I don't disagree... As I've stated before, I'm no fan of many policies that Israel advances...
They have their ultra-extremist elements that must be controlled, neutralized, and/or eliminated as well..
But one must admit that even the more conservative elements of Judaism are not generally, or currently, given to arbitrarily taking pot-shots at Palestinian women and children, as we're seeing being displayed by Palestinians against the Jews.
They're certainly not above violent retaliation against the Palestinians, but I don't see them blowing themselves up in Pizzarias, or shopping malls...
They will, however, assassinate those Jewish leaders who they feel have betrayed their interests, as we saw with Rabin.. And for that reason Shin Bet keeps a pretty good lockdown on them... something that Arafat has been UNWILLING to do with his own extremist elements.
Thus, it's my belief that Jewish extremism can be controlled, up until the point where the Israeli people and government find themselves in such simpathy with them, or in order to use them as the "agent provocateurs" that lead to more massive actions against the Palestinians.
And this is why Arafat's use of, or indifference to, extremist groups blowing themselves up is so counter-productive. The more terror the Palestinians use against average Israelis, the more they are inclined to be willing to remain indifferent and/or support the desires of their own religious right.
So again... I don't exclude them as a threat, nor do I condone their beliefs.. But they aren't blowing committing suicide bombing aimed at children and women frequenting shopping malls.
And if they were to take such actions, I would have a hard believing that you'd find Israelis supporting such actions by at margin of 3 to 1, as you find in Palestinian polls.
Hawkmoon |
