(The Australian) Editorial - After more than 2,670 rocket and mortar attacks from Gaza in three weeks, some of which misfired and killed Palestinians, Israel will exercise its right to defend its citizens. Strategically and economically, the Palestinian people are far worse off now than they were two decades ago when then Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organization chairman Yasser Arafat signed the first Oslo accord in Washington in September 1993. The Palestinians acknowledged the State of Israel and pledged to reject violence, while Israel recognized the PLO as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, to be a partner in further negotiations for at least five years. Unfortunately, Arafat and Abbas passed up their chances to accept bold compromise deals from subsequent Israeli leaders. Palestinians must grasp the reality that however many women and children Hamas sacrifices, Israel has the might to defend itself. It is a proud nation, it is not going anywhere and nor should it. Hamas, Hizbullah and other terrorists are in fantasy land if they imagine they can wipe it off the map, which is their driving ambition.
2014-08-04 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive