Opinion
Israel's leaders screwed up
Moshe Dann
Published: 02.09.11, 00:43
Comment Comment
Print comment Print comment
Back to article
27 Talkbacks for this article
1. sinai border
mohson   (09.02.11)
ehud barak will permit the entry of thousand of egyptian troops into sinai and will do nothing if egypt violates any agreements which it will. Barak has had b ad results in land warfare agains the arabs and is paralysed by inaction. Israel's only hope is for yaalon to replace barak asap.
2. You should know by now
Gabriel ,   Tel Aviv   (09.02.11)
The first law of Israeli policy by every government is to not do anything until you have to. That means, no planning ahead, just reacting. Every Israeli knows this.
3. Gaza and Sinai
Luiz Felipe Haddad ,   Niteroi, Brazil   (09.02.11)
As a friend, I think Israel must be strong, but also, patient, about her southern and southwestern frontiers.Camp David's Treaty has brought peace with Egypt, since 1979. Better with it than without it. Gaza is different. Any agression has to be responded, till Hamas gives up from terrorism. The Jewish State is admired, by me and several others, because of her history and her ideals. Her military forces are important, but her morality means very much. Salutes.
4. Israel At Crossroads
Abdel Karim Salim ,   Jerusalem   (09.02.11)
A large-scale military operation by Israel ( or a full-fledged war )-as suggested by the author to annul the peace treaty with Egypt and to retake Sinai- should be the last thing Israel should think of at this delicate juncture because such a war would certainly alienate all arabs against Israel.Following the Six-Day War of 1967 a BBC correspondent said : " Israel will have won the war had it been accepted by the arabs.Lesser victories win time, not peace.How can Israel insure its future,rather than its present survival ? ". The big problem -and mistake- is that Israel knowingly makes crucial and decisive deals and agreements with ephemeral arab regimes which are highly detached from their peoples. The way I see it is that arab masses,because of ignorant and timid irresponsibility by arab regimes, still refuse to accept Israel among them. Arabs in general still do not see the truth that Israel is here to stay and that the international community would never ever allow the arabs to try to destroy Israel. Arabs are still an emotional people who like to hear fiery speeches and who also do not like to use their minds. I firmly believe it is the the imperative duty and responsibility of arab regimes, including arab media, to put up all the necessary efforts to convey this message,in a persuasive and compelling way,to the arab masses.This message is brief but meaningful : the arabs have to coexist with Israel ... !
5. Why should Israel pull troops from Westbank?
David ,   NJUSAWhy would   (09.02.11)
israel has manpower for both fronts. Does the Author think judea/samaria would remain peaceful and cooperative? Author not qualified to opine on security issues obviously
6. I agree with Moshe Dann but he should
Israeli 2   (09.02.11)
remember that we never had a real leader who was not blinded by the jingles of money.
7. violating of Camp David peace accords by
Lemmings Hotline ,   sd usa   (09.02.11)
allowing terrorist forces to build up and attack israel from Sinai is a serious violation. Egypt should allow Israel to patrol a 10km strip of the Sinai near its border as a compromised solution
8. incompetence...
David ,   Petach Tikva, Israel   (09.02.11)
Complete incompetence from the highest level (Netanyahu and - even more - Barak). In the past 5 years, some 40,000 illegal migrants have literally walked into the country. Last month alone 2,000 came. What did the government expect? They've been talking about building a fence for years. Even now they are still arguing about contractors. Just build the stupid thing, and quickly. Sorry Bibi. This is your fault. You are doing too little too late - not to mention the problem of 40,000 plus illegal migrants in the country who we will never be able to deport. Bibi and Barak have completely failed in their main job of protecting the State. The problem was obvious, the solution was simple. The fence should have been finished months ago. Who is to blame? It took 8 deaths and 40,000 illegals to speed up the fence building process. The government is to blame, pure and simple.
9. Generally, Israeli leaders screwing up for 63 years.
Terry ,   Eilat - Israel   (09.02.11)
Why expect anything different now? It's a miracle we're still here considering the abysmal quality of our political elites. The best you can say about our ''leadership'' is that it's been generally mediocre.
10. and he is using that word "leader" in a very broad sense
Rami   (09.02.11)
what leaders? don't make me laugh, it's a three-ring circus but no one's laughing.
11. But what about the existing Peace Treaty?
Ian ,   Newcastle upon Tyne   (09.02.11)
Israel hasn't been tough enough with the Egyptian government. The fact remains that the Egyptian government has a Treaty obligation to Israel to prevent terrorism from Egypt directed at Israel. So much for 'agreements' with Arab countries. But Israel shouldn't be alone on this issue.Simultaneously with the Treaty's signing,the US administration GUARANTEED Egypt's compliance by any means.So much for US undertakings. I request,here,that US citizens reading this take the matter up with their representatives and DEMAND that the US administration lives up to its obligations to Israel.If it won't,it has no right to involve itself in the so-called Peace Process. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!
12. Moshe Dann, you better wake up and smell reality.
Salma ,   Palestine   (09.02.11)
"Israel" is so much weaker today than ever. Bibi told his Cabinet that " Israel" Can NOT Act in Gaza, let alone Sinai .
13. Israel
Joe ,   Soddy Daisy, TN   (09.02.11)
Rabbi Yehuda Glick for a number of years directed the efforts of the Temple Institute to prepare for the building of the next Jewish temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The Temple Institute has all the implements needed to operate the temple including the knowledge of the location of the Ark of the Covenant. All 28,000 priests, to be used in the next temple, have been trained and even their priestly garments are either made or being made right now. However, Rabbi Glick now believes it is time to prepare the Jewish people to become accustomed to ascending the Temple Mount, not only for learning and prayer, but to be involved in the Temple practices as well. That's why he says no more prayers at the Western Wall but instead, let's go up on to the Temple Mount. God's prophetic Word does say that in the last days the Messiah, Jesus Christ, will return to build the temple on the Temple Mount (Zechariah 1:16, 6:12). That temple built by the Messiah will be His kingdom temple where He reigns for 1000 years. However, before the Messiah's temple is built on the Temple Mount there will be a Tribulation temple (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15, II Thessalonians 2:4, and Revelation 11:1). Jews ascending onto the Temple Mount today are actually setting the stage for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled.
14. Virtually all Israel's problems stem from retreats.
Chaim ,   Israel   (09.02.11)
Israel never should have ceded Sinai in the first place. That is the root source of our problems in the Sinai. Just as our retreats from South Lebanon and Gaza are the source of all our problems from there. Virtually all Israel's most serious problems stem from retreats and concessions. Once we end the lunacy of retreat, and retake our abandoned lands, most of Israel's problems will disappear.
15. #12 Salma. Israel gets stronger and Palestine is fictional.
Chaim ,   Israel   (09.02.11)
#12 Salma. You're the wrong one to give anyone lectures on "reality". Having waited 63 years for an event that will never happen. What is the reality, Salma? Simple. Israel grows richer and stronger every year. That's fact. Not opinion. Palestine is forever fictional. The coming Palestine statehood fiasco will be the final nail in it's coffin.
16.  Israel's leaders screwed up
Romeo ,   Cairo   (09.03.11)
Powerful Egyptian military presence will help both countries to prevent terrorist attacks.
17. @14
Magd ,   Cairo, Egypt   (09.03.11)
Your land!!!!! Said who?
18. To # 6
Philip ,   Afula, Israel   (09.03.11)
I dont think that Menachem Beigin was blinded to the jingles of money. Same for his son Benny. I never supported their political views but I do recognise their great honesty and integrity.
19. At last...!
lidia ,   Israel, R. Lezion   (09.03.11)
Bravo!!!!
20. to #4
lidia ,   Rishon Lezion   (09.03.11)
my Bravo goes to a brave and excellent message. That's why I called my brief message: At last!!
21. # 4 Israel
J.K. ,   Brooklyn USA   (09.03.11)
Abdel Karim ! You are so right,and so few,you are an only voice calling in the desert,the Arab leaders and especially the Imams in the mosques intoxicate the arab masses,and are being intoxicated by the masses with hatred to Jews and Israel,as long the preachers will continue to preach hatred,there will not be a solution to the conflict,the conflict,is more emotional than teritorial or economic,the 30 years of peace between Egypt and Israel benefited both countries,but unfortunately is coming to an end,because the preachers in the Mosques are preaching to a receptive audience,who wishes to break the peace treaty with Israel,and the present Egyptian Military leaders are weak and try to please the populace,the Military leaders in Egypt accumulated a lot wealth during the Mubarak rule,and will do anything they could to hold on to it,the "enemy" Israel will play an important part in this endeavor,after all what are neighbors for ?.
22. The substantial buffer zone should be on the Israeli side
Joseph Blough   (09.03.11)
Israel has no right or ability to declare a buffer zone within Egyptian sovereign territory, so it will have to build its buffer on the Israeli side of the border.
23. The first mistake was...
Susan ,   Kfar Saba   (09.03.11)
made by Begin when he gave away the Sinai. You don't make deals with dictators. You never know when they will be overthrown, as they always are eventually. You just don't know what their successors will do. I was in the Sinai when it belonged to Israel. I slept on the beach in Nuweiba. It was quiet and peaceful. Now its a mess.
24. #16 Romeo, Egyptian presence will work
BEN JABO ,   ISRAEL   (09.04.11)
Only if the Egyptian's don't turn a blind eye to help the terrorists We haven't forgotten the prior wars that Egypt started via the Southern route Since Mubarak was deposed, some in your Government have said they want the Peace Agreement "Modified or Cancelled" However, they should keep in mind that the aswan Dam & Suez are highly visible & vulnerable points of interest
25. LEADERSHIP
bob ,   tel aviv   (09.04.11)
MOSHE DANN POINTS OUT THERE IS NO LEADERSHIP. Netanyahu talks a good game but fears acting. LET HIM READ HIS OWN BOOKS. And get rid of Barak.
26. External factors leave 1 option: BIG ISRAEL
Jerry ,   The Netherlands   (09.04.11)
27. israeli leaders
joel ,   usa   (09.11.11)
well, bibi netanyahu is simply a coward, he refused to fight for israel's sovereignty!
Back to article