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Photo: Sebastian Scheiner
Minister Ephraim Sneh. Army degenerated
Photo: Sebastian Scheiner

Deputy defense minister: Palestinians could end up like Bint Jbeil

Incoming Minister Ephraim Sneh warns PA leaders, residents from turning against Israel in future regional conflicts. If they take Israel's side they will prosper, he says

Incoming Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh, who took up his post Monday, is already sending clear and uncompromising messages to the leaders and residents of the Palestinian Authority.

 

"We need to tell the Palestinians: A large-scale regional conflict is impending. If you do not turn against Israel, your country and economy will prosper. If you take the other side, you will look like Bint Jbeil," Sneh warned.

 

The deputy defense minister's words come against the backdrop of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's declaration that Israel plans to broaden operations in the Gaza Strip in the near future.

 

Sneh made the statements during a Tel Aviv University conference that dealt with the Lebanon war and its consequences.

 

"The first lesson drawn from what happened in the north is that unilateral steps were useless. If you withdraw without an agreement, you leave a hostile military element behind you and you will return to fight there," he stated, adding that: "It has been made clear that the fundamental conflict in the region is between the moderate forces, headed by Israel, and the extremists – headed by Iran."

 

'IDF has degenerated in territories'  

Sneh said that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was preventing many moderate Arab countries from supporting Israel in the battle against a common foe.

 

Another significant issue that was raised for the discussion during the conference was the IDF's lack of preparedness, which became evident in the last war, following an extended routine of operations in the territories.

 

"The army degenerated in the course of operations in the territories," Sneh claimed. "The characteristics of policing activity against very low-quality guerrilla forces have weakened the IDF's ability to confront a real enemy," he added.

 

The new deputy minister said that that the Lebanon war has emboldened the different resistance organizations in the PA, reinforcing their belief that Israel's status can be eroded.

 

"On the other hand," he said, "the moderate elements realized that it's better not to mess with the IDF's fortitude, and that in the imminent conflict ahead… they don't want to support the side that's against us."

 


פרסום ראשון: 10.31.06, 19:21
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