Minister Eli Yishai, head of the Shas party, unveiled his suggestions for Israel's economy on Monday at the Herzliya Conference. Israel must focus on job training and helping the lower and middle classes, he said.
Improving the economy is the solution to diplomatic conflicts as well as domestic crises, Yishai said. “When the Palestinians see more jobs maybe they'll understand what they have to lose. The economic track is the right one.”
Israel's current diplomatic endeavors are doomed to failure, he said. “Israel needs to stop running to conferences and making more diplomatic concessions. We have made too many concessions... and the other side isn't really interested in peace, and suffers from all kinds of internal fights that don't allow for reaching a diplomatic agreement. That's why we need to turn to the economic model for peace.”
While suggesting economic incentives as a way to reach peace, Yishai also proposed military disincentives for those who continue to attack. Israel should discourage attacks by demolishing infrastructure, he said.
When Gaza terrorists fire rockets, “even if they fire at an open area or into the sea, we must damage their infrastructures and destroy 100 houses. That's when it will end,” Yishai said.
The lack of response to years of attacks from Gaza eroded Israel's deterrence, he continued. The recent Cast Lead operation restored deterrence, but Israel must now act wisely to maintain its achievements, he said.
If Israel responds immediately to every act of terrorism, terrorists will realize the futility of their efforts, Yishai opined. “Believe me, not much [terrorism] will happen before it stops - after all, they also want to live,” he added.