Olmert Lowers Israel's Defenses Again--Removes Roadblocks

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has apparently adopted Gandhian non-violence as a security policy. Olmert has been greatly encouraged by the results of his policy of refusing to respond to Palestinian violations of the current "ceasefire"--true, over 60 rockets have rained down on the Negev, but Condoleeza Rice has praised Israel for its self-restraint, Mahmoud Abbas is coming to dinner at his house, and the European Union thinks he's the cat's pajamas.

Building on that record, Olmert now has decided that it is not enough to refuse to defend Israel against Palestinian rocket attacks; Israel has to abandon its self-defense against terrorist bombs and shootings as well. To that end, Olmert today approved the removal of 27 roadblocks in Yehuda and Shomron. These roadblocks stop would-be attackers of Israeli civilian targets literally every day. One analyst notes that Olmert's decision to remove the roadblocks makes a successful terrorist attack in Israel inevitable and probably imminent.

However, Mr. Olmert feels that even this lowering of Israel's guard against terrorism is an inadequate gesture of goodwill. Ater all, how can there be a successful terrorist attack without adequate weapons? Therefore the Olmert government is also facilitating the transfer of 2,000 Kalashnikov rifles to Abbas's Force 17 "Presidential Guard" in the Gaza Strip. In short order, they will be aimed and fired at Israelis, but that is a small price to pay for goodwill.

And how are the Palestinians responding to Mr. Olmert's charm offensive. Weapons smuggling is increasing and, according to deputy head of Israel Defense Forces Operations Brig.-Gen. Sammy Turgeman, Israel will soon find itself facing "new and unprecedented forces" in the Gaza Strip.

Wow, it's a good thing that Olmert has garnered all that goodwill with the Palestinians. Who do you think he is talking to, to get all these swell ideas about security and self-defense?