so long as Hamas as an organization exists. Their existence threatens both Israel and a two state solution because they have discredited the entire notion of land for peace, making the withdrawal from Gaza, land for war. Because they spend millions to brainwash their children so they may have the honor of becoming a human smart bomb.

What Israel is doing now does not help to eliminate Hamas. This "rocket infrastructure" is easily restored. It's leaders will survive. And even if 1,000 of their operatives were killed, if they survive, they will count this as a victory. The trick is for Palestinians to oust Hamas politically in the way that Iraqis threw off al Qaeda and the outlaw wing of Sadr's movement. And of course Israel has a right to defend itself. But an air war against an opponent that thrives on the misery of their population is not a sound defense.