My friend Yoram Ettinger routinely sends to a group of friends a personal analyses of ME events.Yoram served for a time as the Israeli representative for Congressional relations when he served in the Washington Israeli Embassy.He has a rare insight into Washington and Israeli politics.
I thought I would share the salient points of his latest e-letter, following the tractor massacre in Jerusalem. He makes 6 points.
1- The underlying factor in this and other such cases is HATE-EDUCATION.
The Abbas regime following in Arafats footsteps has institutionalized the idolization of hate,terrorism and homicide.This is done via school education,books,tv and editorials.
2-This act is MAINSTREAM AND NOT RENEGADE TERRORISM.This is a culture that breeds hatred (ie Salmon Rushsie,cartoonists etc) all encouraged by the PA.
3-HATE IS NOT DESPAIR DRIVEN,BUT HOPE DRIVEN.
They have been adrenalized and driven to terror by Israeli vacillation,retreat and malaise.They are energized because they think they can win .They are energized not by the size of the State of Israel, but by it's very existance.
4-They see that terrorism is rewarded by US,European and Int. aid since Oslo.
5-There has been a EROSION OF ISRAELI DETERRENCE.
Israel has subordinated counter-terrorism to "peace-making".
6-Since Oslo,ANTI-US TERRORISM HAS INCREASED
US support for an independent Palestinian State, will endanger Jordan, a "free Iraq", and weaker Gulf States, and reward those who oppress Christians in Bethlehem.
