We could not guard every water pipeline from being blown up and every tree from being uprooted. We could not prevent every murder of a worker in an orchard or a family in their beds. But it was in our power to set high price for our blood, a price too high for the Arab community, the Arab army, or the Arab governments to think it worth paying. . . It was in our power to cause the Arab governments to renounce 'the policy of strength' toward Israel by turning it into a demonstration of weakness.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Dayan admits they cannot stop every attack but can set a high price for bloodshed, making it too costly for Arab forces, thereby forcing them to abandon a policy of strength.
- In plain terms
- They can’t stop all violence, but can make it too costly for the enemy.
- What can you take from it?
- Economic pressure can compel adversaries to change strategy.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is it ethical to use cost as a weapon?
- What are the long‑term effects of such a strategy?
Another view
May overlook humanitarian impact of raising the cost of bloodshed.
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