The Arab-Israeli conflict is said to be a Gordian knot. All agree it is complicated and many feel that it defies solution. Not me. I think it?s a piece of cake, a simple matter of the great Jewish state acting like any other self-respecting country which is being gnawed at by termites. Israel just needs to put its foot down, once and for all.
Sure, this is like listening to a fat man rant on and on about how miserable he is and then saying to him, ?well, why don?t you go on a diet?? The solution is obvious, and the only one available, but it frightens him to death because the fat man has secretly grown accustomed to his condition.
Jews are also unique among the nations. We?re the only people who are reluctant to destroy those who would destroy us, because the enemy might not like it. Of course, I could be wrong, but I would like to think Israelis have finally grown tired of living on the edge and picking up pieces of their own bodies. I know that I?m quite tired of watching you do it. Herewith, then, are my suggestions for the initial, simple, even humane, but necessary steps you need to take to bring about the nation?s wellbeing. I apologize in advance for making it look so easy.
Effective Immediately:
1) A national emergency is declared and a general mobilization is undertaken.
2) All agreements with the Palestinian Authority are declared null and void by virtue of noncompliance by the other side.
3) The Palestinian Authority is declared an illegal organization.
4) Judea, Samaria and Gaza is declared The West Bank Administrative Zone of the State of Israel.
5) The possession of all weapons and explosives by Arabs residing in The West Bank Administrative Zone is banned.
6) Troops are moved en masse into The Zone with heavy IDF concentrations in areas populated by Jews.
7) Checkpoints are set up throughout The Zone and all traffic going in and out of Israel proper is sealed off with the exception of vehicles carrying Jewish occupants.
8) Limited amnesty and a one-week moratorium on direct military action are declared while Arabs are allowed to voluntarily relinquish all weapons and explosives.
9) At the end of the week the IDF takes control of all cities, towns, refugee camps and settlements in The Zone, leaving only municipal functions in Arab hands, going house-to-house seizing all weapons, explosives, known or suspected terrorists and anyone offering resistance.
10) The Knesset dissolves itself and new elections are held within six weeks. The status quo in The Zone is maintained until the new government decides on next steps.
-----------------------------------------------
Dovid Ben Chaim is a writer living in New York City. He can be reached at DovidBC@Onebox.com