The 11-month-old intifada is not a normal war. It has become more of a public relations battle than a struggle for military dominance. The winner will not necessarily be the side with the stronger army but the side that won over world opinion.
This week’s attacks against Palestinian terrorists, in which two young Palestinian boys were accidentally killed, gave Israel a major setback in its public relations wars with Yasser Arafat and company.
Of course Israel will say that it doesn’t worry about public relations as much as it worries about the security and safety of its citizens.
Nevertheless, Israel suffered a crippling blow when its strongest ally, the United States, condemned its effort to target Palestinian militants. The criticism emanated Tuesday not only from the State Department but also from the White House.
Britain immediately followed suit, and other European leaders are certain to do so.
Responding to the attack, Hamas has announced it will target Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and members of the Knesset.
Are we ready to see Israeli leaders gunned down on the street?
Rumor has it Hamas is also planning a major terrorist attack against Israel.
On one hand, we understand why Israel is trying to eliminate Palestinian terrorists before they kill even more Israelis.
But on the other, such violence begets more violence, and the cycle of retribution continues.
Let’s hope Israel can find a way to both safeguard its citizens from counterattacks and protect itself from the blows of further international criticism. Every effort must be made to end the violence now, because Israel could win militarily and lose in the court of world opinion.