IDF Paratroopers Brigade Commander Col. Nimrod Aloni said on Thursday that the wave of terror requires a diplomatic solution, not a military one. "At this point, there is much confusion and a great deal of embarrassment surrounding efforts to tackle the current wave of terrorism, as it poses a different challenge than what we are used to. Is there a chance of victory? I think this is really, really not a military question -- it has everything to do with government decisions. At this stage we are playing defense, almost at our goal line, and trying to prevent the next terrorist attack from happening," Aloni said in an interview with Army Radio. He said a commander's primary mission in the field is to defend the public: "If a soldier is stabbed, his commander must be alert and eliminate the threat, but his main concern is first and foremost to make sure no civilian is harmed." Aloni said the Palestinian public is generally very supportive of the current surge of violence against Israelis. "There are a few people who absolutely want calm, but in recent weeks, unlike previous surges of terrorism, the violence is generally characterized by very broad support from the Palestinian street," he said. "Anyone who claims that the Palestinians are condemning this wave of terrorism simply doesn't read the news at all, in my opinion."
