His point would be valid if “hard bargaining” would stop the terrorists. It won’t. Do you want to know why? It is because many, if not all, of the main terrorist groups launching such attacks have openly stated that their goal is to destroy Israel. If Israel pulls out of the West Bank, gets rid of all the settlements, and gives the Palestinians a state, the terrorist groups will still want to destroy Israel. The only question here is whether such groups could remain powerful if Israel makes concessions. I am no expert in such subtle matters, but it would seem to me that the propaganda applied by the Palestinian Authority might have successfully implanted a hatred of all Jews, whether they are peaceful or warlike, kind or cruel, Israeli or from some other country. So, the real question is whether such bargaining would pull support away from the terrorist groups. I would be grateful for some input on this question, as I do not really know the answer.
Israel is a democracy with vigorously utilized freedom of expression. Lots of opinions all confidently expressed. Just like in the US, you’ll find all kinds of hawks and doves, my-country-right-or-wrongs and my-country-is-always-wrongs, and all have done their time in the army and some made careers of military service (yes, Israel has professional soldiers who are left wing doves!)Certainly the particular points of view that he expresses have a reasonable basis … even if I (as stated in other threads) disagree with some of them. What, you want another thread on what Israel should do to reduce terror attacks against her? Or just for us to be impressed that a retired Israeli military official thinks that the current approach is doomed to failure and says so?