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Photo: Niv Calderon
Guy Bechor
Photo: Niv Calderon

Preparing for the next war

Crucial questions remain unanswered in face of imminent threats

While Israeli society is busy as usual with internal battles, cruelly tearing off limbs regarding the past and with self hate whose origins are hard to fathom, the imminent threats are clearly visible. Yet through astounding blindness they are not being discussed in the public discourse.

 

The Iranian deputy interior minister is explicitly warning Israel that in the event of an American attack, Iran would fire tens of thousands of missiles at Israel; Syria is moving and positioning thousands of missiles close to the border with Israel; Hizbullah has completed the deployment of its missiles and rockets arsenal, which is capable of striking at the heart of the country and Hamas has transferred tons of explosives and missiles into the Gaza Strip in an attempt to create a balance of power.

 

Even the timetable is clear: Somewhere in August - then the US will have to decide whether it will launch a large-scale military assault against Iran or not, and this is when Iran is likely to activate its regional satellites. But here we are continuing to squabble about nonsensical matters.

 

The Winograd Commission could first and foremost be instrumental in sounding the warning bells ahead of a future military confrontation that could prove to be much harsher and more painful then that of last summer; the commission could analyze the conclusions of the last war in order to better prepare for future eventualities. Yet no one is doing this: They are all busy looking for heads to roll. The Winograd Commission is leveling criticism at the leadership and the public for turning a critical blind eye. Isn't the exact same syndrome repeating itself right now?

 

Worse than that, let's assume that the government and its senior officials quit. Will the timetable created here tie in with the Middle East's timetable of threats? Would Iran oblige us by waiting for a new prime minister and defense minister to take up office in Israel before launching an attack?

 

Is IDF ready for war on several fronts?

It is clear to almost every citizen that Amir Peretz was not suitable and is not suitable for the post of defense minister. He should immediately remove himself from office and let another take his position. In the short amount of time that remains the new guy will get the military into shape ahead of the next battle, which could prove to be existential.

 

Time is short, and therefore we don’t have time for an absolute change of government and a prolonged election campaign. We simply don't have that luxury.

 

The new prime minister, defense minister and chief of staff would be well advised to ask themselves the questions that were not asked by the Winograd Commission: Is the IDF currently prepared for the possibility of war on several fronts? Is the State of Israel prepared for the possibility that it would have to resort to the bomb shelters? Is the home front – which will turn into the front line - adequately protected? Can Israel respond to an all-out attack? Does it have its own missile arsenal? Can it create adequate deterrence against Iran and other terror organizations? Is there and will there be coordination with the US regarding various defense scenarios? Will the electronic media's foul-ups be repeated in the next war?

 

But these questions are not being asked, and the fool's ship is continuing to unyieldingly sail towards the unknown. Yet nonetheless, one positive aspect may emerge from the potential threat that may be approaching. Perhaps, this time too, our enemies will save us from a crueler enemy, namely ourselves.

 


פרסום ראשון: 05.05.07, 12:20
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