Opinion  Others
Despite it all, we won
Guy Benyovits
Published: 13.08.06, 12:57
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118 Talkbacks for this article
31. we won? doublespeak
aaron ,   ra'anana   (08.13.06)
its very hard for the left to understand that Oslo was a failure, a loss and a disaster. better to live in denial.
32. Bunker Buster Lesson
Nick ,   NYC, USA   (08.13.06)
You neglect to mention an important reason for Israel's failure to achieve its military objectives: Halutz's arrogant rejection in 2002 of U.S. made "bunker buster" bombs. Had these been available, at least the IDF would have significantly reduced the number of Katyushas raining down on Israel.
33. Oh my God!
Constantine ,   New York, USA   (08.13.06)
Is this man serious? He sounds like the Arabs after the 67 and 73 wars. They also thought they won.
34. the patient died
Elchanan Axe. ,   NYC   (08.13.06)
You sound like the doctor who tells the family "the operation was a success but the patient died."
35. Great Read
John ,   Boston, MA USA   (08.13.06)
"reclaiming the Temple Mount" by David Ha'ivri order today at www.revava.org
36. you won?
moe ,   montreal. Canada   (08.13.06)
it's good to lie to yourself sometimes, NO? i makes you feel better, especially when you believe your lies. to the one who thinks Israel won let me remind him that this time it was a big failure, bigger and deeper them ever. and it's a sign to hear peres warning from a war between Jews, or to hear all the voices asking Olmert to pack and leave -what is he waiting for- to belive and feel the defeat. If you think the other side, the enemy, Nisrallah lies, you are wrong, 100%, everything he said was right, no question, even in the eyes of the Israelis, he said we are gonna hit here, and he did. we are gonna hit over there, and he did. South lebanon is a graveuart. you are welcome to come, and certinely it was. tel aviv Vs Beirut. the generals and politians believed him, so, it didn't happen. He even had a word amony the ARab-Israelies, and they start leavning hayfa, straight after he asked them to do so. in the Other front, it was the total confusion mixed with lies, lots of them. Commando in baalaback who killed and kidnapped so and so? it turns that they killed civilans and kiddnaped teens. Commando in tyre who killed hizbollah commanders, No casualties among the commando. it changed to, we killed who we wanted to kill, and sufferend one dead and 8 injuered. Hizbollah hit a warship!! bullshit said Israel, then, yeah they did, 4 are missing!!No dead. and so on and so on. about goinng to south lebanon or not, we stay or not, 4-5 km, no, to litani. the whole thing was a big fat lie, and still going. where is the gain in this? how many sodiers got killed?? tanks- they call the area at Khiyam the graveyard for tanks, about 100 of them got hit over there. If you think Israel won, and united about the win, think again. it's scary to imagine how Isreal is gonna lose then.
37. Yes, Israel Won!
Jeff ,   Washington, DC   (08.13.06)
Guy Benyovits' editorial is fair, honest, and a true representation of the Israeli mindset. This is why Israel is so successful in all it does to contribute in the world. The analysis and comprehensive evaluations used by the IDF will make this war a win for Israel in the history books. The world is against Hezbollah. Israel deserves peace and calm. It has been hoping for so long for a day when its children can realize their dreams of living in a safe and peaceful environment. This victory, perhaps, is one step in that direction. As long as the world realizes Israel's restraint, its care for all civilian life, and its desire and hope for a true and lasting peace.
38. NO. Israel Lost This War!
CHGODMK   (08.13.06)
No. Israel lost this war, due to the weakling that serves as its prime minister. By extension, Jews everywhere have lost by having an Israel that can't effectively defend itself. You don't win wars with moral brilliance alone. Israel has always been the moral victor in the Middle East. Rather, you win wars through success in battle, disabling your enemy, and coming out of the war with your objectives met and by emerging far less battered than your foe. But Israel will leave this war with a Hezbollah still capable of attacking Israel with rockets, heavy civilian and military casualties, and a UN force of questionable effectiveness. No. Israel has lost this war, and all of us Jews are less safe because of it.
39. You lost
Monaliza ,   canada   (08.13.06)
You lost and hizbullah won. because every arabic now is a hizbulloh in his soul.
40. You won .....O.............Yah!!!!!!!!???
Aoun ,   Montreal   (08.13.06)
...You won when you targeted children and ceveliens!!!!?? you won when you did more than your ensestors the nazists!! you won because every one in the arab world knows now about the big lie that they can live in peace with israel and what cawards you are!!!!!! And all over the world you got very well known children blood sukers.... ...You what you won ... ...Huzbollah patren will spread in all the countries around you...!!!!!
41. Of course a victory for Israel
Maurice ,   Montreal, Canada   (08.13.06)
Do you really think the Hizbollah would attack again after the thundersous response of the IDF which they never expected? Do you really think the Lebanese government will once again neglect the disarming of ALL militias after what they just suffered? The answer to both questions is a big NO. Well done IDF.
42. To number 4
Chjris ,   LA   (08.13.06)
Their attack wasn't planned for the Israeli operation to happen. But what Huzb Allah did achieve in this war is the following: 1. Israel can not occupy any Lebanese territory again because it would be disastruous. 2. Israel cannot deter Huzb Allah's rockets and they will always put Israeli civilians in harm's way when Israel bombs Lebanese civilians and calls it 'collateral damage' 3. Huzb Allah losing 500 men against the Israelis losing more than 100 men in this fight is a moret than acceptable ratio to Huzb Allah. 4. Nasrallah will claim a morale victory and his popularity has soared in the muslim and Arab world and boosted at home.
43. Strange to number 11
Chris ,   LA   (08.13.06)
Anyone jew or gentile who claims Huzb Allah was prepared for this and Israel wasn't is just being naive. Are you telling me Israel didn't have massive amounts of intel and preparation for this war, even if it was just a contingency form. If you remember early on there was talk of targetting key 'bunkers' of Huzb Allah chiefs and such. This was all in the plans prepared for the confrontation by Israel since 2000 and it failed. You do know that Israeli drones and planes fly over Lebanon whenever they feel like it even at a time of 'peace', right? Israel violates Lebanon's territory whenever it feels like it with Mossad and air force, but claims legitimacy to invade when Huzb Allah crosses the border? It's clear the 'Air Only' campaing in the beginning of the war was Halutz's baby and it died at birth. IAF chief sholdn't be the leader of the whole IDF.
44. to number 13
Chris ,   LA   (08.13.06)
Israelis regularly read the english version of Al Jaseera website. As for other Arab papers, most don't have an English site. Because Ynet and Haaretz do, those who can read English and are interested in the other side's opinions. So you're stating who won based on the amount of people reading the paper now? This is becoming hysterical...
45. Hezbollah victory ?????
Rafi ,   Ra'anana   (08.13.06)
I fail to understand how the Hezbollah can claim a victory. A victory should be measured by some tangible and measurable achievements such as territory, damage to infrastructure and casualties. Evaluation of each criterion is leading to the simple fact that Hezbollah have been defeated: They have been driven away from their front line fortifications, they have been driven farther to the Litany River. According to the U.N resolution, they are not allowed to return to these places. The destruction in Lebanon is on an immense scale, the number of Hezbollah casualties is by far higher than the Israelis, so how can they claim a victory?.. The Hezbollah's achievements (by engaging the IDF and launching rockets for a long period) are mainly due to fundamental mishandling of the war by some novice politicians. This state of affairs will be thoroughly investigated, will be corrected and won't be repeated.
46. ff
gff ,   ff   (08.13.06)
no you dont
47. If only
Mum   (08.13.06)
we would have been allowed to put our plans into actions two weeks ago, when they were drawn up..... BUT gov./media/moneybags prevented that then, didn't you dearies...
48. Sometimes illusions are more valuable than reality
Gray ,   Germany   (08.13.06)
Despite Benyovits' optimistic outlook, the fact remains that this war was about eliminating the rocket thread. There's no way it can be spun that this goal was achieved. I guess Hizbullah will stop shooting because of Nasrallah accepting the ceasefire, but they still have a impressing arsenal left. And I'm not sure if this is really a negative outcome, since it may be that this deterrence will keep Israel from engaging in new military adventures in Lebanon. However, even if the stategic result my be gloomy, Israel didn't lose any battle, so there's some reason to feel like the victor. And this is preferrable to the opposite view, because an Israeli beliveing it lost the war would certainly seek revenge in another round. And no sane person would want that.
49. Hello, mods, what happened to my comment? (End)
Gray ,   Germany   (08.13.06)
50. TO GUY
Victor ,   Zurich, Switzerland   (08.13.06)
Dear Guy, Did you smoke too much dope last night to come up with such delirious dillusions? I really hope it was dope , otherwise you among with 99% of Israel appears to live on the other planet. Generations of victors has gone and was replaced by next generation trained in USA to fight ground war from the air, IDF lost ground war , make no mistake about it, Israel lost its right to boast about its humanism. Nasrallah will continue to harass IDF till it withdraw the second time from Lebanon and will continue his policies now having all Lebanon behind his back. So who win ?
51. Disaster
Moqawem ,   SOUTH LEBANON   (08.13.06)
No one can hide behind his fingers any more you have to face the truth that the time is come now and the GOD Punishment he promised you from million of years arrived and there is only one Victory (Naser) will come by the Nasrullah Resistant of your barbarian Army and Government Shaloum on Your Country
52. not true
john   (08.13.06)
its hard on israelis 2 accept defeat but the true nature is that they have been defeated..they went in to end hezbollah n ended up having to give shebaa farms back 2 lebanon in the future..great report mate..
53. Not that easy...
yoel   (08.13.06)
Once you claim victory, it has to become validated by the opposite side. Do you really think Hezb will admit having been defeated? I don't think so.
54. Who?when and where?
Mike ,   Milwaukee USA   (08.13.06)
Is this guy talking about the war between Israel the 5th strongest army in the world and Hizbullah a bunch of resistance fighters (5000-8000 fighters)? I hope this guy wakes up soon because HZB rocked israel. israel didnt achieve any of its objectives and for him to say they did is a BIG LIE. I hope the people wake up and kick the dummy olmert out of office but i guess just like here in America people buy the B.S Propeganda because we didnt kick out the NEOCON bush out yet. Peace in the world but violence creates more violence and israel just gave birth to the next generation of hate torwards them.
55. Do you think the Israelis are Stupid?
Bilal ,   London, UK   (08.13.06)
I don't think so as well as the rest of the world . What have the Israeli government achieved of its objectives at the start of the war. Yes the Lebanese civilians were the worst hit but this war proved to the entire Arab world that the IDF is a joke and wont be feared as it used to be. Face the reality.
56. israel lost this war. game over.
BushPoodle ,   colombia   (08.13.06)
Having begun the war by proclaiming that the aim was the complete destruction and disarmament of Hezbollah, what did u reach?? none of there ridiculous aims were met.. hezbollah did, what several united arab armies failed to do: 10.000 guerrilla fighters stopped the powerful israeli war machine on the ground, inflicting heavy losses. they managed to kill the ground invasion, and unlike palestine, the israelis have to retreat from invaded territory. all the israli war machine managed was to cowardly nuke lebanes infrastructure and civilians from the air. with total air superiority, not even samĀ“s on lebanese side. how brave. but when it came to the combat on the ground, hezbollah tought the so called elite troops lesson after lesson. despite air support that these elite tropps cried for every time they met resistance. the aura of the invincible israeli army is now history. poor guys who died this weekend for nothing but politicians trying to fake a sort of victory feeling..
57. we won, and in the next war
(08.13.06)
there will be nobody in Lebanon & Syria left to claim "victory"
58. keep wining this way all the time
Mohammed ,   Oman   (08.13.06)
you won .. if this is wining, then I hope you "win" all the time .. "we did not lie" ha ha ha ha I am not sure who you are Mr Guy Benyovits but I wonder how they let YOU (with your delusions) to write in the ynetnews. What about your ship which sank 2nd day in Bierut harber and IDF (Israel's Destruction Forces) admitted hourse and hours after the attack which was documented with pics ... U yet to admit to more ships sanke. As said ealier you r so delusional .. they should sake you before Olmert and Peretz
59.  I agree with every word.
nul ,   israel   (08.13.06)
60. do you live on this planet?
Michael ,   Austria   (08.13.06)
Hello!! are u kidding me? Israel hasnt achieved any of its goals in lebanon, and the whole world knows that. This war made hizbollah even stronger and stronger, congratulations hizollah!
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