Opinion  Others
War of deception and stupidity
Prof. Zeev Maoz
Published: 03.08.06, 20:30
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31. no14
toni ,   sabattus me   (08.04.06)
you talk as if the commentator spoke of an alternative but your last sentance spoke loud n clear he doesnt nor do you have an alternative and frankly it takes two to tango
32. Deception and Stupidity
Amit ,   Toronto, Canada   (08.04.06)
I take it we're not gonna get an apology from "Prof" Maoz for the deception and stupidity that led Israel to abandon 40 years of successful nation building for Oslo and a complete loss of deterrent capability. Israel will be a lot better off if it stops listening to people like Maoz. The emprical evidence is that policies advocated by Maoz and his ilk have inavariably been an umitigated disaster.
33. #12-Peter
Drumgoole ,   Newark NJ   (08.04.06)
What really offends me are delusional people like the idiot author of this stupid article and arrogant postings by people like Peter who offer a lot of hot air and cliches without any real solutions. Peter talks about compromise. Exactly what is there to compromise with a group that calls for Israel's destruction and has over 10,000 missiles on the border? When the USSR provided nuclear missiles to Cuba, the US decided that the situation was intolerable and was willing to go to nuclear war if The USSR didn't remove the mssiles. Imagine, if genocidal Iran provides nuclear or other WMDs to Hezbollah. No Arrow Missile systen would be able to intercept a warhead that is fired from a few miles away. So Peter, what is there to compromise? Is it the lives of the kidnapped IDF soldiers? Should Israel compromise and continue to allow missiles to be launched against its civilian population from Lebanon and Gaza? Or better yet, should Israel allow Hezbollah to cross the border and kill Israeli troops within Israel proper? Isn't that an act of war? Unfortunately, this war has been fought stupidly by an incompetent administration and the military leadership headed by Olmert, Peretz, and Halutz. If they wanted to war against Hezbollah, they should have immediately launched a major incursion into Lebanon of no less than 3 divisions and ended the war sooner rather than to let it drag on and cause unnecessary civilian deaths and casualties. These bleeding hearts who excoriate Israel for unintentional killings are nothing but mentally ill misfits who don't know what they are talking about.
34. if 850 israelis were killed would u throw us roses???!!
lebanese 100% ,   beirut,lebanon   (08.04.06)
viloence generates more violence and the whole concept of hizbollah or the lebanese resistance was created and took a bigger dimension as a reaction to israel several invasions to lebanon starting 1973.basically u want 2 things 1-stop hizbollah from attacking israel and 2-free z 2 captured soldiers. here is our deal 1-free our 3 captured lebanese (samir kantar captured since 1979)2-withdraw from chebaa farms .fighting and dying is not our hobby we simply want what is ours
35. moral victories
nelson ,   sao paulo, brazil   (08.04.06)
Righ: after all we also won the moral war, the ethical struggle against the Nazis, do you remember? That's a historical victory that is not at doubt. Thus: thanks, but no, thanks. Most Jews are less ambitious nowadays than you and will be satisfied with a simple and straight military victory. About the moral war: go, preach to the Hezbollah.
36. Winning The Battle, and Losing The War
Rahn W. ,   Vancouver, BC   (08.04.06)
Israel will probably emerge the 'victor' after this latest war, at least on the surface of it and as far its infrastructure is concerned. However, if it looses it's morality, then the enemy has won, and Israel is no better than them, and the whole world will tell you so. And this is of course is exactly what the enemy really wants. To drag you down to their level. They have legitimate grievances so the tides of heaven may just side with them for awhile as well. And what if you don't learn from your mistakes? What if your mistakes are so horrendous, that the majority of civilized public opinion turns against you, and the world leaves you to the wolves? Will you really just nuke the whole world? You are playing with fire Israel, and there are natural laws in the lives of men and nations, that if you transgress, could be your downfall. You are playing russian roulette with your destiny, and you have now made too many mistakes. Re-think your position before you make a fatal mistake. At least try proposing some form of peace plan, and never quit talking at the table of peace. Those doors must be left open. At least you will keep the rest of the world on your side, or on the side of rationale civil discourse. Good luck to all of you in the middle east!
37. Israel vs Hizbulla
Paul Parker ,   Ivins Washington   (08.04.06)
I don't understand where your comming from. What did you say? Are we to read behind the lines? Do you have a solution?
38. You must be sitting in a cozy room, too far for any Kutyasha
L ,   David   (08.04.06)
A typical idealogical extremist. Don't confuse me with the facts or a crisis, I'm going to keep spewing the same **** no matter what. Just stick another quater in, hit the button and I'll recite the party mantra again. I don't know what you're a proffesor of but even if you're smart, you're definitly not clever. A lesson in english syntax and sentence structure will help too.
39. the prof
MARK ROBERTSON ,   LISBON, PORTUGAL   (08.04.06)
The prof is all emotion thinly concealed under a veneer of intellect. He neither asks nor answers any of the real questions raised by this conflict., but rather posits some spurious internal conspiracy by some nameless clique. Are they the erev rav perhaps? The mistake is to see things the way we want them to be, rather than the way they are.
40. All this noise about Isreal is quite disproportional
Pierre ,   Paris, France   (08.04.06)
No, I won't compare the number of victims in other conflicts, wars or "humanitarian" interventions, though in Kosovo there were officially 1500 victims.. and a silence too. Let's talk about other numbers, you'll see why : Shebaa Farmes covers 25 km² Syria: 185,180 km² Israel: 20,770 km² Lebanon: 10,400 km² WestBank : 5,860 km² Gaza: 360 km² Golan Heights: 1,070 km² Shebaa Farmes: 25 km² And here are some other annexed territories in the world. Nobody is screaming about it, no UN, no nothing. Just look and compare: Hatay Province: 5,545 km² annexed by Turky from Syria Aksai Chin: 28,500 km² annexed by China from India Kachemire : 222,236 km² Tibet: 1,200,000 km² NB. "Historical Tibet" is actually 2,500,000 km² That is : real conflicts, real wars, real problems. Real issues. Tell me what this Islamic Hysteria is about for the miserable 25 km² ?
41. Much respect to you!
Jon Dale ,   WA   (08.04.06)
42. Deception and Stupidity
freedom ,   canada   (08.04.06)
Yes to me this article dates back over 20 years ago... the factors are much, much different now... In case we havent noticed. hizbullah resembles the early stages of the german nazi party of long ago.. taking away personal freedoms and a few fanatics decide whats best for the majority.. Maybe the writer of the article should think about those apples.. arguments in the article are flawed as in they are 1980s thinking.. cheers to the smart ones here noticing that these are different times....
43. war of deception and stupidity
ihsan alkhatib ,   dearborn, Michigan   (08.04.06)
The test of a democracy is dissenting voices during turmoil. It is easy to have freedom of speech when at peace the challenge is to keep values during war. Most importantly, why is it acceptable to hear other voices from jewish Israelis but Arab Israelis if they voice other views are thought of as a threat?
44. Blind, deaf and dumb
John S. William ,   Washington, D.C.   (08.04.06)
Is all of Israel blind, deaf and dumb, I can be certain it has a short term memory. How many wars? How many dead? You are in Arab land, until you realize that is the root of the problem, how many wars and how many more dead will there be. I am pessamistic Israel will not learn, so G..d help you. I can see why He chose you his most troubled children if anyone needs Him it is you. John S. William
45. "mental strength to admit (y)our mistakes"
sh. ,   chicago, usa   (08.04.06)
I quote your last words “And if we have the mental strength to admit our mistakes and try and learn from them, so as not to repeat them" how about leaving Gush Katif unilaterally, do you honestly think you know more then the military experts? I am not really sure what kind of professor you are, but one kind I am sure (hope) that you are not, is human psychology more specifically the Arab mentality. Which world are you living in, I am living in a world of Oslo, Camp David 2000, intifada 2, kidnapping soldiers, Iran, al-qaida. I hope that you will practice what you preach and have the "mental strength to admit (y)our mistakes".
46. To Pierre
Patricia ,   Santa Barbara, US   (08.04.06)
If Shebaa Fames is so miserable as you say, why don't you let it go? End of conflict.
47. STUPIDITY
HASSAN TEDMORI ,   LOS ANGELES USA   (08.04.06)
ONE DAY ISRAEL WILL HAVE A SANE LEADER THAT DOES NOT CREATE A NEW GENERATION OF JIHADIST.A SANE LEADER LIKE RABIN THAT REALIZES THAT SECURE BORDERS ARE NOT MEASURED IN FEW KM ISRAEL HAS THE MOST TO GAIN IN A TRUE PEACE BASED ON LAND FOR PEACE AND NOT PIECES OF LAND.
48. to #40 piere
ricardo ,   portugal   (08.04.06)
It is not the 25 km2 that count, but look, israel has stolen land from palestine. syria, lebanon and before egypt, could u tell me any country in the world that have done that? that have all their neighbours as enimies? There should be justice, these 25 km2 even very small in comparasiom with others but still something stollen and should be returned unless u like to have enimies, may be if israel has no enimes then they will kill each other as the western and eastern jewish hate each other
49. Moral victory -- but what's the strategy?
Carson ,   Gedera   (08.04.06)
The article says what not to do -- don't fight. It isn't as clear on what TO do to win the moral victory. The argument seems to be that a moral victory can't be won with Hizbollah and Iran by fighting -- ok, don't fight. Then what? Like most academic papers, this one ends with a criticism of what is, but not clear path to what is wishes to be.
50. Iam Impressed!
Aziza   (08.04.06)
Iam really impressed by the way this person talks ! This is the reality that should be told . Thank u man u r great , Iam a very Muslim girl but honestly Iam proud of what u have said .
51. i commend you/about zeev maon article
alex ,   detroit,michigan   (08.04.06)
i commend you for having the bravery to write about how stupid both sides are for shedding innocent blood.this was an unnecessary war...it could have been prevented by political means..but bush didn't want you. my hat for you and i reach accross to you and commend you again for being brave and honest...let's work together
52. Ending war
Will ,   USA   (08.04.06)
"The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it." George Orwell
53. This is the cats and mices game,Israel building hero
e.m ,   s.f   (08.04.06)
This war is exactly like a cats playing with mices, Why IDF doesn’t finish the war despite they have real capability? Is it because the resistance from the Hezbollah or it is the guerilla war, Not at all. Why for the first time in history some Arabs nations supporting the Israel? Is it because they really care about Israel or they are afraid of Shiite getting power in M.E with leadership of Iranian Mullah. I have no doubt that Israel know how to win the war better then every others nation, but why they don't finish it fact????? Let leave it to future. By the way only the strong and undefeatable Israel army can make Guaranty the existence of the state of Israel.
54. To# 40.The conflict is not for that tiny land
e.m ,   s.f   (08.04.06)
It is all about the religion of peace that they don't believe in existence of Jewish State, It is all about hate. In case if tomorrow the Jews will accept the religion of Islam and they will convert to that religion,the conflict will be end in one day. .
55. Wars are won by defeating the enemy
daniel ,   amsterdam   (08.04.06)
This is a call for capitulation. Why do you print it? It's not interesting. I am not for censorship but if you feel no need to publish this bullshit then why won't you print my collumns? My bullshit is a lot better.
56. peace begins with thought
brownbear ,   barcelona, spain   (08.04.06)
Human thought transcends into reality. You consciously think to let go of hate and stop the violence and it happens. When enough individuals believe this, there will be a tipping point in the consciousness of all people involved in this violence, this will lead to peace. The past does not equal the future.... this means, stop looking to the past for a reason to hate and look forward into the future of peace. By shifting your perception it will form your ultimate reality. Visualise yourselves living in peace, and the path will be shown to you.
57. Fighting the IDF and Israel
Z Lando ,   Tekoa, Israel   (08.04.06)
Maoz.... don't hide behind your "title" of professor... it means sh*t if you are so stupid. You and you likes have brought teh IDF to it's knees. the high command, those who do not have contact with regular soldiers have been so intimidated by you ard the rest of your "moral" friends that, like Dylan says: "I'm amazed we still know how to breath" Lucky for us - the lower command, who trains our soldiers are NOT intimidated by your BS, not 4 Mothers, not Machsom Watch - since they live day by day in the field with a population that would like nothing better than to see your body hanging from a lamp post.... notice, stupid, that the only people here who have anything good to say about you are either Jews living in LA or Arabs, the same ones who love what you say, since they can smell out your blood ....
58. Maoz
Gina ,   UK   (08.04.06)
Zeev Maoz is a professor of political science in California. There is a photo of him on his website, no doubt pontificating, in a comfy chair. Far away from the conflict, he has the usual observers view - from a distance he has all the answers. Put him in the line of fire and he might have different ideas.
59. israel must kill all terorists north and south
reuven ,   usa   (08.04.06)
Israel faces a choice : end Hizbollah and their little rockets now, or face them in 5 years re-grouped and re-armed with WMD and nuclear weapons, under 'UN' protection. It really is as simple as that, so I for one hope that Israel totally ignores the unelected bureaucrats of the UN and EU, secretly advise their allies that this is a fight for the survival of the Israeli state, and instruct the IDF to keep going into Syria and take down Assad, totally isolating Iran.
60. War
David ,   New Jersey   (08.04.06)
Yes, the war is stupid. Israel should have simply bombed all the border lookout towers out up by Hezbollah.
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