re: #424 Occasional Reader

I hope that’s all there is to it.

And even if it is, SOME U.S. President has to break this idiotic cycle.

I agree, but the way to end the cycle is to actually make the Palis accountable for their actions. They are the most subsidized people on the planet. So, just suppose you attached all subsidies with strings, like UN inspectors make certain that the money gets used for only humanitarian purposes - like massive public works in the territories to build their infrastructure and get people off the street and into jobs. Supposse that if they attack the funding gets cut. Suppose that if they attack, Israel is allowed to respond like any other nation would and not be pilloried for doing so.

If a President got up and said, look, that is the way it is… build for peace and we will help you, but start a fight and you are on your own, things would change after four or five smacks. The problem is that the smacks are never big enough and that they always end up gaining for the Palis in the end. The policies at present, reward their destructive behaviors.