Wishful thinking RON BELZER, 3 Mar 2006 Sir, - While virtually everyone endorses democracy, a few comments on its limitations are in order. A majority of Palestinians elected Hamas in what has been termed fair, democratic elections. We must assume, therefore, that the majority of Palestinians refuse to accept Israel's right to exist. Democracy in action! Let's stop deluding ourselves and give credit to that democratic process for revealing the truth about our relations with the Palestinians. Disengagement is now history and there is no peace, nor is there a cessation of attempted suicide bombings. Yet, with Kadima far ahead in election polls, and purportedly intending to carry out further withdrawals from Judea and Samaria, it seems many Israelis approve of more disengagement. What a mockery of democracy when a plurality bases its vote on the wishful thinking that giving up most of the West Bank will allow us to all live happily ever after. Democracy depends on intelligent choices, not wishful thinking. RON BELZER Petah Tikva |
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