Time to call a spade a spade and a pseudointellectual farthead a pompous selfrighteous fool. Israel is presently led by pigmies, 'tis tragic but true. I wouldn't trust Ehud Olmert or Amir Perez to take out my garbage. Their policies of realignment in the West Bank, and their idiotic utterances to the press, and the delay in taking action on the ground in Lebanon are just a few pieces of evidence to their utter insuitability to the responsibilities that they have fraudulently assumed. But to blame Israel for existential hatred amongst the Islamofascists is more than a reasonable person can bear. There is evil in the World. There is evil in Islamofascism. We as Jews are not responsible for the Arab's inability to cope with modernity. We are fighting for our lives against a nihilistic, irredentist, hate galvanized movement that has only one response: fight to the death. These monsters have mastered a psychological technology that enables them to transform innocents into human suicide bombs. You would compromise with this? You would accept responsibility for creating this evil, that has some imam convince someone to kill himself for the sole purpose of creating mayhem? The author of this article is a fool. G-d Bless Israel and the Israeli's for having the guts to wake up and confront this evil for the sake of themselves and the sake of the world. The author of this pompous piece is a fool.

Yes, a true peace based on land for peace is a great idea. Israel will expel the "Palestinians" and annex the land. Arabs will be happy to give this land for peace because otherwise Israel will seize more land and annex it whenever war originates in such land. How do you like that, HASSAN?

What's crazier than the guy in Iran is the Israelis who are either insane that they actually are afraid of being wiped off the map by countries hundreds of times weaker than them and those who fake this fear in order to bomb everyone who opposes them and feel strong.

You don't know much about Huzb Allah. It is a nationalist-religious resistance and most Lebanese, no matter how much your government might lie to you and tell you this or that, support Huzb Allah. 95% of Shiites, 75% of Sunnis, around 50% of Christians and a third of Druze all support Huzb Allah's resistance. This is a nationalist struggle, who said anything about Jews turning Muslims? Please stop making up fears about how weak and vulnerable the most powerful military in the middle east backed by the most powerful nation on earth is and how much it needs to fight for its life.

I have read through this article three times and it simply has no point or solution, just criticism. I would like the professor to stand his "mental strength" against the rockets being fired at Northern Israel and see what kind of defense that makes. Otherwise he should just move to Cloud Cuckoo Land where there isn't the reality of a well-armed terrorist organization building up weaponry for future attacks against Israel.

whilst I was reading it I kept thinking 'more academic wafffle and nothing is being suggested'. We fell asleep around 6 years ago and slept whilst Hezbullah got stronger and stronger and dreamed that it would be OK. Now at last we have woken up and are doing something.

to read some israeli who are able to think is a great plesure today. some time the fighting will stope and israel will only take the two soliders by talking, naserallah said that yesterday and he si speaking the truth. all israeli will see this hapining sooner than later and will find that olmert is just anther stupied leader.

everyone knows that violence only creates more violence. what happened to the great intellectuals, to those working day and night in politics that we pay them their salary to grant us peace... i dont know what israel is trying to prove but people who lost beloved ones in this sensless and stupid war in both countries will never forgive those few stupid fools in hizbollah who started this conflict and those stupid in israel who are expanding this war...

Prof., I think you're the one walking around like a zombie; you can never ever learn from people with their deep-ingrained hatred of all Israelis. What can you hope to learn from them who uses civilians as a shields to hide their cowardice and whom also from birth vows to be jihadists just to obliterate Israel?? They don't celebrate life but death with false promises from their pathetic yet vile leaders. Would you sit back and do nothing while they are killing and maiming your women and children ? Enough of 6 years of bombings [though regarded as not important news to be reported worldwide] has led to this retaliation. I'm all for one who supports Israel; a tiny but very productive country against the encampment of their enemies from all sides who vows to kill every Jew and that includes you too, my dear Professor

You what is the stupidity? it is the way you are thinking. No one in this world can think or imgine that Hizbulla is fool, except stupids.

The problem with finding a rational solution is that it assumes both parties have symmetrical goals. We know what Israel wants - return of kidnapped soldiers, an end to rockets landing on her territory and the implementation of resolution 1559. What does Hisbollah want? It cannot be any of the above. Nasralla himself admitted he misjudged Israel's response of the kidnapping of the soldiers so it is unlikely Hebzolla would start a war for return of its people. It can't be to accomplish an Israeli withdrawl from Lebanon since the UN confirmed Israel wasn't in Lebanon. Finally, Hezbollah has no interest in disbanding itself. It is unfortunate but true that you cannot negotiate unless there is some common ground for negotiation. As the proxy for Syria and Iran, Hezbollah receives support only to the extent it does their bidding. Other than Israel's destruction, what would constitute an incentive for Hisbollah? In another day and age, Israel would have declared war on Syria and Iran for their acts of overt and proxy agression. Inevitably, a world war would have ensuedwith the West versus Islam. Israel might have used her nuclear arsenal to permanently alter the political and ideological landscape. Assuming the West won, Islam would either have to moderate or be supressed. The death toll would be in the millions but there would be no more deception and no more stupidity. Prof. which do you prefer?

This editorial once again shows the gap between intellectual idealism and the real world. If Israel took the idealistic approach and assumed that its sworn enemies such as Iran, Syria, Hamas and Hezbullah could be placated by negotiation and compromise alone, it could be headed for an even more tragic outcome. Maybe some day when radical Islam is no longer a factor in the world, idealistic concepts can prevail. But for now, Israel better keep its strong military deterrence.

How do you negotiate with people who want you DEAD at all costs? That will train their very own children to HATE and KILL you? Who worship hatred and will use every opportunity of "peace" to build more weapons to wipe you off the face of the earth? Sometimes, sadly, War is the only solution. The utter and complete annihilation of your enemy and the unconditional surrender of all his lands and wealth. This is indeed the solution to this problem: completely irradicate the disease of radical Islam; leaving NO ONE: men, women or children, to fight tomorrow. Yes, I know how cold, harsh, evil, hateful etc. this may sound, but sadly, this is the case. But remember, it is THEY, the terrorists, who have brought the world to this. THEY GIVE THE WORLD NO CHOICE. They can't be bargained with, they can't be reasoned with, all they can be is totally defeated. They must be completely and utterly destroyed and defeated for the sake of the world.

Because you are the chosen ones on the promissed and and therefore you don't have mental strength to admit our mistakes, learn from them and not repeat them. keep on with the arogance and you will never win peace ... kill the terroristic children of Lebanon & Palestine ... go ahead.

That's what I call real wisdom. Hope Israel will know how to avoid creating tomorrow's ennemies. I hope it's not too late. The only mistake that happened lately is showing the real hidden agenda of Sharon, Begin & Co behind the image they were trying to show. As you said my friend, the earlier they wake up, the lesser holocausts will happen in the future.

Professor,please go and read the statement presented by IRANIAN President on 3rd of august at the oic meeting in malaysia :TEHRAN, Iran - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Thursday the solution to the Middle East crisis was to destroy Israel, state-media reported. "Although the main solution is for the elimination of the Zionist regime, at this stage an immediate ceasefire must be implemented," Ahmadinejad said, according to state-run television in a report posted on its Web site. DOES THIS MAKE ANY SENCE TO YOU PROFESSOR? A cease fire because their balls are been kicked,then when they feel confortable,then they eliminate Israel including you professor. Do you think that Israel is the only side that will determine the peace of its neighbours? I believe that the only language this people hear is ACTION. HIT THEM HARD ON THE BALLS WHEN THEY SLAP YOUR ASS.AND WHEN THEY HIT YOUR BALLS,CUT OFF THEIR BALLS!!!! It makes more sence.

Many of the posters forget the ultimate goal of Hezbollah/Syria/Iran

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaUmFvg2zNU&mode=related&search=mullah Please watch the following video clip and see what Muslims think about non-Muslims. This could happen to you if Muslims grow in your country. The Mullah in the video is a high ranking cleric. He says that non-Muslims should either become muslim, or accept to be treated as second class citizens, or face death. PS. Now, to answer my initial question about how to get your brain washed quickly? I really don't know.. Maybe you should ask the Muslims how they are getting their brains washed themselves?

My only hope when I visit Israeli wabpages is to check if some people, even if they are few, are really aware that this war is completely useless. 1) by trying to hunt, in such a devastating way, hizbollah fighters or terrorists or whatever you may call them, Israel is harvesting 10 radicalized persons for the death of one. This is something not good for either Israel or the Lebanese People 2) The ratio of civilian victims is much much too important and for the lebanese people this kills any hope of peace between the two nations. There are always better ways than war. Israel could have sent a tough ultimatum and I would assure you, knowing the force of the IDF, the Lebanese government would have done anything within its forces to liberate the captured soldiers and to strive for the disarmement of the Hizbollah. The lebanese soil has been occupied by palestiniens than Israelies for until 2000, in 2004 we began our revolution againt the syriens and their occupation over Lebanon, we suffered from terrible car explosions and assassinations but eventually, and without raising firing a gunshot we forced them to leave the country. We would have done the same thing with Hizbollah, we would have suffered from severe attacks, but we would have gave them political power and eventually we could have convinced them to give their weapons with the help of the International community. But know, katiyoushas are falling to Israel, and i really doubt that they will ever stop, all the lebanese infrastructure is destroyed and victims, by thousands are falling down. talks about peace. not any more. The saddest thing in the story, is that we are very similar people, similar education and similar ambitions, we have same geography and share the same aspirations. The most natural way was to sign peace and maybe one day I could visit Jerusalem and one day an Israeli could visit Baalbek, but now, and on the medium and very very very long term this is completely impossible.. I'm sorry for all the Israeli victims, feel sorry for ours... Dany, Paris

To Israelis: I live in Jounieh, in this area lives the majority on Lebanese who are against Hezbullah, and who never considered Israel as an enemy, Thx to the IAF and after attacking Jounieh now they do so. We still have one more bridge, I hope that IAF will bomb it as soon as possible, and continue to kill civilians and destroy infrastructure, because still some Lebanese do not consider Israel as real enemy we would like to push them to see the clear image. What the hell you are talking about and for what IDF is doing that? Admit that your Government lost against Hezbullah resistance, and the more IAF hit civilians and infrastructure the more Israel is loosing supporters for peace and proving more and more that Hezbullah was right by defending its strategy. Where is the difference between the strategy of IDF and the one that was adopted by the Nazis? Bombing roads that lead out of villages in the South of Lebanon that civilians might use to evacuate and kill women & children there!! Olmert’s strategy and after receiving his orders from G.W.Bush is based on making civilians suffer for the sins of Hezbullah whom they failed to defeat them till now even in one battle. Your government is blind, real blind with hatred and arrogance. You will hit the wall pretty soon. Lebanon won’t surrender, and the more you hit civilians the more Hezbullah is gaining the support of even moderate Lebanese people, Go out from your shelters and see the truth of this war, your troops didn’t accomplish one victory and day after day they are COMING BACK HOME IN COFFINS? IT’S LEBANON DON’T FORGET. For me It’s more clear now, your stupid Government have chosen the hate as a strategy towards Lebanon. And to All Lebanese I say: you are wondering why Israel is bombing Christian areas? Do you really think Israel cares about Christians Leb? Is Beirut airport ONLY for Muslims? Are Power stations ONLY for Muslims?? Are Bridges ONLY for Muslims?? It’s a war against Lebanon. They want to destroy Lebanon and they admitted it before they started this war. You already forgot what IDF chief said: Turning Lebanon 20 years back??? Israel doesn’t have the courage to face Hezbuallah face to face because they want to avoid troops casualties so they are destroying Lebanon in order to make Lebanese people hate Hezbuallah and get rid of it by themselves or Hitting Hard Christians thinking this would lead to a civil war between Muslims and Christians in Lebanon. Unfortunately, Israel gave Iran and Syria what they wanted and offered Victory to Hezbullah. A Real Lebanese

You don't know much about Huzb Allah. It is a nationalist-religious resistance and most Lebanese, no matter how much your government might lie to you and tell you this or that, support Huzb Allah. It is what you and 99.9% of Islamic population believe. Then let me make it clear to you and your nationalist- religious resistance. it is the same tactics that Egyptian and Jordanians and Syrian and PLO have used since 1948 until now, but what did they get except which they destroyed their economies in 60 years and still they are part of third world nations. The bottom of line how much they act like that, how much they will lose more and more, and Israeli well knows how to use them to survived, and to be sure Israel will be the winner in final day, Stop being proud of these terrorists organization which they have been used by Iran and Syria. By the way majority of Iranian are not supporting the Hezbollah.

Professor Maoz sounds more like a philosopher and while we can appreciate his common sense and his reminders that wars are mistakes. His "analysis"lacks solutions. He ignores that Israel has no partners to talk to (Hezbollah and Hamas), that both vow its destruction. Also, what is the message when you answer blackmail by negociations? Incursions in Israeli territorry, killing and kidnapping israeli soldiers in as bargain tools can have only one firm reaction and it is to prevent this from ever happening again and not to reward the terrorists. This philosophy of "appeasement" has not been helpful in any conflict . If governments were decisive at the eve of WW2, we could have avoided that war but appeasement from Chamberlain, Petain, did not help and the Nazis came with their ideology. Where is the difference? Hezvollah, Hamas and Iran vow the liquidation of the Jewish State and take operational actions to match their words!!! I am glad that Prof. Maoz is an Israeli thinker and I wish we could have some Arab thinkers like him for the sake of a constructive dialogue with the Arab neighbors.

Today, close 33 sirians was killed by aircrafts attack. What Israel is doing? People of Israel! They`re lie for you. Like the search of weapons of mass destrution. The fight isn`t againts Hizbolah, but is against the world. Yes the world. So why the IDF is attacking the border line with Siria killing innocents people from this country. People of Israel, only you can stop this war. Or the profecies is gona happen and the Armagedon going to be conclued. Remember and fight (peaceful fights) that only 144.000 ( 12x12) of jews is gone be save, by the Lord love, if this fight isn`t stop. PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, DEMONSTRATE SOME LOVE AND FORGIVENESS OF THE WORLD. REMEMBER WHAT THE HOLOCAUST. PLEASE PEOPLE. MOVE!!!!!!!! GET UP! STAND UP! ONLY YOU CAN DO SOMETHING! GOD BLESS THE GOOD JEWS! Please publish this note.

YES. 100% YES. The current incomptence of the Israeli government, as well as the incompetence of the preceding two governments, obsures the war between real Jews , and the dfective Jewish gene-pool exemplified by leftist peacenics, the marchers(to the chambers). The Middle East respects brute force, not protexxia, not credit cards. Bomb the crap out of lbanon & Syria, and, maybe, Iran will pay attention. If not, they should be next on the list.

go screw your selves. you have no business interfering in this region. Nations come and go, and your end is near. Just remember, the bigger they are, the harder they fall.

This war has Only one aim left: To save the prestige of Olmert, Peretz And Halutz. All the other aims Have gone up in smoke. There is no military solution. ---------------------------------------------------- Tomorrow, Saturday, 6 pm, in Tel-Aviv, we shall take part in a march of all the peace organizations against the war. Starting from Ben-Zion Boulevard corner King George, we shall march to Magen David Square. JOIN!

What the good professor does not comprehend is that war MUST be expensive -- it cannot be fought and won on the cheap -- as the US tries to do and now as Israel is doing. There must be a clear winner and loser -- and the winner must have also paid a dear price to achieve that victory. Only then will all parties learn to avoid the brutality of war for the future. That is the lesson of WWII and fighting on the cheap is the lesson of Korea, Viet Nam, Afghanistan and the Middle East.

This professor is an idiot. I say this, because he present a lavish article, filled with peace and hope and calls upon both group (mostly Israel) to stop the fighting and look for a peacefull solution. HOW CAN ISRAEL STOP THE FIGHTING, WHEN OVER 150 KATUSHAS A DAY ARE LAUNCHED AT ITS CIVILIANS?!! The news don't mention all the thousands displaced from their Northern towns in Israel, just the displaced Lebanese. Only 40 something Israeli civilians died. Thats too many!! The media shows this number to show the inequality of the war. But what they are missing is that, Hizbullah shells purely civilian targets, while Israel hit civilian targets used by terrorist. Anyway, as for Sam from Brazil...another geniues...I bet you are a Jehova Witness...because they are the only ones who are fanatical about that 144, 000. Listen body, its 12, 000 members of the tribe of Israel and I doubt your it, so don't worry about making the trip. As for bombing Syrians...they were living in Lebonese towns. THE ATTACK WAS ON THE LEBONAN BORDER, NOT SYRIAN SIDE. Get your facts straight. SHABAT SHALOM VE AM ISRAEL HI, AM ISRAEL HI, AM ISRAEL HI AND WILL NEVER DIE!!

Dear Pierre, Even more simple, read the comments from Scott, #73. And this is not something made up by who knows. This is right here, legitime by a fellow jewish!

Wars by definition defy logic, rational behaviour and are simply contrary to human existence. Sadly Hizballah has dictated the terms of this battle. Its kidnapping and invasion of Israeli territory were a small part of this conflict. However its launching of missiles has guaranteed that Israels response had to be fierce. A terrorist organization that operates with impunity inside a sovereign country is very very dangerous. The world is to be blamed for allowing 5 years to go by after Israel's withdrawal and doing nothing to disarm Hizballah. Hizballah on the other hand has armed itself to the teeth waiting to attack or launch this type of conflict. They are unilateral military organization operating without the tacit approval of the Lebanese government and people. If the government doesn't denounce them officially and demand their ceasefire on behalf of the Lebanese people, then the government itself is complicit in this catastrophe. Today they are launching missiles closer than ever to Tel Aviv, and treading a very very dangerous line. They are virtually insuring that the gloves of Israel's armed forces will have to come off. This will spell disaster for both sides, yet more so for the Lebanese people held hostage by this vile criminal force. You would think they would have learned when they allowed Arafat and the PLO to operate from Southern Lebanon.