Opinion
Next war inevitable
Majdi Halabi
Published: 13.07.07, 08:01
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27 Talkbacks for this article
1. WHY Olmert Lie to people of Israel?
ASher ,   NY USA   (07.13.07)
How could Israel faces three fronts at the same time as Iran backs them as well? Only by having strong faith in Hashem and firing Olmert ASAP.
2. Clearly an "IDF" Failure and Gift to Hiz. same gift
Papa Jay   (07.13.07)
they are giving to hamas. "Israel's failure in its war against Hizbullah brought the organization to a position of power it never enjoyed before. Its military power, which was able to withstand the most powerful and sophisticated army in the region, deters all rivals and the government, which does not even dare openly discuss the notion of disarming the organization."
3. Olmert's Idea of Victory.
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (07.13.07)
A few more victories like this & the game will be over.
4. Hamas`s next move: Revolution
Nora ,   Tel Aviv   (07.13.07)
Fro Hamas, no need to fight Israel now. Now it`s the time of a Lebanese revolution. Except Shia, all others are "traitors" for the cause of an Islamic revolution. Then, and only then, Hamas will fight Israel, backed by Iran with its thousand missiles.
5. Last summer and now.
jaded   (07.13.07)
Involving UN means confrontations coming back,like a ghost.UN is the reason Hizbullah can rearm and strengthen them selves politically.They strongly believe Hizbullah will melt in to their world of empty words.But extremists has an agreed agenda.Siniora lost last summer,and so did the USA.They said: "Don't hurt the Siniora government".But resolution 1701 was not good for Siniora or Israel.Because it's not being implemented.Extremists don't respect the UN,they use that organization and the worldwide media when they want to.So far it has served them well.
6. Last summer and Israel
jaded   (07.13.07)
My opinion is the following:Your campaign was just and you didn't loose militarily.You lost the world opinion.Hizbullah understands this and they widely know they have to fight you with the sufficient power of the media,and they need the approval of the Lebanese people.Their only fear is the significant force of the IDF.The world media aren't covering the fighting in the Palestinian camps.And the Lebanese army isn't a modern one like the Israeli.They can't pinpoint a target like a modern army.(so I heard)But there isn't any worried voices to be heard.I genuinely believe Israel needs to strengthen the IDF and fight as if they were all alone.Only G_d can be trusted.
7. It wasn't a conventional war
Nick ,   London   (07.13.07)
You can't say Israel failed because it wasn't a normal war (against a country) with conventional targets. usually your enemy doesn't hide in civillian houses or aim their weapons at civillan populations. Lebanon should have been held to account for not stopping Hezbollah, they claim they cannot take on the group but they seem very capable of fighting other millitants in the north ok, their army isn't as impotent as they make out. Israel should have given Lebanon an ultimatum - deal with Hezbollah or be sent back to 1982
8. Bush/Rice/France sued for peace in UN
Steve   (07.13.07)
And Mr. Olmert buckled, calling retreat a victory. He bought into the Bush-France UN Security Council resolution 1701 and has been trying to sell us this pig in a poke ever since. Then there was the rumor that Dr. Rice was barking military orders to Peretz over the phone from Washington. Is this any way to fight a war? The war was greatly mishandled by the Olmert-Peretz-Livini team. Bush himself is a disaster of a Commander in Chief. Look what he has done to the Middle East. Jews expelled from their homes in Israel. wandering like refugees in their own land, abandoned by government who expelled them; Iraq is a mess. President Bush is a disaster on almost every foreign policy level. Historians will so record in the years to come. When you are fighting a war for your survival, you've got to pretty much ignore international (Jew-hating) pressure to retreat. Most of the world would like to see Israel wiped off the map.
9. Next, Hezabollah coup inevitable in Lebanon
KMR ,   Middle East   (07.13.07)
10. good truthfull article
freejay ,   Israel   (07.13.07)
Lebanese people are right, Israel let them down by not finishing the job off when we had them surrounded, but idiot Olmert pulled out troops back at the very last minute. Israel only used 5% of its arsenal last lebanese war.................why???????? Next round they need to use at least 20% and completely wipe out all of sth lebanon. Hopefully bibi will be at the reigns and he wont be scared to use the power we have. Forget world opinion as the world wont admit that the so called innocent civillians living in these areas are mainly Syrian shiite scum that shouldnt be there and totally support Hezbolloks.
11. The Obvious
Jason, Ph.D. ,   USA   (07.13.07)
OF COURSE, the next war is inevitable. The reason why Israel is waiting is that the country is overly concerned about the immoral U.N. and world opinion. Instead, Israel should accomplish what was supposed to have been accomplished last summer: the disarming of Hizbollah. If Israel waits, Hizbollah will continue to rearm and then attack Israel with a barrage of rockets when that organization feels that it is ready. If I were the PM, I would 1) Completely destroy the Hizbollah infrastructure. 2) Send PUBLIC messages to Syria and Iran that if either of these countries fire rockets at Israel, Israel will respond with NUCLEAR WEAPONS. 3) After finishing off Hizbollah, take out the Iranian nuclear weapons facilities with a combination of conventional and tactical nuclear weapons. 4) Tell Iran/Syria that Israel will respond to any counterattack rocket barrages with NUCLEAR WEAPONS. 5) Tell the UN that if economic sanctions are put on Israel due to its necessary activity, Israel will respond by destroying MORE of its enemies. International law is a cruel joke. The day the UN can guarantee Israel's security is the day that Israel should start listening to the UN. In the meantime, world reaction will be very hostile to Israel, but in the final analysis, the world does not have any options to stop Israel if she is not afraid to play her cards.
12. hey,olmert ,some victory that was
chaim schonbrun ,   brooklyn n.y   (07.13.07)
hey,olmert,you criminally insane,traitorous pathetic liar you still have the gall to pretend and tell us that the last war was a victory a few more victory's like this,and we can all pack our bags,and close the lights behind us
13. Last summer's war
roxy ,   israel   (07.13.07)
The residents of the North are well aware that we face another war soon, yet the conditions of the homefront have stayed the same. Where are our new gas masks(I bet each member of Kenesset &their families have theirs), where are the improvements to the shelters(I bet the gov.has the latest improvements in their shelters). Why does this government continue to ignore the Homefront and leave it un prepared for the next war? Pass out the Gas Masks now,prepare the shelters,notify the municipalitites that they need to have plans drawn up incase of war, Secure the Hospitals that are he major trama centers Like Rambam,Sieff, in the north. Have All Kupat Holims stock all medications for atleast a month for all patients they serve(that way we don't have to call around during a war to find out which kupat holim has which medication in stock!. In short be brepared by preparing the homefront!!!!!! Stop screwing with our lives!
14. Morons For Zion
Blame Herzel ,   Moronstan   (07.13.07)
Zionism turned the desert into a forest of enemies. Colonialism is a formula for endless war.
15. #11 Jason
David ,   Tel-Aviv   (07.13.07)
You make some very strong suggestions. I hope that when the next round of fighting starts and when we threaten the entire middle east with nuclear destruction that you and your family will take the first flight over. I'm sure that your hardstance position isn't just rhetoric but that you actually believe in Israel' unequivocal right to defend herself and annihilate its enemies. Obviously you won't want to miss this war living in the US. A hardliner like you would want to be where the action is right here in Israel. Hope not to see you soon
16. #14- 'colonialism'? try 'ding-dong Islamic pathology'
Cameron ,   USA   (07.13.07)
17. Hizbollah too strong for Israel
John ,   London,UK   (07.13.07)
While the rest of the world, and Israel public mourns the defeat of Israeli army at the hands of Hizbollah, only Prime Minister Olmert is refusing to accept reality on the ground. Like Bush whose own party is now telling him that Iraq war is a defeat for America, Israeli leader is also living in denial. He thinks Hizbollah was crushed and are no more threat to Israel. I think Israelis should have him checked out by a qualified psychiatirist. Hizbollah are still armed, and on the Israeli border waiting to recieve orders from Iran to rain down thousands of missiles on Israeli cities. This time, no doubt they will strike Tel Aviv. Iran knows that next time Israel will be wiped out. Hezbollah are everywhere in West Bank and Gaza. They have capability to hit Israel from all sides.
18. FACTS
Shay   (07.13.07)
Dear talkbackers, Please don't write your unsupported opinions. Please rely on facts. All talkback here sounds like a buch of people interfering in something they do not understand, have never seen in their own eyes, and probably read in a magazine or heard over CNN... That's not facts...that's the media showing you what they want you to believe is truth. The fact is, that Israel is more powerful than it's ever been, and no Kassam nor Katiusha (small rockets) could really harm Israel. The results of the war shows a whole different picture. Defeated Lebanon with hundred of thousands of homelesses, while not even a single homeless in the other side (Israel). Shabat Shalom guys.
19. Diplomats not Soldiers to blame!!
John 3:16 ,   USA   (07.13.07)
Muzzle the diplomats and untie the hands of the military (Israeli and American), and those who are supposed to protect the nation WILL protect the nation!!!
20. #11 is absolutely right
david-usa ,   los angeles   (07.13.07)
Israel's insistence on keeping nuclear ambiguity harms Israel's interest tremendously. If we had sane and responsible leadership, Iran and Syria wouldn't even dare thinking about war with Israel because they would know the result the moment that they open fire: Damascus and Teheran nuked. Nobody even thinks of attacking countries such as Great Britain, Russia, and the United States because they know they'll be nuked if they do so.
21. To #11
Anakin ,   Sweden   (07.13.07)
While I fully agree with most of your proposals, you should know that implementing them require a different kind of leadership and different type of men! Unfortunately, these two requirements (and features) have disappeared long time ago!
22. To #7
Anakin ,   Sweden   (07.13.07)
Nick, There is no difference between describing a conventional war and a non-existing conventional war nowadays because the way Hezbollah fought IS becoming the way any war will be waged. Even Syria is now considering waging the same kind of war against Israel on the Golan front. So it does not make sense to keep hiding behind rules which no one cares about anymore. When there is a need to defend a country, then you should fight with all means!
23. Olmert is't the enemy of Israel !
(07.13.07)
24. David # 15
Jason, Ph.D. ,   U.S.A.   (07.13.07)
Yes, David, I would be glad to come to Israel during the implementation of my recommendations. I firmly believe this immplementation would save many, many Israeli lives. It is sad that it has come to this. I suspect that Iran and Syria would not be stupid enough to risk nuclear annihilation. If they doubt Israel's resolve, one bomb would probably do the trick. Please remember that the U.S. lauched a nuclear attack on Japan in 1945, and this resulted in the saving of many Americal lives.
25. 14 True the many Imams of the world attempt to
freedom ,   canada   (07.14.07)
colonize the christian world. All that has brought us is the possibility of many wars based upon religious intolerance fostered by the Imams .
26. #13 roxy
hadar ,   england   (07.15.07)
Well said Roxy! During the war last summer I was working as the nurse in a country (Kafri) clinic in the North. When the war started we , the medical personnel, received no instructions from anyone in authority on how to respond to the situation. When I tried to find out why I was told that because the government did not declare a national state of emergency the plans for emergency situations could not be implemented. Fortunately I was pessimistic enough to spend the first days of the war supplying my patients with enough medicines to last them a month . On the last day of the war I was visited by representatives from Kupat Holim and the local council who came to see what was going on in my clinic at long last - the number of people the clinic was serving had grown by 30% at various points due to "refugees" from the front line coming to stay with relatives. The resourses of course had not grown . During the whole of the war we saw a lack of leadership on all fronts - government, local councils (many council members fled to safer areas leaving people to basically fend for themselves) , and officials of public organisations, as well as in the army of course. The simple soldiers and citizens were left to do as best they could. I think it is a great testimony to those simple people that they managed to get through that terrible summer despite their leaders at all levels. After the war Kupat Holim presented the nurses who had functioned (mostly alone) with a MUG (!) inscribed with the words "with you also in tough times". I quit my job. I pray that lessons have been learned , but to be honest, I doubt it.
27. Hadar from England
Roxy ,   Israel   (07.16.07)
I want to thank you on behalf of all patients on medications to your devotion to doing your job despite the war. I was one of those people having to call around and then run around trying to get my cancer medication,finally locating them at 2 differnt kupat holims in my area as mine was closed ! Thank Gd I knew someone who works in the Health Ministry who was able to help me! But I fear that the lessons fromlast summer's war have fallen on deaf ears and that the government will abandon us again ! Give us the gas masks now, Prepare the shelters,like I said in my earlier posting!!!
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