Opinion  Ron Ben-Yishai
The great Gaza debate
Ron Ben-Yishai
Published: 29.12.10, 18:38
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16 Talkbacks for this article
1. Israel doesn't learn
Moshe Halevy   (12.29.10)
When will Israel get this through its head: the global community will criticize you whether the operation is light or heavy. Ergo, the so-called Barak Doctrine is based on false logic. Next time Israel decides to engage with Hamas, it should wipe out the Hamas infrastructure completely and take over the Philadelphi Route at minimum, temporarily re-occupy the Strip (until order is reached and an International Force comes in) at maximum. Israel made the same mistake in Operation Cast Lead that in made in Lebanon in 2006. Believe it or not, Saudi Arabia and many Gulf States were actually rooting for Israel (privately) during the campaigns in Lebanon and the Strip. But when Israel fails to accomplish goals that mutually beneficial to all aforementioned parties (eradicate Iranian proxies) then it leaves the Arabs no choice but to criticize, as well as the Europeans. If Israel is interested in peace, it must DESTROY Hamas. As long as Hamas has power, the PA will never be able to moderate. Abbas, Mubarak, Abdullah, Clinton -- everyone knows this. It is time for people to start fearing Israel again.
2. Barak has one doctrine only: What's good for Barak
Rafael ,   Yerushalayim, Israel   (12.29.10)
To credit Barak with any type of doctrine other than "do what's good for Barak" in terms of his own narrow political interest and ego stroking is extremely magnanimous of Ron Ben-Yishai.
3. both fools without vision or backbone
yehuda avner ,   tel aviv   (12.29.10)
they both were failures and acted as if blind or by vendetta
4. Total victory doctrine to replace Barak/Olmert disasters.
Chaim ,   Israel   (12.29.10)
Israel's doctrine in Gaza, and elswhere, needs to be replaced by the total victory doctrine. A doctrine of resounding victory such as that pursued by Winston Churchill in WW II. Both the Barak and Olmert doctrines are disasters which aren't even designed to result in total Israeli victory.
5. Chaim & Moshe - Don't Get It Either
Mark ben Josuf ,   USA   (12.29.10)
First - you will never get an international force to run an occupation the Israeli way and take Israeli orders. You didn't get that in Lebanon and won't in Gaza. Second - Your idea of Total Victory is nonsense. You propose following it by permanent and forever occupation. That alone will give rise to resistance which you will call terror. People don't like foreign occupation, by the US or by Israel or by Germans or by the French, or by the Chinese, or even by the Austrians. Resistance to occupation may be futile. But resistance to foreign occupation is as inevitable as the sun rising in the East. You can destroy Hamas, but is will have a successor, more determined to throw off foreign occupation.
6. if the U.S had this doctrine during world war two
chaim schonbrun ,   brooklyn ny   (12.29.10)
we would all be lamp shades by now, and the whole world would be talking german. proves once again,leftism is a mental disease,and is suicidal,theren is only one way to stop the rockets from Gaza,remmember how Dresden and Berlin looked during the last world war? that is how you win wars
7. #5, arab occupation of ME
Danny   (12.29.10)
seems to be doing ok as is the jordanian occupation by a leadership from Saudi Arabia. People from Spain still seem to be doing ok in South and Central America and 400 odd years of "resistance" in Northern Ireland doesn't seem to have ended the British "occupation".
8. I do not presume to give military advise, but
leo ,   usa   (12.29.10)
both plans look good. How about run both of then - "Fast" first and then follow up it with the "Slow". BTW, regarding World opinion, it will be much more favorable to Israel beginning January 5th - new House and Congress sessions.
9. Leaving Gaza was a Mistake
Yakov   (12.29.10)
in which Israel is unfortunately paying the price.
10. #5 Mark. You don't get it. This land is ours.
Chaim ,   Israel   (12.30.10)
#5 Mark. You don't get it. Judea and Samaria aren't "occupied". They have belonged to Jews for more than 3,500 years. "Palestinians" are poseurs pretending to be from a nation which never existed and never will. The answer is simple. Israel needs to achieve total victory, which we are certainly capable of. Than we offer Judea/Samaria Arabs fair compensation to leave our land. There is no "occupation" and never will be one.
11. #7 Spain & Central/South America
Mark ben Josuf ,   USA   (12.30.10)
Spain was kicked out of the Americas and rules nothing in the Western Hemisphere. Their language only persists. And some of their genetic background. Britain has not yet left Northern Ireland. But after 800 odd years finally gave up on ruling Ireland. The occupation of the North will end when and if the people of the Northern part of the Island decide. The Brits no longer even rule Canada.
12. 10 Tell the Samaritans, Chaim
Mark ben Josuf ,   USA   (12.30.10)
I doubt that you have enough money. I doubt that the Chinese have enough money to even make a fair offer that would induce even the Palestinian Samaritans, let alone the Christians and Muslims whose roots go back over 1000 years to leave their roots. Not even the Palestinian Samaritans are eager to live at the whim of their Judean brethren. Make a deal to coexist without the ethnic cleansing. You can't afford the alternative.
13. #12 Mark. Paying Arabs to leave is the true cost of peace.
Chaim ,   Israel   (12.30.10)
#12 Mark. There is no denying that it would be a considerable investment to pay Arabs to leave Judea and Samaria. However, it is win/win for everyone. Judea/Samaria and Gaza Arabs have told pollsters, for decades, the majority of them want to leave. They would be fairly compensated to do so. For Israel, it is a one time investment with permanent returns. Israel would save billions annually in security costs alone. Paying Arabs to leave is the true cost of peace.
14. 13 Chaim - Good Luck with the Fundraising
Mark ben Josuf ,   USA   (12.30.10)
I think any serious effort will require $$ hundreds and hundreds of Billions. I know the US does not have it and it would go counter to 60 years of US policy. But good luck trying to find the money and pledges.
15. #5 makes a good point, far wiser than at first sight !
Justin Case ,   Brasil   (12.31.10)
16. Olmert and Barak
Moragh   (12.31.10)
TWO PEAS IN A POD ..... end
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