תקשורת בינלאומית

If that crisis continues to percolate and take a higher toll in human life, and continues to demonstrate that terrorism on one side is matched by brutal repression by the other, then the chances for peace in the Middle East will be set back, the region will be progressively radicalized and increasingly dominated by extremist forces. America's position in the region will be placed in jeopardy, and if America's position in the Middle East are undermined, America's global leadership will ultimately be at stake. That's why it's so essential the President send his Secretary of State to the region with a mandate and a mission to tackle the problem head on: to achieve a cease fire between the parties, with sequential but not simultaneous exchange of prisoners, with an international undertaking to place troops from major powers in a security zone in southern Lebanon and perhaps even in Gaza and then to use that as the springboard for eventual negotiations

Despite the combative statements, despite the promises not to capitulate and even though every hour that passes and every Qassam that is launched raises the bar of violence and causes both sides to hold steadfastly to a commitment to use still harsher means, it is not yet too late to begin talks on ending the crisis and coming up with new agreements.

Even if the leaders of Israel and the Palestinians agreed with this interpretation of the use of force over 40 years, it will not help this time round. The Gaza crisis is doomed to run its course, in the same way that Palestinians and Israelis are doomed to live alongside each other.