Can_VV0 Israel_NP1 Survive_VV0 Its_APPGE Assault_NN1 on_II Gaza_NP1 ?_? 
As_CSA Israeli_JJ troops_NN2 encircle_VV0 Gaza_NP1 City_NN1 ,_, their_APPGE commanders_NN2 are_VBR faced_VVN with_IW a_AT1 painful_JJ dilemma_NN1 :_: How_RGQ far_RR must_VM they_PPHS2 advance_VVI into_II the_AT deadly_JJ labyrinth_NN1 of_IO slums_NN2 and_CC refugee_NN1 camps_NN2 where_RRQ Hamas_NN2 militants_NN2 await_VV0 with_IW booby-trapped_JJ houses_NN2 and_CC snipers_NN2 ?_? 
With_IW each_DD1 passing_JJ day_NNT1 ,_, Israel_NP1 's_GE war_NN1 against_II Hamas_NP2 grows_VVZ riskier_JJR and_CC more_RGR punishing_JJ ,_, with_IW the_AT gains_NN2 appearing_VVG to_TO diminish_VVI compared_VVN to_II the_AT spiraling_NN1 costs_VVZ --_NN1 to_II Israel_NP1 's_GE moral_JJ stature_NN1 ,_, to_II the_AT lives_NN2 of_IO Palestinian_JJ civilians_NN2 and_CC to_II the_AT world_NN1 's_GE hopes_NN2 that_CST an_AT1 ancient_JJ conflict_NN1 can_VM ever_RR be_VBI resolved_VVN ._. 
Ideally_RR ,_, in_II a_AT1 war_NN1 shaped_VVN by_II television_NN1 images_NN2 ,_, Israelis_NN2 would_VM like_VVI a_AT1 tableau_NN1 of_IO surrender_NN1 :_: grimy_JJ Hamas_NP2 commanders_NN2 crawling_VVG from_II underground_JJ bunkers_NN2 with_IW their_APPGE hands_NN2 up_RP ._. 
Instead_RR ,_, the_AT deaths_NN2 of_IO several_DA2 civilians_NN2 ,_, killed_VVN outside_II a_AT1 United_JJ Nations-run_JJ school_NN1 north_ND1 of_IO Gaza_NP1 City_NN1 where_CS they_PPHS2 had_VHD taken_VVN shelter_NN1 ,_, are_VBR likely_JJ to_TO become_VVI the_AT dominant_JJ image_NN1 of_IO the_AT war_NN1 ._. 
Israeli_JJ politicians_NN2 and_CC generals_NN2 know_VV0 that_CST the_AT total_JJ elimination_NN1 of_IO Hamas_NP2 '_GE entrenched_JJ military_JJ command_NN1 could_VM take_VVI weeks_NNT2 ;_; it_PPH1 might_VM be_VBI altogether_RR impossible_JJ ._. 
The_AT more_RGR realistic_JJ outcome_NN1 is_VBZ an_AT1 unsatisfactory_JJ ,_, brokered_VVD truce_NN1 that_CST leaves_VVZ Hamas_NP2 wounded_VVD but_CCB alive_JJ and_CC able_JK to_TO regenerate_VVI --_JJ and_CC Israel_NP1 only_RR temporarily_RR safe_JJ from_II attack_NN1 ._. 
Israel_NP1 's_GE Defense_NN1 Minister_NN1 ,_, Ehud_NP1 Barak_NP1 ,_, has_VHZ promised_VVN a_AT1 "_" war_NN1 to_II the_AT bitter_JJ end_NN1 ._. "_" 
But_CCB after_II 60_MC years_NNT2 of_IO struggle_NN1 to_TO defend_VVI their_APPGE existence_NN1 against_II foreign_JJ threats_NN2 and_CC enemies_NN2 within_RL ,_, many_DA2 Israelis_NN2 may_VM be_VBI wondering_VVG ,_, Where_RRQ does_VDZ that_DD1 end_VVI lie_VV0 ?_? 
The_AT threat_NN1 posed_VVN by_II Hamas_NP2 is_VBZ only_RR the_AT most_RGT immediate_JJ of_IO the_AT many_DA2 interlocking_JJ challenges_NN2 facing_VVG Israel_NP1 ,_, some_DD of_IO which_DDQ cast_VV0 dark_JJ shadows_NN2 over_II the_AT long-term_JJ viability_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 democratic_JJ Jewish_JJ state_NN1 ._. 
The_AT offensive_JJ in_II Gaza_NP1 may_VM degrade_VVI Hamas_NP2 '_GE ability_NN1 to_TO menace_VVI southern_JJ Israel_NP1 with_IW rocket_NN1 fire_NN1 ,_, but_CCB ,_, as_CSA with_IW Israel_NP1 's_GE 2006_MC war_NN1 against_II Hizballah_NP1 ,_, the_AT application_NN1 of_IO force_NN1 wo_VM n't_XX extinguish_VVI the_AT militants_NN2 '_GE ideological_JJ fervor_NN1 ._. 
The_AT anti-Israeli_JJ anger_NN1 swelling_VVG in_II the_AT region_NN1 has_VHZ made_VVN it_PPH1 more_RGR difficult_JJ for_IF Arab_JJ governments_NN2 to_TO join_VVI Israel_NP1 in_II its_APPGE efforts_NN2 to_TO deal_VVI with_IW Iran_NP1 ,_, the_AT patron_NN1 of_IO both_RR Hamas_NP2 and_CC Hizballah_NP1 and_CC a_AT1 state_NN1 whose_DDQGE leaders_NN2 have_VH0 sworn_VVN to_TO eliminate_VVI Israel_NP1 and_CC appear_VVI determined_JJ to_TO acquire_VVI nuclear_JJ weapons_NN2 ._. 
(_( See_VV0 pictures_NN2 of_IO grief_NN1 in_II the_AT Middle_JJ East_ND1 ._. )_) 
Just_RR as_RG ominous_JJ for_IF many_DA2 Israelis_NN2 is_VBZ a_AT1 ticking_NN1 demographic_JJ time_NNT1 bomb_NN1 :_: the_AT likelihood_NN1 that_CST Arabs_NN2 will_VM vastly_RR outnumber_VVI Jews_NN2 in_II the_AT land_NN1 stretching_VVG from_II the_AT Jordan_NP1 River_NNL1 to_II the_AT Mediterranean_NP1 is_VBZ a_AT1 catastrophic_JJ prospect_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 nation_NN1 that_CST defines_VVZ itself_PPX1 by_II its_APPGE faith_NN1 ._. 
At_II some_DD point_NN1 ,_, Israelis_NN2 will_VM have_VHI to_TO choose_VVI between_II living_VVG with_IW an_AT1 independent_JJ Palestinian_JJ state_NN1 or_CC watching_VVG Jews_NN2 become_VV0 a_AT1 minority_NN1 in_II their_APPGE own_DA land_NN1 ._. 
As_RG much_DA1 as_CSA any_DD other_JJ nation_NN1 on_II earth_NN1 ,_, Israel_NP1 is_VBZ based_VVN on_II a_AT1 dream_NN1 :_: the_AT aspiration_NN1 to_TO establish_VVI a_AT1 home_NN1 for_IF the_AT Jews_NN2 in_II the_AT birthplace_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE ancestors_NN2 ._. 
To_II a_AT1 remarkable_JJ extent_NN1 ,_, that_DD1 dream_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN fulfilled_VVN ,_, as_CSA Israel_NP1 has_VHZ grown_VVN into_II the_AT most_RGT modern_JJ and_CC democratic_JJ country_NN1 in_II the_AT Middle_JJ East_ND1 and_CC a_AT1 dependable_JJ American_JJ ally_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 strong_JJ ,_, confident_JJ Israel_NP1 is_VBZ in_II America_NP1 's_GE interest_NN1 ,_, but_CCB so_RR is_VBZ one_PN1 that_CST can_VM find_VVI peace_NN1 with_IW its_APPGE neighbors_NN2 ,_, cooperate_VV0 with_IW the_AT Arabs_NN2 to_TO contain_VVI common_JJ threats_NN2 and_CC ,_, most_RGT important_JJ ,_, reach_VV0 a_AT1 just_JJ and_CC lasting_JJ solution_NN1 with_IW the_AT Palestinians_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB accomplishing_VVG all_DB that_DD1 will_VM require_VVI Israel_NP1 and_CC its_APPGE defenders_NN2 to_TO confront_VVI excruciating_JJ dilemmas_NN2 :_: How_RRQ do_VD0 you_PPY make_VVI peace_NN1 with_IW those_DD2 who_PNQS do_VD0 n't_XX seem_VVI to_TO want_VVI it_PPH1 ?_? 
How_RRQ do_VD0 you_PPY win_VVI a_AT1 war_NN1 when_CS the_AT other_JJ side_NN1 believes_VVZ time_NNT1 is_VBZ on_II its_APPGE side_NN1 ?_? 
And_CC what_DDQ would_VM true_JJ security_NN1 ,_, in_II a_AT1 hostile_JJ neighborhood_NN1 populated_VVN with_IW enemies_NN2 ,_, actually_RR look_VV0 like_II ?_? 
As_CSA is_VBZ always_RR true_JJ in_II the_AT Middle_JJ East_ND1 ,_, there_EX are_VBR no_AT easy_JJ answers_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB it_PPH1 's_VHZ never_RR been_VBN more_RGR vital_JJ that_CST Israel_NP1 start_NN1 looking_VVG for_IF them_PPHO2 ._. 
How_RRQ to_II Deal_NN1 with_IW Hamas_NN2 The_AT most_RGT immediate_JJ challenge_NN1 facing_VVG Israel_NP1 is_VBZ that_CST posed_VVD by_II Hamas_NP2 ._. 
Gaza_NP1 's_GE tragedy_NN1 has_VHZ for_IF days_NNT2 been_VBN playing_VVG out_RP on_II the_AT world_NN1 's_GE TV_NN1 sets_NN2 ._. 
By_II Jan._NPM1 7_MC ,_, more_DAR than_CSN 700_MC Palestinians_NN2 ,_, many_DA2 of_IO them_PPHO2 noncombatants_NN2 ,_, had_VHD been_VBN killed_VVN ._. 
But_CCB there_EX 's_VBZ something_PN1 tragic_JJ ,_, too_RR ,_, in_II Israel_NP1 's_GE predicament_NN1 :_: in_II any_DD confrontation_NN1 with_IW its_APPGE enemies_NN2 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ damned_VVN if_CS it_PPH1 does_VDZ and_CC doomed_VVN if_CS it_PPH1 does_VDZ n't_XX ._. 
Across_II Israel_NP1 's_GE political_JJ spectrum_NN1 there_EX seems_VVZ to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 consensus_NN1 that_CST Hamas_NN2 '_GE provocative_JJ rocket_NN1 barrages_NN2 could_VM not_XX go_VVI unanswered_JJ --_NN1 though_RR whether_CSW Israel_NP1 's_GE response_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN proportional_JJ to_II the_AT threat_NN1 is_VBZ ,_, at_II the_AT least_RRT ,_, questionable_JJ ._. 
Perhaps_RR more_RGR threatening_JJ than_CSN the_AT rockets_NN2 themselves_PPX2 was_VBDZ the_AT doubt_NN1 they_PPHS2 cast_VV0 over_II Israel_NP1 's_GE vaunted_JJ power_NN1 of_IO deterrence_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ is_VBZ key_JJ to_II keeping_VVG its_APPGE hostile_JJ neighbors_NN2 at_II bay_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 power_NN1 was_VBDZ badly_RR eroded_VVN in_II 2006_MC ,_, when_RRQ Hizballah_NP1 was_VBDZ able_JK to_TO withstand_VVI the_AT Israeli_JJ onslaught_NN1 ,_, force_VV0 a_AT1 cease-fire_NN1 and_CC claim_NN1 victory_NN1 in_II the_AT process_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 surely_RR emboldened_VVD Hamas_NP2 ,_, which_DDQ intermittently_RR sent_VVN rockets_NN2 into_II southern_JJ Israel_NP1 and_CC finally_RR prompted_VVD Israel_NP1 to_TO respond_VVI in_II force_NN1 ._. 
As_CSA respected_JJ Israeli_JJ columnist_NN1 Nahum_NP1 Barnea_NP1 wrote_VVD in_II the_AT Hebrew_JJ daily_JJ Yedioth_NN1 Ahronoth_NN1 ,_, "_" A_ZZ1 country_NN1 that_CST is_VBZ afraid_JJ to_TO deal_VVI with_IW Hamas_NP2 wo_VM n't_XX be_VBI able_JJ either_RR to_TO deter_VVI Iran_NP1 or_CC to_TO safeguard_VVI its_APPGE interests_NN2 in_II dealing_VVG with_IW Syria_NP1 ,_, Egypt_NP1 ,_, Jordan_NP1 and_CC the_AT Palestinian_JJ Authority_NN1 ._. "_" 
But_CCB the_AT cold_JJ reality_NN1 is_VBZ that_CST eventually_RR Israel_NP1 may_VM need_VVI to_TO look_VVI not_XX to_TO "_" deal_VVI "_" with_IW Hamas_NP2 so_RR31 much_RR32 as_RR33 do_VD0 a_AT1 deal_NN1 with_IW it_PPH1 ._. 
Prime_JJ Minister_NN1 Ehud_NP1 Olmert_NP1 has_VHZ said_VVN he_PPHS1 does_VDZ n't_XX intend_VVI to_TO topple_VVI Hamas_NN2 ;_; he_PPHS1 knows_VVZ Israel_NP1 ca_VM n't_XX fill_VVI the_AT vacuum_NN1 of_IO leadership_NN1 that_CST its_APPGE elimination_NN1 would_VM produce_VVI in_II Gaza_NP1 ._. 
Neither_DD1 can_VM Mahmoud_NP1 Abbas_NP1 ,_, Israel_NP1 's_GE preferred_JJ Palestinian_JJ leader_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS is_VBZ fading_VVG into_II the_AT background_NN1 in_II the_AT West_NP1 Bank_NP1 ._. 
So_RR Israel_NP1 has_VHZ said_VVN it_PPH1 will_VM be_VBI satisfied_VVN if_CS Hamas_NN2 stops_VVZ shooting_VVG rockets_NN2 and_CC an_AT1 international_JJ force_NN1 polices_VVZ the_AT Egyptian_JJ border_NN1 to_TO keep_VVI the_AT militants_NN2 from_II re-arming_VVG themselves_PPX2 with_IW weapons_NN2 smuggled_VVD through_II tunnels_NN2 ._. 
Hamas_NP1 says_VVZ it_PPH1 will_VM agree_VVI to_II a_AT1 truce_NN1 if_CS Israel_NP1 retreats_VVZ from_II Gaza_NP1 and_CC loosens_VVZ the_AT economic_JJ choke_NN1 hold_VV0 that_CST has_VHZ strangled_VVN the_AT 1.5_MC million_NNO Palestinians_NN2 who_PNQS live_VV0 on_II the_AT sliver_NN1 of_IO land_NN1 along_II the_AT Mediterranean_JJ ._. 
After_CS weeks_NNT2 of_IO global_JJ outrage_NN1 over_II the_AT unfolding_JJ humanitarian_JJ disaster_NN1 in_II Gaza_NP1 ,_, any_DD mediator_NN1 --_NN1 France_NP1 ,_, the_AT European_JJ Union_NN1 ,_, Turkey_NP1 and_CC Egypt_NP1 are_VBR all_DB auditioning_VVG for_IF the_AT role_NN1 --_NN1 will_VM insist_VVI that_CST Israel_NP1 end_VV0 its_APPGE 18-month_JJ blockade_NN1 ._. 
What_DDQ then_RT ?_? 
Like_II Hizballah_NP1 ,_, Hamas_NP2 will_VM declare_VVI itself_PPX1 victorious_JJ :_: not_XX only_RR will_VM it_PPH1 have_VHI survived_VVN a_AT1 direct_JJ assault_NN1 by_II a_AT1 far_JJ superior_JJ military_JJ force_NN1 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 will_VM also_RR have_VHI freed_VVN Gazans_NN2 from_II Israeli_JJ tyranny_NN1 ._. 
As_II an_AT1 added_JJ bonus_NN1 ,_, any_DD economic_JJ revival_NN1 of_IO Gaza_NP1 would_VM put_VVI money_NN1 into_II Hamas_NP2 '_GE coffers_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB Israel_NP1 would_VM gain_VVI some_DD breathing_NN1 space_NN1 and_CC force_NN1 Hamas_NN2 to_TO prove_VVI it_PPH1 can_VM actually_RR govern_VVI and_CC maintain_VVI stability_NN1 in_II Gaza_NP1 rather_CS21 than_CS22 heap_VVI blame_NN1 entirely_RR on_II Israel_NP1 ._. 
The_AT Specter_NN1 of_IO Iran_NP1 One_MC1 indirect_JJ objective_NN1 of_IO the_AT Gaza_NP1 offensive_NN1 might_VM have_VHI been_VBN to_TO warn_VVI off_II Israel_NP1 's_GE other_JJ nonstate_NN1 militant_NN1 foe_NN1 :_: Hizballah_UH ._. 
While_CS the_AT Lebanese_JJ group_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN cheering_VVG on_II Hamas_NP2 from_II the_AT sidelines_NN2 ,_, it_PPH1 has_VHZ refrained_VVN from_II entering_VVG the_AT fray_NN1 ._. 
Hizballah_UH may_VM have_VHI a_AT1 stockpile_NN1 of_IO new_JJ rockets_NN2 ,_, but_CCB Israeli_JJ generals_NN2 hope_VV0 Gaza_NP1 will_VM serve_VVI as_II a_AT1 cautionary_JJ example_NN1 of_IO what_DDQ would_VM happen_VVI if_CSW it_PPH1 used_VVD them_PPHO2 ._. 
This_DD1 is_VBZ a_AT1 reassuring_JJ thought_NN1 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 remains_VVZ to_TO be_VBI tested_VVN ._. 
After_II all_DB ,_, Hizballah_NP1 's_GE rockets_NN2 have_VH0 only_RR one_MC1 purpose_NN1 ,_, and_CC that_DD1 is_VBZ to_TO be_VBI used_VVN against_II Israel_NP1 ._. 
The_AT broader_JJR aim_NN1 of_IO the_AT Gaza_NP1 war_NN1 ,_, Israeli_JJ security_NN1 experts_NN2 argue_VV0 ,_, was_VBDZ to_TO send_VVI a_AT1 message_NN1 to_II Hamas_NP2 '_GE sponsor_NN1 ,_, Iran_NP1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ certainly_RR true_JJ that_CST the_AT assault_NN1 has_VHZ broken_VVN the_AT Iranian_JJ pipeline_NN1 that_CST delivered_VVD weapons_NN2 and_CC funds_NN2 to_II the_AT militants_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB by_II killing_VVG hundreds_NNO2 of_IO Palestinians_NN2 ,_, Israel_NP1 may_VM have_VHI undermined_VVN its_APPGE hopes_NN2 of_IO forming_VVG common_JJ cause_NN1 with_IW moderate_JJ Sunni_NN1 Arab_NN1 states_VVZ against_II the_AT nuclear_JJ ambitions_NN2 of_IO Shi'ite_JJ Iran_NP1 ._. 
The_AT Gaza_NP1 offensive_NN1 has_VHZ greatly_RR weakened_VVN Israel_NP1 's_GE few_DA2 Arab_JJ allies_NN2 ._. 
Moderate_JJ Arab_JJ countries_NN2 that_CST were_VBDR edging_VVG closer_RRR to_II recognition_NN1 of_IO the_AT Jewish_JJ state_NN1 are_VBR now_RT recoiling_VVG from_II what_DDQ they_PPHS2 see_VV0 as_II the_AT slaughter_NN1 of_IO fellow_JJ Arabs_NN2 in_II Gaza_NP1 ._. 
In_II Egypt_NP1 ,_, pro-Gaza_JJ protests_NN2 turned_VVN into_II thinly_RR veiled_JJ attacks_NN2 on_II President_NNB Hosni_NP1 Mubarak_NP1 's_GE rule_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ has_VHZ helped_VVN maintain_VVI the_AT blockade_NN1 of_IO Gaza_NP1 ._. 
The_AT pressure_NN1 may_VM force_VVI Mubarak_NP1 to_TO support_VVI a_AT1 truce_NN1 that_CST entails_VVZ opening_VVG the_AT Egypt-Gaza_NP1 border_NN1 as_II Hamas_NP2 demands_NN2 ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 is_VBZ unlikely_JJ to_TO soften_VVI his_APPGE position_NN1 on_II the_AT Palestinian_JJ group_NN1 that_CST maintains_VVZ links_NN2 with_IW Egyptian_JJ Islamists_NN2 as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 the_AT Iranian_JJ regime_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB how_RGQ far_RR Arab_JJ states_NN2 will_VM be_VBI willing_JJ to_TO go_VVI now_RT to_TO make_VVI peace_NN1 with_IW Israel_NP1 is_VBZ unclear_JJ ._. 
The_AT Saudi-sponsored_JJ Arab_JJ Peace_NN1 Plan_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ offered_VVD Israel_NP1 peace_NN1 with_IW 22_MC Arab_JJ countries_NN2 if_CS it_PPH1 withdrew_VVD to_II its_APPGE 1967_MC borders_NN2 ,_, will_VM remain_VVI on_II the_AT table_NN1 for_IF Israel_NP1 's_GE new_JJ PM_NP1 to_TO consider_VVI ._. 
Even_RR Syria_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 prime_JJ supporter_NN1 of_IO Hamas_NP2 ,_, spent_VVD part_NN1 of_IO 2008_MC in_II indirect_JJ peace_NN1 talks_NN2 with_IW Israel_NP1 mediated_VVD by_II Turkey_NP1 ._. 
But_CCB Syria_NP1 has_VHZ broken_VVN off_II its_APPGE talks_NN2 for_IF now_RT ,_, destroying_VVG any_DD chance_NN1 that_CST Damascus_NP1 ,_, on_II31 behalf_II32 of_II33 Israel_NP1 ,_, might_VM put_VVI pressure_NN1 on_II the_AT exiled_JJ Hamas_NP2 leaders_NN2 residing_VVG there_RL ._. 
Confronting_VVG the_AT Danger_NN1 Within_II Even_RR in_II a_AT1 dangerous_JJ neighborhood_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ possible_JJ to_TO imagine_VVI that_DD1 ,_, secure_VV0 in_II its_APPGE military_JJ power_NN1 ,_, Israel_NP1 could_VM continue_VVI for_IF years_NNT2 in_II a_AT1 state_NN1 of_IO neither_RR all-out_JJ war_NN1 nor_CC true_JJ peace_NN1 ,_, always_RR willing_JJ to_TO fight_VVI bitter_JJ but_CCB limited_JJ conflicts_NN2 of_IO the_AT kind_NN1 it_PPH1 did_VDD in_II Lebanon_NP1 and_CC Gaza_NP1 ._. 
But_CCB military_JJ might_NN1 would_VM be_VBI useless_JJ against_II the_AT threat_NN1 that_CST looms_VVZ within_II its_APPGE borders_NN2 ._. 
Israel_NP1 's_GE population_NN1 of_IO 7.1_MC million_NNO is_VBZ today_RT divided_VVN into_II 5.4_MC million_NNO Jews_NN2 and_CC 1.6_MC million_NNO Arabs_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB if_CS you_PPY include_VV0 Arabs_NN2 in_II Gaza_NP1 and_CC the_AT West_NP1 Bank_NP1 ,_, they_PPHS2 may_VM already_RR have_VHI a_AT1 slender_JJ majority_NN1 ;_; and_CC given_VVN their_APPGE higher_JJR birthrate_NN1 ,_, the_AT gap_NN1 will_VM widen_VVI quickly_RR ._. 
This_DD1 tectonic_JJ shift_NN1 in_II demographics_NN1 is_VBZ what_DDQ scared_VVD even_RR hawkish_JJ Israelis_NN2 like_II former_DA Prime_JJ Minister_NN1 Ariel_NP1 Sharon_NP1 into_II abandoning_VVG the_AT biblical_JJ dreams_NN2 of_IO a_AT1 Greater_JJR Israel_NP1 stretching_VVG all_DB the_AT way_NN1 from_II the_AT Jordan_NP1 River_NNL1 to_II the_AT Mediterranean_JJ ._. 
As_CSA Olmert_NP1 recently_RR warned_VVN ,_, "_" If_CS we_PPIS2 are_VBR determined_VVN to_TO preserve_VVI the_AT Jewish_JJ and_CC democratic_JJ character_NN1 of_IO the_AT state_NN1 of_IO Israel_NP1 ,_, we_PPIS2 must_VM inevitably_RR relinquish_VVI ,_, with_IW great_JJ pain_NN1 ,_, parts_NN2 of_IO our_APPGE homeland_NN1 ._. "_" 
In_II other_JJ words_NN2 ,_, if_CS Israelis_NN2 cling_VV0 to_II the_AT West_NP1 Bank_NP1 and_CC Gaza_NP1 ,_, as_CSA many_DA2 religious_JJ Zionists_NN2 insist_VV0 ,_, Jews_NN2 will_VM find_VVI themselves_PPX2 a_AT1 shrinking_JJ minority_NN1 in_II their_APPGE own_DA state_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX only_RR would_VM Israel_NP1 cease_VVI to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 Jewish_JJ state_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 would_VM no_RR21 longer_RR22 be_VBI a_AT1 democratic_JJ one_PN1 either_RR ,_, unless_CS Arabs_NN2 are_VBR given_VVN a_AT1 fair_JJ share_NN1 of_IO power_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 few_DA2 bold_JJ Arab_JJ intellectuals_NN2 are_VBR saying_VVG Palestinians_NN2 should_VM abandon_VVI the_AT idea_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 two-state_JJ solution_NN1 and_CC just_RR wait_VV0 until_CS they_PPHS2 outnumber_VV0 the_AT Jews_NN2 ._. 
That_DD1 would_VM take_VVI decades_NNT2 ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 may_VM rest_VVI more_RRR on_II wishful_JJ thinking_NN1 by_II Palestinians_NN2 than_CSN a_AT1 real_JJ calculation_NN1 of_IO political_JJ reality_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT population_NN1 shift_NN1 underscores_VVZ a_AT1 plain_JJ fact_NN1 :_: for_IF Israel_NP1 ,_, the_AT status_NN121 quo_NN122 wo_VM n't_XX be_VBI good_JJ enough_RR for_IF much_RR longer_RRR ._. 
Israel_NP1 's_GE leaders_NN2 need_VV0 to_TO recognize_VVI that_CST if_CS Hamas_NN2 can_VM not_XX be_VBI beaten_VVN militarily_RR ,_, then_RT it_PPH1 must_VM be_VBI engaged_VVN politically_RR ._. 
That_DD1 means_VVZ accepting_VVG the_AT idea_NN1 of_IO dealing_VVG with_IW some_DD kind_NN1 of_IO Palestinian_JJ unity_NN1 government_NN1 that_CST includes_VVZ Hamas_NP2 ._. 
A_AT1 coalition_NN1 between_II Hamas_NP2 and_CC Abbas_NP1 is_VBZ essential_JJ for_IF the_AT future_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 Palestinian_JJ state_NN1 and_CC for_IF moderating_JJ Hamas_NP2 '_GE extremism_NN1 ._. 
Hamas_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ 18_MC months_NNT2 ago_RA chased_VVD Abbas_NP1 '_GE men_NN2 from_II Gaza_NP1 ,_, says_VVZ it_PPH1 will_VM pair_NN up_RP with_IW Abbas_NP1 if_CS he_PPHS1 ,_, along_II21 with_II22 the_AT international_JJ community_NN1 ,_, recognizes_VVZ that_CST the_AT Islamic_JJ militants_NN2 legitimately_RR came_VVD to_II power_NN1 in_II the_AT January_NPM1 2006_MC elections_NN2 ._. 
Israelis_NN2 rightly_RR view_VV0 such_DA claims_NN2 with_IW skepticism_NN1 ,_, and_CC yet_RR all_DB Palestinians_NN2 and_CC their_APPGE Arab_JJ backers_NN2 reject_VV0 the_AT current_JJ situation_NN1 ,_, where_RRQ the_AT meager_JJ land_NN1 set_VVD aside_RL for_IF a_AT1 future_JJ state_NN1 is_VBZ chopped_VVN into_II two_MC ,_, Gaza_NP1 and_CC the_AT West_NP1 Bank_NP1 ,_, ruled_VVN by_II rivals_NN2 ._. 
A_AT1 new_JJ Administration_NN1 in_II Washington_NP1 has_VHZ a_AT1 chance_NN1 to_TO be_VBI both_RR supportive_JJ of_IO Israel_NP1 and_CC honest_JJ with_IW it_PPH1 ._. 
Over_II the_AT past_JJ three_MC years_NNT2 ,_, many_DA2 Israelis_NN2 have_VH0 told_VVN me_PPIO1 that_CST President_NNB George_NP1 W._NP1 Bush_NP1 was_VBDZ too_RG good_JJ a_AT1 friend_NN1 of_IO theirs_PPGE ._. 
He_PPHS1 gave_VVD Israelis_NN2 all_DB they_PPHS2 wanted_VVD but_CCB did_VDD n't_XX rein_VVI them_PPHO2 in_RP when_CS they_PPHS2 needed_VVD it_PPH1 ._. 
Israel_NP1 eventually_RR will_VM have_VHI to_TO pull_VVI back_RP to_II the_AT 1967_MC borders_NN2 and_CC dismantle_VV0 many_DA2 of_IO the_AT settlements_NN2 on_II the_AT Palestinian_JJ side_NN1 ,_, no_RGQV31 matter_RGQV32 how_RGQV33 loudly_RR its_APPGE ultra-religious_JJ parties_NN2 protest_VV0 ._. 
Only_RR then_RT will_VM the_AT Palestinians_NN2 and_CC the_AT other_JJ Arab_JJ states_NN2 agree_VV0 to_II a_AT1 durable_JJ peace_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ as_RG simple_JJ as_CSA that_DD1 ._. 
But_II21 for_II22 60_MC years_NNT2 ,_, in_II the_AT Holy_JJ Land_NN1 ,_, there_EX has_VHZ been_VBN a_AT1 yawning_JJ gap_NN1 between_II what_DDQ was_VBDZ simple_JJ and_CC what_DDQ could_VM be_VBI achieved_VVN ._. 
