it will never be restored, IDF IS VERY WEAK

and maybe promises to tempting to refuse from our allies. Israel did take out a lot in gaza, more than Cast Lead that lasted longer. When the palies stop dancing on their dead, they will count the toll of loss. And this was 8 days, just think if it had gone on! I am sure preventing more loss of life on both sides is a small price, but will the south ever feel they are completly safe? Hopefully yes after Hamas getting such a beating.

Economy crisis. No money. No friends. No supports. The world is waking up Bye bye

The criticism is at best mistaken, and at worst cynical and self- serving. What else could the Government do? A ground entrance unto present conditions means world- wide condemnation and isolation. It means taking over Gaza with the casualties involved in holding on to it. It means providing a justification for Egypt to not simply break relations but threaten war. It means tense and negative relations with the U.S. It means total strategic failure. The politicians who criticize must know this. Therefore they are doing it for cynical political reasons. The outcome of this operation is not ideal, but it is the best that could be gotten in the circumstances.

It seems to me, and of course I am not absolutely certain, that the Prime Minister did the best in the circumstances. He could have gone into Gaza and this would have entailed Israel's total isolation, including perhaps even from the United States. To eliminate Hamas would mean occupying Gaza for months and again attaining worldwide condemnation, and Israeli casualties. It would have left the focus on Gaza, and not on Tehran. The outcome is far from perfect, but it is most likely that the goals of quiet for the South for some months anyway, maintenance of some kind of relationship with Egypt, strong support from the U.S. retained, have been achieved.

I wish you were right, but I'm afraid you're wrong. The ships were sent to evacuate American citizens from Israel-- that was the well-publicized objective, and although you might optimistically suspect some other purpose (especially given the fact that nothing of the sort has ever been done by the US military in Israel before)-- you should note a key detail that undercuts your optimism. At least one of the ships in question (the Iwo Jima) was used for the purpose of evacuating American citizens before-- from Lebanon in the 2006 war. In total, moreover, there are no more than three vessels involved-- not the kind of force that the US Navy uses for the purpose of staging wars. It would be great if Obama would "put his support" behind Israel-- but I wouldn't hold my breath for it.

I suggest you look at facts, not your wishful thinking. Hamas ran to Egypt, wanting a cease fire. This happened after Israel called up the reserves. As before, they lost their biggest rockets right from the start. Their leaders didn't dare come out. Their fake PR was exposed. Now they try to act as if they won. They didn't and they know it. They are at least smarter than you, as you can't comprehend reality.

It is patently obvious from both Lebanon II and Cast Lead that we have about five days to act before diplomatic pressure forces a ceasefire. Waiting until the 6th day to think about launching a land operation, which was the only way to bring about deterrance vis-a-vis Hammas proves beyond a shadow of doubt that our much vaunted Shamir retake Prime Minister just does not do decisions and that he is no leader. So I like many others have been completely deterred from even thinking of voting for him in the coming elections - we simply cannot afford 4 more years of his incompetence

I don't know if SDCharger is correct or not, but I flew back to Israel from the UK 4 days ago and the plane was chock-full of tourists coming to Israel. Why would Americans be evacuated? Was Israel about to be invaded? Did Ben Gurion airport close?

i think we lost deterrence for ever, rockets hit us in tel aviv what else left .

If Israel want the best deterence then she should go on freindship terms with all her bordering states,because freinds do not attack their freinds. Since we all try to overcome our weakness and enemies with time it is wise to show your might to the weak.

I think if we spare one life of a solider we have won! I can't even understand why anyone in our government would object to that!

How many rockets and what real damage did it do? Iron dome seemed to work pretty well in that area..

In case he has any honor he would step back. Anyone who will vote for him will do this knowing he votes for a very weak person. Israel needs to be governed by strong persons not Netanyahu and not Busines Barak.

The people of southern Israel in missile shelters actually did was 7 days Shivah (mourning) for the death of Ahmed Jabari, because the Netanyahu-Lieberman government showed extreme weakness now if we depend on Mursi and the Muslim Brotherhood to our security

Mofaz is right about the erosion of deterrence. Without deterrence, Israel becomes far more vulnerable to external aggressions. Strong leadership that does not buckle to external pressures and manipulations is needed to restore Israel's deterrence.

...he is totally correct in this entre.