Opinion
The Golan liquidation sale
Elyakim Haetzni
Published: 12.06.07, 00:01
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1. bravo
Mucky ,   Herzliya   (06.12.07)
BRAVO!
2. Golan
M. Hartley ,   Atlanta, US   (06.12.07)
Keep talking, Mr. Haetzni, keep talking. Somebody is bound to hear you.
3. I don't agree
RobertK ,   Jerusalem   (06.12.07)
with his summary at the end. The country is indefensible without the 1967 acquisitions. This is an overriding reason to get over the yen to sacrifice them--to have a militarily defensible country. Israel survived by the skin of its teeth in June '67, because of a single brilliant air strike against the Egyptian air force lasting less than an hour. Without that move, the country would have been destroyed. We don't really want to live on that thin a margin. The territorial concessions we've already made of Sinai and Gaza, and partially of Judea and Samaria, have resulted in a drastic increase in terrorism and endangerment.
4. Lost Plunder
Fred Farkelsteinman ,   NY, NY USA   (06.12.07)
Israel was foolish to build upon the occupied Golan Heights in the first place, so I don't have any sympathy for the occupiers losing their plunder. Israel has plenty of room inside of Israel to re-locate the civilians it transferred onto the land it held under belligerent occupation, and when it makes peace with its neighbors, the money it spends on war can be spent on housing for the Golan occupation's settlers and those from the West Bank who will join them soon in returning to Israel proper. I think that after 40 years of war, Israelis are finally tired of the settlement enterprise, would like to join the 21st century and no longer are willing to let the occupations continue to get in their way.
5. wow!!
kutuzov ,   new york   (06.12.07)
wow!!! hard to imagine that someone with a little sanity is allowed to voice opinions on ynet... i thought only those who want to mortgage the country to our peaceful arabian neighbors were allowed to speak. .... am still in shock.... someone pinch me.
6. We should have our leaders pledge....
Emilio   (06.12.07)
that they will never give away the Golan. To be honest I can live with the idea of giving away 100% of that dumpster called Gaza ans some areas of the west bank, well, sacrifices should be made, but the Golan is vital for Israel, and should never be let go. I prefer going to war with Syria rather than peace without the Golan Heghts.
7. Excellent article
Nemesis   (06.12.07)
I agree 100%..Israel,it seems,has been defending and fighting for it's very existance for ever.The leftist/appeasers that want to destroy all this should be marked with big black dot on their forehead. Israel is not to be given away,least of all strategic positions like the Golan/Westbank to Arabs that can,no matter what they say,no matter what paper they sign,be trusted to keep their word for any longer than a day.
8. Excellent column and very painful to read, but
Tracy W   (06.12.07)
there is much more than a rift between perceptions at work here. Perhaps, Mr Haetzni, like other insighful writers on this website, has stopped short of expressing what is really troubling him, in order to adhere to publishing codes. Because there is something very insidious at work in this rush to give away the Golan, with all the devastating consequences for Israel, so clearly explained on this column. It is these still undefined or not yet understood forces that are driving the country down to its self-destruction that should be of top concern to all patriotic Israelis. They must find the way to stop them in time. Nothing should be discounted, because the political process as it exists today is not only defficient, but it's a tool for those who want to destroy the country. According to INN, an Israeli Institute for Democracy survey shows that 66% of Israelis are unhappy with the way Israeli democracy functions and 86% state that the government is not dealing adequately with the country’s problems. When you take into account the demographics on this survey, you understand its serious implications. It would be unwise to continue along the same political path. This path has brought Israel to a crucial point in which it faces a voluntary loss of territory and the resulting state of undefensible borders. It does not seem like the work of patriotic and visionary leaders and the current roster of possible PMs is rather pathetic. Something else must be done to save Israel at this decisive moment.
9. Bye Bye Golan
Avi ,   Edison, NJ   (06.12.07)
Only in Israel will you find such fools that will give back places suh as the Golan, Judea & Samaria. Land paid for in blood. Only leftists with blindfolds an be found in Israel. They were imported from the 3rd reich where they hoped they would ne resettled, and landed in Israel, and now want to give that away too. Oye va voy to the people of israel.
10. No American Troops on the Golan
Mordechai ,   Boca Raton USA   (06.12.07)
We American Jews will lead the fight to make sure no American troops will go to the Golan or any other area Israel withdraws from. You are on your own if you give up your land. We will NOT defend you . America will not fight for you. The American people will never forgive us if we support America defending Israel. You aren't worth it
11. International forces? protecting Israel? HAHAHAH
Korem ,   New York, USA   (06.12.07)
Is this some kind of joke? When was the last time international troops EVER protected Israel? In 1967 Nasser asked the UN deployed to serve as a buffer between Egypt and Israel to pack up their bags and leave, so they did, and Israel was invaded! Now the UN lets Hezbollah rearm under its nose. The whole region would probably be better if the UN left for good!
12. That "appeasement gene" in too many Israeli leaders
Raymond from DC ,   Washington, DC USA   (06.12.07)
The whole notion of ceding the Golan to a neighboring dictatorship is just insane. Syria has no more legal right to the Golan than Israel, and there is no obligation under international law to return territory captured in a defensive war.. It has remained the quietest border for the last 33 years because of the Israeli presence on the Heights. Why would one willingly give that up? Why would Israel write off the enormous investments made or invite the inevitable civil unrest? For international approval? Or that piece of paper declaring "peace in our times"? And for those who wonder about bluster coming from overseas, I anticipate a move to Israel in the next year or so, and will live with the consequences of my argument. If Israel is so foolish as to cede the Golan before then, I will have to reconsider. I won't put my welfare in the hands of those too foolish to look after their citizenry.
13. Right on
mother of four ,   Israel   (06.12.07)
Kol HaKavod. It's time we ceased to be "trembling Israelites" and shed the ghetto mentality of the looney left peace camp. They tried to kil us, we won spectacularly, let's celebrate and enjoy our victory. We must remember at all times defeat would have meant. Enough of the guilt feelings. Time to be a nation like all others and stop apologising for breathing.
14. Great Man! Great article!
enzo ,   london,uk   (06.12.07)
You write with your heart! You write as a MAN who has given 70 years of his life to help build this great Country; the only democracy in a sea of tyranny!
15. One group missing in your report - greedy politicians
Lemmings Hotline ,   sd usa   (06.12.07)
They are the Olmerts, the Livis, the Peres' , the Baraks, the Rabins. , the Beilins. Those who would put the country at risk for personal benefit, even against the wishes of their constuents. Even many leftists are not suicidal and dont want to give away the Golan. These leaders are in pursuit of their Nobel Peace Prize and are not concerned with anything else.
16. George Orwell and his critics
Ilan ,   Ariel   (06.12.07)
In every time there are people either out of naiveity or malice who use "peace" to sell the exact opposite. George Orwell "Pacifism is objectively pro-fascist. This is elementary common sense. If you hamper the war effort of one side, you automatically help out that of the other. Nor is there any real way of remaining outside such a war as the present one. In practice, 'he that is not with me is against me.'"" Geoge Orwell. note that the peace camp are the continuation of Stalin's cheering squad which is maybe why they can tolerate Bashir.
17. The most intelligent thing I have read in a long while
(06.12.07)
18. very well said!
Ronit ,   Israel   (06.12.07)
19. Spot On
Dan   (06.12.07)
There are too many forces in Israel that would rather see her enemies flourish rather than their own people. If you are going to give the Golan back, then you may as well give Jerusalem. Whoever thinks giving Syria the Golan will bring peace to Israel is out of their mind.
20. Yes, basic perception of existence
(06.12.07)
That's where the rift is. The Left is not foolish, they just prefer other things in life. They are less attached to land and the past and more oriented toward harmonious relationships and the future.
21. #16 Very good post!
M. Hartley ,   Atlantat, US   (06.12.07)
22. olmert will liquidate all of israel
chaim schonbrun ,   brooklyn n.y   (06.12.07)
this criminally insane pathetic,incompotent ,disaster of a government,will liquidate not only the golan,but has abandoned already 'sderot and if left in power will liquidate all of israel citizens of israel the choice is yours. either you send them packing,or start packing your bags,because you won't have a country anymore
23. waw-those who live by the sword die by the sword
Rami   (06.12.07)
yes, i admit the sword protects but for the smart, the survivors, they know when to use it and when to talk peace. u sir have complete disregard and contempt to basic decency & good. The golan belongs to syria yet wine and produce luted justifies its possession. u are speaking as if 3 millions pals are like catle or natural resources with no basic humanity in the west bank and that war justifies all. I do hope u're right on the last one, cause one day, ur likes will bring the demise of this racist entity u call israel based on that rational as happened twice in history thousands of years ago. How can such thought process be given a plateform of a writer is beyond me.
24. OLMERT WANTS PEACE IN OUR TIME
zionist forever   (06.12.07)
Unfortunatly the likes of Olmert, Barak, Peres and Belin all believe in peace at any price weather Israel will get any major benefits from a peace treaty or really needs it to these people is irrelivent they want their piece of paper with Assads signature nothing more. They dont think about the economics then when the economy suffers they blame it on somebody else and cut the millitary budget because they believe that there is no more need for a strong millitary now we have a peace treaty. Syria is no threat to Israel millitarily a war with Syria would be more like a 1 day war .. their tanks are from the 70s and 80s, their jets are also aging and their pilots badly trained. T 72s and aging MIGS against Merkava 4 and F16 no match. Their missles they are liquid fueld which means that they take over an hour to prepare and they must be prepared out in the open because of the chemicals in the fuel .. plenty of time for Israel to pick up on what they are doing and carry out airstrikes destroy the missles while they are still on the ground. Israel unlike Syria also have PAC 2 patriots and arrow missle defense systems which can take out any Syrian missles that do get off the ground. They Syrian navy is no match for Israels in a war allthough signing over the Golan will give Syria a tactical advanatge then Syria will have the strategic high ground .. in tank warfare Israel would have to go uphill the Syrians could go downhill into Israel. Syria would have access to Israels water supplies, Assad wouldnt end his support for the heroic martyrs of Hzbollah and Hamas be seen as a zionist puppet. Maybe he will try and be a little more low key but he will continue to give his support. If he wanted Assad would be in a position where the kineret could be poluted damaging Israels main fresh water supplies, he can also divert the flow of water coming from the Golan his father tried it once. Hezbollah will also be able to get alot closer to Israel with their rockets just like before 1967 Gallee towns will be in range of rockets Assad can claim I am trying my best to stop them but in private he is doing nothing... it will cause economic damage, cost lives and only millitary action against a country Israel is now supposed to have a peace treaty with. GIve up the Golan today Israel will suffer the consequenses tommorow. He wont break off his alliance with Iran there is to much in it for him .. Iran has been paying his debts to Russia and providing weapons, Iran and Syria have startegic millitary pacts, there is to much to loose for Assad once he gets the Golan he wont give it all up because he wants to be a friend of the zionist entity and because he is now the Ghandi ot the Middle East who is now against all warfare. Syria provides arns and money to Hizbollah Iran gives alot more and Iran are the ones that pull the strings so if Iran tells Assad you keep giving support but just not as publicly. Olmert and Assad might get their nobel prize, shake hands with Assad on the White House lawn and the UN will be talked into dropping the Rafik Harrir investigation all great for Assad but very few benfits for Israel other than having Assads signature on a worthless piece of paper If the system is working right now dont change it just so Israel can have Assad say it exists.
25. We have already peace with Syria!
Jew ,   Gush Etzion   (06.12.07)
Its the quietest border of all, even more than with Egypt! So what would we gain? Also Turkey has peace with Syria, although it never returned the Hatay region which is still on all Syrian maps like the Golan. So lets learn from the Turks.
26. Who is going to give up the Golan? Olmert?
jason white ,   afula,israel   (06.12.07)
We do not want this fool and he has no right to give up one centimeter of our land.He never fought for Israel. This pencil pusher could not even carry a weapon for the defense of Israel. olmert brought death and destruction to Israel. The Golan was part of Israel from Biblical times. It is our future.
27. #4 It wont happen Fartelbrain...so dont get too excited.
(06.12.07)
Its just a ploy. Wankers like you are lost in delusion. Good luck with your projects
28. Give the Golan, rubbish
David ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (06.12.07)
Boy, these brits, like Rami love to spout their vomit. Give back Ireland to the Irish!! If we really want to give Syria something, lets give them Gaza and Tel Aviv and throw in some of the lefty neighborhoods for good measure. But no worries for now, the only ones that need worry, as long as we don't give up the Golan, are the sheep. Of course, the UN people always complain about that.
29. Golan was Palestine till 1922
Semsem ,   New York, USA   (06.12.07)
The Golan was part of Palestine till 1922. The British gave it to the French in 1922.
30. Don't over egg it..
Paul ,   London England   (06.12.07)
"abandonment of dozens of synagogues" ...the ancient remains are irrelevant in this context. Are you really suggesting that a comprehensive peace should be foregone in favour of a massive war effort to defend a few lumps of granite?
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