[E Rocc]

There are other options he doesn't mention, such as a decisive military move to capture and annex a large chunk of the West Bank, resettle the population as needed. Thus far, Israel hasn't the will for that.

She doesn't have any desire to be treated as South Africa was in the 80s or Serbia in the early 90s, that's why. No nation on Earth would support such an action.

-Eric

[SJackson]

Israel is completely safe from being wiped off the face of the Earth. It has nuclear weapons. "Defensible borders" don't mean all that much… As Clancy said/proposed in the book version of Sum of All Fears, I would actually favor signing a full mutual-defense treaty with Israel (with a codicil against it attacking its neighbors without our permission) if it reaches a fair and equitable peace deal with the Palestinians.

Ensured mutual destruction doesn’t assure survival. The Soviets had it, and their vile culture is gone. It’s a last ditch option which is of no benefit to Israel. They won’t use it, other than in response to their destruction and a renewed Diaspora, a loss for everyone.

I would oppose a mutual-defense treaty tying the US to Israel. A fair and equitable deal has to be accepted by both sides. If the Palestinians accept a deal, no guarantor is needed. If it’s a ploy, as Oslo, we don’t need Americans defending Israel against future terrorism. Israel doesn’t need us either.

As a strategic partner, IMO we don’t need a treaty, I can’t visualize a major power conflict Israel wouldn’t support us in, if we let them (the real issue)

There are other options he doesn't mention, such as a decisive military move to capture and annex a large chunk of the West Bank, resettle the population as needed. Thus far, Israel hasn't the will for that.
She doesn't have any desire to be treated as South Africa was in the 80s or Serbia in the early 90s, that's why. No nation on Earth would support such an action.

Israel would be justified in her actions. It would be a permanent solution. In the long run it would give the Palestinians a future. I suspect America and most of the world would accept it. IMO, there’s no real sympathy for the Palestinians anywhere, that’s why they’ve been cannon fodder for so lont. It’s in keeping with international law. No one claims that territory. It would be soon forgotten.

However, you could be right. I think most factions in the Israeli government, including Sharon, would agree with you on this, not me.

"in the pre-1967 borders, Israel was barely ten miles wide at its narrowest point. The bulk of Israel's population lived within artillery range of hostile Arab armies. I am not about to ask Israel to live that way again."
Ronald Reagan