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Minister: No ground offensive even if Tel Aviv attacked
Ronny Sofer
Published: 17.07.06, 22:19
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45 Talkbacks for this article
1. You can't fight half a war
MIK ,   Stamford, CT   (07.17.06)
Minister Pines-Paz fails to understand that Hezbullah must be eradicated and exterminated. We cannot rule out a ground offensive - if this is necessary to dislodge the enemy then so be it. Hand to hand combat will be costly but it must be done to exterminate the enemy once and for all. Let's not make the same mistakes the United States has made in Iraq. This is all out war and must be fought like an all out war. Minister Pines-PAz speaks about Israel acting within the framework of internaional recognition. Stop this nonsense! Israel must act in its own best interests and must defend itself against the terrorists. The name is now. The Torah tells us that we are a nation that is separate. HEN AM LEVADAD YISHKON UVAGOIYIM LO ITCHASHAV. For a change, let's NOT worry about what the rest of the world thinks; let's worry about our best interests!
2. Take Nothing off the Table
Matisyahu ,   Denver, USA   (07.17.06)
The time for appeasment is over and this weak-kneed statement does nothing but give advantage to Israel's enemies. The man should lose his post.
3. The first said wrong;the second said right!
keren ,   sao paulo   (07.17.06)
4. not even be a possibility ?
Marcel ,   Florida   (07.17.06)
You extremeist left arrest those on the right and with ease give them admisistrative detention on no charges. We are waiting for fair and equal treatment under the law. When speech which encourages Israel eniemies by those in government is not addressed for ther crime that it is in time of war, than it is time to replace this sick government
5. that's why Israel is attacked !
yoel ,   Switzerland   (07.17.06)
Because it owns stupid politicians who give opinions even when they need to shut up. Instead of beeing united, everyone is expecting "in secret" to get benefits for his own. Israel has lost its dissuasion power since Oslo agreements, when we accepted that terror could help to achieve political aims. Palestinians were then ecouraged. Now, we can hear politicians saying Hezbollah can attack more and more. They send the message to Nassralah saying he can continue attacking Israel... Don't worry, we will not increase our retaliation strengh... Then, Israel can get more and more rockets, more terror attacks. It doesn't matter, Israel will not retaliate by all its means, because the response has to be proportionate as europeans asked for it.
6. Science, Technology, and Culture
nell ,   switzerland   (07.17.06)
Minister, why don't you concentrate on your job and let the others do theirs? Lucky you are not Minister of Defense!
7. Dear Hizbollah fighters-
Avraham ,   Bet Shemesh, Israel   (07.17.06)
Please do not worry about us coming to get you, even if you bomb our beloved Tel Aviv. Take this as a loud and clear public warning- we will not come to get you on the ground. Sincerely, Ophir Pines
8. Government Ministers: Please Shut Up.
howard ,   pacific coast, usa   (07.17.06)
Does it make sense to discuss your strategy in the press before you implement it? One thing that modern Israeli politicians need to learn is DISCRETION. Discretion: you think about the security ramifications before you speak about security policy. Or did you WANT to encourage Hizballah to try to hit Tel Aviv?
9. How Many Missles they have
Sam Weinstein ,   USA   (07.17.06)
Let me get this straight we have destroyed maybe about a couple of thousand missles how do you expect to get all of them without some sort of ground operation.
10. No Ground War = Israel Loses
Jerry ,   NYC, USA   (07.17.06)
You cannot defeat Hizbullah from the air. A combined arms operation (air and ground) is all that will work. This is why nations have armies, to let the soldiers be in harm's way rather than civilians. Israel is showing great weakness by being afraid to go in on the ground. Israel's Leftism is a fatal disease.
11. big and stupid mistake...
stephane ,   france   (07.17.06)
"no ground operation ?"...so all what IAF is doing since 6 days won't help in nothing.we can destroy as many buildings,airports,bridges(etc..) as we want; if the troops don't go inside south lebanon to kill 1 by 1 the terrorists,before ending the operation;if such will be the case,we will have exactly the SAME situation in one month in the lebanese border.they will re-build their position in front of our position,and it will be a matter of time till they attack israel again."SAME situation" i said?? sorry,i would say worse than before this battle,because if the hezb remain there,they will consider that they won tsahal,and they will be more arrogant than ever.if you don't send troops inside to clean,don't waste time,you'd better stop now.
12. I suggest
Allan ,   Delray Beach, Fla   (07.17.06)
the good minister leave matters of war to the generals and the defense minister and concentrates on what he knows best, science.
13. Is the Knesset playing with it's Pines again?
Bill ,   Israel   (07.17.06)
14. First come and live here, then talk
Moshe ,   Jerusalem   (07.17.06)
It's very nice for you people sitting in Switzerland and France and wherever to root for a ground operation into Southern Lebanon. You think this is like a Nintendo game where you send your soldiers into a mock battle. You think we Israelis are your football team in the World Cup of war. First come and live here, serve in the army, send your children into battle, and then you have a right to say whatever you want. Until then, keep your mouths shut. You have no right to voice an opinion on this matter.
15. # 11 I agree with you,Stephane!
keren ,   sao paulo   (07.18.06)
Israel MUST do an EXCELENT job,not just a regular job. The goal must be FREE Israel from its problems once and for all. Anything less is not acceptable. Suffering is not a way of life;happiness is. We must get rid of suffering ,not delay and pospone it for eternity.
16. minister for science????
(07.18.06)
then with all due respect, talk about science this your job let peretz and halutz do their job without stupid remark from jobnik like you
17. First Come and live here, then talk
Motti ,   Californua-USA   (07.18.06)
Response to Moshe, this is a shame to attack our own people across the world. We are one nation, whenever/wherever we are- never forget this! Jews across the world help Israel, financially, politically, diplomatically technologically, scientifically and by praying .etc. Never underestimate this help. During Yom Kipur war, the influence of key American Jews helped Israel to get arsenal it needed. Let’s keep all the Jews in time of a crisis, UNITED. “Am Ekhad Ish Ekhad” God bless, Motti
18.  Ground war
patriot ,   chicago,USA   (07.18.06)
If there is no ground campaign, then the IDF might as well call it quits and hide in a bunker and hope the missiles are very inaccurate. Even though people from afar are not living in Israel they no what will work and what won't work. The US put troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and have successfully contained the terrorists from making military attacks. The only way to root out terrorists is to go get them where they live. If a country is afraid to put troops on the ground the terrorists will sense that fear and become emboldened. But a massive ground campaign works as Sharon proved. Or there is another option. A massive bombing campaign to wipe out all people in a war zone. If this is pursued, victory can be achieved. Either way, showing timidity and confusion will only make things worse. If Kadima is not up to the task, then they might as well call off IDF and hope for the best, maybe Hesbullah will run out of rockets before too many months go by.
19. moshe #14
naftali ,   us   (07.18.06)
you live in Israel Therefore you have no right To "voice an opinion" on what people in france or switzerland have "the right to voice an opinion" about ". Right????
20. NO TORAH - NO AHAVAT YISROEL!
BORUCH HOFFINGER ,   BROOKLYN NY   (07.18.06)
Dear Mr. Ophir Pines-Paz, You are saying that even if they attack further south, even if they kill more Jews, there will be no ground attack; even women and children (G-d forbid)? The enemy sees you are afraid. No Torah =no fear of Heaven. No Torah=fear of flesh and blood. No Torah=weakness. Ahavat HaShem breeds Ahavat Yisroel, breeds courage and fearlessness. What, I'm sitting here in comfortable New York? I once lived in Israel, but left because of job problems. Still, the truth is the truth.
21. just waiting ,cowards
fooad ,   Beirut .   (07.18.06)
nasrallah is waiting for you to move in and fight you face to face you cowards .. all you have done so far (typical israelis )is dropping bombs from 15000 feet . fine .the rules are changed ..even if you want to come to Damascus . if you do not come in then i think he will force you to come in with one SURPRISE that he was talking about .. once you come in cowards ,will even the # of casualties and overcome the surplus .
22. Cowards........
Ron ,   Los Angeles   (07.18.06)
A ground assult would weaken Israel, Those Bastards are just waiting for this.......I think it's a smart move not to go in YET..... Hit them hard from the Air then go in......
23. Idiot Minister?
Joe ,   Las Vegas   (07.18.06)
Why would this Minister announce the military intentions of Israel? Why announce the plans in advance?
24. To Moshe and those who oppose him
Peter ,   Toronto, Canada   (07.18.06)
To Moshe, I understand you position and sympathize, though I strongly oppose an Israeli minister taking it off the table publically at this time. I believe it is counter productive. To those of you outside of Israel so cavalier to commit the Israeli youth to a ground war sure to cause countless deaths, I can only suggest that you might think twice were it your child serving at this time. Israel sent one tank in a few days ago, and none came back. Until Israel has a plan for dealing with mines near the border, it would seem foolhearty to proceed.
25. Bomb them
Sam ,   Toronto   (07.18.06)
Carpet bomb them and then send in the army to flatten what's left over. But it should be done in Gaza also. Why should we lose any troops if we don't have to.
26. Fooad from Beirut it is you and your firends that are coward
Jenny ,   USA   (07.18.06)
You hide in civillian homes and launch rockets then when CNN comes we see you all crying for the camera, then when the leave you launch other rockets at Israel. We know the game. But on TV it is you that are crying to the cameras, we see the cowards' faces all day long. By the way, where is your buddy Nasrallah? Why doesn't he face the army face to face instead of using human sheilds and hiding in bunkers. We see who the real coward is, make no mistake about it.
27. According to ralph Peters, if Israel refuses to
AK   (07.18.06)
fight the ground war, Israel is doomed. Israel will not destroy Hizbollah from 150000 feet. I’m no military expert, but Peters is. http://www.nypost.com/php/pfriendly/print.php?url=http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/israels_new_fear_opedcolumnists_ralph_peters.htm
28. Moshe, read the article by Ralph Peters in NY Post
AK   (07.18.06)
I provided the link in my previous post. This is not what we think that matters, but what the reality is. . You have followed the wrong path that brought you to today. Read what the Arabs say, and see by yourself if Peters is wrong.
29. # 14 Maybe you'd be right, if only....
yoel ,   Switzerland   (07.18.06)
I'm used to those stupid arguments. Then don't expect any support from people in the Diaspora. Neither financial, nore by puting pressure on our governments, writing to medias. Then, we should also cut ties with our own families in Israel, stop praying for this country, since it's not ours. Also stop coming on holidays and support "your" economy... At the end, you'll feel you are living isolated in an island. And you will feel anger towards antisemitic countries who hate you. They would say: why should we show sympathy towards israelis if jews themselves don't do so? Don't make such stupid comments towards people you don't know anything about. We live abroad, we are well educated, and are maybe the best defenders of the israeli image, that israeli tourists make dirty everywhere they travel to.
30. MOSHE#14 IS RIGHT
nelson faier ,   rio de janeiro   (07.18.06)
HE IS NOT DIRECTLY OPPOSING ANY GROUND BATTLE BUT RATHER THE WAY PEOPLE HERE ARE PUSHING FOR IT WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY THE PRICE.
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