Opinion
One decisive blow
Ariella Ringel-Hoffman
Published: 11.06.08, 09:49
Comment Comment
Print comment Print comment
Back to article
20 Talkbacks for this article
1. Creative Idea and Proportional Response = perfect solution:
The Doc ,   Haifa, Israel   (06.11.08)
For each rocket into Israeli towns or other populated communities, fire a rocket randomly into the populated areas of Gaza. For each mortar, fire a mortar back, randomly into the populated areas of Gaza. For each sniper fire, fire back at the Palestinians who "work" closer than 500m to the International border. No "targeted killings" or other ineffective measures which are regarded as "disporportionate". We should do EXACTLY what the Palestinians to. Not more, not less. If this was happening in Syria or Iran, the entire Gaza community would have been gased or carpet bombed a long time ago - AND THE WORLD WOULD HAVE SHUT UP!
2. Here'a a creative idea for you ....
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (06.11.08)
Why don't you stop writing stupid articles? I'm not being insulting, by the way. But, you obviously have only the most superficial grasp of the situation, no understanding of the politics involved, & no understanding of strategy or military capabilities. Nor, evidently do you see the larger picture - Hamas as Iranian proxy - only a small part of the over-all Iranian strategy to surround us on every side. You are clearly out of your depth - opinions based on unproven assumptions, little evidence, & faulty analysis. There is a military solution - we just never really tried it. Since Oslo, we don't even take half-measures militarily. The question of a military solution is really a discussion of how ruthless we can be without becoming as bad as our opponants. We have different values & conceptions than they do so that while they can happily support genocide against us, we cannot support genocide against a whole population. But somewhere in between is a correct balance. People of good faith have different ideas of where that balance is - and this is not the same as the utopian & unrealistic view you present which sees all violence as unacceptable. This pacifism is to put it mildly, unrealistic & even more immoral than the unfortunate necessity of killing in self-defense.
3. A creative idea!
Robert Bernier ,   Tel Aviv   (06.11.08)
Based on theWorld War II experience, “absolute victory” has come to mean vanquishing the enemy – not merely defeating its army and effecting regime change, but forcing its acceptance that the vision that led to its aggression and the system that sustained it were at the end. Victory is needed to prove to the Muslims in general and the Arabs in particular that against their ethos of death stands the ethos of life, protected by the arms of democracies that are resolved to punish them where it hurts most as explained at : http://xrl.us/biz8x
4. #2 The "correct" balance is the current situation
(06.11.08)
Simply because that's the persisting equilibrium of all forces.
5. free tip to Ariella Ringel-Hoffman
Avi ,   Israel   (06.11.08)
Next time you are being asked to write about an issue of which you don't have a shitless clue , to put it nicely ,pleasssse waive it and spare us those meaningless words.
6. The problem is we dont hit hard enough
Jay3 ,   Israel   (06.11.08)
What do you expect with cowards running the country? Olmert is more worries about world opinion than he is in finishing the job. This was evident during the las Lebanese war.
7. # 2 LOL
(06.11.08)
"Why don't you stop writing stupid articles?...you obviously have only the most superficial grasp of the situation...Nor, evidently do you see the larger picture ..You are clearly out of your depth" "I'm not being insulting, by the way. " Gosh, I hate to think what you would have written if you tried.
8. If you continue to do what you have been doing...
R.Alkalai ,   USA   (06.11.08)
You will continue to get what you always have gotten. In short- It's time to think outside the box and put your enemies inside of a wooden one.
9. Creative idea?
Frank ,   Canada   (06.11.08)
Most wars are not won by a decisive blow. They are won by a long and constant fight. Surrending to Hamas to bring Shalit home will create a dramatic change in the region: a terror state will emerge and will create more war. How creative.
10. Only decisive blow is to get Olmert out!
Jack ,   San Diego, USA   (06.11.08)
11. Yo Olmert! I got your creative idea right here! Whack
Tony Soprano ,   Somewhere in Joisey   (06.11.08)
these mooleniam bosses. When they are gone their underlings will be ready for a sit down on your terms. It works in my line of business every time.
12. #7, 06.11.08, You are the stupid one
Sidney ,   USA   (06.11.08)
You identify yourself with a date and even leave your country unknown. Terry analyzes matters well and your responses are that of a stupid sniper.
13. Wishing Doesn't Make It So
Adina Kutnicki   (06.11.08)
# 2 Terry - As usual you are right on target. Most prefer not to see or hear the evil surrounding them. It is therefore up to those who live in a non-deluded state to state unequivocably what the facts on the ground really are. Those who pontificate like this writer are in desperate need of the book, 'The Oslo Syndrome:Delusions Of A People Under Siege'. Hopefully Dr Kenneth Levin's book will open up their eyes before they get us all killed!
14. Bulls**t! Terrorists understand military strength.They also
come in for the kill ,   when there is none.   (06.11.08)
15. You point to losing models, how about winning models!
Mr Lincoln ,   USA   (06.11.08)
Like Fallujah, the usa took that entire city down, block by block. The Jihadist were utterly defeated. How about Hitler? He was bombed to oblivion, no worries of disproportional use of force there! How about Japan? They were fought on every island in the pacific where they existed, tokyo was leveled and two cities were nuked. Fallujah is the most relevant winning model, use it and WIN!
16. one decisive blow
sas ,   israel   (06.11.08)
it should have been done yearssssssssssss ago after the first horrifying lynch in Ramallah. We should have gone in with tanks and vaccumed them up and then send planes and knock down all the buildings. that is the only language these people understand.
17. #15 Gaza aint Iraq
RickD   (06.11.08)
The difference between Gaza and Iraq is that in Iraq they didn't elect Al-Quada to be their govt, in Gaza they did elect Hamas to be their govt. Israel won't get the support of the people of Gaza, not in any future that I can visualize. Yes it's possible to kill all the Hamasniks in Gaza, and this should certainly be considered. But don't expect the remaining Gazans to thank Israel for it, or to cooperate. Not even Abbas, who should hate Hamas and be in favor of killing them all, will never say this in public. Another difference is that the world can do nothing when the US acts, while they can do and say lots when Israel acts. The US could kill thousands of terrorists and the world will complain but do nothing. If Israel does the same it will be vilified and attacked and worse is possible.
18. creative ideas
avrom ,   bet shemesh   (06.11.08)
ariella rmentions creative ideas but does not mention any i have one neutron bombs on the terrorists and the stae that support them
19. The author is very wrong
Rami ,   London   (06.12.08)
First of all, 'Aza should never have been given as a present to Nazi terrorists. But if Israel already did that, the very first rockets should have been answered with lashings of lovely bombings on 'Aza city. Then there wouldn't be a problem now with Iranian weapons in 'Aza. It's that simple and all your liberal bla bla bla doesn't change that one whit.
20. Gaza
Count Dracula ,   Los Angeles USA   (06.12.08)
Rick #17 has it right. The USA can do just about anything it wishes and while the rest of the world may hate us, it in fact helpless to effect any meaningful response. On the other hand, Israel has very limited means, no matter what the citizens say about its strength. Even the much touted nuclear option is useless in Gaza. There really is no good option and the Gaza forces get stronger daily. Soon Israel will realize that it must arrive at some solution that doesn't require continued military response, or it will slowly be reduced to a total spent and powerless force.
Back to article