‘Cycle of violence’?

By Joseph Farah

President Bush is criticizing Israel again for perpetuating a “cycle of violence” by retaliating for terrorist attacks on its citizens.

Was the United States perpetuating a cycle of violence by attacking Afghanistan in response to the terrorism of Sept. 11?

Was the United States perpetuating a cycle of violence by attacking Iraq in response to its development of weapons of mass destruction and its support of terrorism?

Was the United States perpetuating a cycle of violence by assassinating terrorist agents in Yemen and elsewhere?

You see my problem here?

Israel is doing just what the United States did when President Bush declared a war on terrorism. Actually, Israel is far more restrained than the U.S. has been. Israel is fighting terrorists in its own backyard – in territories it previously controlled in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, territories it won in hard-fought combat in wars launched or provoked by its Arab neighbors.

I’m having trouble reading this “road map” to peace. The United States is demanding that Israel do as Washington says, not as it does. The U.S. is asking Israel to accept blow after fatal blow from enemies that are not even a partner to any peace negotiations. Would the U.S. ever consider turning the other cheek to an endless series of terror attacks from enemies who have no interest in talking peace?

I don’t think so.

I also don’t believe there will ever be peace between Israel and the so-called “Palestinians” because of any negotiations.

Time after time, Yasser Arafat, Hamas and the other Palestinian terrorists have demonstrated an inclination to increase violence whenever the peace stakes get too high. Neither Arafat nor Hamas want an independent Palestinian state living in peace and harmony with a Jewish state. They want only the elimination of a Jewish state. Period. End of story.

There is such a thing in life as an irreconcilable difference. That is what stands in the way of peace talks between these two parties. Israel is all-too willing to give up territory in exchange for peace. Arafat and Hamas are not willing to accept such terms – and never will be.

So, what’s the solution? How do we bring about peace and justice in the Middle East?

I’m afraid the only answer, ultimately, is war.

Sooner or later, the attacks by Hamas, Arafat’s al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Islamic Jihad and other terrorists are going to push Israel too far. It’s inevitable. Israel cannot endure an endless series of terrorist attacks on its civilians forever – no nation could.

At some point, Israel is going to have to move beyond the impotent, tit-for-tat retaliatory strikes that only serve to enflame passions in the Arab world and create this impression of a “cycle of violence.”

It’s true. It is time to stop the cycle of violence. Sometimes, the only way to stop it is with more violence. Sometimes, the only way to stop it is with victory – as the United States showed in Afghanistan and Iraq. We are rapidly nearing one of those times.

Israel is outnumbered by its enemies in the Middle East. It is out-resourced by its enemies in the Middle East. It is out-financed by its enemies in the Middle East. It is out-maneuvered in the public relations war by its enemies in the Middle East. There are only two advantages Israel has over its enemies: It is right, and it has military might.

If Israel doesn’t utilize those two strengths – and soon – the world will soon witness another Jewish holocaust. It will be too late. If Israel tries to buy its way out of its current turmoil by yielding to demands for more strategic land concessions, it will be making a fatal mistake.

The “road map” is only a blueprint for murder and mayhem. It is a prescription for more terrorism. It is a plan for disaster in the Middle East.

The U.S. must stop coercing Israel. And Israel must not accept the arm-twisting any longer.

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