Yesterday's bombing was a Hamas message, unsatisfied with the delay in transferring funds to Gaza • This is the result of decades of crackdowns, with Israel agreeing to pay the price whenever Palestinians, who are adamantly opposed, are dissatisfied. • Interpretation
It's time for a new equation. Hamas activists threaten with missile models in Gaza
Photo:
Reuters
The mortar shell fire from Gaza to Israel last night illustrates more than why Israel is required for strategic change in the form of sovereignty. The "protection" approach, that is, quiet for peace, went bankrupt long ago, and now the opportunity was created to change the rules of the game.
Last night a rocket was fired in the direction of the Gaza envelope, which fortunately landed in an open area and triggered only a silent alarm in the widget. It did not interfere with the rest of the country's residents, nor did the residents of the cafes who fear Corona. This bombshell that threatened to disrupt the routine was fired because of Qatari money matters, according to the security system. The situation is clear: You did not pay - you kidnapped. This equation is the fruit of the dumb moves we have had in the last 30 years in the search for the "quiet" Peace saturated with photo ops, but without any real protection of Israel's security, on the contrary.
And now a historic situation has been created, in which the United States of America supports us as never before, some Arab states have realized that Israel is not the problem in the Middle East, and the political "tsunami" talked about by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak has been seen in the form of many world leaders who have strengthened their ties This momentum finally allows us to change the equation after many years, to stop looking for protection agreements that bring nothing and nibbling at image and deterrence, and to set other rules of the game.
Photo: newsenders
The course of sovereignty that is supposed to be applied to part of the West Bank and the Jordan Valley is the practice of the matter. Adopting this approach represents a dramatic change in strategy toward the Palestinians, namely: from now on we set the rules of the game - and those who pay a price for being unresponsive are not Israeli citizens. The currency is not monetary, it is ground. The price of total reluctance to reach a clear settlement - applying sovereignty.
Make no mistake - the Palestinians have neither the will nor the peace treaty. They are more divided than ever, whatever their "sovereign", the Palestinian Authority, has no ability to disarm Hamas, and enforce security in places where the IDF is not. This situation is proven for days and nights in Gaza. For those who have forgotten: We have expelled 10,000 settlers from their homes In exchange for peace, we have transferred sovereignty to the Palestinians. The result is clear, and it represents a strategic threat that captivates the IDF in a secondary arena 24/7.
All those who threaten the consequences of applying sovereignty claim that this will entice the IDF into the Baka and Judea and Samaria areas. They forget to tell that the opposite, the one they hunted for, is the one that captivates the IDF - and the demonstration as it says around the Gaza Strip.
Recently, economic data also show the implications of sovereignty. About the billions it will cost us. To cost us?
If you've already taken the discussion into the economic space, let's talk about alternative cost - a term familiar to every student of economics starting. In decision making you are required to adopt an optimal alternative, which has maximum profit and minimum damage. The retreat and "separation" approach has proven to be the maximum cost and maximum damage. There is no worse alternative than this. It is not the wisdom of hindsight, it is a fact - the disengagement, including the strategy around it, has made us Hamas customers in protection matters.
Last night, the security group met with the prime minister. The message was clear: We strengthen you during the application of sovereignty. The strategic concept does not apply to "commanders for the security of Israel". There are many officers who think differently. Sovereignty is important for the protection of the state, in the context of historical affinity for the territory in which our nation has been shaped, but more than anything in this context is what matters.
It's time to change the equation and set other rules of the game. There is a golden opportunity to do so, and not sure that it will repeat itself.
The writer is a former Armor Brigade commander, currently a military and company relations researcher
