Tuesday, February 22 2005

Disproving the 'cycle theory'

In today's LA Times, Jonathan Chait recognizes that Israel's tough tactics over the past few years simply worked -- to bring a state of calm and the potential for peacemaking:

Three years ago, Israel faced near-daily suicide bombings. Prime Minister Sharon responded by hastening construction of a security fence and launching a military crackdown in the West Bank and Gaza. Sharon also refused to negotiate with Arafat. The idea that harsh Israeli counter-terrorist measures must inevitably backfire is rooted in the view that the Middle East conflict is a "cycle of violence." According to this theory, Palestinians attack Israelis because Israeli repression makes them desperate and angry. Yet the last Palestinian uprising began as a response not to excessive Israeli strength but to a perception of Israeli weakness.

Posted at 03:05 PM

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