In his letter and a later news conference, Mr. Netanyahu repeated his criticisms of the pullout - that it is unilateral and secures no concessions from the Palestinians; that it will allow terrorist groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad to strengthen themselves and control Gaza, and aid in Hamas's effort to take over the Palestinian Authority; and that it makes Israel less secure.The bizbot in me tends to sympathize with the argument that you shouldn't give something for nothing in a situation as tense and complex as this. But looking at the bigger, however idealized, intended goal of regional stability... hopefully this gamble with the plans for withdrawl from Gaza August 17th will work. I don't pretend to know even one move of the chess game they're playing but abrupt resignations of significant political leaders during chaotic times can't be a positive beginning to next week's plans in Gaza.
