Weekly Commentary: Asymmetry In Nature Of Arab And Israeli "Dreams" Must Not
Be Ignored

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 13 November 2008

Withdrawal advocates trying to understate the consequences of increasing
Israel's vulnerability frequently argue that "both sides have dreams" - as
if a Beitar member singing the old "there are two banks to the Jordan and
they are both ours" is the same thing as an Arab relating his dream of one
day Israel not existing.

"Everyone can dream", they argue, "but they are only that - dreams."

But there is a fundamental difference between these "dreams".

That Beitarnik has absolutely no genuine interest in kicking out the
Jordanians and in fact extending Israel so that it includes the East Bank.
Even if Israel could do it and get away with it - that Beitarnik and his
government wouldn't do it.

In sharp contrast, the Arab dream of Israel not existing is not just a
song - it is a genuine goal. And if the Arabs thought that they could
destroy Israel and get away with it they would do it.

This simple and painful truth has profound policy ramifications as it
dramatically raises the probability that an Israeli concession that makes it
easier to attack or destroy Israel may in fact be exploited at some point in
the future to do just that.

The above is something that the overwhelming majority of the Israeli public
recognizes. The Peace Index poll of 1-2 January 2007 found that 69.5% of
Israeli Jews said the Palestinians would destroy Israel if they could.
Among Meretz voters, 33% think the Palestinians would destroy Israel if they
could, 23% oppose this view, and 44% do not know. It is probably safe to
say that most of those 44% Meretz "do not knows" didn't feel comfortable
telling the pollster what they really thought.

And a poll today would show pretty much the same.

It is up to the election campaigners to get them to connect the dots between
this simple truth and its policy ramifications.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il