Israelis and their American supporters claim that Israel learned its lessons well from the disastrous 2006 Lebanon war and has devised a winning strategy for the present war against Hamas. Of course, when a ceasefire comes, Israel will declare victory. Don’t believe it. Israel has foolishly started another war it cannot win.

The campaign in Gaza is said to have two objectives: 1) to put an end to the rockets and mortars that Palestinians have been firing into southern Israel since it withdrew from Gaza in August 2005; 2) to restore Israel’s deterrent, which was said to be diminished by the Lebanon fiasco, by Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, and by its inability to halt Iran’s nuclear program.

But these are not the real goals of Operation Cast Lead. The actual purpose is connected to Israel’s long-term vision of how it intends to live with millions of Palestinians in its midst. It is part of a broader strategic goal: the creation of a “Greater Israel.” Specifically, Israel’s leaders remain determined to control all of what used to be known as Mandate Palestine, which includes Gaza and the West Bank. The Palestinians would have limited autonomy in a handful of disconnected and economically crippled enclaves, one of which is Gaza. Israel would control the borders around them, movement between them, the air above and the water below them.

John J. Mearsheimer

continued by John J. Mearsheimer

The key to achieving this is to inflict massive pain on the Palestinians so that they come to accept the fact that they are a defeated people and that Israel will be largely responsible for controlling their future. This strategy, which was first articulated by Ze’ev Jabotinsky in the 1920s and has heavily influenced Israeli policy since 1948, is commonly referred to as the “Iron Wall.”

What has been happening in Gaza is fully consistent with this strategy.

Let’s begin with Israel’s decision to withdraw from Gaza in 2005. The conventional wisdom is that Israel was serious about making peace with the Palestinians and that its leaders hoped the exit from Gaza would be a major step toward creating a viable Palestinian state. According to the New York Times’ Thomas L. Friedman, Israel was giving the Palestinians an opportunity to “build a decent mini-state there—a Dubai on the Mediterranean,” and if they did so, it would “fundamentally reshape the Israeli debate about whether the Palestinians can be handed most of the West Bank.”

This is pure fiction. Even before Hamas came to power, the Israelis intended to create an open-air prison for the Palestinians in Gaza and inflict great pain on them until they complied with Israel’s wishes. Dov Weisglass, Ariel Sharon’s closest adviser at the time, candidly stated that the disengagement from Gaza was aimed at halting the peace process, not encouraging it. He described the disengagement as “formaldehyde that’s necessary so that there will not be a political process with the Palestinians.” Moreover, he emphasized that the withdrawal “places the Palestinians under tremendous pressure. It forces them into a corner where they hate to be.”

Arnon Soffer, a prominent Israeli demographer who also advised Sharon, elaborated on what that pressure would look like. “When 2.5 million people live in a closed-off Gaza, it’s going to be a human catastrophe. Those people will become even bigger animals than they are today, with the aid of an insane fundamentalist Islam. The pressure at the border will be awful. It’s going to be a terrible war. So, if we want to remain alive, we will have to kill and kill and kill. All day, every day.”

Solomon – I have not read the millions of documents and opinions and on and on on this issue. I don't plan to try. I do know when people are trying to negotiate and when they are not trying. I've heard about driving Israel into the sea and all that, on the news, for myself. The Palestinians wouldn't agree to a jointly held Jerusalem? Someone wrote that yesterday. Why not? Is it all or nothing – no compromises?

GLeigh,

who wrote that yesterday?... will you please put some efforts into your comments so they can make some sense? Who said is it all or nothing? It was your friends who wants all Jersualem for them to be the Capital of Israel. I thought Tel Aviv has been the capital of Israel....

I hope the Israelis pound Hamas into the ground, and make those tunnels their graves. Hamas uses those tunnels to commit murder, and I have no remorse for them. Having lived with their threats, when all I wanted was peace, they have brought this on themselves.

Professor,

Tel-Aviv is the financial capital of Israel; Jerusalem is the countries capital, where the Knesset and the heads of state work.

In America Wall Street in the financial capital and Washington D.C. is the countries capital.

Prof – If you are so concerned about who wrote it yesterday, read back. I do it all the time. That's how I caught CS twisting my words. And no, I won't repeat the name. Work for it. The person did say that this proposal was made long ago, during Bill Clinton's administration, the former U.S. President. Perhaps that will help you find the name if you bother reading.

Jerusalem Israel`s capital from 1949.

Oh common Gleigh..

Of course you have NOT read the millions of documents and opinions on this issue....and why should you!...the only thing that resinate in your head seems to be the blog comments made by Palestinian haters and bashers...An article such as the one above by John J. Mearsheimer is waay above your league...

Igor,

Washigton DC is the home of all the Embassies of all the countries... becuase it is the capital city.

Can you tell me where are the Embassies (of those countries that have diplomatic relations with Israel including the US Embassy) located in Israel?

Hope – If you want to spend all your time reading every opinion by every person in the world on the ME found on the world wide web, fine with me. I read several solid news places and leave the rest to people with time to kill. I have never "bashed" Palestinians. I've been chewed a few times by Israel supporters. I am pro-peace and realistic. Those things are over what you can understand. Only wanting your way and war, are those great goals in life? But I have never read a link by people for or against Israel, listened, or watched one. I won't. I could paste up a site and call it "GLeigh's International Site for All Peace Lovers" which wouldn't make me an expert or fair. See ya later. Meeting some friends today.

Professor February 26th, 2009 1556 GMT

Igor,

Washigton DC is the home of all the Embassies of all the countries… becuase it is the capital city.

Can you tell me where are the Embassies (of those countries that have diplomatic relations with Israel including the US Embassy) located in Israel?
***********************************************************

professor,

so what's your point???? are you trying to argue with an Israeli about which city is the capital of his country?????'

Don't you have anything better to do???

With the two rocket attacks on Wednesday, the Israeli military said more than 100 rockets, mortar shells and missiles have been fired at Israel by Palestinian militants in Gaza since Hamas leaders agreed to a cease-fire on January 18.

*************************************************************

Hamas is well on their way to inclusion in the peace process!!!!

Appears as though they want it really bad!

It's only a matter of time until one of these rockets kills someone and then the Israelis' will simply say, enough is enough..........

When that happens, the international community will not have a base to stand on in order to restrain the Israelis. And all the whining, crying, slobbering peace activists will have no one who listens.

Since the conflict in Gaza has ended in January, each and every rocket or mortar fired has had news coverage nearly world wide. It's quite different than the years prior to the conflict when nearly nothing was said on any news outlet other than the Israeli news.

It's quite amazing that the Hamas are so stupid. They just don't realize that with every rocket or mortar or IED at the border- they're only digging a deeper hole! If they continue, pretty soon the hole will be deep enough to swallow up all of Gaza! And there will be no one with the ability to help them!

If Egypt really was a true partner to the civilian population of Gaza, they would open Rafa and allow for the women, children, elderly and others who are not associated with the extremists to leave Gaza. But, it appears that Egypt really has no sympathy for their plight either–but-- as always-- it's Israel who is the bad guy!!!!

Carlos,

whether you like it or Not.... Hamas will end up becoming part of the future government of Palestine.... Like Hizbullah in Lebanon. You cannot exculde a segment of the society just becuase you do not like their religion or becuase they want to resist their occupiers. Hamas has done a lot of good things to the Palestinian people (more than what the Palestinian Authority has done) and thats why they won the election in Gaza.

Thats really who Israel needs to make peace with.... because you can sign as many peace agreements with Abbas but since he does not represent all the Palestinian people (since Gazan voted for Hamas) then those agreements are meaningless.

Ok, GLeigh...

Let me help you understand what to the bottom line is by articles written by John J. Mearsheimer and others..

Your beloved Israel regards the Palestinian people as of a lesser inferior race. Pure and simple. Israel's motto in to get rid of them...

All 4 corners of the world is "getting" it by now.

Professor
Hamas terrorism brought blockade on Gaza, made Israeli army to return to Gaza, and security fence and checkpoints that Israel constructed to prevent suicide bombers crossing, hurting Palestinian economy. What good thing ever Hamas did to Palestinians?
Also Hamas religion has nothing to do with the issue, terrorism is. Even if their religion, whatever it is, demands them to blow themselves and people around them up to get to heaven, they should not involve innocent people in it. They can make a group of suicide bombers , who can gather in one place, and press the buttons all in the same time . That way they can get practice their religion without hurting bystanders.

articles written by John J. Mearsheimer have been proven to be full of falsehoods and outright lies

you will have to bring better sources than this guy

mearsheimer claims the jewish lobby in the usa is all powerful

let us examine what george schultz, a former us secretary of state said about this false claim:

The 'Israel Lobby' Myth
By George P. Shultz
Posted September 9, 2007
Israel is a free, democratic, open, and relentlessly self-analytical place. To hear harsh criticism of Israel's policies and leaders, listen to the Israelis. So questioning Israel for its actions is legitimate, but lies are something else. Throughout human history, they have been used not only to vilify but to establish a basis for cruel and inhuman acts. The catalog of lies about Jews is long and astonishingly crude, matched only by the suffering that has followed their promulgation.

Defaming the Jews by disputing their rightful place among the peoples of the world has been a long-running, well-documented, and disgraceful series of episodes across history. Again and again a time has come when legitimate criticism slips across an invisible line into what might be called the "badlands," a place where those who should be regarded as worthy adversaries in debate are turned into scapegoats, targets, all-purpose objects of blame.

In America, we protect all speech, even the most hurtful lies. We allow a virtual free-for-all by which laws are adopted, enforced, and interpreted. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent yearly to influence this process; thousands of groups vie for influence. Among these are Jewish groups that have come under renewed criticism for being part of an all-powerful "Israel lobby," most notably in a book published this week by Profs. Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer.

Jewish groups are influential. They also largely agree that the United States should support Israel. But the notion that they have anything like a uniform agenda and that U.S. policy in Israel and the Middle East is the result of this influence is simply wrong.

One choice. Some critics seem overly impressed with the way of thinking that says to itself, "Since there is a huge Arab Islamic world out there with all the oil, and it is opposed to this tiny little Israel with no natural resources, then realistically the United States has to be on the Arab side and against Israel on every issue, and since this isn't the case, there must be some underhanded Jewish plot at work." This is a conspiracy theory, pure and simple.

Another tried and true method for damaging the well-being and security of the Jewish people and the State of Israel is a dangerously false analogy. Witness former President Jimmy Carter's book Palestine—Peace Not Apartheid. Here the association on the one hand is between Israel's existentially threatened position and the measures it has taken to protect its population from terrorist attacks, driven by an ideology bent on the complete eradication of the State of Israel, and, on the other, the racist oppression of South Africa's black population by the white Boer regime.

The tendency of mind that lies behind such repulsive analogies remains and is reinforced by the former president's views, spread across his book, which come down on the anti-Israel side of every case. These false analogies stir up and lend legitimacy to more widely based movements that take the same dangerous direction.

Anyone who thinks that Jewish groups constitute a homogeneous "lobby" ought to spend some time dealing with them. For example, my decision to open a dialogue with Yasser Arafat after he met certain conditions evoked a wide spectrum of responses from the government of Israel, its political parties, and American Jewish groups who weighed in on one side or the other. Other examples in which the United States rejected Israel's view of an issue, or the view of the American Jewish community, include the sale of arms to Saudi Arabia and President Reagan's decision to go to the cemetery at Bitburg, Germany.

The United States supports Israel not because of favoritism based on political pressure or influence but because the American people, and their leaders, say that supporting Israel is politically sound and morally just.

We are a great nation. Mostly, we make good decisions. We are not babes in the woods. We act in our own interests. And when we mistakenly conclude from time to time—as we will—that an action or policy is in America's interest, we must take responsibility for the mistake.

So, on every level, those who blame Israel and its Jewish supporters for U.S. policies they do not support are wrong. They are wrong because, to begin with, support for Israel is in our best interests. They are also wrong because Israel and its supporters have the right to try to influence U.S. policy. And they are wrong because the U.S. government is responsible for the policies it adopts, not any other state or any of the myriad lobbies and groups that battle daily—sometimes with lies—to win America's support.

George Shultz was secretary of state from 1982 to 1989. This is excerpted from his introduction to The Deadliest Lies: The Israel Lobby and the Myth of Jewish Control by Abraham Foxman (Palgrave Macmillan).

Professor February 26th, 2009 1827 GMT

Carlos,

whether you like it or Not…. Hamas will end up becoming part of the future government of Palestine…. Like Hizbullah in Lebanon. You cannot exculde a segment of the society just becuase you do not like their religion or becuase they want to resist their occupiers. Hamas has done a lot of good things to the Palestinian people (more than what the Palestinian Authority has done) and thats why they won the election in Gaza.

Thats really who Israel needs to make peace with…. because you can sign as many peace agreements with Abbas but since he does not represent all the Palestinian people (since Gazan voted for Hamas) then those agreements are meaningless.
**************************************************************

professor,

It really doesn't matter to me if they are included or not. It's all up to those involved to come to an agreement.

The parties involved have been quite clear on what is expected for Hamas to be included in the political process. Even today in Cairo, all the political factions of the Palestinians met in order to come to agreement on a unity government. The single result of today's' meeting that they all agreed to was- they agreed to meet again!

So, as I've said many times, the ball is in the hands of the Palestinians-– they need to figure out how to play ball-- or they continue to loose.

As well, I can see, and it is quite evident, all the good things that Hamas has done for the Palestinian people. Just look and compare the West Bank to Gaza-–Hamas' great performance speaks for its' self.

I'm not sure why you think this has anything to do with religion, but always bring it up-– religion is irrelevant-– however, the Hamas Mantra is very relevant. It's a big obstacle square in the middle of the path to peace for the Palestinians. But that is something the Palestinians need to deal with-- no one else will.

What most people seem to ignore is that inclusion is a privilege, it's not a right! You need to earn your acceptance to be included. It took many years of hard work and effort on the part of Hamas to earn their current status of being excluded from world acceptance. It's just like being a law abiding citizen or a criminal. Criminals are put in prison and they forfeit their privilege of being included in society. Criminals need to pay their debt to society and earn the privilege to return and integrate into society. Hamas still needs complete this task. Continuation of current practices as noted in this article does nothing to show they are willing to do what is necessary to earn their inclusion.

You need to face reality-– no one was forced to include and negotiate with the Nazi's in order to bring peace in Europe. They were in fact an excluded segment of society! They did in fact flee to all parts of the world as a result of their actions.

That's what I see-– but it's not up to me to decide if they are to included in the political process.

Carlos,

I am glad we came to this agreement... since its not up to you and its up to those involved... you can watch movie on Portugal channel and leave us alone here maybe we can have a more productive discussion.

professor,

If you believe that you I agree based on reading my post, then you obviously missed the point--- you're way off the mark!!!

Another method of Israeli racism against the Muslim population of Jerusalem is the age discrimination.... where it does not allow anyone under the age of 45 to participate in their holiest weekly prayer on Friday.

The congregation announced that today Friday is a day of anger in support of the 1500 Palestinians to be displaced by the latest Israeli aggrssion against its Arab citizens.

Until I came on this blog, I had only heard about Nazi's from reading history books. I was shocked honestly. Hitler was evil. Period. No discussion. The world realized it. No one even brought up the name because he was sooo evil. Prof – discrimination? How dare you. I am a female. Tell me about discrimination. Have you ever, ever been discriminated against because your genetic code was XX (female) and not XY (male)? Guys are able to pick up heavier stuff. I ask my sons or husband sometimes. They can't have babies though.

Professor February 27th, 2009 1211 GMT

Another method of Israeli racism against the Muslim population of Jerusalem is the age discrimination…. where it does not allow anyone under the age of 45 to participate in their holiest weekly prayer on Friday.
*******************************************************

professor,

Who told you this ?????

BWAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!

Professor February 27th, 2009 1211 GMT

The congregation announced that today Friday is a day of anger in support of the 1500 Palestinians to be displaced by the latest Israeli aggrssion against its Arab citizens.

********************************************************
professor,

Call it like it is---

It's the 80 homes built illegally on an ancient archaeological site that are going to be demolished.

Don't forget to mention-- they're all being offered compensation!
Don't forget to mention -– they're all being given alternative housing near by.
Don't forget to mention-- this is not land to used for Israeli settlements– this is an ancient archaeological site!
Don't forget to mention - these homes were all built illegally!

Professor-– is it acceptable in California for you to just go build a home wherever you so choose??
Can the Mexicanos come and build a shack or squatter camp on land simply because they find a vacant spot with nothing occupying it??

Once again-– just simply tell your untruths, half truths, falsehoods and fantasies!!!

GLeigh,

How do I dare what?... What the hell are you talking about?.... Have you not read the Discrimination Act? There so many ways you could be discrimintated against.... in this instance I was only discussing Age discrimination.... there is religious discrimination.... there is gender discrimination.... there is race discrimination.... and all those exist in Israel. How dare you?

Obama seeks to double US foreign aid

"Despite America's deep economic crisis, the Obama administration's 2010 budget unrolls a program to double total foreign aid, which includes that for Israel and the Palestinians, according to a budget overview released Thursday."

as usual when shown facts, like mearsheimer being a liar, total silence from the israel bashers

they cannot take facts, it makes them sick

I am glad that Israel is targeting the smuggling tunnels...

Prof – I am not in the greatest mood since my weekend was messed up. How dare I do what? I can deal with discrimination. Being female, even here, it sometimes happens and I laugh it off. Then I do my stuff and people get over it. Quietly. How dare I tell you about discrimination, well ask women? In our country, it's mostly fixed. I'm not sure about other countries. I hope other women in other countries and the Middle East are recognized as equal people. Are they? I am asking you. A yes or no would be good rather than another question or accusation.

GLeigh,

I am not going to get derailed by you wanting to discuss now discrimination against women... yes there is still discriminaton against women here in the US as it still exist in other part of the world but that is not what was the discussion. I was talking about age discrimination by the racist state of Israel against the muslims not allowing to go to participate in their holy prayer on Friday.

Oh and GLeigh, you want us to feel sorry for your weekend getting destroyed?... why? was Hamas responsible for that too?... Why should we do that... I did not hear you feeling sorry for the Palestinians when the Israelis destroyed three weeks out of their life.... murdered 1300 and injured 6000 people... Maybe if you had a drop of humanity in you and you showed some of that... then we might feel sorry for your weekend.

Profesor,

you’re a Legend here…

How are you?

murdered 1300 and injured 6000 people… Maybe if you had a drop of humanity in you and you showed some of that… then we might feel sorry for your weekend."

According to an ibnterview a doctor in a gaza hospital gave to correra de la sera, and you know the interview, the real casualty figures are about 600, most of them hamas tarrorists

we know the palestinian casualty games, remember erakat in jenin: 500 dead!!

when it turned out that there were a little more than 50, most armed according to the palestinians themselves, erekat was VERY VERY quiet

so why believ the professor on the gaza casualties? there is no reason in the worls to do so.

like the professor did not withdraw his lies about an un compound having been shelled by the IDF after the head of the un in gaza openly admitted that it never happened

but truth and professor never went together!!

lolol Prof – was Hamas responsible for my weekend? No my Lab dog pulled her leg tendon. The vet said there was only one connecting their whole leg. I was about to leave and boom. I think my heavier dog laid down on her leg, but didn't see it. She is 70 lbs and the other is 90. She had a pain shot and some pain pills. Time will tell because at this point he can't do anything at all really.. She might have to have a surg that will fix it, or not, or it will get well. It's scary.

Prof – I am sooo tired of your numbers, honestly. Let it go. We have heard it about two thousand times. I made that number up. But a lot. You can't even say Israel is a nice nation that should be a nation. I've heard people ask you say Israel is a nation. You won't. I'm not young. I'm not new here. I'm still waiting for you to say it. Say it – "Israel deserves to be a nation." Say it. You won't.

GLeigh,

Why do you want me to say that when you don't stand up for those who deny the Palestinians their country? You deny it yourself. The Orthodox Jews don't agree with you so why should I?

Professor mentiroso March 2nd, 2009 944 GMT

GLeigh,

Why do you want me to say that when you don’t stand up for those who deny the Palestinians their country? You deny it yourself. The Orthodox Jews don’t agree with you so why should I?
********************************************

professor mentiroso,

You're a laugh-– you can't even say the Israel has the right to be Sovereign Nation!!!

I have said repeatedly that the the Palestinians have the right to a sovereign Arab State!!!

I bet that's really hard for you to swallow, huh????

So, The Orthodox Jews don't believe in Israeli Statehood????

Who told you that?????? what a hoot!!!!!

That's like saying there are no Arabs that believe in Israeli Statehood!!!

Yet we all know that's not a fact!!!

When will you decide to go back to your ancestral homeland and stop the occupation?
When will you give the land you occupy back to the Mexicanos or Native Americans who are the rightful owners of the land which you and your family are squatting on???

5 Palestinians die when tunnels collapse due to rains.

4 Palestinians also died in tunnel collapses on Feb 22.

They need to learn not to dig tunnels- they're dangerous.

It's much more safe to use the border crossings if all they're doing is importing basic humanitarian supplies, as they say!!!

What's wrong with this picture????

Do you think they might be smuggling contraband??

Certainly not- that would be absurd– illegal!!!