A Daily Analysis
By Marc Schulman

September 4 , 2007 Cabinet to Meet on Qassam Attacks

The cabinet will meet in special session tomorrow, at the request of Security Minister Avi Dichter, to discuss the Qassam attacks on Sderot. Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz publicly attacked Prime Minister Olmert for lack of action. Unfortunately IsraelŐs options are limited. Israel could engage in a large-scale attack to retake the Strip and disarm the Hamas. Retaking Gaza will cost many lives and will require a direct and prolonged occupation of the one place on earth almost all Israelis believe we should not remain. Option B is retaking just the northern part of the strip and border with Egypt. Again, there would be a great many casualties, and most likely this action would strengthen the Hamas government. The third military option is to step up the targeted killings already in place. A non-military option has been proposed again today. For every Qassam that is fired into Israel, electricity in Gaza should be cut off for one hour. Up until now, such actions have been opposed, considered against international law, as a form of collective punishment. How ridiculous! It is ok under the law to take lethal actions that might inadvertently kill civilians, however, it is not ok to turn off their electricity when we are attacked by rockets?


Today, at a Supreme Court hearing, the Winograd Commission announced it would send out warning notices to those likely to be hurt by the CommissionŐs report. What is the importance of this decision? It means that Olmert and company will remain in power for many more months. Once they send out warning letters, those warned will have the ability to examine the evidence against them, and the submit evidence in their defense. The end result: instead of releasing the report in a month, it will be many months, if not a year before the Winograd CommissionŐs report is released.