How to impose victory?
Reader comment on item: Interview: ‘I watch with frustration as the Israelis don't get the point'

Submitted by Mentat_99 (Canada), Jun 11, 2006 at 14:27

Dear Mr. Pipes:

What concrete actions could Israel take to get the Palestinians to acknowledge "... that Irael's there and is a permanent fact of life?"

Wouldn't you agree that Muslims have a very long view of things? For instance, after the Crusaders took Jerusalem, Muslims never gave up on the idea that they would retake it and, sure enough, after a couple of centuries, they did retake it. I believe that they view the creation of Israel in the same light. All they have to do is keep hammering away at Israel and, sooner or later, they will retake that territory.

Thus, the corollary to my first question is: what are the reasons for your optimism, that the Palestinians will ever accept Israel? It is my perception that most Muslims don't even accept La Reconquista and want to retake Al Andalus. I don't understand your optimism.

Sincerely,

Mentat_99

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Daniel Pipes replies:

On actions Israel can take, see "How Israel Can Win."

On the idea of Palestinians as supermen, see "Hope for the Middle East."