An odious policy razed

The anger behind Israel's policy of destroying the family homes of Palestinian militants was certainly understood, but the logic behind the odious practice was not.

After many decades, the practice has been halted. Maybe a better word is, suspended. "House demolitions are just one measure of deterrence, and at present, it doesn't play the same role it did previously," said a military official quoted last week by The New York Times.

Deterrence? Hardly. Heinous and bloody attacks continued despite the military's bulldozing the homes of family members and relatives. Punishing civilians only fueled the resentments and anger that produced new recruits for paramilitary factions and suicide bombers.

In the past four years of uprising, 675 homes were destroyed, according to an Israeli human-rights group.

The estimate is 4,230 Palestinians were left homeless.

Credit for this change must go to the latest round of peace talks. These are the moves that nurture hope.