If they stay, Israel will be in for a war like they've never had before, and they can't win.

What is Olmert babbling about - again? He and his predecessors have castrated the peoples army to the nth degree. While they used to be the most FEARED fighting force in the region, they are not anymore. While the forces have been mandated to use 'containment', 'limited conflict' etc as doctrinal goals, the enemies are preparing for ALL OUT WAR. Of course the army is doing training etc. However, it matters not a whit if they are relegated to SPARING the enemy side. They are not given any coherent strategy, only many mixed messages. They are demoralized, seeing those they CAPTURE released, and those they are still pursuing PARDONED. Olmert is not only foolish, he is exceedingly dangerous. He is only pandering to what he believes the forces need to here. He has NO intention of letting them do what they are otherwise sworn to do - protect the Jewish nation!

Olmert said:"'only a strong and stable Israel can achieve security and peace' ". What a concept for peace. We heard it before from fanatic israelis:" only way for peace is my way", "peace by submission". Can't you get it??? peace does not come by force. Lebanese are not same ingrediance that of Arabs... You get stronger, we get stronger. At the end you are invading Lebanon not the other way. We have seen your mighty force once 78, twice 82, triple 96, quadriple 06. Are you still counting on showing more force? Peace only comes by accepting others and fulfill and eliminate threats... Don't you agree??? this question is for wise people. For fanatic Israelis, you are just like Bin Laden: "my way or no way". Wake up Israelis, think of peace not war... More generals will only bring death and distruction to all. WIll someone be more than Sharon? No... the blood he loves to see destroyed his brain. You tried wars many times, have you tried peace way with Palestinians and Lebanese? I am not talking about Abbas or King Abdullah, real suffering people you need to talk to.

כשמנצחים זה ביחד, כשמפסידים זה לבד" when winning it's together, when losing, it's alone. too true. Historically, Israel has been the most popular at the times when it has presented itself as strongest, and undefeatable throughout every trial and tribulation.

In what negotiation since he came into office has stood up for Israel's own legitimate interests? How often has he used the word "No"? To the contrary, his is a concessions based strategy suggesting weakness. Most recently he walked into a meeting and - without even being asked - made more concessions (he calls them "gestures"). He got absolutely nothing in return. During the final preparations for the recent prisoner release there was at least one prisoner who refused to sign that he would abandon terror. After a few phone calls, Olmert allowed him to go anyway. Yes, it's a near worthless ritual, but still. Some strength! He's ready, it seems, to give away the Golan, to give away the West Bank, to do some deal on Jerusalem, to arm, train, and fund his country's enemies. He'll hemm and haw over the latest demand, pencil in a few concerns, and ultimately give in. Yeah, some strength.

one question.... who started the war in 2006? who started the wars in 1948, 1967, 1982, etc.... you did. the arabs. so don't go blaming israel for starting wars, for not wanting peace. admit one thing. you don't want a palestine for arabs. you want the nannihilation of israel, all of it for arabs.

get over yourself... Peace through strength means simply that enemies are so aware of the punishment they might recieve, that they do not initiate war because they know the penalty will be very high. "Speak softly and carry a big stick" I think thats what comes to mind as for Israel being an aggressor, you should study history all over again....maybe with a new/better textbook as for olmert claiming strength... he must be the only one in Israel besides tzipi who feels strong After giving concessions and wanting to make deals with enemies. The enemies are the ones who believe they are stronger...look at what nasrallah and achmenidjad say everyday look at hamas plo syria etc do they appear weaker? thats what I thought

and my personal power will bring security and peace. Rabbi Mendel Weinbach of Ohr Samayach said: "Such confidence in his own power removes a Jew from his dependence on Heaven and his faith in Hashem. It is also this false faith in the power of arms which leads to political violence and even assassination."

For peace Israel needs the neutron bomb and the guts to use it if attacked.

Our strategy of "limited engagement", borrowed from the US who developed it during the Kennedy administration and continued until to today by Bush, will produce nothing but more death and disillusionment in the long run. People get tired of fighting when there is never hope of victory. That's what this military philosophy has always produced and is producing here in Israel as well. The enemy can wage a war of attrition only because that's what we allow them to do because we think the rest of the world will see us as humane and moral by limiting our self defense to a stand-off rather than actually defeating our enemies until they sue for peace. This failed approach will cost us more lives and destroy the morale of both our troops and the people. We're sunk if we continue.

.Blah blah blah . All he's doing is wrong - like giving them guns. All he's not doing is bad as well . The "highlight" [lol bitterly] was , of course, the outcome of the war .

Peace will come when Olmert and the rest of his regime go and allow a compitent government to get ellected who wont rush into wars without any clear goals and pull out without achiving anything. Israel shouldnt be afraid to fight wars but only when there are goals before the war begins and those goals have been achived before the war ends. Also Lebanon showed just how short of recources the IDF really is but after promisingincreases imidiatly after the war one year on he is not only not increasing the budget but he is decreasing it. As things in Israel are right now Olmert is a bigger threat to the countries continued existance than any Iranian nuke or Hamas rocket could ever be,