The News Behind The News
November 24, 2000
Minimal Self Defense
In one of the strongest objections to US failure to take Israel's side in the interests of continuing the Oslo peace process, the Jerusalem Post writes that Mr. Clinton has now permitted Chairman Arafat effectively to make "Israel itself a free-fire zone." This will end, says the Post, "only...when the US supports Israel's right to minimal self defense..." Really?
"Minimal self defense" by Israel has been in place since before 1948 and is now enshrined in the Oslo peace process. Minimal self restraint is nothing more or less than Israel's military doctrine: it is called Havlaga, restraint. In fact, restraint is non-deterrence or the failure to perform the elementary function of a national body, which is to protect its citizens.
The rehearsal of the earliest examples of this policy, acted out by the leadership first of the Yishuv and later by the Ben Gurion government are too well known and painful to re-say here. Havlaga means the Only Alternative to sacrifices of citizens for peace is for the Jewish state to protect them instead. There is one way only: to deter enemies. Deterrence is not "excessive" or "too little." The wrong "amount" is what trades the safety of citizens for the freedom of their enemies to kill them. No state has any other choice. It is irrevocable.
When Mr. Rabin gave guns to the PA he told Israelis "Stop being afraid. There is no danger that these guns will be used against us. The purpose of this ammunition is for the Palestinian police...to be used in their vigilant fight against the Hamas. They won't dream of using it against us, since they know very well...at that moment the Oslo Accord will be annulled and the IDF will return to all the places that have been given to them. The Oslo Accord, despite what the opposition claims, is not irrevocable."
Did he lie or did he not understand Havlaga?
The Jerusalem Post editorial is yet another clear signal Israel intends to continue the peace process. It is irrevocable. This means something for Americans and for American Jews. Many American Jews, now satisfying themselves that their opposition to the peace process has been vindicated by what the Arabs are doing --it is "not too late"-- they say, need to take greater note of what the Jews are doing. Most Americans will not raise a peep if Havlaga is replaced with deterrence. But they will also not raise a peep in the other eventuality.
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