The public mandate which Ariel Sharon received, an
open, sweeping vote of confidence – for the first time relieved of the
curse of Arab irredentism whose estrangement from the State of Israel
prevented their participation in the most recent elections – is
unprecedented in its scope. An overwhelming majority of 70%, among them
many constituents of the camp traditionally affiliated with the Labor
movement, who understood, employing healthy common sense, that is:
whatever was left of it after the media brainwashing campaign, the
magnitude of the impending disaster resulting from the Oslo conspiracy.
Everyone now knows that there neither is nor was there ever a "peace
process", but rather a repeated attempt to destroy the State of Israel
through a combination of terrorism, political delegitimization and the
negation of strategic assets. All of these serving as a prelude to a
comprehensive war. As always, Egypt is leading the pan-Arab strategic
process. The two overriding trends which exemplify the region attest to
this: a. Arms proliferation, especially weapons of mass destruction and
the means to deliver them, i.e. ballistic missiles; b. A rise in the level
of virulent anti-Semitism which is designed to lead to the
delegitimization of the Jewish State and the demonization of Jews. The
present phase is designed to transform the territories, which were
relinquished to the Palestinian Authority as a staging ground for
terrorism against Israel. The comprehensive acquisition of shoulder
missiles, Katyushas and mortars, blatantly delivered from Jordan, Lebanon
and especially Egypt, have led to an escalation of the terrorist alignment
which is quickly adopting a Lebanese character. Already, every settlement
located within a few kilometers of Area A is under threat of mortar fire.
Today, these are the kibbutizim, moshavim and towns adjacent to the Gaza
Strip, Sderot, Kfar Saba or settlements in Judea and Samaria. Tomorrow, it
will be Rosh Ha'ayin, Petah Tikva and Lod, along with a significant number
of the central traffic arteries in the country which are already partially
paralyzed. With the acquisition of shoulder missiles, Ben-Gurion Airport
will become a central target of terrorism. In practice, it will not be
necessary to intercept a commercial aircraft. The mere potential and
implicit threat will lead to the cessation of foreign companies' flights
to the State of Israel's central international airport. Can one even
consider endangering 400 hostages to the mercy of Arab barbarism?
Relinquishing territories in Western Samaria to the Palestinians will
bring much of the Dan region, in which 70 per cent of Israel's Jewish
population and a similar percentage of its industrial infrastructure are
concentrated, within Katyusha range. The establishment of a Palestinian
state in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, as conceived by Sadat will lead to a
military pact with Egypt and Syria, according to the PLO's phased plan:
“Once it is established, the Palestinian National Authority will strive to
achieve a union of the confrontation countries, with the aim of completing
the liberation of all Palestinian territory, and as a step along the road
to comprehensive Arab unity” (paragraph 8). Therefore, if the Oslo process
does not cease immediately, Israel will find itself surrounded by Syrian
and Egyptian tanks, not in Sinai and the Golan, but on the outskirts of
the Dan Region.
As a result, this
danger should be aborted in its incipient stages, meaning dismantling the
Palestinian Authority and eradicating enemy weapons from the Western Land
of Israel. A decisive action on Israel's part will more than hint to the
Arab world that it had better not get entangled in another war. There is
no doubt that the price will be onerous. European community sanctions are
possible, the Arabs will beat the drums of war, the American State
Department will "lose its cool" and our local leftists will be consumed
with hatred. However, all of these are immeasurably preferable to the
likely alternative. Israel must rid itself of its image as a sacrifice
being led to slaughter that everyone nods at, pities and overtly and
covertly views their wretchedness with contempt. Israel has very powerful
allies in the American Congress, and with Clinton's departure, in the
White House as well. The Europeans, cognizant of the Moslem invasion of
Rome, Paris and London, are mindful of the danger posed by the Arabs and
therefore the possibility that they will support Israel – if it displays
the resolve to stand up for itself – cannot be discounted. In any case,
Israel has no alternative.
A.S.
The editor's column
does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Nativ editorial board.
