Has the IDF Earned the Support of the Israeli Public? An Interim Assessment of the IDF’s Performance in Operation Cast Lead

The IDF gets an interim, mixed assessment for its early performance in the war against Hamas, in three spheres: (a) public communications; (b) treatment of reservists; and (c) performance of the Rear Command.

Israel’s Operation Against Hamas in Gaza: The Need for Realistic Goals

Israel’s Operation Cast Lead goals should be modest: minimizing the damage that Hamas rockets can inflict on Israel. While a Hamastan in Gaza is not the ideal neighbor for Israel, there are several advantages to continuous Hamas rule, including the fact that it makes the "two-state solution" paradigm irrelevant.

Gaza: Risks and Opportunities

The breach by Hamas of the Egyptian-Gaza border has strengthened Hamas' standing in Gaza and increased the current security challenges to Israel, as terrorists and arms cross the porous border and rockets continue to fall on Israeli cities near Gaza. Egypt is forced to play a role in the new situation, which could be the catalyst for Arab states to take responsibility over the Palestinian issue.

The Iran-Hamas Alliance: Threat and Folly

Since the US invasion of Iraq, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Iran has taken on the behavior of a regional hegemon. Indeed, Ahmadinejad speaks and acts as if he is the new leader of the Third World. Iran is setting itself up as the leader of a Mideast "axis of evil" with radical proxies and allies. An important aspect of the new Iranian reach is Tehran's growing alliance with Hamas, which dates back to January 2006. Under Ahmadinejad, Iran has become an active revisionist state guided by radical religious conviction, while Hamas has captured almost complete control of the PA.

The Hamas Takeover Serves Israel’s Interests

The decisive victory by Hamas in this week's Palestinian elections, paradoxically, serves Israel's interests. Hamas' win provides Israel and the international community with an opportunity to fashion a tough line against Palestinian Islamic terrorism and to bring the aid-dependent PA into line. Moreover, Hamas is bound to fail in running the PA, leaving open the possibility in the long term for the emergence of a more mature Palestinian leadership.