It seems that Israeli politicians are uncomfortable with rule books and an even playing field. The new "peace doves" of Kadima could not help to track back to Sharon's rough methods. Thus they crafted a go-it-alone policy to embark on multi-front regional change of its own.

Iraq was an eye-opener for the United State as it learned the (expensive) lesson. It all proved to be a ruse for a disingenuous war plan supported by Israel's lobbyists. However, the proxy game stopped far short of other items on Israel's wish list: Regime change in Syria, military conflict against Iran and capitulation of Palestinian and Lebanese politics in favour of Israel's candidates. Hamas and Hezbollah made strong showings despite Israel's lobby for Fatah and old Lebanese militia. In turn, Israel decided to set up another ruse by cutting off tax revenues of the Palestinian Authority. That proved to be futile when Hamas announced its intentions to join Fatah and talk with Israel and the Israelis lost their nerve.

The decision of the Israeli government to go all out on several fronts, with attacks against civilians in Gaza and Lebanon (and potentially Syria) are reminders that Israel simply prefers violence over negotiations.

The G8 may wish to seriously contemplate a radical plan to permanently check this thirst for random violence and defuse the problem for the long haul. The choice may well be limited to the strong-armed tactics that Israel prefers. As with all other conflicts, the first step requires the landing of credible peacekeeping G8 forces on Israeli territory. A demilitarization process may well be the end product for a final and permanent solution, even though that may take decades. Simply, Israel must prove that is willing to change.