Its deja vu all over again. At least thats how it always feels when Israel undertakes a major operation against the Muslim terror groups that surround it. Whether its Fatah or Force 17 or Hezbollah or Hamas, the story always stays the same. First, Israel appeases its terrorist enemies in order to promote peace. Next, Israels enemies do violence to her. Then Israel responds with sporadic outbursts of tremendous force. In response, the international community caterwauls. Finally, Israel retreats. And the cycle begins again.

Thats how it has always gone for Israel. And thats how it will go this time.

When Israel fails to dislodge Hamas and Israel will fail to do so -- Hamas will claim victory. Israel will go back to the negotiating table and make more concessions. And more of its citizens will die.

Clearly the Palestinian Arabs and their allies, all of whom wish that the gas chambers of Nazi Germany had been big enough to fit all the Jews worldwide, are to blame for the endless violence. The Israel-Arab conflict isnt about faux outrage over borders or supposed anger over refugees. Its about the Arab desire to wipe Israel off the map. The Arabs arent concerned about an independent Palestinian Arab state -- after all, theyve been spending billions on rockets instead of working toilets. When Israel handed over the Gaza Strip, including beautiful Jewish-built greenhouses, the Palestinian Arabs promptly razed the greenhouses and elected Hamas. The Arabs are concerned about killing Jews.

So the Palestinian Arabs arent any mystery. The real mystery is the utterly suicidal nature of the Israeli government.

Israel always concedes. Israel always leaves her enemies intact. Israel always stops short. This conflict continues because Israel refuses to end it.

But why?

There are three major reasons why Israel, like Europe, is more interested in appeasement than victory. Continued...