Hamas would bitterly attack such an endeavor. Every person who came would represent a massive repudiation to Hamas in favor of Israel itself. Polls indicate the Palestinians admire Israeli government more than any other. Because of this, the destroyers would assault those who would chose to settle there as an existential threat. They might even deploy tunnels and rockets to attack their fellow Palestinians. When Israelis defend the residents and Hamas attacks them, fuel would be sucked from the ‘war between peoples’ argument and the rest of the Arab world (already beginning to see the benefits our way provides to our people) would certainly take notice. Our action could be billed as a liberation of Palestinians from Hamas – using the same language used by the U.S. in its many foreign adventures.
Eventually, such a place could add to Israel’s own economic productivity while serving as a beacon of possibility; a place where people can grow and produce and live productive lives instead of lives of hatred, fear and war. Over time, restrictions could be lifted and political autonomy granted. Ultimately, such a place could be the genesis of a peaceful Palestinian state. The idea is not without precedent. Hong Kong was a foreign occupied city that provided a haven (and repudiation) for Chinese Communism. And West Berlin was a foreign seed in the midst of the Communist world. When the wall came down, so did the ideology that opposed it.
Such places have power. And such places could be established elsewhere. Jordan’s third largest city is now a Syrian refugee camp. Those refugees are people, fuel, that has fled from the combat to the north. Given an environment in which they are allowed to flourish, not just wallow, they represent opportunity for Jordan. Their society has been broken, but with the opportunity to start anew, they offer great promise for rebirth in Syria, Iraq and beyond.
In the midst of destruction, there is promise.
Little Israel can unlock it.