In English, it is said that a government “climbs a tall ladder,” while in Israel, the expression is that it “climbs up a tree.” Either way—on a ladder or in a tree—Israel’s government has climbed very high.
A final, and certainly unconventional, solution is for the government not to climb down at all, but instead to climb higher. Hamas believes that the wave of international condemnation and Israel’s deepening isolation will eventually force it to give in.
But what if Israel refuses to yield and presses ahead with its invasion plan to prove that no international pressure can save Hamas? Confronted with the very real possibility of complete destruction, Hamas might then agree to a ceasefire in exchange for releasing the hostages.
Ultimately, there is no path free of danger to ending this war. Every option is filled with obstacles and risks. “Total victory,” even if achieved, would cost Israel the lives of many soldiers and further damage what remains of its standing in the world.
Michael Oren Photo: APWhat is needed most now is a clear, courageous and consistent policy. Partial and hesitant steps cannot continue. The Israeli government must decide whether it intends to climb down from the tree or climb higher—and it must do so to the very end.
• Michael Oren is an author and former Israeli ambassador to the United States.
