Opinion
Israel must fight back
Eitan Haber
Published: 17.09.09, 19:20
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43 Talkbacks for this article
1. Stop committing war crimes & you won't have bad image!
Kim ,   Australia   (09.17.09)
2. Israel needs its own satellite television network...
Scott ,   Melville, USA   (09.17.09)
similar to Iranian run "Press TV." Such a network would show the Israeli point of view to people around the world, and counter claims made by Al-Jazeera, Press TV, Al-Manar, and other networks notorious for Anti-Israel bias.
3. #1 To Kim
Marucho ,   Bs.Aires-Argentina   (09.17.09)
Kim, I haven´t seen neither you nor the world bother too much when the citizens of Israel endured for 8 years daily bombings from the Gaza Strip, without responding to those irresponsible and inmotivated attacks. Would any other country in the world have the same patience and restraint Israel had, trying that the palestinians search their goals by pacific means? What did the world and you do during those 8 terrible years? If you and the world would have protested against the palestinian terror the same way you are doing now, nothing of this kind would have happened. So, you and the world (U.N.) are to be blamed as WAR CRIMINALS!!
4. Do not worry isreal
Shaalan ,   KSA   (09.17.09)
Do not panic jews? the westren goverments with you and support you along the road. No comments up to now from them. I remember when Darvor report revealed they jump to accuse parties and launch thier judgment immediately. but with your crimes they are totally blind. In our real world the Fairness has only one eye.
5. Beware of Goldmember.
Jake   (09.17.09)
He lost also his mental faculties during that unfortunate smelting accident.
6. Kim #1
Jason, Ph.D. ,   Charlotte, USA   (09.17.09)
KIm, I am looking forward to your analysis as to how this war compared to other wars that the U.N. ignored. When can we see your analysis?
7. From the same person that said we would miss Oslo
Gee ,   Zikron Yaakov   (09.17.09)
What we really need is a true international recognized human rights jurist such as Irwin Cotlin go out and rip Goldstone a new A*hole using real laws instead of the invented claims from the UN. Minor issues like Article 51 of the UN Charter, the Geneva Convention, etc. Since the only 'real' war-crime seems to be that we shot back. Too bad.
8. Image? What image?
David ,   Boston   (09.17.09)
What image is Israel trying to defend? The image of a nation acting righteously? Or the image of a nation that is prepared to do anything, including slaughtering civilians, to demonstrate strength?
9.  Repoert will go nowhere
Jim ,   USA   (09.17.09)
US already began criticizing it and UK and Russia nor China would like to have reports against it nor application made to them .
10. ESAU HATES JACOB!!!
al mann ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (09.17.09)
It seems that nothing has been learned from history. With all the judges and historians and their understanding and knowledge of history, will never realize that Jacob (Israel) will always be at fault, even with the Ishmaelites who "want to make peace" Why are we in denial? Why do we look for peace with those who are false and lie throughout history? What can be expected from the denial of the politicians who run this country about our greatness and the miracle of our survival after thousands of years of persecution in an effort to absolutely destroy this people. Goldstone is on a path, which is totally correct. Attempts are being made, as in the past, to destroy the Israelites, and indeed their credibility. There is no longer anyone who gives the people of Israel the right to protect itself from those who would destroy it. Who needs someone to give us the credibility. We are here after great empires have gone from the stage of history. We, as a people, have survived attempts at mass murder and destruction over the centuries. For this New Year, we shall all realize that we have only one ally who has protected us throughout the centuries.
11. What??? Image more important than justice?!
Riki   (09.17.09)
What image exactly? That of the most moral army?!
12. Battle for image - here is how
Edward   (09.17.09)
Take responsibility and stand trial in The Hague!
13. International criminal court already investigating Afghanist
Fair   (09.17.09)
Worth bearing in mind that the International Criminal Court prosecutor is already carrying out a review of military operations in Afghanistan, Georgia, Colombia, Kenya, Ivory Coast and others. Israeli officials used to bring up Sudan/Darfur all the time as an example of UN bias. Now that the Sudanese president has been indicted by the International criminal court for war crimes Israeli officials and their propagandists never mention Sudan/Darfur any more
14. Justice needed - not more propaganda
Fair   (09.17.09)
A credible investigation and prosecution of those found guilty of war crimes would take care of the image problem and, mor importantly, will ensure justice. More propaganda won't do.
15. satellite tv
annette ,   tel aviv israel   (09.17.09)
a channel presenting israels point of view is definitely an important step in the right direction. But what id also like to see is an in depth analysis that basically ranks the ethical performance of different countries during modern wars and takes into consideration what were the threats to those nation's security. then we'll see if israel acted immorally.
16. Kim
Eyal ,   Highland Beach, USA   (09.17.09)
How can a guy like me become as stupid as you? Dumb Australia Brain dead.
17. to #3
George ,   U.S   (09.17.09)
The Palestinians rockets were in protest to your every day life crimes against them......
18. No amount of spin
reality ,   earth   (09.17.09)
is ever going to erase the images of Gaza being shelled with white phosphorous every night for a month. I will never forget. And the world would only forgive when Israel starts taking some responsibility for its crimes. First by acknowledging them, second by not repeating them, and third by restoring the rights of those you injured, and when not possible, compensating those that remain. The time for payback has come. You cannot dehumanize the Palestinian forever.
19. If the truth is with you,
Rich ,   Toronto, Canada   (09.17.09)
you don't have to worry about your image.
20. haber is improving
mohson   (09.18.09)
Finally haber makes a bit of sense. He points out that Goldstone had not served in the south african or any other military and seems somewhat ignorant of the bad things that happen in war. The backdrop to the goldstone investingation is that israel since oslo where it offered concessions, has been rocketed, suicide bombed, tractor bombed, car bombed, tunnel abducted and shot at. After winograd's ruling that israel had to fight smarter and more asymmetrically, it did just that in gaza. Hamas used local homes like hezbollah, hospital uniforms, ambulance forms, to try to blow up israelis. IDF bent over backwards to avoid casualties. But in war, innocents get killed though the civilian population apparently does support hamas. So they need frankly to be targeted where they are helping israel.Prosecuting israelis means democratic states cannot fight the war on terror. No, but Goldstone ignored this backdrop and provocation, 10,000 missiles that paralyesd half the country at times. Goldstone does have experience in kosovo and rwanda. Nonetheless, if his report is taken seriously, then looking backwards, hitler would not have been defeated as russia killed and terrorized the german civilian population en mass which is what led to their surrender. Goldstone's daughter says he is a Zionist and loves israel does not reduce the damage.Goldstone has damaged israel with this report and terror groups will be energized. The million dollars goldstone got for his work will be little comfort as he is now hated in israel, despised, on a par with olmert as an israeli stabber who has injured the israeli state. How would bloody goldstone suggest that idf fight hamas? How are they supposed to fight it. You are a bloody fool. It is hamas that committed far more war crimes than israel ever did. And rest assured Goldstone, that israel will defend itself strongly against all enemies.You and your daughter can now enjoy the new wave of anti--israel actions. Thanks.
21. Dehumanising Palestinians
Kevin ,   Australia   (09.18.09)
Here is the problem. I have difficulty dehumanising Palestinians when my wife is origianlly from Lebanon and I love her and my children. I ackowlege that Israel also suffers so we need to resove our issues with respect and compassion. Violence is a very impresise form of communication.
22. #13, perfect example
Danny   (09.18.09)
Sudan stuck two fingers up at the ICC. There are NO UN "investigators" going to Darfur, there are NO reports about what is going on. No one is "investigating" about whether the 7 people in a house next to a mortar could have maybe not been hit. zero.
23. Israel must fight back?
We are ,   from USA   (09.18.09)
No problem. Fight. Just do it. Do it without America. Israel is very brave with US.
24. Palestinians dehumanized themselves with suicide bombings an
Everywhere ,   USA   (09.18.09)
Don't go blaming Israel for 'dehumanizing' Palistinian Arabs. They dehumanized themselves by shooting David HaTuel's pregnant wife and four children at point blank range, (have u forgotten?) and blowing up Sbarro Pizzarria, and Bus #19 (twice) and the Netanya Hotel Seder and.... and... Who are you kidding? Americans, Russians & Chinese would've paved new roads with Palestinian HEADS if they had pulled this crap with those three nations. Only Israel gets nailed to the cross for defending herself against terrorists. Soon, the West will face new waves of terror. You'll all be Jews then....
25. Damaged Credibility of UN
Prof Stegemann ,   Basel/Switzerlann   (09.18.09)
Please pay attention to an excellent article in the NZZ (Neue Zürcher Zeitung) of today: "Beschädigte Glaubwürdigkeit der Uno"
26. Israel's fought the rockets back & that resulted in a report
observer   (09.18.09)
fight back and you get another report; the Israel's defenseless force is really defenseless.
27. Suddenly Haber wants to "fight back"? Not surrender?
steve ,   haifa   (09.18.09)
He has been preaching capitulation to anti-Semitism for 20 years. What changed?
28. Israel's Image
Joe ,   Gush Etzion   (09.18.09)
Why on earth does Israel have to cast an image that is holier than the rest of the world? Firstly, it is difficult to prove, since the rest of the world has easy access to Israel's media and is privy to all our embarrassing secrets.Secondly, the High Court consistently and even justifiable at times admonishes the Knesset and government for policies that are inconsistent with the law.Thirdly, how dare the US with its abysmal record in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan or Russia with its record in Afghanistan and Chechniya or France with its record in Algeria or Egypt with its use of gas in the war in Yemen sit in judgement over any other country. In Gaza we have operated no differently than any other of the so-called enlightened nations have responded to a real or perceived threat. When Israel itself becomes a nation unlike other nations, then it can become a "light unto the nations" Until that time, behave exactly as they would and stop deluding ourselves that we are better than they.
29. HOW MANY TYPES OF STONE??
Lawrence ,   Safed Israel   (09.18.09)
The Rolling Stones,"getting stoned",gallstone,precious stone,,Rhinestone,blunstone,Cuntstone.Which one is Goldstone?
30. Haber you are part of the problem
Yisraeli   (09.18.09)
Haber you are part of the problem, you want to "be like all other nations" so you care what all these other nations say about you. Thats the current problem with Israel today instead of fullfilling its unique role amongst nations its wants to be just like all other nations. Well you cant! Because Am Yisrael has a different path and if you would follow your true path, you wouldnt be concerned about all the other nations. Am Yisrael yoshev levado. Israel stands alone. Suffecient to be righteous in our own eyes and before the God of Israel, no matter all the other nations. If you care more for the God of Israel and follow his path and not the path of the goyim we wouldnt have half our problems. Moshe Feiglin for next Prime Minister and leader so Am Yisrael can finally follow its true destiny. Now recommend this talkback so everyone gets the message. Shana Tovah Am Yisrael.
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