IF PEACE DOES NOT WORK, FORCE WILL.

ISRAEL CAN BE FORCED TOO... MAYBE IT NEEDS TO BE SAVED FROM ITSELF... BY FORCE.

On January 14, 2008, Thomas Friedman claims in the New York Times that:"The focus for Israel and Barack Obama’s team should be on creating a clear choice for Hamas for the world to see: Are you about destroying Israel or building Gaza?"

Nice alternative. All we were seeing so far was dying children, we are getting educated. But of course Friedman is forgetting that there was a blockade and big walls. Moreover, Friedman insists that Israel "educated Hezbollah" and now is educating Hamas. That is why Hezbollah is so calm, he says. Then what of "Israeli Arabs" are they being educated too? What about connecting with reality? Is that educative?

It seems to me that the calm of Hezbollah has more to do with the force of 13,000 United Nations soldiers in Southern Lebanon headed by Italy (it used to be headed by France). This land force is buttressed by a naval arm. In 2006 French soldiers "came within seconds" of firing on Israeli F15s (said the French defense ministry).

The same solution, extraneous force, may have to be applied to the entire area, enforcing whatever the United Nations decides. It may be a better use of NATO troops than bombing Afghan villages from the air. Just a thought.

Ah, yes, also if some of the settlers are not really settled where they should be settled, force could be applied... The EU and the USA send many billions a year for that pathetic show to go on. They could also stop it. All it will take is the will to change.

Israel is playing a dangerous game. Of course it looks as if it has no choice. But it should not forget that it exists not from invincible hubris, but at the good will of the EU and the USA. It may be prudent to not be too rough with the neighbors. Some of the Frankish kingdom during the Crusades lasted two centuries, but died off when Europe decided there were better things to do. Israel is only 60 years old, and its only way out is the (future) Mediterranean Union. The MU will in particular forbid what Israel is trying to do presently, namely preventing Arabs living in Israel to vote in the February 2009 elections.

Patrice Ayme
Patriceayme.wordpress.com