Unintended Consequences

Violence in Gaza and the problems Israel has faced in Southern Lebanon have caused Israel to rethink withdrawing from territories in the West Bank. The situation Israel faces would be endlessly fascinating were it not deadly disturbing. Israel pulls out of the Gaza Strip, which one would have assumed, based on the Palestinian demands of the last four decades, would have constituted progress. Instead, Israel faces criticism for engaging in the desired pullout unilaterally, despite the fact that no viable multilateral partner(s) are anywhere to be found. More to the point, it faces increased violence from the very people in Gaza who get all of the benefits of Palestinian rule. Israel attacks a force dedicated to its destruction and sitting directly across its northern border, the sadly predictable outcry follows, Israel disengages, and yet again it is no safer than before.

The purported leaders of the Palestinian people have a geopolitical agenda -- the destruction of Israel -- that they will never accomplish, but rather than pursue truly ameliorative steps, they prefer to foment violence. No matter what Israel does, unless it sacrifices all sanity by engaging in inevitably fruitless negotiations with those who do not recognize Israel's legitimacy in the first place, it will face criticism not only from those who actively pursue its destruction, but also from those who passively would acquiesce to it.

So Israel once again appears to be trapped. If it withdraws unilaterally, Israel is condemned, the Palestinians see the Jews as weak, and Jews die. If Israel engages in negotiations, Israel is condemned, is perceived as weak, and Jews die. If Israel builds a wall, Israel is condemned. The unfortunate question is, if Israel builds a wall and ceases all unilateral withdrawal, a wall that can be torn down if an honest broker and legitimate partner emerges, do more Jews die? Does perceived weakness promote intensified attacks? If the answer to either or both of these questions is "no," then which policy would seem the wisest and safest for Israel to pursue, at least in the short run?