The Litani River has become a cherished aspiration for messianic elements and a magic solution to the security threat from Lebanon. Israel is repeating a familiar idea – and expecting a different outcome
The Greek philosopher Heraclitus said 2,500 years ago, "You cannot step into the same river twice." He meant that reality is in constant flux: the water flows, and the person entering the river changes as well. Naturally, Heraclitus never encountered Israeli reality. Here, it seems, one can step into the same river three or four times and nothing changes. The waters and those who enter them quickly forget past experience and eagerly jump in again.