Column One: Hamas’s march to victory
by Caroline Glick, Jerusalem Post, Jan. 2, 2009
George Orwell once quipped, “The quickest way of ending a war is to lose
it.”
Since Tuesday it has become clear that the Olmert-Livni-Barak government has decided to end the war with Iran’s Hamas proxy army in Gaza as quickly as possible. That is, the government has decided to lose the war.
Most Israelis are unaware of this state of affairs. In an obvious attempt to bolster the popularity of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak ahead of the February 10 general elections, the local media have spent the six days since the government launched Operation Cast Lead praising the government’s competence and wisdom, and declaring victory over Hamas after every IAF sortie in Gaza.
What the media have declined to notice is that the outcome of the war will not be determined by the number of Hamas buildings the IAF destroys. The outcome of this war - like the outcome of all wars - will be determined by one factor only: Which side will achieve the goals it set out for itself at the outset of the conflict and which side will concede its goals?
Depressingly, the current machinations of the Olmert-Livni-Barak government demonstrate that when the fighting is over, Hamas and not Israel will be able to declare that it accomplished its goals. (Continue reading this Article)
Livni and Barak have signed their political death warrants if Glick is correct and I personally believe she is correct. At least something positive will come out of this. well, maybe something positive will come of this?
Comment by yamit82 — January 2, 2009 @ 9:33 am
I believe she is correct. The Israeli government’s behavior is reminiscent of its conduct in the last war. It never had an intention of winning. Come to think of it, I haven’t heard Israel’s leaders talk of the need to achieve victory and defeat the enemy! Yamit82, you give the average Israeli too much credit. Israel is a country that is tired of winning wars. Say what you like about Ehud Olmert, that’s one promise he’s managed to keep in 2 1/2 dismal years as Prime Minister.
Comment by NormanF — January 2, 2009 @ 10:03 am
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We will see shortly, won’t we?
Comment by yamit82 — January 2, 2009 @ 12:25 pm