Where's the strategy here?

Even at this stage, with the war going on, we are entitled, even obligated, to ask:

l What is Israel's strategy? Does it have a strategic vision, or is it merely following a tactic of acting in a relentless sequence of provocations and responses? This second possibility is unsettling: The leadership has an obligation to present a strategy, and use it as a basis for practical policy steps.

l Can we not learn the lessons of the past? Can we not learn from cases which so often proved that problematic results come from lack of forethought? Are we still unable to grasp how heavy a price was paid in terms of human life, and in terms of the state's diplomatic, economic and social welfare interests, due to these mistakes? This was true with regard to the non-acceptance of the interim agreement with Egypt in 1971-1972, the Lebanon War, the establishment of settlements, and the missed opportunity to advance to interim settlements with the Palestinians since 1995. Must such errors persist?

l Are we unable to grasp that the existence of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel is needed to ensure Israel's continuation as a democratic state with a decisive Jewish majority? Are there still those who really believe that we can annex 3 million Palestinians to Israel, control them with their consent, and still manage to run a flourishing democratic, Jewish state?