The reinvigorated rocket strikes on Israel and the recent terror attack in Jerusalem should put the conflict in a fork in the road — either establishing a comprehensive peace settlement or a complete annihilation of terror-minded individuals. I have a hunch that the latter outcome will prevail, albeit in the most deadliest of fashions.
The bus stop bombing attack this week that killed one Israeli and left dozens wounded marks the first major terror strike in Jerusalem for years. In parallel, Gaza-based militants have increased rocket fire into southern Israel, with their fire reaching as far into Israel as outside Tel Aviv.
Once rockets begin bombarding Tel Aviv or bombs detonate throughout Israel’s most populous cities, the Israeli government will not likely show restraint and instead bombard Palestinian homes, schools and infrastructure that support or conceal terrorists.
To thwart that bloodshed, the Israelis and Palestinians could decide to begin thoughtful and resolute negotiations that dismiss terrorist attacks meant to derail the talks. Israel could decide to stop all settlement construction and the Palestinians could choose to reject terror and drop demands that are clearly impossible, such as a right of return that could turn Israel into a Jewish-minority state.
Israel is unlikely to suspend settlement activity, as the governing coalition would assuredly be weakened, if not crumble. Plus, Israel has already suspended settlement activity outside Jerusalem as a gesture, and the Palestinians still refuse to negotiate until all of their demands were met.
Similarly, the Palestinian Authority is virtually powerless and cannot ensure that its citizens will not obtain deadly weapons to use against both the Palestinian Authority itself and Israel. As recently as this month, five Israelis living in the West Bank were brutally murdered, but the perpetrator is still at large. The Jerusalem bus stop bomb-maker is still at large, and the facilities used to craft that terror weapon has not been shuttered.
Restrictions on Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip were recently lifted to allow the importation of building materials that could be used to fortify terrorist bunkers and weapons smuggling tunnels. Shortly thereafter, the rocket and mortar attacks on southern Israel skyrocketed, with the terrorists from Gaza aiming their projectiles in the direction of the most populated region in Israel.
From the actions of both Israel and the Palestinians it seems that a comprehensive peace process cannot commence, despite calls from key officials — including the White House — for the resumption of talks. Neither side is devoid of blame, but an escalation of Palestinian terror against Israeli civilians is clear. That increase has resulted in some Israeli retaliation that has already led to the deaths of some civilians.
Because the path of dialogue has faltered for decades and recent efforts to commence talks also failed, this route is unlikely to gain any traction now that terror attacks are being used more regularly.
Instead, the only viable option is to root out terror before Palestinian strikes against civilians leads to unprecedented casualties on both sides of the dispute, as Israel is likely to turn Gaza into a graveyard if Tel Aviv becomes the center of the struggle.
To attack terror, the Palestinians, Israelis, Arab leaders and Americans must root out terror at the source by getting at the mindset of extremists in the territories. Unfortunately, this is an uphill battle, as text books, television programs and the culture as a whole has demonized Israel and the Jews, portrayed Palestinians as victims with no power over their own lives and glorified terror.
The Palestinians have a choice to make to change their own culture to not celebrate terrorists as martyrs. The Palestinians have a choice to begin using their resources and efforts toward building institutions and developing viable economies, instead of expunging their time building bombs. The Palestinians have a choice to enter the streets to weed out terrorism, or continue handing out candies when Israelis are killed. The Palestinians have a choice to take their future into their own hands through peace means or continuing to rely on the crutch of terror that enables them to maintain a perception of victimhood that condescends their own ability to seize the day and their future.
The United States and Arab world could help the Palestinians make the right choice.
But, I fear that choice will not be made, as too many Palestinians are ingrained in a culture that either accepts terrorism as a part of society or even glorifies it. While most Palestinians are certainly not terrorists, enough Palestinians aren’t actively fighting terrorism. That is a cultural shift that will not happen over night, and too many Israelis will die while they wait.
The Israeli government will not let that happen for perpetuity. Instead of seeking a grassroots cultural change, the Israeli military might create it by force through a widespread military operation that strikes at the heart of Palestinian terrorism, but also leaving too many innocents dead in its wake.
A Gaza woman celebrates by eating a candy after five members of an Israeli family are slaughter
The aftermath of Operation Cast Lead
