Opinion  Ron Ben-Yishai
How the incendiary balloons and kites could lead to war
Ron Ben-Yishai
Published: 13.07.18, 23:52
Comment Comment
Print comment Print comment
Back to article
14 Talkbacks for this article
1. This time........
DSM ,   USA   (07.14.18)
if Israel decides to go to war, do it to win completely, not be winning and stop due to political concerns and then have to do it over again, because the losing group lost the battle but not the war.
2. What world is he living in ???
Dan ,   USA   (07.14.18)
I love Ben-Yishai's last three paragraphs. Let Israel pretend the country does not care about the fires and that will make Hamas stop and then Israel can request impounded funds be given back to Hamas. A sworn enemy is burning Israel's land and yet Israel should petition they be given back held funds, which will be used to terrorize Israel once again.

Why are people like Ben-Yishai and so many of Israel's politicians and leaders afraid that even if Israel is a victor in a war, they will lose? Could it be because they have felt all there lives that Jews are not supposed to be able to fight and if god forbid they should win other countries may not like it so let's just keep taking it and pretend we are winning.
3. Proportionate force against the kites
Zeev Abraham ,   Herzliya   (07.14.18)
There are surely top echelon Hamas leaders who directly or indirectly benefit from crop agriculture and orchids.
If so, the IDF knows who they are.
Imagine if flyers were dropped stating that the next incendiary device sent from Gaza would result in the burning of a sizable field belonging to a particular named Hamas leader.The locality and size of the field would also be exactly indicated and easily be set alight In response to the next balloon or kite,
They burn our fields. We burn theirs
A perfect example of proportional force. So who will blink first?
4. Ben-Yishai is right
Stan ,   Israel   (07.14.18)
Two weeks ago I went down to the Gaza area to see for myself. The impression one receives from radio, TV and newspapers is that much of the area along the border has been burnt, and that the air is full of smoke. The reports are greatly exaggerated.(For political reasons) There has been no injury or loss of life as a result of these kites and balloons. If daily reporting will end, so will the balloons and kites.
5. Admire Gazans for using low tech innovations to fight!
ironbutterfly   (07.14.18)
6. No, I did not read this "analysis", are you out of you mind?
(07.14.18)
7. Israel has F35s but is confounded by kiddies party balloons
Alan ,   SA   (07.14.18)
8. Pretending doesn't solve the problem
Isaac Storm   (07.14.18)
Pretending that the kite intifada isn't causing damage has only exacerbated the situation - it hasn't lessen it. Hamas has resorted to other ways to intensify the situation - now rockets. Israel had already released terrorists in exchange for a hostage (Time and time again). It didn't help and Israel is right back to square one as it was four years ago. In fact, Israel is worse off - because Israel gave in in the past, Hamas thinks (and is probably correct) that with enough pressure, Israel will give in again.
9. Israel should use its secret weapon: Jewish humor.
David ,   Buffalo, NY   (07.16.18)
Instead of escalating the violence and attacking children's kites with bombs, they should use the same tactic that Hamas is doing and be a nuisance. I recommend dropping stink bombs, deploying drones with sirens, or bombing cities in Gaza with red paint. That would send two clear messages: one, that Israel could drop devastating firepower anytime they wanted but chose not to, and that is simply not enough of a nuisance to warrant a deadlier response.
10. Victory is the answer. Not technology
Chaim ,   Israel   (07.16.18)
Israel is now in the absurd position of using expensive high tech instruments to combat "Palestinian" weapons any average 10 year old could make. How did we get to such an insane position? The answer is simple. Israel insanely REFUSES to win! Instead of vanquishing our bloodthirsty "Palestinian" murderers and tormentors, we pamper them. Victory is the answer. Not technology.
11. Coming soon: Hi tech Israeli solution to "Palestinian" rocks
Chaim ,   Israel   (07.16.18)
Coming soon: Israel will soon unveil an ingenious high tech solution to "Palestinian" rock throwing thugs. Called Rock Dome, the device will shoot a miniature missile to intercept a single "Palestinian" rock in mid flight, at a cost of about $100,000 a pop to Israeli taxpayers. The device leaves the rock throwing "Palestinian" thug unharmed and free to throw as many more rocks as he wishes.
12. Laser beam, infrared sensors, ignore them!
Bb   (07.16.18)
The rafael laser beam, in my view is the answer to this challenge. The system, was developed against mortars, rockets, but would be very effective against incendiary device before they reached Israel border.

If we ignore gaza, they population of the strip will need to deal with their own problems, not confronting Israel.

Complete mum, is my suggestion and high tech at the border.
Microwave anti mob device, should be present Asap too.
Back to article