The List goes on and on
The List goes on and on
Don't Repeat the Same Mistakes
By Isi Leibler
Despite the bitter loss of so many innocent lives in recent years, there is a feeling of deja vu as our leaders recycle the same blunders of the past.
We always attain peaks of popularity whenever we make unilateral concessions. So it was not surprising that Israel was showered with praise after the Gaza withdrawal. But regrettably, President Bush was simultaneously elevating Mahmoud Abbas to the category of a "decent" and "peace-loving" man despite his determination not to dismantle the terror infrastructure and his ongoing statements publicly sanctifying suicide bombers as "martyrs".
What is even more disconcerting is that despite this brief interlude when the world is not demonizing us, we continue to undermine our credibility by shooting from the hip, making idle threats and proclaiming policies which are routinely retracted under pressure.
For example, Prime Minister Sharon boasted that the principal dividend of disengagement was a commitment by President Bush to support Israel's retention of the major settlement blocs. He failed to mention that, predicated on a caveat that the Palestinians had to agree to such an arrangement, such support was somewhat meaningless.
Nevertheless, initially Sharon reiterated his commitment to develop Maale Adumim, the lynchpin of the settlement bloc adjacent to Jerusalem. He refused to suspend the expansion of building based on natural growth or the ongoing development of a Jewish populated corridor to link the settlement with Jerusalem, without which the capital will almost certainly be divided.
Condoleezza Rice responded by informing a Senate committee that "we told the Israelis in no uncertain terms that [this] would contravene American policy" and that Israeli activity in that area had already resulted in Washington deducting "some of the resources we provide to the Israelis as part of their loan guarantees". Sharon immediately backed down.
Another example: Sharon announced he would prevent Hamas from participating in the Palestinian elections. But President Bush refused to support him, although his Administration would certainly have been outraged at a suggestion to allow Ba'ath or Al Qaeda parties to participate in the Iraqi elections.
In view of the growing recognition that it is a charade for the PA to present itself as a peaceful alternative to Hamas, perhaps the government should have hesitated before committing itself to such a policy. The Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the official security arm of the PA, already hold joint press conferences in Gaza with Islamic Jihad, and recently proudly claimed credit for the brutal murder of the youngsters in Gush Etzion. More recently they publicly endorsed Iran's call to eliminate Israel. [...]
Posted by Ted Belman at November 22, 2005 11:58 AM
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1
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BobW
said:
After nearly 6 decades some trends can be plotted out.
Israel did not have internationally recognized frontiers 10 years ago and today also. Was there a reason in 1967 to send Zahal into the eastern portions of Jerusalem? Has Israeli diplomacy changed over the years?
One illustration: the Jackson-Vanik Amendment; Israel's population increased. Now what? Don't forget the many young Israelis who leave Israel permanently.
If GOI negotiation was not successful re Sinai or Lebanon or Taba or MDA is it not realistic that the next event will also prove a failure?
Israel does not have the strong institutions needed to fight the rich Muslims. Israel has yet to address the diaspora calls for surrender. "Israel" means Jewish Israel and omits those who hold no identity to Judaism. Someone secular in Israel or the diaspora can be "Jewish" and conversely, someone can be anti-Jewish Israel, regardless of Halacha rules.
After nearly 6 decades the mentally weak still seek legitimacy by having the MDA recognized by the barbarians, by giving aid to rich nations, eg Indonesia and seeking to open new embassies at places like Pakistan....all the while losing both territory and Jews.
Kol tuv,
BobW
Posted by: BobW on November 22, 2005 03:19 PM
The List goes on and on
Don't Repeat the Same Mistakes
By Isi Leibler
Despite the bitter loss of so many innocent lives in recent years, there is a feeling of deja vu as our leaders recycle the same blunders of the past.
We always attain peaks of popularity whenever we make unilateral concessions. So it was not surprising that Israel was showered with praise after the Gaza withdrawal. But regrettably, President Bush was simultaneously elevating Mahmoud Abbas to the category of a "decent" and "peace-loving" man despite his determination not to dismantle the terror infrastructure and his ongoing statements publicly sanctifying suicide bombers as "martyrs".
What is even more disconcerting is that despite this brief interlude when the world is not demonizing us, we continue to undermine our credibility by shooting from the hip, making idle threats and proclaiming policies which are routinely retracted under pressure.
For example, Prime Minister Sharon boasted that the principal dividend of disengagement was a commitment by President Bush to support Israel's retention of the major settlement blocs. He failed to mention that, predicated on a caveat that the Palestinians had to agree to such an arrangement, such support was somewhat meaningless.
Nevertheless, initially Sharon reiterated his commitment to develop Maale Adumim, the lynchpin of the settlement bloc adjacent to Jerusalem. He refused to suspend the expansion of building based on natural growth or the ongoing development of a Jewish populated corridor to link the settlement with Jerusalem, without which the capital will almost certainly be divided.
Condoleezza Rice responded by informing a Senate committee that "we told the Israelis in no uncertain terms that [this] would contravene American policy" and that Israeli activity in that area had already resulted in Washington deducting "some of the resources we provide to the Israelis as part of their loan guarantees". Sharon immediately backed down.
Another example: Sharon announced he would prevent Hamas from participating in the Palestinian elections. But President Bush refused to support him, although his Administration would certainly have been outraged at a suggestion to allow Ba'ath or Al Qaeda parties to participate in the Iraqi elections.
In view of the growing recognition that it is a charade for the PA to present itself as a peaceful alternative to Hamas, perhaps the government should have hesitated before committing itself to such a policy. The Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the official security arm of the PA, already hold joint press conferences in Gaza with Islamic Jihad, and recently proudly claimed credit for the brutal murder of the youngsters in Gush Etzion. More recently they publicly endorsed Iran's call to eliminate Israel. [...]
Posted by Ted Belman at November 22, 2005 11:58 AM