Posted on 01/04/2006 3:42:12 PM PST by IsraelBeach
A. The Israelis almost lost the '73 war because they were caught unaware. So if they did end up losing it, it would be because of the surprise factor, not because of any land they did or didn't have. During the Six Day War, they didn't control either the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, but they still won the war handily.
B. The greatest threat to Israel isn't an attack from a conventional army; it's suicide bombers. The best way to prevent such bombings is by evacuating the settlements and building a "wall" in between Israeli and Palestinian territory. It's very hard for suicide bombers to attack if they can't get into the country.
WHY were the Israelis caught asleep at the switch in '73? Because they are a peace-loving democracy, which by its very nature is unable to maintain a constant state of readiness for war like a dictatorship can. Without the buffer, there would've been a disaster. If it wouldn't have happened in '73, it would've happened within 5 or so years of then.
The wall has its uses, but when you invite hundreds of thousands of Arabs to work in Israel, you're asking for trouble. Also, the suicide bombings, while extremely devastating on a personal or family level, are really pinpricks for the nation. Israel loses many times that number to auto accidents each year.
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