(JNS) Caroline Glick - According to a "new wisdom" making the rounds in foreign-policy circles in Washington, Israelis were so traumatized by Hamas' brutal invasion on Oct. 7 that they can't think straight about their interests. This is the reason why 85% of Israelis oppose Palestinian statehood and 99 out of 120 Knesset members voted on Feb. 21 for a resolution opposing unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state by foreign governments. The "new wisdom" that Israelis are acting out of trauma is deliberately manipulative. Obviously, the atrocities meted out that day by thousands of Palestinians against thousands of Israeli civilians and soldiers left a gaping hole in the hearts of every Israeli. How could it be otherwise? But it doesn't follow that their post-Oct. 7 positions are an emotional response to trauma, which Israelis can be expected to abandon once they get past their emotional angst. Israelis have responded rationally and bravely to the events of that day and immediately mobilized for war. The goal of the war - embraced by more than 90% of Israelis - is total victory over the enemy that did this. Victory for Israelis means no Palestinian state. This isn't a vengeful or emotional determination. It is a rational understanding that Oct. 7 was the outcome of Palestinian statehood. Gaza has been an independent Palestinian state since Israel withdrew all of its civilians and military forces in 2005. They have been fully sovereign for more than 18 years. The Palestinians in Gaza, Judea and Samaria freely chose to be ruled by Hamas, which they overwhelmingly support. If Israelis are intent on preventing a recurrence of Oct. 7, then they have no choice other than to oppose the re-establishment of the Palestinian state in Gaza, much less its expansion into Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem. This is a rational response to a brutally clarifying event. It is irrational for America to pretend this reality away.
2024-02-26 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive