Middle East: Terrorism Rules

It would appear to be a contradiction in terms – a regional nuclear power defeated by terrorism. But it is at least one way of interpreting the parlous state of affairs in the Middle East.

The World Today
4 minute READ

It is all the more compelling and controversial when it comes from an Israeli, an expert on Palestinian affairs who was once an adviser to former Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

Terrorism has triumphed against Israel. Not on its own – Israel, unfortunately, gave it a hand. More specifically, Israel under a right wing government headed by a prime minister identified with the use of force to achieve political ends. True, past Israeli prime ministers frequently resorted to military force as an instrument of policy, but never before has an Israeli leader been so closely identified with that doctrine as Ariel Sharon. Yet he, together with the establishment that serves him, is abetting terrorism against Israel.

Subscribe to read all issues

Articles from the current issue are free to read by all, the archive is exclusive to magazine subscribers and our members. Subscribe or become a member to view articles from the archive.