Outgoing National Security Council Chief Ephraim HaLevy says that the current hudna ceasefire is an "experiment fraught with danger for Israel." Speaking last night at a seminar in Tel Aviv University, HaLevy said that the ceasefire is "flimsy and temporary." He said, however, that it could lead to a temporary agreement between Israel and the PA, which is itself advantageous in that it allows Israel to stabilize its social, political and security situations. HaLevy said that the PA succeeded in making clear to Israel that its economy cannot recover without a diplomatic process, while Israel made clear to the PA that its technological and military advantage over it is absolute and very costly to "the Palestinian people."
Other excerpts from HaLevy's talk:
"Having missiles aimed at Israel is not a reality that we can accept. The coming year will be dedicated to removing that threat from Israel - not necessarily by direct attack, but also through international mechanisms... Israel will not be able to tolerate the Hizbullah threat from Lebanon for much longer..." He raised the possibility that Hizbullah would accept a hudna cease-fire.
Other excerpts from HaLevy's talk:
"Having missiles aimed at Israel is not a reality that we can accept. The coming year will be dedicated to removing that threat from Israel - not necessarily by direct attack, but also through international mechanisms... Israel will not be able to tolerate the Hizbullah threat from Lebanon for much longer..." He raised the possibility that Hizbullah would accept a hudna cease-fire.