Opinion
Predictable Israeli fiasco
Avi Trengo
Published: 31.05.10, 18:05
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31. Sea Op
Al Redwood ,   Los Angeles   (05.31.10)
If anyone asked for Ehoud Barak to resign the only reason should be that he used too little force. The pontificating arm chair generals have only one act on their menu-bow deeper than O bow ma. If anybody tried to pull off a number like this on Egypt, Syria or Turkey where would the end? Midnight Express? Or much worse, time to grow up!
32. This is a brilliant article !!!
Randy   (05.31.10)
This fiasco is so embarrassing, I myself, a traditionally right-wing Israeli, don't even care try to defend Israeli decision makers (like Barak) in light of what transpired. To see the video with the Israeli soldiers dangling from a rope, falling into an angry mob, one after the other, carrying paint ball guns (what's up with that?????), is like looking at a ridiculous horror flick. What a circus !!!
33. Any cause to get rid of barak is legitimate, Israel's barak
Bunnie Meyer ,   Los Angeles, CA USA   (06.01.10)
or the so called US president barak.
34. not predictable at all: the product of military failures
dante ,   uk   (06.01.10)
the IDF failed to acquire accurate intelligence about the intentions and capabilities of the enemy and, in part because of that, it failed to properly plan. no one apparently asked for and planned against a worst case.
35. To # 30 - I am glad you are confused
Avi Trengo   (06.01.10)
you wrote: "I was actually confused as to where this guy stands - left, right or center." Indeed I call it as I see it. No left or right for me.
36. how about letting the aid through?
Patrick ,   Montreal Canada   (06.01.10)
really, how many dead children do you want on your conscience. oh yeah! you don't have a conscience. Israel over all others is your motto.
37. 8000 Hamas Rockets
Reuven ,   NYC, USA   (06.01.10)
Widely distribute photos of the Israeli victims of those rocket attacks...both the dead and the wounded. Also, dismiss Barak.
38. It's easier said than done....
Shalom ,   U.S.A.   (06.01.10)
The article is not clear about what path the IDF should follow. We constantly hear about lynching attempts when the soldiers didin,t use their weapons because they were not allowed to use them. I agree that Barak shouldn't be DM, also I agree that Netanyahu not a strong leader. On the other hand the suggestion that Israel should end the blocade is downright stupid. Any solution in sight? I don't think so, the entire world is against Israel and can't wait to destroy it. The best thing Israel should do to have a strong, united political leadership. Both in the goverment and in the Knesset.
39. Other navies don't do naval blockades
Gustavo CL ,   Belo Horizonte, Braz   (06.01.10)
So that's a basic difference to start with.
40. Fiasco or Crime?
Brooke Jones ,   New York, NY   (06.01.10)
To call this act pf piracy a "fiasco" can only please Israel fanatics. The rest of the world sees it for what it is: a criminal act that supports the claims of Israel's enemies that your country is only causing trouble for the rest of the world. Shape up before it's too late.
41. Can't wait until Barak is gone!
Michael ,   Toronto   (06.01.10)
42. This is better analysis than on my TV
Jen ,   Canada   (06.01.10)
This is better analysis of what's going on, than is being broadcast on any of the stoogy news networks in North America.
43. Patrick in Montreal - an embarrassment to Canadians
Brian Cohen ,   Judean Peoples Front   (06.01.10)
Patrick in Montreal obviously doesn't care to check any facts. Tons of aid is allowed into the Gaza Strip every day. Even the UN admits that Gazans have enough basic foods and medicines. The Turkish government could have sent 1000 tons of aid via proper channels, but decided to sponsor a confrontation instead. Nobody has starved to death in Gaza. The only starvation is the truth, which is being choked off by uninformed kneejerks like Patrick. And, of course, Patrick wouldn't know a kassam missile if he held it in his hands. And unlike what his fellow Canadian propagandist Dianna Buttu says, it does have enough of a warhead to splatter Patrick from Maisonneuve to Lachine. It's also a war crime, but I doubt Patrick cares about that.
44. Gustavo - navies do blockades all the time
Brian Cohen ,   Judean Peoples Front   (06.01.10)
Do they put something in the water in Brazil to keep you from googling "naval blockade"? Add in the term "refugee" and you'll see that lots of countries are using naval blockades in the 21st century.
45. Brooke Jones the criminologist? Don't think so...
Brian Cohen ,   Judean Peoples Front   (06.01.10)
Brooke Jones thinks it's a crime? That's very nice, Brooke. I'm glad you're so concerned. Do you care about other crimes in the world, or just "Israeli" crimes? Aside from the fact that Israel boarded the ships in accordance with international law (whether you like it of not), we're left with the fact of Palestinian crimes. Does Brooke Jones really care about the law? I doubt it. "... the report contains the clearest finding that Hamas and other militant Palestinian groups committed serious war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity. The acceptance of those findings by the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly has been ignored completely..." Richard Goldstone, Interviewed by Ha'aretz, Nov 13 2009 But that's ok, cuz Brooke Jones doesn't care about crime, just if Israel is involved.
46. Absolutely right
SM ,   Israel   (06.01.10)
This "operation" was a disaster from the beginning (and I don't think that Barak is the only one to blame - there were severe planning flaws). Israel was absolutely correct in the decision to stop what was nothing more than an act of provocation. HOWEVER, to decide to lower commandos without seemingly a shred of intelligence about the intended violent response or by the so called peace activists or knowledge of weapons on board, was nothing short of lunacy and irresponsibility. There are, as Trengo suggests, other ways of stopping ships. What happened here was stupidity and gave a great PR coup for the Turks etc. As usual, we were caught out by overconfidence and played straight into the hands of the people who sprung this (what can only be called) ambush.
47. Bad planning, worse execution
Jonny ,   SA   (06.01.10)
First let me state that I ,as a Jew, support Israel's right to exist as a free, safe Jewish state,so dont respond by calling me a Jew or Israel hater. The facts are that the defence ministry on its own version underestimsted the risk of violent confrontation and chose inappropriate means to address the threat. Obviously the commandos were entitled to act in self-defence, but they should never have been exposed to the situation they found themselves in. Trengo's analysis of the appropriate mthodology is spot on - I as a layman thought of disabling the propeller or engines yesterday already.
48. completely agree Barak is a stupid shithead
Max   (06.01.10)
Israelis should not for one second longer tolerate this despicable dangerous loser.
49. Total fiasco
Batuhan ,   Kuala Lumpur   (06.01.10)
It was readily in the consent of IDF and Israel that flotilla was coming and it was very much clear that well trained IDF commandos could actually stop those ships without hurting anyone since IDF commandos are well experienced on dealing with large crowd.Yet they prefered cause a total fiasco which is going to end up total loss for Israel.Israel is today more hated condemed and lonlier country.Open your eyes Israel and look where the hell you are heading to.Do not let your patriotic thoughts blind your eyes.Try not to act like a hero.You also knew those lives could have been saved.
50. To: Avi Tengo #35
PK ,   Hong Kong   (06.01.10)
Before you go off congratulating yourself too much, let me clarify: My confusion was primarily because, after offering up a better tactic for stopping the ship (not arguing against it...or at least I don't think you did), you then seem to indicate that the blockade should just be lifted! WTF! Did you read my fourth paragraph? The "left, right or center" addition was more of an afterthought.
51. It's the siege that's misguided
sh   (06.01.10)
Had there not been a siege at all this would never have happened. With all the gadgetry at Israel's disposal for surveillance, the siege wasn't needed at all, especially not after Cast Lead, an episode which made continuing with it sheer villainy. What is it with us that when something doesn't work out we persevere with the same recipe instead of changing tack? As long as Israel doesn't decide on defining its borders once and for all, the long series of abusive tactics that lead to more abusive tactics won't stop. Things like what happened yesterday will happen again and again. It would be comical if it didn't involve such catastrophic loss of life.
52. Israel did the right thing , as usual !!!
Don Rosenberg ,   Palatine USA   (06.01.10)
Israel knew either way she would be criticized. The IDF should have maybe used tear gas to spread the attackers, but should have definitely use real bullets and kill any so-called peaceful attackers. The blame to should toward the dumb turks who are trying to make points with the Islamoracists/fascists.
53. Fight to win or surrender
James ,   Miami, USA   (06.01.10)
Avi, I agree with everything you say. Your logic and insight are right on. Except the wisdom of complete disengagement from Gaza and ending the sea blockade. Gaza is too close for comfort, and given the opportunity, Hamas would stock it with every weapon it could get its hands on.
54. We need a national unity Gov't
A friend ,   NYC   (06.01.10)
We need a national unity governmnet. Bibi and Tzipi to put aside their differences and work together now!!!
55. Israel Seems to Be Shooting Itself
Dav Lev ,   BurbankCAUSA   (06.01.10)
To James (Miami) and others: I agree with the author that the border should be sealed offf completely with Hamastan AND Israel patrol its coastline only. Hamas is getting weapons from the Sinai (1,000 tunnels operating), furnished by Syria/Iran. To assert (as some have) that the blockade is thwarting the arms flow, seems ridiculous on the face of it. What happens when the W.Bk is relinquished..will Israel enforce a boycott between it and Jordan? Israel must: declare partial marshal law; charge it's own with sedition and treason when applicable; bring in capital punishmnt for henious crimes;, stop apologizing to appease the world(USA); declare itself at war with Hamas/Hez thus opening up more stringent and lethal attacks ( to Kassams, Grad, etc.). Lets see what it does with the "Rachel Corrie" boat headed it's way. My guess..will blunder into another trip.
56. Difficult to be a friend of Israel these days
David ,   Oslo, Norway   (06.02.10)
This is indeed a sad day. The boarding of these ships in international waters with such a tradical outcome is a disaster. Israel is loosing its few remaining allies and the international political implications are imense, but not propperly understood in Israel. Regardless on what you consider wrong or right in this conflict; this is a PR catastrophy that could easily have been avoided. The IDF did everything wrong and played all the cards in the hands of the activists trying to breach the blockade. In the longer run, Israel might eventually face international sanctions like the ones imposed on South Africa during the apartheid regime. That is not a pleasant situation for any country, however this can still be avoided with a more subtle and intelligent use of politics. I doubt that Barak or Netanyahu can mastermind this, though.
57. about Trengo
Alex ,   Tel Aviv   (06.05.10)
His view is not "anti-Israel" at all. He wants the state to have a real, credible deterrent power that successive coalitions in power have done an incredible job at sabotaging with their short-sightedness.
58. NATO war against Israel?!
chaim galil   (06.09.10)
What exactly will Barak do if the next aid mission to Gaza is accompanied by the Turkish Navy? Will Barak launch a war against Turkey? ..... Hey Trengo, do you know Turkey is member of NATO?! Turkey Navy assistation means war between NATO and Israel??
59. predictable israeli fiasco
nathan ,   netanya   (08.28.10)
Instead of getting rid of general Ashkanazi it isthe Defence minister Barack, Netanyaho should sack .What a travesty of justice.
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