After all, all the great strategists have failed. The feeling was, 'Let's lower our sights and settle for a tactician. |
Election time means time out. There is a strong argument for refraining from doing dramatic things right now. |
If there is violence, Sharon's chances are diminished, |
It's a journey from pariah to the establishment. There's less anger and bitterness and more responsibility. |
No Israeli government since 1967 has had the political will and ability to make such a decision about the future borders of Israel, |
On one hand, a Rubicon has been crossed: Israeli settlements were dismantled relatively easily, ... On the other hand, it also shows this is not an easy process ... and when you look at all the issues of disagreement, on none of those issues have the gaps been narrowed. |
On one hand, a Rubicon has been crossed: Israeli settlements were dismantled relatively easily. On the other hand, it also shows this is not an easy process ... and when you look at all the issues of disagreement, on none of those issues have the gaps been narrowed. |
Sharon, ... has learned the language of the possible. |
The differences between the sides are now much deeper and the chances for negotiations are much more remote. The only realistic steps may be Israeli unilateral steps. |
The historical irony is that a step that is basically within the discourse of the left is being carried out by a right-wing leader. It is as significant as Richard Nixon going to China. |
The next government can of course wiggle out of an agreement, ... but it will find it extremely difficult to do it. |
The old system wasn't working. |
What will happen will depend on two factors: whether disengagement will pass peacefully within Israel and whether there will be more terrorism, which will make the argument against further disengagement very strong. |