Peace In Our Time?

Defense Minister announced a possible breakthrough--but not in Operation Summer Rains:

Defense Minister Amir Peretz revealed on Thursday that a "surprising diplomatic breakthrough" was possible in the attempts to release kidnapped Cpl. Gilad Shalit, but did not elaborate on the development.

"We are in one of the most crucial stages of establishing the rules of conduct between us and the Palestinian terror organizations, he asserted.

Still, he approved the continuation of IDF operations in Gaza that have been taking place since Tuesday night. He urged the forces to be aware of the Palestinian population's distress, Army Radio reported.

Of course it is good news that Shalit may be rescued, but there is something disturbing about

establishing the rules of conduct between us and the Palestinian terror organizations, he asserted.

I saw Charlie Rose last night and the discussion was about the kidnapping and Israel's response. Among the guests on the show were people representing both the Israeli and Palestinian side. The whole discussion was marked by polite discourse between opposing views.

I am tired of polite discourse.

I have heard more animation--and animus--between people talking about the theory of evolution.

And now this morning Israel announces that she sees the possibility of establishing the rules of conduct between herself and terrorists? How and since when do terrorists abide by rules of conduct?

Come to think of it, who is negotiating these rules of conduct? Is Israel directly negotiating with Hamas?

Arutz Sheva quotes Dennis Ross:

Former US mediator Dennis Ross says that Israel must not negotiate with Hamas for the release of the soldier, as "this will merely invite further kidnappings... As someone who believes in the value of negotiations, I say that negotiations are not the proper response in every situation."

Sounds like good advice.

But if it is only France and other countries doing the negotiating, is Israel going to allow other countries to dictate how Israel is going to deal with the Palestinian terrorists in the future?

No details of what Peretz is talking about are out yet, and it may be that what will be announced may be a genuine breakthrough--but there is something about this that is deeply unsettling.

Maybe that is part of the problem.

We already know that Olmert is intent on actions that are very 'unsettling' indeed--and the same thinking may go into establishing 'rules of conduct' with terrorists.

Technorati Tags: Israel and Hamas and Palestinians and Operation Summer Rains.