With the peace process stagnant at best, and the knife intifada continuing unabated, it may be understandably tempting for Israel to take action on the West Bank without a negotiated settlement—whether to withdraw unilaterally, to annex overwhelmingly Jewish areas, or to pursue some other plan. The temptation, argues Yaakov Amidror, should be resisted:
Those advocating for a Palestinian state say that while a comprehensive solution cannot be brokered at this time, steps must be taken to advance it. . . . The proponents of this approach seem willing to pay a hefty price for meager results that could, at some point, work in favor of the notion of an independent Palestinian state.
[Thus they] are willing to roll the dice and risk a potentially devastating result, one that would tear Israeli society apart for no actual achievements in the international theater or with regard to the Palestinians, who are sure to keep fighting the remainder of the “occupation.” Moreover, terrorism will only become worse, as it has after every Israeli concession. . . .
When standing on the edge of the cliff, keeping still is better than stepping forward. This is always solid advice, and it is doubly true for the chaotic Middle East. . . .
Israel should [instead] focus on improving the lives of the Palestinians, as well as on how to navigate the situation the day after Mahmoud Abbas’s regime ends, as he has no heir apparent.
Read more on Israel Hayom: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=16085