P F Tinmore, et al,
There is no single "script." Each individual should be able to systematically look at the chain of events and the evidence as it is presented and draw their own conclusions.
Israel is not always right (but then who is). Israel does not always exercise sound and valid judgments (but then who does). During the course and duration of the Arab-Israeli War (however we define that) it is clear that a Israel has a developing and superior military force in comparison to it historical opponents. The (what they call a) Qualitative Military Edge (QME) is what allows Israel to inflict a string of successive and decisive victories over their historical opponents; even though Israel is usually out-numbered by a considerable margin. And, Israel usually has to engage the hostile Arab Aggressor with the forward edge of battle along a 260º arc --- from as many as five individual armies. Having successfully defended it sovereign integrity and citizenry from advancing aggressors in three major conflicts, there are still segments of the Arab Community that have not come to terms with the physical reality of State of Israel.
But everyone reads off the same script.
(COMMENT)
I often hear, both on this forum and elsewhere, that if: Israel lifts the Blockade and withdraws its settlements and forces from the West Bank, the conflict will end. Israel tested that theory in 2005 when they withdrew from the Gaza Strip. At that time, there was NO BLOCKADE. (I know that there are people who believe that there was always a Blockade around Gaza. That is not true.)
The 2005 (12 September) Israel disengagement operation (
Operation Shevet Ahim) included the withdrawal of all Israeli Forces, the evacuation of settlers, and dismantlement of of the infrastructure. It marked the end of the "Effective Control of the Gaza Strip.
Right on the heels of the Disengagement (Completed 12 September 2005); within hour of the withdrawal, Palestinian Militants began firing rocket into Israel from Gaza, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) from Gaza effect the
Hadera Market bombing (October 26) and the
second HaSharon Mall suicide bombing (5 December). Then there was the
first PIJ bomb attack on the Rosh Ha'ir restaurant (19 January 2006) followed by a second coordinated attack on the same Rosh Ha'ir restaurant (17 April 2006) carried-out by the PIJ and the a
l-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades (the Military Wing of West Bank Fatah).
The lesson did not go unnoticed. If you give the Hostile Arab Palestinian (HoAP) unrestrained freedom, it only allows HoAP better access to reconstitute a better equipped terrorist force. After disengagement, Rocket attacks increase. In 2007, a few thousand rockets and mortars had been launched into Israel, and HAMAS took control of the Gaza Strip; both Egypt and Israel closed their respective borders. Under the Oslo Accord, Israel is responsible for the security control over Gaza; including airspace and coastal waters.
The security containment of the Gaza Strip was an important factor in reducing hostile HAMAS activity against Israel; the security measures reflect the countermeasure to terrorist activity. As containment became more mature and effective and with the positive outcomes of
Operation Cast Lead (27 December 2008 – 18 January 2009); by 2009 rockets hostile rocket fire into Israel dropped from 3,278 before the operation to 774 rocket launches in 2009. That represented a reduction of well over 75%.
As I look over this, I am compelled to remind you that security successes and the reduction in attacks is not due to a sign factor; but, the cocktail of factor that together form a strategic strategy.
Most Respectfully,
R