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'Iran does not pose an existential threat '
Shiri Hadar
Published: 06.01.12, 14:50
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31. In steps
zivron   (01.06.12)
Nuclear shelters and escape plans for israelis and assured destruction of irans military economic and belligerent leadership if it continues its path is inevitable.Israel will have to protect its people from the worst case scenario, Halutz is relaxing as his Gaza retreat and conduct of the Lebanon war reveal his limitations.
32. To: No. 16
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (01.06.12)
I think you need to look up the difference between "existential" [threat] and "existentialism." By the way, the two terms have absolutely nothing in common save for the fact that they derive from the same root. Existentialism refers to a philosophy that rejects a greater, universal purpose to existence and wherein the individual values his/her existence over everything. An existential threat refers, quite simply, to a threat to the continued existence, impliedly a nation. Shouldn't you have learned all this in high school? That's when I read Sartre and Camus. Where did you go to high school? Perhaps your parents might want to explore recovering at least a portion of their tuition money.
33. Halutz: Genocidal maniacs with nukes are just fine.
Chaim ,   Israel   (01.06.12)
Halutz is yet another Israeli leader who is scarier than our enemies. As Israel mobilizes to deal with the incredible danger of nuclear Iran, Halutz tells us not to worry. According to him, genocidal maniacs with nuclear weapons are just fine. Unbelievable!
34. General once, now a politician.
Michael ,   California, USA   (01.06.12)
It is true that political opinions are "dime a dozen." Why, then, is ex-general's opinion deserving an attention? It's because in Israel every ex-general is a shoo-in into politics. This is one of Israel's major weaknesses, possibly tragicomic. The more ex-generals are in the Knesset and governmental posts -- the more saber rattling is coming out of Jerusalem -- the more isolated Israel becomes in world opinion. General Halutz is only adding fuel to the fire that has been burning for a long time and which is bound to get worse.
35. I agree with Halutz...
Marco ,   Spain   (01.06.12)
Iran does not need to be the existential threat to Israel when Hezbollah can do the job very well thank you...
36. Iran does not have to pose an existential threat to Israel..
(01.06.12)
Hezbollah is doing an excellent job in that department...
37. @17 who cares if he sees my comment or not...
#6 moi ,   ici   (01.06.12)
we all know that TBs are just a fun game of mental masturbation with the occassionally interesting intellectual intercourse exchange. But in general we are all moderately interesting cunning linguist with the very rare flattering flaticist. Which are you?
38. Old soldiers
Michael Pielet ,   Israel   (01.06.12)
Old soldiers never die, they just fade away. halutz do us a favor fade away faster. Halutz, tell us about the last Lebanon War that you won, or is it lost.
39. Isn't he supposed to sit facing the corner and not talk?
Max Merbaum ,   Los Angeles   (01.06.12)
Isn't he supposed to sit facing the corner and not talk?
40. #32, I see now by the spacing that you're not the real Sarah
Henry from new York ,   USA   (01.06.12)
You missed the point though. The point is that "existential" has to do with both existing and the existentialist philosophy. In this case he means a threat that exists, not a threat to Israel's existence though it is that as well. I am merely making fun of the article authors who have used this word to be showy rather than simply saying an "existing threat". I think we studied Existentialism and Nihilism in 9th Grade right after we went over Joseph Campbell's concept of the Hero's Journey. It seemed like a nice alternative to atheism if one chooses to reject religion outright.
41. #37. Oh, I'm just here for fun. I always find it strange
Henry from New York ,   USA   (01.06.12)
though when people directly address the subject of the article in the second person. That's why I react that way.
42. uuu....weeee Sarah she B on a mega roll 2nite!
(01.06.12)
grrrrrrrrl give it up Henry your compatriot wins hands down!
43. 25-No Name Simpleton
john Darren ,   cairns-Australia   (01.07.12)
So what-she does not agree with you either.What's wrong with that stupid?
44. 42
john Darren ,   cairns-Australia   (01.07.12)
For goodness sake-get a name and stop commenting like a cartoon character.
45. #42, Oh, you! ^_^
Henry from New York ,   USA   (01.07.12)
46. A note for readers of American blogs linked to this piece
Daniel ,   Formerly Israel   (01.07.12)
As we Americans are used to associate the title of "General" with strategic savvy and military success, I feel it necessary to provide here a brief snippet of the author's biography. This "general" was Israel's Chief of Staff during its 2006 war with Hezbullah in Lebanon. During the month-long operation he was unable to rescue or even discover the location of the two soldiers whose kidnapping sparked the war in question, despite the fact that Lebanon in its entirity is less than half the size of the state of New Jersey. Now I am far form an expert in military matters, but I believe his faliure may have something to do with the fact that his ground forces, once they crossed the border, were ordered not to take enemy positions (or advance in any fashion) even though they were under constant assault. It is also possible that the constant bombing raids he ordered against enemy bases (which his forces were not allowed to take), while failing to kill Hezbullah's top leadership or stop it from firing rockets on Israeli cities, did actually kill the two soldiers in question. After the war's end Hezbullah recaptured what little territory Hautz's forces actualy took from it and re-stocked its arsenal to at least pre-war levels In fairness to General Halutz, I feel I should point out that he was subordinate to Israel's then Defense Minister, a labor organizer by trade who couldn't even remember to uncap his own binoculars before using them to "observe" a military exercise.
47. 46
zionist forever   (01.07.12)
I agree Peretz was a moron who didn't know the first thing about wars that didn't involve the Histadrut but Halutz was Cheif of Staff and he was responsible for the military planning. The officers on the ground in Lebanon were calling for more infantry but Halutz was convinced it would be air power than would win this war not infantry. Even when it was obvious air power wasn't working he didn't change his strategy it was always just give it enough time and air power will win the day. It wasn't until the last days of the war that he finally agreed to send more infantry. The man was living in the past they look back to 1967 and say thats the way to do it let our boys bomb the hell out of the enemy and we will have a quick victory. As for Peretz & his binoculars he was there to getting his picture taken for the newspapers and nothing more. Before he actually got round to looking at anything he posed to the camera and it was bad luck the camera picked up on the lens caps but the only reason they were on was because he posed for his picture before he used the things.
48. To: Henry at No. 28
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (01.08.12)
No, darling. Existentialism is all about "me-ism." You may want to go back and read Sartre's "No Exit" ("Huis Clos"). And yes, I'm quite sure that I am not confusing existentialism with nihilism. I'm trying to decide if I should be offended at your suggestion or if I should merely laugh at the poor quality of your education.
49. #48, to be fair, I never actually read No Exit all that
Henry from New York ,   USA   (01.08.12)
closely. I was more interested in the Hero's Journey to be honest. By the way, why use different comma spacing from the real Sarah B? Does it create some problem with posting?
50. WOW
christian ,   narrogin,western aus   (01.10.12)
I think he probably did the right thing. If he allowed more infantry the Hezbollah would have killed more IDF. Simple.
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