As the State of Israel stands on the brink of a fateful decision with historic geopolitical implications, some might argue that it’s a decision as significant as the 1947 U.N. Partition Plan.
For the first time since the Simchat Torah massacre on Oct. 7, 2023, a bold idea has been put forth that offers a real, feasible and long-term solution to the chronic problem known as Gaza.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced an emigration or “relocation” plan earlier this month for Palestinian residents in the Gaza Strip. He argued that war-torn Gaza is essentially a massive construction site and that its nearly 2 million residents should be housed in another country, at least during the reconstruction. Moreover, many Gazans have expressed interest in emigration even before the war began (though Hamas systematically works to prevent it). On the surface, no step seems simpler or more logical for the benefit of Gaza’s population.
Given that Hamas is unlikely to agree to disarm in the second phase of the current deal and considering the military achievements Israel has already secured (many of which could be lost as a result), the only logical conclusion is that only a massive ground operation—a thorough clearing of both the surface and underground—will allow Israel to achieve its declared war objectives in Gaza of eliminating Hamas’s military infrastructure; removing Hamas from power in the Gaza Strip; and returning all of the hostages
Any rational observer understands that resuming combat now while Gazans flood into northern Gaza following the withdrawal by the Israel Defense Forces from Netzarim Corridor—as food and construction materials, likely including tactical equipment hidden in trucks, flow back in and as the Rafah border crossing reopens—would be a deadly trap for Israeli forces. Such action would do nothing to advance Israel’s war objectives and would instead deepen the quagmire. So why do it? More suicidal raids in Jabalia? More static positions with IDF soldiers sitting like ducks in a shooting gallery? At this stage, even the most aggressive and determined military action will not achieve Israel’s goals.
The continued display of strength by Hamas, including armed fighters and vehicles parading during the “ceremony” of the hostages’ return, makes it clear that Hamas is still standing, growing stronger daily and recruiting new fighters at a faster rate than they are being eliminated.
Since Hamas was never a conventional army, “eliminating its infrastructure” does not mean targeting tanks and planes, but rather personnel and finances. These are its core assets, and it is clear that we have not yet destroyed them.
The truth is, in some ways, that Israel has been stuck since the day of the massacre. The contradiction inherent in eradicating Hamas and retrieving the hostages is Israel’s Achilles’ heel—and Hamas’s ultimate insurance policy. The only scenario in which the terrorist organization would agree to release all of the hostages is if it achieves its war objective: Israel ceasing to exist.
More than 16 months since the deadliest massacre in Israel’s history, it is back at square one, but not Oct. 7. Rather, back to May 15, 1948.
For 76 years, Israel has been engaged in a struggle for survival with its Arab neighbors and their proxies inside Israel. For 76 years, Israel has lived in a state of perpetual emergency, surviving against all odds every single day. Why do we accept this reality?
It is time to state the obvious: The State of Israel is a legitimate entity, established by law, and there is no reason for the Jewish people to apologize for its existence. This is the only state of the Jewish people, and its purpose is to provide them with a safe home. Any consideration beyond that, especially prioritizing the well-being of foreign states or entities, amounts to a crime against the Jewish people.
A nation that lives in a constant state of persecution has forgotten what it means to demand peace and quiet. As the saying goes: You can take Jews out of exile, but you can’t take the exile out of the Jews.
Show me another country in the world that has normalized running to bomb shelters within 15 seconds—for 20 years straight.
Show me another country that employs people sworn from birth to murder its citizens.
Show me another country that provides electricity, water and financial support to an enemy that pays salaries to baby killers.
The State of Israel is a miraculous phenomenon—so much so that we refuse to believe that things could be better, should be better, and that we have the right to demand better.
For years, we have been told that we are stuck together in the “Israeli-Arab (Palestinian) conflict.” But history has proven that at every critical juncture, the Arabs refused to make peace. As Israeli statesman Abba Eban famously put it: “The Arabs never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.”
It seems that Trump and his advisers understand that Israel has endured a Sept. 11-scale massacre that has brought it to a point of no return. Given this reality—and it must be the reference point—when all past attempts have failed colossally, time and again, for 76 years, it is legitimate to discuss groundbreaking ideas, even if they are not politically correct. Yes, even transfer.
The U.S. administration can call this plan whatever it wants—even Exodus 2.0 would work. But I will call it the “Avida Bachar plan,” named after a survivor of the Kibbutz Be’eri massacre who witnessed the murder of wife and son, and has called for the complete wipeout of Gaza. I argue with all my strength that there is no simpler or more correct solution. Because in the end, we have learned the hard way: It’s either us or them.
Now is the time to act. Without hesitation. Without fear.
Only true security within defensible borders will bring Israel the peace it has long deserved. It is in our hands.
{Reposted from JNS}
