Israel: April 7, 2002

Archives

While there is much talk of another Arab-Israeli war over the Palestinian issues, this is unlikely. Israel has consistently and decisively defeated Arab armies. The Arab states would prefer to use irregulars (Palestinians and Hizbollah) to snipe at Israel. To the Palestinians (and Arabs in general), a "victory over Israel" is seen any time an Israeli soldier is killed or Israel is forced to leave Arab territory. The Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon was seen as a great victory. Since most Arab nations are run (and poorly at that) by dictators or aristocrats, it is seen as useful to distract the population from the local despots by concentrating on the fight between Palestinians and Israel. Nevertheless, Israel says it will negotiate with any Arab leaders (except Yasser Arafat) to work out a deal regarding the Palestinians. But the radicals on both sides are willing to use force to prevent any negotiated deal. Arab radicals want Israel destroyed and Israeli radicals want all Arabs expelled from the West Bank and the rest of Israel. Since neither of these outcomes is very likely, a negotiated deal will eventually be struck. Note, however, that such attempts have been unsuccessful for over half a century.

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close