In a wretched neighborhood called the Middle East where perception usually trumps reality, Israel has lost on both accounts. As Likud Central Committee chairman Danny Danon announced on Wednesday: "The Protective Edge war that began with huge support ended with Israel shamed and confused." Despite the spin of some pundits and people in and out of government, the facts support MK Danon’s assertion. In addition to Danon, the deal, unilaterally agreed to by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu without consent from his cabinet rattled coalition partners and political rivals such as Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman. Itamar Shimoni, The mayor of Ashkelon, a beachside city adjacent to Gaza hit incessantly by rocket fire since 2005 had this to say: “Any concession to Hamas is a surrender to terrorism.” Steven Emerson, writing for the “Investigative Project on Terrorism” seemed to concur with senior Israeli security officials which...(Read Full Article)