It is disheartening to read Pipes’ disdain for the more pragmatic approaches of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Pipes’ assertion that “Israel should return to seeking victory” begs one question: victory over what?
Exactly what ground does Pipes speak from when he, effectively, advocates subduing, defeating, or perhaps destroying Israel’s neighbors? How does this make him any different from others who seek dominance (such as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad or others throughout history)?
I do agree with Pipes, with one caveat, in that the supposed need for Israel to “impose its will on its enemies” is antithetic to any peace process. And that is exactly the problem.
It inspires hope when others, such as Gil, express differing opinions on the issue and that the world can take other steps “before we think about violent acts”.
Finally, Pipes’ statement that Israel’s pre-1993 policy of deterrence was “slow and primitive,” as would be a return to those methods, echoes a well-worn thread of human history that speaks volumes to our origins.
However, it has been proven that wild chimpanzees are capable of altruism and reason. One would hope that the same is possible in humans.
Loading ...