Optimistic About Pessimism
Reader comment on item: Interview: ‘I watch with frustration as the Israelis don't get the point'

Submitted by Susan H. Somerville (United States), Jun 13, 2006 at 04:59

I always derive much from reading Daniel Pipes' articles, and I find myself in agreement with him.

It is indeed frustrating to watch Israel strive for "conflict management," only to keep on missing the target. It simply turns my stomach when I imagine what it must be like to live in Sderot, for instance, under the threat of Kassam rockets, and especially in lieu of the fact that the Israeli government doesn't seem to counter those attacks.

What is Israel waiting for? It is beyond frustrating when I think about the results of the Gaza withdrawal and the ramifications of any future withdrawals from Shomron and Judea. What occurred at Amona will be terrifically magnified and will adversely affect every member of Klal Yisrael. Can we, as a people, live with such a situation? Frustration will seem so minor compared to the possibilities, unless the Israeli government experiences a momentous revelation and/or earthshaking awakening. And then they might act with the goal of winning?

Daniel Pipes analysis is quite pessimistic, precisely because he hits with the hammer of realism. However, I am optimistic because I think that when the right leaders can see just what recent and present policies have not accomplished, they will reverse Israel's course. I truly hope that it will be sooner rather than later. And with G-d's Divine Assistance, of course!

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