by Prof. Ron Breiman, former Chairman of Professors for a Strong Israel, translated by Hillel Fendel.
Most unfortunately, it appears that even after we are administered a massive, painful lesson, we still don't necessarily learn it. Instead, we occasionally doom ourselves to repeat the same, very costly mistakes. Here are four recent examples.
1. There are those in various positions of leadership or influence who still believe that a partial deal for the release of just some of the captives from Hamas tunnels is a good idea. The notion being floated is that individual captives, such as women and possibly older men, would be freed in exchange for a ceasefire of as-yet undetermined length. This deal is supported by the Hostages' Families Task Force – which claims to represent all the families, but in actuality does not – as well as many in the media.
However, this is clearly an immoral initiative, as it would relegate the majority of the hostages – soldiers and young men – to continued suffering, with no prospects for release from the cruel terrorists and return to their families. There is thus no reason to keep on discussing or considering it.
The only possible deal that Israel can consider is one in which all the hostages are released at once, even at the price of a cessation of the war. As long as Hamas does not itself initiate such an exchange, it means that the terrorists are not deterred, not afraid, and not defeated. And that means that there is no such animal as a "victory photo" that many seem to believe is something realistic to strive for. There will be no such morale-raising photo, and certainly not following an unethical deal that abandons our kidnapped soldiers.
2. Another failed idea that is once again being raised for consideration, and even being entertained seriously in some circles, is that of a diplomatic agreement with Hizbullah/Lebanon. Some are saying that we must return to past UN ceasefire resolutions. But it will be recalled that these were advanced by failed Israeli leaders Ehud Olmert and Tzippy Livni for the purpose of ending the Second Lebanon War, and that they heavily involve the incompetent – some say the correct word would be "malicious" – UNIFIL peacekeeping forces. We are witness to daily cooperation between UNIFIL and Hizbullah (just like UNRWA with Hamas), as well as anti-Israeli (arguably anti-Semitic) activity by the French president and government, as well as the head of the superfluous body known as the United Nations.
There can be no logic to imposing an agreement in Lebanon without Israeli retaining the capacity to respond immediately to any enemy violations. This idea, too, must be dropped from the table immediately.
3. And yet another notion that, sadly, is being raised once again is called "The Day After." This is a popular codeword for what is expected to happen after we complete the conquest of Gaza and the destruction of Hamas – and not a few expect this to involve the transfer of power over Gaza to another terrorist organization, one that is named the Palestinian Authority.
For us to enable the PA to take over Gaza is simply unimaginable. Whoever is still stuck in past conceptions – mostly the Oslo Accords conception, that peace can be attained with the PA – continues repeatedly to try to sell this same dangerous idea again and again while hoping for different results. This is why the official Iron Swords War committee of inquiry (which has still not yet been formed or even decided upon) must begin its work from the (mis)conception that led, predictably and despite many warnings, to the Oslo War, also known as the Second Intifada. There are many in the political and security establishments for whom the other shoe has not yet dropped, and who still believe in the same ideas that the Simchat Torah massacre proved so wrong. Most unfortunately, they are willing to lose the current war, and many IDF soldiers, so that a PA state can be formed in western Eretz Yisrael – adjacent to Israel at first, and upon its ruins at a later stage, Heaven forbid.
According to this conception that they simply cannot shake off, there are only two options: either the formation of an enemy state in the heart of our Land, or the annexation of Judea and Samaria, which would render the Arabs a sizeable Trojan horse minority in Israel. They simply ignore the existence of a third alternative: the very likely possibility that the current situation can continue until the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan collapses, leading to the actualization of the "Palestine is Jordan, Jordan is Palestine" option promoted by none other than King Hussein.
4. "Territories for peace." What a terrible idea, dating back to just after the Six Day War! - and yet some are considering it once again. Aside from its military and political folly, it would be an unforgivable turning of our backs on the heart of our country - Judea and Samaria, and a betrayal of our soldiers – our sons, husbands, and brothers – whose contribution to the IDF is and has been invaluable.
In light of the above, it would certainly be in place to repeat the immortal words attributed to Albert Einstein: "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."