Ze’ev Sternhel does not think that the Israeli leadership is delusional. He argues that they know exactly what they are doing.
“…They are not naive, they are not stupid, and they don’t think that liquidating the leadership of Hamas will bring about a peaceful solution – or any other solution, for that matter – but that doesn’t exactly bother them, because that’s not what they’re after.”
“They all know that every liquidated individual will have a replacement, but they are not fighting only terrorism, and their strategic goal is not a peace based on compromise but the total submission of the Palestinians. From their point of view, the war will not end until the day when the Palestinians accept unquestioningly Israel’s rule in the territories.”
The one point I disagree with Sternhell is that I don’t think Sharon or Mofaz’ “hearts are rent at the sight of the tragedy in Cafe Hillel.” From their reactions to current events it is apparent that they are heartless and brutal men who only care about power, not people.