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IDF in Lebanon
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Israel, it's time for an apology

Ynetnews staff members tell State of Israel what they think it should ask forgiveness for, and from whom. And the list is long

From Israelis and Palestinians, for rejecting peace

One of the gravest, and less talked about consequences of the second Lebanon war, is the diversion of public consciousness and media attention away from the Palestinian issue. For the majority of Israelis, the fighting in the north during the summer either served to reaffirm their pessimistic, often racist views regarding Arabs and the regional conflict, or simply enabled them to forget for a while the ever-burning issue of relations with our Palestinian neighbors.  

 

Unfortunately, such disregard for the explosive reality in the Palestinian Authority, particularly in the Gaza Strip, is one of the State's and the media's greatest sins of the past year. This is a sin to the Palestinians, as well as to the Israelis, as it again allowed another year to pass without bringing the two peoples closer to a resolution.

 

As it continues to play that same old "no partner" tune, the Israeli government has ignored the many explicit and implicit calls for dialogue coming from the Palestinian camp, while at the same time continuing to contribute to the unbearable situation in the starved, unemployed and conflicted PA. (Anat Heffetz)

 

From northerners, for failing them in wartime

Had the government declared a state of emergency during the Lebanon war, funds would have become immediately available to the residents of northern Israel. The Israeli government owes northerners an apology for failing to declare a state of emergency during the war, and for inadequate arrangements made for them during the rocket attacks. (Yaakov Lapin)

 

From media, for accusing it of everything

This Yom kippur I think that the people of Israel should ask for the forgiveness of the one institution everybody loves to hate, but can't really live without: Me! Well not me per se, but the entire media establishment.  

 

Throughout the entire war in Lebanon there were constant voices saying that the media is to blame for most of the bad things that are happening in this country in general, and in the war in particular. Everywhere I go I hear "the media this… and the media that…" Let me just say this: We are simply doing our jobs. Whoever doesn't agree with me is ignorant of the job the media has to do in a democratic and open society. I agree that during the war the round the clock coverage of the events much more information got out there than it should have.

 

But the media in this case is not to blame. It is the Army, and in particular the IDF spokeswoman that through so-called policies of media openness had to – just had to – reveal the position and action of every single combat unit in Lebanon, including unit names and numbers. I ask you: Does a mother with a child in the 51st brigade of Golani really have to know he is on the eastern hills over Bint Jbail? Is that really necessary? 

 

The media, on their part got that information and broadcast it. But this, my friends, is the job of the media. Letting the public know what is going on, even though it is against what some people think. The IDF, as a body of interest has the right to do anything they want with their information, and it is the job of the media to find out stuff and report it. So please – stop blaming the media and start looking for the real culprits. (Avida Landau)

 

From soldiers, for war's suicide missions  

Israel must ask forgiveness from the IDF soldiers who were sent to Lebanon on what turned out to be a near suicide mission due to the lack of intelligence and preparedness.  

 

During the fighting itself many soldiers were left to tend for themselves (some reservists claimed they had to chip in to purchase food and even adequate protective gear!), while the political and military echelons remained clueless in the face of Hizbullah’s surprising resilience and firepower. (Dan Bentsur)

 

From founding fathers, for turning state into what it is today 

I was brought up on the idea of “if you wish it, it is no dream,” and was suffused with a Zionist understanding from a young age. The Jewish state was for me was a symbol not only of Jewish cultural rebirth, but also of striving to make our tiny plot of land the best it could possibly be, to be an outlet

for true Jewish strength and innovation, to be a light unto the nations.

 

This Yom Kippur I believe it is time the State ask forgiveness from its founding fathers. They surely are

rolling over in their graves what with the growing inequality between rich and poor (there are currently

1.6 million Israelis living in poverty, many of them working full time), the corruption in politics, the increasingly antiquated political system that no longer effectively serves the needs of its constituents, the plummeting educational standards (ensuring that our children most likely won’t be instilled with the same Zionist ideals on which I was raised), the overemphasis of urban areas, leaving the so-called periphery, once the heart and soul of the Zionist endeavor, to rot. The list goes on.

 

Changing each of these ills is within the power of the government. However, somewhere between the power struggles and the political scandals, our lawmakers have lost sight of the very essence underlying the Jewish state. It is time for them to repent, and, more importantly, to make amends. For it is still not too late.(Rachel Pezzlo)

 


פרסום ראשון: 10.01.06, 13:36
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