Netanyahu's perverse insistence on maintaining and expanding Israeli settlements on the West Bank may be several steps removed from the latest round of Gaza fighting, but it is as detrimental to any — even chimerical — hopes of peace as Hamas's commitment to terrorism and the destruction of Israel. That's a problem that's not going to be addressed tomorrow.
One thing that might come up for consideration, after the Israeli elections in two months, is the economic embargo of Gaza. The embargo on imports may still be necessary to keep Hamas from re-arming with greater ease. But would an easing of the embargo on exports be a possibility — in a move to encourage the growth of a merchant class that might grow tired of Hamas?
There are, as usual, more questions than answers after the latest round of fighting. But as Islamist and anti-Israel sentiments continue to grow on its own borders, friends of Israel have to wonder how long its government can follow a policy of maintaining the current state of affairs.
Israel has once again proven it is stronger than its adversaries, but it's time to join with the United States and prove that it is smarter.
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