Olmert’s approach to Israel’s enemies

August 8, 2007

by Louis Rene Beres
The Washington Times

Prodded by President Bush on several fronts, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s government in Israel continues to place its existential bets on diplomacy. To be sure, such a stated policy preference is plainly civilized, and it is also in compliance with binding international law. At the same time, Israel’s principal enemies — the disputing Palestinian elements (Fatah or Hamas, it makes little effective difference) and Iran — will never accept anything less than Israel’s physical disappearance. They say this every day, either openly or obliquely. Moreover, in a corroborating bit of cartography, every PA or Iranian map of “Palestine” already includes all of Israel.Recently, Mr.Olmert released several hundred Palestinian terrorists as a “goodwill gesture.” Together with the United States, he is now aiding Fatah against Hamas with outright transfers of weapons and information.

Ultimately, of course, the American and Israeli guns and bombs will be turned against Israelis. As for Mr. Olmert’s graciously extended “goodwill,” it shall only elicit the next intifada. Matters are certainly not helped at all by Washington’s corollary support for a Palestinian state, support that can only imperil both Israel and the United States.

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