BUT NO ONE CARES WHAT ISRAEL WANTS. Yet Israel is supposed to think about--and care about--what everyone else wants. Israel is the one--the only one--that is expected to always think of the full consequences of their actions. And The New York Times thinks that is a good thing. At least that is what this article seems to emphasize:

Hamas, which is classified by Israel, the United States and the European Union as a terrorist organization, and which gets support from Iran and Syria, has a free hand in Gaza. Some leaders in the Israeli Army, including the commander of the southern division, Maj. Gen. Yoav Gallant, argue for an Israeli incursion soon.

But his superior, General Kaplinsky, is in no rush for a lengthy campaign in the crowded cities and refugee camps. “We can do it tomorrow,” he said. “But we also understand the price. And given the way Hamas fights, we’ll hurt a lot of civilians, and we don’t want to do it.”

Of course, Olmert cares too--about what Abbas thinks and wants:

The government of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert also does not want to damage new political progress with the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, who will meet again on Tuesday with Mr. Olmert in American-sponsored discussions of the principles of a final peace agreement.

But The New York Times is more concerned about what General Kaplinsky is concerned about:

In Gaza, too, there are signs of disaffection with the heavy-handedness of Hamas, General Kaplinsky said, and Israel is not eager to provide Hamas an excuse to escape the difficulties of governing Gaza amid international isolation.

...Israel has time to watch developments, General Kaplinsky said. “What happens with Fatah?” he asked. “What will be the Egyptian attitude, which may change? What will happen inside Gaza?”

And what is best for Israel? Israel doesn't seem to think too much about that. But that is just as well--it is not as if anyone else does either. And of course, there is no one whose feelings and wants are as important as the Palestinian Arabs:

Israel and Mr. Abbas have an opportunity, the general said. “It’s maybe even a new era. But the Palestinians have to decide where they’re going, if they want the situation as in Gaza or not.”

...Hamas and another militant group, Islamic Jihad, can create political havoc, General Kaplinsky said. “The situation in the West Bank is very fragile,” he said. “Any mistake, any failure on our side to prevent terror can change the situation in a day. If tomorrow morning there is a suicide bomber in Jerusalem, we’d have to change a lot of things.”

And of course, it's not just the Palestinians that Israel has to worry about, has to be concerned about:

...Neither Israel nor Syria wants war, General Kaplinsky said, but he said he worries about Syrian intentions and miscalculations. “We are aware of what we see, and we can’t ignore it,” he said, so Israel has increased its preparations in the north. “It would be very helpful for us to understand what they really want.”

It's as if when you really come down to it--Israel, that intrusive country that runs the world and has the US wrapped around its little finger, is nothing more than the big mommy in the region. Israel is the Middle East Earth Mother off of which the aspirations of every two-bit Middle East dictatorship and terrorist group is supposed to be weaned.

Kind of poetic, I suppose.

Until you realize that that these tyrants and monsters are not feeding off of mother's milk--they're feeding off of Israel's blood. And Israel being the only one to make sacrifices--that is getting real old, real fast.

Technorati Tag: Israel.