Opinion
When Israel shoots itself in the foot
Efraim Halevy
Published: 09.08.13, 13:24
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64 Talkbacks for this article
1. Nonsense!
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (08.09.13)
More leftist delusional thinking. If Khamenei controls the country -- and, indeed, he does -- what's the point of softening Israel's stance against Iran? We know what Khamenei thinks of the State of Israel. Why should Israel kowtow to an Iranian public or its elected head of state when neither wields any power at all?
2. Mr. Halevy
solomon ,   bklyn   (08.09.13)
You confuse his more liberal approach to domestic politics with his continuing delaying tactics in international affairs.
3. Moronic article.
Jerusalem Jew ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (08.09.13)
This article is purely based on wishful thinking. The Iranian's nuclear program is directly linked to their national pride. Consequently, the Iranians will never stop their program voluntarily. Only a military strike will stop them. BHO cannot be trusted. He uses the Iranian nuclear program to blackmail Israel into making suicidal concessions to the palis. And even after Israel's concessions, BHO won't do anything about the Iranian nuclear program, nor will he let Israel do the job. BHO is the main cause of the erosion of both the US' and Israel's military deterrence. Sadly enough, Netanyahu doesn't have the testicles to stand up to BHO.
4. ha ha ha
(08.09.13)
"Iranian people's choice"? Give me a break, Rohani was chosen by the Ayatollahs.
5. Israel should legitimize Iran buying time to build nukes!!
Chaim ,   Israel   (08.09.13)
I realize Ynet should represent a broad spectrum of opinion. But surely you can draw the limit at clearly mindless zombie nonsense. The author wants Israel to legitimize talks enabling Iran to buy time to build nukes to use against us!! Dumb doesn't do this article justice.
6. This is beyond naive
Aharon ,   Jerusalem   (08.09.13)
It is plain stupid. We have been negotiating with them for 15 years! And now they have the nuclear bomb. Next we will negotiate with them whether or not they can use it on us??? And after that, what will we negotiate?
7. Halevys Logic
Ben ,   USA.   (08.09.13)
Delusional
8. Efraim Halevy forgets the fundamentals of dictatorships
Alan ,   Canada   (08.09.13)
First lets debunk the idea that Netanyahu's "demonization" of the new Iranian president will antagonize those moderate people who elected him especially the younger ones. I believe, based on interviews of common people that they could not care less about Israel .The main immediate concern of these people is getting out of poverty & be free of the "moral" squads" which interfere with their personal lives especially in the case of the women. Efraim Halevy fails to recognize the well known fundamental fact that a democracy cannot reach any reliable agreement with a dictatorship, the more so when that regime is based on irrational, fanatic religious beliefs. So Netanyahu is right to remind the naive US diplomacy that its faith in negociation will not have a better outcome than its efforts in the case of North Korea, Pakistan & India on their race towards nuclear power, not to speak of the "Peace for ever" of Chamberlain & Daladier negociated with Hitler & Mussolini in 1938 , a peace that lasted one year..
9. Moronic article! Rohani smiles but lies!
Michael Redbourn ,   Lisbon Portugal   (08.09.13)
And as the article states, "Supreme Leader Khamenei holds all the power, and Khamenei alone has the authority to deviate from his own nuclear policy". Rohani not only has a history of lying to the West, but he bragged about it too!
10. Closing the stable door .....
Bertram ,   London, UK   (08.09.13)
..... after the horse has bolted, I'm afraid. Read the incisive and detailed article in The Economist, 22 June 2013. Neither Israel nor the US can prevent Iran becoming nuclear whether they take military action or not. The best possible outcome is effective international management of nuclear arms. The US used nuclear weapons in 1945 and since that time no other country has because everyone knows the disastrous consequences for all concerned - even Iran.
11. Wishfull thinking
Nachman   (08.09.13)
The Iranian people did not have a large menu to pick from, perhaps if they would have a choice of picking a non-mulah pro demoracy candidate Rouihani would never be elected. Ephraims whole thesis after listening to what this so called moderate has to say about Israel is delusianal. Wake up and get rid of the bomb before....
12. The war party
Avramele   (08.09.13)
One should prepare a strong military and defense and negotiate wisely for peace. Obviously there are some who believe that redemption requires a war of catyclismic proportions so their messianic wet dreams can be fulfilled. Madness!
13. This is one ignorant article!!!
Jake Stone ,   USA   (08.09.13)
Beyond stupid!!!
14. All Nukes must be handed to Israel for Peace to come about
Son of Cyrus ,   UK   (08.09.13)
15. Chamberlaining Imbecille !.
Arn. ,   Sweden.   (08.09.13)
16. Mr Halevy is 100% right, Trouble is with Mr Netanyahu is ...
Moreh Ba-Etzbaa   (08.09.13)
Trouble is with Mr Netanyahu is, that he fancies himself as headmaster to the world. He has this clinical need to 'prove' to all (including our benevolent American patrons, our -now shunned- friends from europe) that he is right & they are wrong.
17. Number 1
Mike Carmel ,   Rishon le Zion   (08.09.13)
Ephraim Halevy knows what he is talking about because of his extensive experience in security issues. You, on the other hand have no such experience and therefore your opinion on this matter is worthless and irrelevant.
18. Halevy ! ex-Israeli intel chiefs are corrupted
(08.09.13)
19. Excellent article!
elke ,   usa   (08.09.13)
Smart thinking...except to those who are terminally arrogant. If movement toward a more liberal Iran is trashed and reviled, what hope is there for normalized relationships with one of the Mid East's most important nations? No to mention all of this hostility is coming from the nuclear nation that is constantly upping the arms race, the one that has openly been talking about a military attack on Iran for months, if not years.
20. I didn't realize that Mr. Halevy had become a crackhead.
Noodles ,   Coney Island   (08.09.13)
21. this naive was the (bad) boss of Mossad. HATZILOU !
(08.09.13)
22. Rational argument wasted
David ,   Cape Town   (08.09.13)
Iran's position on Israel is a mixture of religious dogma and political expediency. Whilst the latter is perhaps open to persuasion, the former - being the stronger - is not. Israel has to appease US liberal sentiment represented by the naivety of Obama and Kerry but it cannot become relaxed about Iran and the existential threat it represents.
23. This time the author is spot on.
Persian CAT   (08.09.13)
Bad mouthing Rowhani, Khameneie or Iran by the idiot-in-chief of Zionistan has not brought Israel any political benefits. Instead the EU and many in the US, except those whose positions in the congress depends on the Jewish contributions, have started treating Israel as the crazy country cousin, who cannot be allowed in the room because he stinks. Once can gather from the idiotic comments of the gaggle of the crazy talk-backers that Mr. Halevy has got it right this time. Being the head of Mosad must mean something, and it DOES!
24. Rouhani
CJK   (08.09.13)
rouhani has been at the center of iranian decision making for decades. he is very closely connected with khamenei by being a member of the: guardian council supreme national security council assembly of experts expediency council center of strategic research. rouhani, through his membership in the above organisations, was part of all decision making, including the selection of khamenei as supreme leader, the nuclear weapons program, the export of the islamic revolution, the support of terror proxies.
25. Mike # 17
Eaglebeak ,   Left Coast, USA   (08.09.13)
Chamberlain thought he knew what he was talking about when he negotiated with Hitler. You seem to be cut out of the same cloth. You don't know what Sarah B's experience and background is. I think you just have an inferiority complex. I would if I were you.
26. #20, Uncle Noodles you are RIGHT !!!!!!!!!
Chris Rettenmoser ,   Bayerisch Gmain Germ   (08.09.13)
27. Noddlie and Rottenloser, when you two come together, it's...
Persian CAT   (08.09.13)
called, a gaggle of idiots. Keep the Ynet talkback forum stupid, will ya?
28. #25. How do you know what Chamberlain knew or didn't...
Persian CAT   (08.09.13)
know. You're an idiot! Don't try to talk above your single-digit IQ score.
29. #23 crazy country cousin?
Tahl   (08.10.13)
Look at the miserable state of your own country before passing judgment on others. Your country is a crazed tyrannical theocracy where people have no basic civil rights, you have no tolerance for minorities gays and dissenting opinions (all of whom get executed routinely), you don't know what democratic elections mean, you are boycotted by all Western countries, the entire world sees you as a threat to its existence, and your economy is in the dumpster. If Israel is the crazy country cousin then Iran is the boogyman. PS. You are right, being the head of the Mosad does means a lot, who else could so elegantly arrange such a swift departure to your nuclear physicists?
30. Criticizing Mr. Halevy
Oleg ,   Canada   (08.09.13)
Unlike most of us Mr. Halevy has good credentials in the field of security, being Director of Mossad. I don't believe any civil servant can attain that position easily in Israel without being qualified. So I trust his judgement, more than the one from most of the participants on the board. Sorry, but it's true.
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