tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673747533541391425.post5848831747595831720..comments2009-01-13T17:19:55.367+02:00Mark Jacobsenhttps://profiles.google.com/107999162787819355839noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673747533541391425.post-10089908069830286962009-01-13T17:18:00.000+02:002009-01-13T17:18:00.000+02:00You cannot win the 'hearts and minds' of a people bent on your destruction. <BR/><BR/>The only way Israel can win is to launch a massive PR campaign. It has to be low-level, 'word of mouth', and has to use constant re-direction.jlphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845433456503625519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673747533541391425.post-34750757794394927832009-01-08T21:03:00.000+02:002009-01-08T21:03:00.000+02:00Mark, there's two aspects that I think are influential and cancerous:<BR/><BR/>(1) disagreement between state and non-state actors. If Israel and Palestine could strike an agreement--who's to guarantee Hamas, or any of the countless militant islamic groups, would honor the peace? <BR/><BR/>(2) Ideological, not political, points of conflict. Even if Israel is able to exterminate every member of Hamas would that end the group or just strengthen the ideology? Dangerously militant conspiracy theories flourish in Arab countries for some reason, often at top levels of government (e.g. Iran). Until this sentiment dissipates, Israel can never enjoy a meaningful peace. This is Adams' 'hearts and minds' idea again--and Israel just can't seem to win here.stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11168938289169361940noreply@blogger.com