The sign of a thriving democracy is debate, nuance and a relentless grappling with different ideas, emotions and narratives. An intellectual tug – o – war, if you will. In Israeli academic and activist circles there is normally a cacophony of opinions surrounding the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the media is saturated with varying points of view, often shouted on screen. Up until a month ago, it felt like things were starting to shift regarding Israel’s approach to the ongoing war with the Palestinians. Although Israel managed to push back Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Egypt at different times throughout its history, in nearly 39 years of Occupation, with all its military might, Israel has not been able to achieve peace and stability with the Palestinians. However one chooses to account for the reasons why, it is evident that the confrontation with the Palestinians is not something the army can overcome alone. The notion (which the left has stressed for years) that we need to reach a mutual, genuine and long-term agreement precisely because we are dealing with chaotic, violent and irrational streams within Palestinian society started to permeate the Israeli mindset. It seemed Israelis were beginning to understand that you cannot win a war against a nationless nation with strong militant and terrorist wings through conventional means. The language of force simply has not been cutting it.
And yet, despite this apparent insight, Israel chose to react to Hezbollah with the similar ineffective force it has used against Palestinians. And ironically enough, much of that force was once used against the Palestinians in Lebanon, and not only did we not achieve a resolution then, the memories of that war still haunt Israeli society, and have followed us into this second war, which has already claimed over 100 lives.
In almost a month of heavy fighting with Hezbollah, there is no solution in sight and Israel’s goals don’t seem to be getting closer to fulfillment. I don’t mean a cease-fire, but rather a process – possibly long and grueling – which leads to lasting stability for Israel, that begins with bringing the kidnapped soldiers home and ends with all Israeli citizens safe and sound. Despite the military operations deemed successful in Lebanon, it has already been said that Hezbollah cannot be extinguished by military means, but only distanced and contained – and even that remains to be seen. This war with Hezbollah is like the abridged version of an epic tale of tragedy that we have already experienced with the Palestinians; a more intensified and concentrated version, and yet no one seems to be taking note. In the same way that Israel’s army cannot root out every suicide bomber, it unfortunately cannot wipe out Hezbollah either, not to mention Syria and Iran. Times have changed. The Israel Defense Forces cannot solve this problem!
The usual tug – o – war that characterizes political debate in this country has grinded to a halt. No one is talking rationally about how to solve this mess. The overwhelming reaction to defend the country, show solidarity and “get them back” is an emotional and justified feeling. However, no matter how much we want it to be, it is not effective. The soldiers are not back, Katyushas have only been falling in greater numbers, and the Arab world is in awe of the fact that the strongest army in the Middle East has not yet been able to quell an offensive that has paralyzed half the country. Israel can no longer afford to fall back on its soldiers, cross its fingers and hope that within a matter of days things will be OK. Even the 1967 war, which was declared a win within 6 days, is not really over. We have already learned that sustaining a homeland in this region cannot be done only through force – not even primarily. It may feel dangerous to search for non-military alternatives, but it is even more dangerous to succumb to the yearning for immediate gratification and the appearance of strong resolve, with no promise of permanent calm.
The average Israeli right now is adamant about kicking Hezbollah ass regardless of utility and the high price to be paid, which is not only the lives of our youth, but huge psychological and economic perversions, as well as an intensification of chaos and strife against us in the region. Everyone here is being affected by this war and the natural reactions of anger and frustration are clouding our ability to think strategically. The question of what should be done requires creative and courageous ideas, and for those to float you need open, fearless discussion. The same lessons we have been learning from the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, we need to try and apply to this war. We cannot allow our feelings, however justified, to keep us from being smarter about this.
