Enough [excellent editorial]

Jerusalem Post ^ | Sep. 10, 2003

[yonif]

The world will not help us; we must help ourselves. We must kill as many of the Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders as possible, as quickly possible, while minimizing collateral damage, but not letting that damage stop us. And we must kill Yasser Arafat, because the world leaves us no alternative.

No one seriously argues with the fact that Arafat was preventing Mahmoud Abbas, the prime minister he appointed, from combating terrorism, to the extent that was willing to do so. Almost no one seriously disputes that Abbas on whom Israel, the US, and Europe had placed all their bets failed primarily because Arafat retained control of much of the security apparatus, and that Arafat wanted him to fail.

The new prime minister, Ahmed Qurei, clearly will fare no better, since he, if anything, has been trying to garner more power for Arafat, not less. Under these circumstances, the idea of exiling Arafat is gaining currency, but the standard objection is that he will be as much or more of a problem when free to travel the world than he is locked up in Ramallah.

If only three countries Britain, France, and Germany joined the US in a total boycott of Arafat this would not be the case. If these countries did not speak with Arafat, it would not matter much who did, and however much a local Palestinian leader would claim to consult with Arafat, his power would be gone.

But such a boycott will not happen. Only now, after more than 800 Israelis have died in three years of suicide bombings and other terrorist attacks, has Europe finally decided that Hamas is a terrorist organization. How much longer will it take before it cuts off Arafat? Yet Israel cannot accept a situation in which Arafat blocks any Palestinian break with terrorism, whether from here or in exile. Therefore, we are at another point in our history at which the diplomatic risks of defending ourselves are exceeded by the risks of not doing so.

Such was the case in the Six Day War, when Israel was forced to launch a preemptive attack or accept destruction. And when Menachem Begin decided to bomb the Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981. And when Israel launched Operation Defensive Shield in Palestinian cities after the Passover Massacre of 2002. In each case, Israel tried every fashion of restraint, every plea to the international community to take action that would avoid the need for "extreme" measures, all to no avail. When the breaking point arrives, there is no point in taking half-measures. If we are going to be condemned in any case, we might as well do it right.

Arafat's death at Israel's hands would not radicalize Arab opposition to Israel; just the opposite. The current jihad against us is being fueled by the perception that Israel is blocked from taking decisive action to defend itself.

Arafat's survival and power are a test of the proposition that it is possible to pursue a cause through terror and not have that cause rejected by the international community. Killing Arafat, more than any other act, would demonstrate that the tool of terror is unacceptable, even against Israel, even in the name of a Palestinian state. Arafat does not just stand for terror, he stands for the refusal to make peace with Israel under any circumstances and within any borders.

In this respect, there is no distinction, beyond the tactical, between him and Hamas. Europe's refusal to utterly reject him condemns Palestinians, no less than Israelis, to endless war and dooms the possibility of the two-state solution the world claims to seek.

While the prospect of a Palestinian power vacuum is feared by some, the worst of all worlds is what exists now: Terrorists attack Israel at will under the umbrella of legitimacy provided by Arafat. Hamas would not be able to fill a post-Arafat vacuum; on the contrary, Hamas would lose the cover it has today.

A word must be said here about the most common claim made by those who would not isolate Arafat, let alone kill him: that he is the elected leader of the Palestinian people. Even if Arafat was chosen in a truly free election (when does his term end?), which we would dispute, this does not close the question of his legitimacy.

Whom the Palestinians choose to lead them is none of our business, provided it is a free choice, and provided they do not opt for leaders who choose terror and aggression. So long as the Palestinians choose such a leadership, it should be held no more immune to counterattack by Israel than the Taliban and Saddam Hussein were by the United States.

We complain that a double standard is applied to us, and it is. But we cannot complain when we apply that double standard to ourselves. Arafat's survival, under our watchful eyes, is living testimony to our tolerance of that double standard. If we want another standard to be applied, we must begin by applying it ourselves.

[yonif]

Ping.

[roses of sharon]

Then do it! Israel can do what it wants, what is stopping them?

The Roadmap was the last gasp of the West, Bush promised Blair he would support a new Pal PM, he did, and Abbas blew it.

Certainly Powell will have words, he is a diplomat for god's sake.

The US congress will support Israel, and so will Bush.

[Uncle Miltie]

If you can't hold Arafat accountable for decades of terrorism, who can you hold to account?

OTOH, wouldn't it be nice to make it look like a Hamas job?

[APRPEH]

yoni
make a calculation....
what happens the day ararat is ex'ed? not from the perspective of the world...who cares
from the perspective of war vs. negotiation... are the arabians more likely to fight it out for control of the gangs and cash or what else?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

We complain that a double standard is applied to us, and it is. But we cannot complain when we apply that double standard to ourselves. Arafat's survival, under our watchful eyes, is living testimony to our tolerance of that double standard. If we want another standard to be applied, we must begin by applying it ourselves.

An excellent editorial.

[SpyGuy]

It's time for civilized countries to stop negotiating with terrorists. The only way to deal with terrorists is to exterminate them.

Israel should declare war on Palestine and the countries that fund and support the terrorists (just as we have done). It should not be a police action. It should not be a limited engagement. It should be a TOTAL WAR, up to and including the use of tactical nuclear weapons on the capital cities of the states sponsoring terrorism.

History has shown that the only way to achieve long-term peace following a conflict, is to wage total war until the enemy leaders are wiped-out and their people are beaten into submission.

[yonif]

US wants Arafat to be not harmed by Israel.

[roses of sharon]

Things have changed.

Do you think Sharon would or could kill Arafat?

[TomServo]

I was just wondering a few hours ago when Israel was gonna take the gloves off and utterly wipe them out. What in the hell is holding them back?!?!?!

I haven't been this PO'ed in years...

[APRPEH]

it isnt going to happen... the idf has been bush-whacked and colinized

[Spok]

One of the most admirable traits of the IDF is its ability to act-boldly and competently. Nothing is constraining the miltants from promulgating violence. Nothing will gain the support of the anti-Israeli liberal press. Israel has nothing to lose by killing Arafat, and they should do it as spectacularly and openly as circumstance will permit.

[TomServo]

colinized

I thought you'd mispelled a word until I realized what you were saying. And I don't disagree with it, either.

[yonif]

Yes. Sharon has went on record, years before become PM, that he should have killed Arafat when he had the chance.

[Snardius]

It may be that Arafat has determined that his fate is sealed and he intends to be martyred by the Israelis. Up until now, the Israelis have not cooperated with him...I think now they intend to grant him his wish.

[Snardius]

Do you think Sharon would or could kill Arafat?

You can get anyone, anywhere whacked if you know the right people and don't care about the blowback.

[BOBTHENAILER]

When the breaking point arrives, there is no point in taking half-measures. If we are going to be condemned in any case, we might as well do it right.

Great post.

[Starrgaizr]

The US has been asking for "restraint" for years, and the more Israel shows restraint, the more dire the security situation becomes. I agree with the JPost -- if Israel is going to be condemned anyway, why not act decisively? What is the worst that will happen? Europeans recalling diplomats? I don't think Pres. Bush will abandon Israel.

[Arrowhead1952]

Only now, after more than 800 Israelis have died in three years of suicide bombings and other terrorist attacks, has Europe finally decided that Hamas is a terrorist organization.

Talk about having their head in the sand.... or where the sun won't shine.

[yonif]

UN sends "peacekeepers" into Israel, as the US, not wanting to take Israel's side after Israel's IDF operation, does not veto the UN Security Council resolution.

[vbmoneyspender]

Kill him and see what happens. Republicans are still going to support Israel. In fact, they'll support Israel even more if Israel kills Arafat.

[APRPEH]

i am not certain about nuking the region as posted here a few minutes ago.. however your point is well taken. all restraint and "good faith efforts" have been met by increased arabian attacks and has emboldened them.. the other option has only been used seldomly. and when it has been it has worked. think jenin. think 1967. the arabians when being pounded are quiet... its time to pound but the liklihood isnt good

[nuconvert]

"US wants Arafat to be not harmed by Israel."

Don't know if I agree with you. The White House has to "look" like it's trying to negotiate a settlement.
I think Bush, et al, are as fed up with Arafat as everyone else. Better to get rid of him for good, than have him exiled where he could still be a danger.
They're going after him.

[Starrgaizr]

From another thread:

After Israel's missile attack, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said an international force may be needed to end spiraling violence in the Palestinian territories.

Speaking in Bosnia on Wednesday, Ivanov said either the Middle East quartet - made up of Russia, the United States, European Union and United Nations - or the UN Security Council must consider drastic change.

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov suggests international peacekeeping "It seems that soon ... tough demands must be presented in order to keep to the peace roadmap, and in order for these demands to be met, we may need to introduce international forces in the zone of conflict," he told a press conference.

Ivanov added he was ?greatly concerned with the escalation of violence? and stressed that without a more decisive international involvement a solution could not be found to stop the circle of violence.

[Tax-chick]

BTTT

If we are going to be condemned in any case, we might as well do it right.

Damn straight! (Are you listening, Republican leaders and Catholic Bishops?)

[Snardius]

After Israel's missile attack, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said an international force may be needed to end spiraling violence in the Palestinian territories.

That's nice. Then Hamas can suicide-bomb the international force as well as the Israelis.

[Ronin]

And we must kill Yasser Arafat...

Exactly! Bingo! Now stop talking about it and DO IT!!!

[APRPEH]

if they were french????? hmmm maybe an intl force isnt so bad??

[Snardius]

if they were french????? hmmm maybe an intl force isnt so bad??

Why do the Keystone Kops come to mind...?

[APRPEH]

they trained the french :)

[Snardius]

Chief Inspector Jacque Clouseau...

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

We must kill as many of the Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders as possible, as quickly possible, while minimizing collateral damage, but not letting that damage stop us. And we must kill Yasser Arafat, because the world leaves us no alternative. [...] If we are going to be condemned in any case, we might as well do it right.

GO, ISRAEL, GO! YEAH!

[APRPEH]

"closeau"

reporting directly to my cloud monkey.....

[Roughneck]

Dear Israel,

Do as you need to for Israel. Dont listen to those who would delay the day of judgement on the palestinian terrorists. The USA government is my government and I am a proud citizen of the United Staes of America, loyal to my president - yet my leaders have NO BUSINESS telling you not to do what needs to be done.

The American people are with you. Let me say again the AMERICAN PEOPLE are with you.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

[TXnMA]

The Roadmap was the last gasp of the West, Bush promised Blair he would support a new Pal PM, he did, and Abbas Arafat blew it.

[Cincinatus]

And we must kill Yasser Arafat, because the world leaves us no alternative.

"If you're going to shoot somebody, shoot. Don't talk." -- Tuco, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

[SpyGuy]

Great quote from one of my favorite movies.

[hrhdave]

>>It should not be a limited engagement. It should be a TOTAL WAR, up to and including the use of tactical nuclear weapons on the capital cities of the states sponsoring terrorism. <<

Right. Not patty-cake, not tit-for-tat, not surgical strikes. Overwhelming discouraging force as proposed by Trentino.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/970923/posts
http://www.atrentino.com/ConningAugust03.html

[yonif]

The Roadmap was the last gasp of the West, Bush promised Blair he would support a new Pal PM, he did, and Abbas Arafat blew it.

There is no need to strike out Abbas. Abbas and Arafat and the rest of the Palestinian Authority terror regime were just acting like themselves - as terrorists. Which means, as we already know, no negotiation or agreement can be achieved with terrorists.

Check this out:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/979903/posts

[mrustow]

In each case, Israel tried every fashion of restraint, every plea to the international community to take action that would avoid the need for "extreme" measures, all to no avail....

Arafat's survival and power are a test of the proposition that it is possible to pursue a cause through terror and not have that cause rejected by the international community. Killing Arafat, more than any other act, would demonstrate that the tool of terror is unacceptable, even against Israel, even in the name of a Palestinian state. Arafat does not just stand for terror, he stands for the refusal to make peace with Israel under any circumstances and within any borders.

There is no "international community"; the phrase is a rhetorical device mischief-makers use, to manipulate situations, and cause the deaths of innocents.

[BerniesFriend]

And we must kill Yasser Arafat, because the world leaves us no alternative.

To quote an old Johnny Carson joke..that line alone will make him so upset..that arafat will sit around the house CLEAN SHAVEN...actually..like I have said on previous threads..it is time for arafat to go..feet first on a gurney is a wonderful way for him to go..it is a cancer that must go..

[nickcarraway]

BUMP

[ladyinred]

Amen!

[TXnMA]

There is no need to strike out Abbas. Abbas and Arafat and the rest of the Palestinian Authority terror regime were just acting like themselves - as terrorists.

Check this out: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/979903/posts

----------

Abbas: "Many say I want to place the security services at my disposal and command and want to free them from brother Abu-Ammar's grip. This is false and it has never happened."

I see what you mean, and I thank you for correcting my mis-perception. And, BTW, thank you for an outstanding post!

If Israel would only follow the Jerusalem Post editor's lead this world would be improved significantly...

[chimera]

It sure seems like the Israelis have tried everything, giving up land, allowing the PA to set up shop, making peace with countries like Egypt. What has it gotten them? Bloodshed and more bloodshed, attack after attack, bombing after bombing. They gave the Palis every chance to make good, to the extent of sacrificing hundreds of civilian lives, and its clear that it hasn't worked.

For the simple reason that those doing the killing have never had any intention other than killing Israelis and destroying the country. If anything, that should be clear.

So do what, then? Well, its like having a nest of snakes under your house. No matter how much you wish and hope that they'll leave you alone, sooner or later they'll kill your dog, or your child. You've got to go in there, clean them out, and kill them. Not the way you'd like it, probably, and a messy, dangerous job. But, there comes a time when you have no choice.

So it seems like the IDF will have to clean out those Palastinian areas, kill those making the trouble and either relocate or isolate the rest, because the Israelis know where the bombers are coming in from. They'll also have to clean out Lebanon while they're at it. I'd like to see them take out Syria as well. For all its protestations, that country has been nothing but a cancer on the whole region for years.

[yonif]

This was all part of the Arab plan to destroy Israel.

Egypt made "peace" with Israel, but never wanted the Gaza Strip Back. That's the first ticking time bomb that was left to Israel. Next was Jodan's "peace" with Israel, but in that agreement there was no solution to the Arabs who were living in Judea and Samaria. There you have the second time bomb. Both the first and the second time bombs have already blown up.

Now you might be wondering what the 3rd time bomb is. Well, that time bomb is still ticking, and that is the Israeli Arab citizens who are living in Israel. They number about 1.3M . But as their population grows and grows due to birthrate, Israel will have to fight for its existence on the inside, physically and mentally. Because the fact is they have political rights and can get elected to the Knesset. Once they have a large establishment in the Knesset, they would join a coalition of leftists. Then major chnages will occur. No more will the star of david be on the flag. No more Jewish state. No more IDF. No more nuclear weapons. Nothing. They will disarm the state and the Arabs will take over. Oh and before this happens, the Arabs in Israel will start making it known that they are really "Palestinians" and not "Israeli Arabs."

So, they are the 3rd bomb, one that will soon become a cancer.

[happygrl]

The world will not help us; we must help ourselves. We must kill as many of the Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders as possible, as quickly possible, while minimizing collateral damage, but not letting that damage stop us. And we must kill Yasser Arafat, because the world leaves us no alternative. ,

This is the most rational assertiion that I've heard expressed on the subject by an Israeli.

Do it.

[happygrl]

UN sends "peacekeepers" into Israel

I know this is a fear.

I don't believe it will happen.

President Bush will lose his base if the US failed to veto a resolution such as this.