The Weekly Portion: Put an end to Hamas' regime

I fully support Ephraim Sneh's comments, thank him for articulating what needs to be done. Nothing short of rooting out the present
system that purports to be ruling the Strip.
This can't go on indefinitely.

Which is more popular , Hamas in Gaza, or Kadima in Israel?

You assume if Israel does x or y the "Palestinians" will stop terror. That will never happen. Bolstering the Gaza economy when many Jews in Israel live in poverty ?
The Arabs are winning now because they can decide , by raining rockets from land Israel retreated from, whether or not there will be war, any time they want, from the North and the South.
That is the reality. Your perception is silly.
In 2001 you said imortars launched from Gaza would cross all redlines.How many red lines have been crossed ?

We, my wife and I have lived near Gaza for 5
years on Kibbutz zikim who is now also
under threat from hamas its missiles.
We had to run to the bombshelters twice
during our holyday to Zikim last year.
It's time the Israeli goverment does something
about this situation , the best way is to destroy hamas and his leaders don't think
of what the world will say about this Israel
is, and always was, alone in his struggle
for peace and justice.
And don't forget there are more people
supporting you than you think.

Quote from JPost today "Israel allowed the transfer of medical and food aid into the Gaza Strip via the Sufa Crossing on Sunday, the IDF spokesperson announced.
Organized by the Gaza Strip Coordination and Liaison Administration, 62 trucks carrying medical supplies, World Food Program cooking supplies, water purification supplies, as well as meat and fish, passed into the Strip. " It seems we are strengthening Hamas not destroying it. Is this a reward for killing our two soldiers? Are we also going to replace the rockets we have destroyed? What a message for the parents of the two soldiers.

Here is your solution. Send ten rockets for evey one into Gaza. Don't send troops...just make it miserable for Gazans and Hamas to live. Everytime a Hamas rat rides in a car...blow it up! It's called WAR! Olemrt and company needs a set of batzum.

If I saw my enemy receiving large packages every day that were olive drab in color would I wonder? If i saw my enemy assembling something in his yard that looked like a weapon, would I become concerned? If I saw that my enemy was aiming this weapon at me would I act ? The answer is I would have killed my enemy when the first package arrived, for I would have known his intent and eliminated the threat.

Who would have believed missles would
fall on Askelon?
It is time to act and invade and get it over
with.
Paul Schneider

In addition to all the concerned nations playing a vitat role in helping the Gazans economically in Gaza, it is important that thpught be given toa partial resettlement of willing and interested residents onto Arab lands elsewhere. New cities and developments there, with active Arab involvement building and paying for projects-roads, schools,hospitals,industrial startups,etc.-could augur in a new era meaningfully enabling positive change for a downtrodden people who now view violence as their only salvation. Joseph l shalant shalantlaw@aol.com

I agree that Hamas must be eliminated as a political and military organization, and now is the time to do it. What amazes me is that Hamas holds huge rallies calling for "Death to Israel" and then when Israel reacts to protect it's citizens from Hamas-sanctioned rocket attacks, the Palestinians start screaming, "Genocide", "Terrorism", "Atrocities". Don't the Palestinians know that repeatedly screaming "I'm going to kill you" to someone more powerful, and then attacking them is the path to certain suicide?

(I) The daily barrage of rockets against Israeli towns and cities is the result of foolish Oslo peace process brought entirely upon Israel by the Israeli leaders, from Late Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, Ehud Barak, Ehud Olmert.

The capitulation and forceful ethnic cleansing of Jews living in Israel from Samaria, for the purpose of appeasing terrorists, and quartets, consisting of USA,EU, UN, Russia and the Arab and Islamic world because of their crude petroleum

In June 1982, before Israeli invasion of Lebanon under late Israeli PM, and under Ariel Sharon as defence minister, PLO, terrorists organisation used to launch rockets from Lebanon into Israel. Then the uncompromising Menachem Begin and his defense chief Ariel Sharon sent the IDF to expel PLO headed by the late terror sage Yasser Arafat and actually succeeded in expelling PLO, but under the arm twisting of the Late American president, Ronald Regan for total decimation of terror PLO, was averted.

The "thorn in Israel's side that Torah long ago fortold, is still with us. If you don't remember, all you so-called "secular" Jews who read this is - it is the sons of Ishmael. Unless, of course you think that the TORAH is a fable, as so many so-called intellectuals believe. I thank G-d that the head of Israel's defense forces is now is the most decorated war veteran of Israel. It's a sad truth and present reality that their hatred of Israel is really a hatred of HaShem himself and his chosen people.

(II) Israel gained peace in its northern frontier as a result of this and then set up Christian Lebanese allies that act as a buffer force against Iranian and Syrian backed Hezbollah.

Then the late Yitzhak Rabin thought to do the Arab world some good by inviting and bringing Terrorist Arafat back into Israel with a promise of land for peace, i.e. the Oslo debacle. What has this achieved instead more Israelis have lost their lives as a result of this foolish idea.

Ehud Barak came to the scene, dismantled Christian Lebanese force and withdrew from Lebanon.

(IV) Ehud Barak came to the scene, dismantled Christian Lebanese force and withdrew from Lebanon.
The result of this capitulation is the Iranian backed Hezbollah on the door step of Israel. The daily cross border raids by Hezbollah into Israel to kidnap and fire katusha rocket into Israel.
IDF' lost it respect, invincibility and fear in the heart of Israeli mortal enemies. The disastrous ethnic cleansing of Jews in Samaria under the pretext of a failed two state, out of Eretz Israel on the land God almighty sworn by himself for all eternity to our Jewish brothers and sisters.

Solution is as follow:

1) Tell the world to go to blazes with their version of morality which is nothing but a trungeon stick to cast Israel in a bad light for fighting a war of survival as a Jewish nation.

2) Cleanse Samaria including Judea of Terrorists who are using psudonames as militants, resistance fighters to murder women, babies in Israel.

3) Tell the USA that if it truly values its relationship to Israel as an Israeli ally and friend, it must accept that there is not going to be a Palestinian state on the land of Israel.

Every inteligent person with any common sense knows what has to be done but it is not being done by the present Israeli leadership. hAMAS HAS TO BE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. than depart. If they rebuilt and start againthe same thing has to be done. It is that simple.

it is good sneh wants to end hamas...BUT where was sneh when israel founded hamas?

Quote from JPost headlines "Israel allowed the transfer of medical and food aid into the Gaza Strip via the Sufa Crossing on Sunday, the IDF spokesperson announced.
Organized by the Gaza Strip Coordination and Liaison Administration, 62 trucks carrying medical supplies, World Food Program cooking supplies, water purification supplies, as well as meat and fish, passed into the Strip." end quote. Is this putting pressure on Hamas?

The secular Israeli government think they can evacuate mostly modern orthodox settlers, they gave up altogether regarding the ultra-orthodox. Only to be confronted by the religious Arab enemy. Here they can't evacuate nor avoid. This is a religiously led war with no place for the secular. I say hand over the reins to the chief rabbis for example. It couldn't get worse than it already is could it? Only the religious from both sides would respect one another and be free from foreign influences or narrow interests now plaguiing the secular. Rav Sonnenfeld succeeded a long time ago.

you can not make peace with people who are obsessed wit hate and their only goal is to kill you. gush katiff is a very painfull lesson and a rude awakining for many who refuse to see the painfull reality that it is unfortunately not a issisue of land but it is about the very exsistance of israel. we,jews always help our people, the arabs,however use their people for political power letting them starve just as long as they are a problem to israel.

Lets not forget that we need to thank Mr. Sneh and the Israeli left for the situation in Gaza. Since the evacuaton of gaza and hamas taking control of the strip the situation deteriorated. Why should we listen to the people that brought this disaster on us?
Mr. sneh, please keep your mouth shut.

Sneh says Hamas must be broken. He says this requires an agreement with Abbas. He says Abbas is much more popular in Gaza than Hamas. If true, why need an agreement with him to break Hamas, & what good would it do? If Abbas's relative popularity achieves nothing now, why count on it achieving Hamas's demise later? The way to break Hamas is for Israel to break it militarily.

Sneh assumes Abbas & Fatah would come to an ageement with Israel & fulfill its terms. Yet, as JPost reported, since Annapolis Abbas & a PA spokesman have each said they will not compromise on 'right of return', & now Abbas says he eschews 'resistance' because it would not presently work, but he may return to it in the future. What does he have to say before Sneh can understand he is not to be trusted?

Sneh is right to advocate improving the living conditions of Pal'ns. However, why think an agreement with the PA is needed for this? Gen. Shamni has just said the PA is doing nothing to stop terrorism in & from the W Bank. Why think they would do so after signing an agreement? Projects are being planned NOW for improving Pal'n lives, & more can be developed. An agreement with Fatah terrorists is not needed for this.

The terrorists failed with their suicide bombers, now they've been replaced by rocket barrages. The rockets can't be launched without the tacit approval of civilian populations, which is reminiscent of families celebrating when their own children blew themselves up, slaughtering innocent people. How long can a country wait while an enemy perfects a method of attack, possibly leading up to chemical, biological or "dirty nuclear" warheads?

Unleash the IDF. This world will be owned by terrorists if we continue to allow them to grow stronger behind women and children. Peace will come when we love our children more than the enemy.

Many good point by MK Sneh. However, there is no need to link the need to defeat Hamas militarily and the perceived need to enter into an agreement with the PA in West Bank. In fact, the more you link the two the more you will not achieve either goal. The key is to first defeat the Hamas ( and the terrorists within the PA) militarily. Only after that is done will the arabs be "willing" to deal with Israel. Israel can only achieve a fair deal politically when it is in the strongest military position.

Deputy Defense Minister- it all sounds nice- where were you a few years ago? The only thing that will protect Israel is a clear cut victory and maintaining lands for depth- in a general peace treaty with neighboring nations. There will have to be a transfer of lands - both ways- for Israel's security, for the Palestinians. There is to much empty land in other Arab nations leaving the Palestinians and Israelis fighting over slivers.

Israel must be strong and vigilant, now and forever. Israel's ancient prophets faced the same problems. Until Israel's enemies turn their swords into plowshares no peace can be achieved. Dealmaking for a two-state solution at the same time Israel is threated with violence is not a roadmap to reach peace. It is an insincere subtifuge to gain a political advantage, and will increase the danger to Israel.

I agree with Anthony's comments. Israel must do whatever has to be done to defend its borders and its citizens. Forget about the world opinion. Get rid of Hamas.

Martins comments make some sence, but if think for a min., Germany killed 6mln of our people, and today is one of the trading partner and together with USA, is bigest supporter of the state of Israel. If there is a chance for peace and stability, Israel should reach out to help those who want its help to rebuild the economy and establish trade relationship. It is good for business and for everyone involved.......

It is clear that this intense act of the IDF is a wake up call. Hamas can be hurt! All the cries should not silence that late morning at Sbarro when people quietly enjoying the day would never do so ever again, or those hit in the busses whom will never travel again.
There is the news where this act is so-called named as worse then the holocaust. I hope I will never see that what my fathers generation had to face. The reality of a holocaust. This is not the senseless eradication of life. This is the defence against those who have fired so many missiles and bombs on civilians and tourists.

Sneh is at least, in part, wrong.His thinking is typical of all that has failed in the past. He is right that Hamas must be totally defeated. However,then supporting and enriching the group of enemies who installed Hamas (Hamas had the complete support of the people of Gaza and the PA is no different fundamentally.It would destroy Israel if it had the chance.)and politically changing the scene by negociating with the PA will not solve anything.When will you ever learn. We have enemies. Destroy them.They would destroy us in a moment(PA or Hamas-two sides of the same coin)if they had the chance.

Many Israelis take the easy way out ....by feeling and thinking that by killing as many Palestinians like ( 100's a day or more ) they can get closser to their dream of ridding Palestine the Holy Land from its own people ...just like the Cowboys did with Red indians , when the bad news are that the Palestinians are not leaving peacefully (like in 1948) and the power the West provide israel now ...can't last for ever , Palestinians are fast learners ....take a lesson from History .

Why should I, who is an active soldier in reserves, and my two sons who are in regular duty, fight in order to take from Hamas to give to Fatah?

Sneh, a typical (Israeli) politician, doesn't mention that he is only talking like this because his party leader is the defence minister... I can just imagine if the Likud was in power now......!!!!!

i strongly agree with the idea that there should not be a truce or negotiation with Hamas as long as they continue to attack Isael with rockets and other attacks. Israel should continue to stand it's groun and defend itself against this terroist regime. i fully support the author with all that he says and agree that the Hamas Regime needs to be stoped immediatly. not only for the safety of israel but for the world aswell. Each day that these terroist regimes hold power is terrible.

we do beleive that there should not be a cease-fire, however someting must be done to end this war peacefully. i agree that the eonomic situation is indeed terrible and that even though israel does not support hamas, we need to help gaza economically and politically in order to eesatblish some sort of alliance and compensation for what is occuring.

I agree with this article, I think that Israel cannot just sit back and watch missiles be fired into there country. Israel needs to act strong and show them that they will retaliate, they need to make it clear that this needs to stop, then need to send Lebanon a messege showing they will not take weak actions anymore. Another reason I geel they need to attack strong is so that the possible supply's the Gaza is possibly reciving.

What Hamas is doing to the people of Sderot is ridiculous and inhumane. To send kasam rockets on a village of INNOCENT human beings is more than insane. It is disgusting. These people are simple civilians who have done nothing wrong. Hamas is a group of terrorists who must learn that it is wrong to take the lives of innocent people.

i agree with what this article is saying israel will not achieve true peace by just blowing away hamas. That will not solve anything it will jsut make matters worse and make arabs more upset. Israel must work to find a way to nto upset them but clearly it is not an easy job

I fully agree with what is being written in this article. Israel can not achieve peace by simply blowing away Hamas. Israel must negociate with the PA in order to undermine Hamas's power in Gaza. Then, and only then, will violence be necessary

I agree with this post that Israel must complete succesful negotiations with the Palestinian Authority. Many in Gaza support the PA, so it is possible for a political victory to be achieved without a forceful removal of Hamas leadership. If Israel along with the PA can win over the people of Gaza, then there is hope for the future to aid the humanitarian situation.

Economic aid to Gazans is a dangerous thing to give, because it can be used to fuel their attacks on Ashkelon and Sderot. Israel cannot, however, deny citizens of Gaza medical aid and food, because that will only fuel anti-Israel sentiment.

think of the people...there seems to be no right side, yes hamas is wrong as they fre thier rockets but to retaliate in things like cutting off there water is inhuman

Sneh's proposed solution, although difficult, is likely the only way to end this conflict. As Bill Clinton said in his campaign, "It's the economy stupid." Let us not repeat the mistakes of the past and leave "the keys" in the hands of a potentially hostile entity. If the Palestinian people are able to support themselves and are not taken advantage of by their leaders, they will likely see the logic in a peaceful solution to this conflict.

I believe that Sneh has the right to advocate on improving the living conditions of Pal'ns. What good would an agreement to break Hamas do? Why need the argeement in the first place? Why count on it achieving Hamas's demise later? We belive that that way to break Hamas is for Israel to possibily break its military. If this doesn't happen the world will be owned by terrorists if we continue to allow them to grow stronger behind women and children. Forget about the world opinion.

Mr. Sneh brings up many valid arguments as to why Hamas needs to be removed from power, and has identified the crux of the issue with Gaza. However, we feel that the solutions here are rather extreme, and quite unrealistic. Israel should start towards solving this problem on a small scale, rather than jumping ahead and biting off more than it can chew.

We either need to do nothing which is not the ideal solution, or we need to pull out. We agree that Israel cannot just do nothing. War is not the answer. Terrorists cannot continue to blow people up. If we continue to fight, all they will do is fight back, and this will just create more chaos. These difficult times will pass soon. We know that the Israeli army will be able to make good choices and overcome all of this.

Which is more popular, Hamas in Gaza, or Kadima in Israel? You assume if Israel does x or y the "Palestinians" will stop terror. Strengthen the Gaza economy when many Jews in Israel live in poverty? In 2001 you said mortars launched from Gaza would cross all redlines. Sneh says Hamas must be broken. If Abbas's relative popularity achieves nothing now, why count on it achieving Hamas's demise later? The way to break Hamas is for Israel to break it militarily.

I dont see any viable solution posed here... I see a politician playing both sides and making it seem like he has a solution. everything sounds wonderful, aside form the fact that fatah will gain the power as a result of the dismantling of hamas. yes action needs to be taken, but an exit strategy must be well thought out.

How long can a country wait while Hamas builds a method of attack, which could possibly lead to a chemical, biological or nuclear war? It is time that the Israeli government takes charge. The best way is to deteriorate the power of hamas and its leaders to ensure victory in the struggle for peace and justice.

We are confused with the arguments you have posed in your blog. First, you take a military stance, stating that the only way to effectively defeat Hamas is through violent tactics. However the last paragraph of your blog claims, "There is no defeating Hamas militarily without defeating it politically." This seems hypocritical to us because the term "politically" implies a non-violent stance, one that involves peace talks and a sense of calm. It's understandable that there is no concrete answer to this difficult problem, but the only way to make a change is to come up with viable ideas.

I think that he makes a good point. He says that he has a set goal of getting rid of Hamas Rule. First he says that the only way to get rid of them is to use military force and it must occur sooner rather than later. In addtiton, Israel cannot just go in and leave they have to come up woth an exit plan. Then they need to develope a realtionship with the leaders that are left.
Although violence may not be a solution that many people are in favor of, it is hard to come up with another idea that will help with the problem at hand.

Hello,
Im here reading this article during Jewish History class, and am asked to make a comment on this article.
on first impressions, Im agreeing with Mr.Arnold, from Canada. Arnold speaks the truth, whether or not we want to look at this situation realistically or not, there is no compromise between Abas and Fatah and to think both parties would compromise is very ignorant.

Don't worry what other's say, you live there we don't. Israel must do whatever is necessary to protect herself. I don't want to see children killed but the sad thing is many will grow up to be terroist. I don't care how much land you give up for peace there will be no peace, it's a no brainer they just want to do away with the Jews.

I agree about the codependency of the hamas politcal power and its military might. If a political agreement is not reached then hamas will continue t heir reign of terror by means of military power. Additionally the other arab nations cannot play the victim role in this situation of the civilians of Gaza because they do not give aid to their own who are currently suffering. There is much to be done and along way to go before we reach peace. However peace will be realized in Israel

It is not the matter of their (Israel's) goal to kill in order to complete a dream, rather that they are being attacked and the only way to retaliate would be by fighting back.

If they do not fight for themselves, then who will? I think they need to previal against their opressers and fight back

As an American, I feel that it is hardly my place to comment on this situation. I sympathize greatly with those who live near s'derot and wish someting more could be done, on the other hand, what right to I have to say that soldiers should risk their lives for their defense? I just hope that there will be peace, especially in the coming year because I will be living in Jerusalem!

If defeating Hamas was easy, it would already be done. I respect these suggestions, but think they are overly simplified. The situation is Gaza is political, millitant, emotional, and extremely complicated. I do admire that it is noted that the mistakes made in the Lebanon war should not be repeated. I love learning from history. It is a really good idea.

I agree with Sneh that Hamas must face consequence. However, it is not so simple to just say that, “we must break Hamas' military power in the Strip.” Israel can not just go into Gaza and completely wipe them out. Israel must be so careful with every action they do and if they did anything “extreme” the world’s response would most likely be negative. One “wrong” decision could have extreme consequences for Israel. Also, even if they do have the ability to take control over Hamas and the Gaza strip there are so many additional problems that would occur.

I think that Sneh makes an essential point in two respects; a solution cannot be reached without finding the root of the problem and planning ahead. The economic situation is horrendous and the prevention of another Lebanon is vital especially considering the world's opinion. Though Sneh aims for the end goal of defeating Hammas and not stopping the rockets on Sederot, is there a way that this can be done without the bombing of the cities in the meantime? Will avoiding a cease fire and the deaths that occur in the meantime be worth the peace that is just possible? I hope so.

I think it is important that we put a good use to our defense forces. we should not let these evil terorists tear apart our country. we need to realize that if we dont do something soon, things wont get any better.

I think that Israel should do and is obligated to do whatever has to be done to defend its citizens and borders, no matter what the rest of the world thinks. We sould get rid of Hamas. Germany murdered 6 million Jews and today Germany works together with the US as trading partners. That can be seen as a probolem because the US in proabably Israel's bigest supporter. Israel should reach out to other countries who want to help them in order to obtain peace and stability. Israel needs help to rebuild her economy and establish trade relationship.

The terrorists failed with their suicide bombers, now they've been replaced by rocket barrages. The rockets can't be launched without the tacit approval of civilian populations, which is reminiscent of families celebrating when their own children blew themselves up, slaughtering innocent people. How long can a country wait while an enemy perfects a method of attack, possibly leading up to chemical, biological or "dirty nuclear" warheads? the IDF should be more strict with hammas, if not out an end to it.

I agree the idf should first work towards removing the hamas threat, just stopping the missles is not enough. An exit strategy is important because hamas is not liked by the people of the land and if Israel spent some money to improve the livlyhood of the people it could be good PR and may work to end some tension. If Israel tries to leave without pouring some money into the infustructure it could end in disaster

Abbas would do the same thing to ISRAEL that hamas is trying tod He only left the gaza strip because he thinks he can get ISRAEl to give up JERUSALEM

Some time ago our parish priest told our congregation that we must pray for the survival of the state of Israel .
You must not fail , you must not fall . You must find ways to allow YOUR truth to be heard when reporting in the west appears so one sided .

The democratically elected Hamas government is carrying out a war with the support and backing of its electorate. The only way to end the war with Gaza is the way the allies ended the war with Germany. Bomb the will to fight out of the population before you invade.

Here are three key questions no one has mentioned:

1. Why does the government pretend that Fatah is a preferred negotiating partner, when their long-term goals are the same as Hamas?

2. Why should Israel serve up Gaza on a silver platter to Fatah?

3. Why the focus on the Palestinian standard of living? These are the same arguments sold to the public during the 90s. If one reads Dr. Daniel Pipes' ideas on the subject, it is a poor strategy to fund the enemy before they have given up. Foreign aid only prolongs the conflict.

Religious Arabs leaders deliberately warring and facing secular Israel leaders. The half-hearted secularists will result in mission not accomplished. Perhaps religious Israel leaders would achieve mission accomplished by peace, and if rejected, by war.

Hamas will never recognize Israel consequently there is no advantage or fairness or reasonable outcome to negotiate with Hamas. It is time to re-occupy Gaza and take Hamas out and set up large camps like the British did to the Boars during the Boar War. Let Fatah Re-occupy Gaza and then talk peace again. Hamas will be released upon a time table that secures the peace under Fatah rule of Gaza. The Land of Easu was never intended to be part of Israel in ancient or modern times.