A new approach to Gaza

[IndianaGreen]

A new approach to Gaza

Israel should focus on its own interests, talk to Hamas regime in Strip

Giora Eiland Published: 06.03.10, 11:33

The government decision to stop the sail to Gaza was correct, despite its inconvenient media implications. However, the incident stresses the need to reassess our approach to Gaza.

Since the Hamas victory in the 2006 elections, and more so since it took over Gaza in 2007, Israel’s policy insists on shunning the group. We argue that its rule is illegitimate, we’re angry at anyone who talks to it, and we confront anyone who suggests a different approach. Yet is this necessarily the proper policy?

The right way to examine this policy starts with defining our own interests. In respect to Gaza, Israel has two permanent interests, and one more current interest. The first one is to ensure that no hostile acts originate in Gaza. The second one is to minimize Hamas’ military capabilities as much as we can. The third one is to secure Gilad Shalit's release.

We had an opportunity to maximize these three objectives at the end of Operation Cast Lead. Israel should have insisted that the end of the operation be conditioned upon four components: A mutual ceasefire, a solution to the botfrt crossingd problem, a prisoner swap, and an arrangement regarding the Egypt-Gaza border.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3897639,00.html