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Dec 24, 2008
I vote "No"
I am against a military ground action in Gaza.
Don't get me wrong. They deserve to be destroyed and Gaza should be wiped off the map, the sooner the better, because of all they have done, between Gilad Shalit and the rocktes on southern Israel.
But I am against a ground operation at this point in time.
I feel the government will not let the army win, even if they do decide to send them in. They will tie the army's hands behind its back with unrealistic rules. The army is not prepared for what they will do, and will not know how to deal with what they encounter. Sending in the ground troops now is killing young Israeli men for no reason. Just so the government can satisfy and to relieve some public pressure from themselves is not a good reason to send Israeli troops to the slaughter.
I have no problem with an air attack, even though we already know that air attacks alone cannot win a war. All we need is some helicopters and planes flying over Gaza and dropping bombs and rockets. Just bomb them non-stop until they are cowed, or until Gaza has been flattened - whichever comes first. Show them we will not take it sitting down any more, but no ground op because there is no need to make it into an actual war that we will not win.
And I have no problem with the fact that that will put a lot of Palestinian civilians in harms way. They can leave if they are so worried, and they have supported Hamas and the rocket attacks on Israel, so I do not consider them innocent civilians.
So, send in the planes, and even the commandos, but not the infantry.
Don't get me wrong. They deserve to be destroyed and Gaza should be wiped off the map, the sooner the better, because of all they have done, between Gilad Shalit and the rocktes on southern Israel.
But I am against a ground operation at this point in time.
I feel the government will not let the army win, even if they do decide to send them in. They will tie the army's hands behind its back with unrealistic rules. The army is not prepared for what they will do, and will not know how to deal with what they encounter. Sending in the ground troops now is killing young Israeli men for no reason. Just so the government can satisfy and to relieve some public pressure from themselves is not a good reason to send Israeli troops to the slaughter.
I have no problem with an air attack, even though we already know that air attacks alone cannot win a war. All we need is some helicopters and planes flying over Gaza and dropping bombs and rockets. Just bomb them non-stop until they are cowed, or until Gaza has been flattened - whichever comes first. Show them we will not take it sitting down any more, but no ground op because there is no need to make it into an actual war that we will not win.
And I have no problem with the fact that that will put a lot of Palestinian civilians in harms way. They can leave if they are so worried, and they have supported Hamas and the rocket attacks on Israel, so I do not consider them innocent civilians.
So, send in the planes, and even the commandos, but not the infantry.
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100% with you there, Rafi, well said.
ReplyDeleteThis completely underscores the need for a change not just in government, but in our paradigm of leadership.
Dear readers, if you really want to change the way Israel is run, please read this.
agreed, but I don't think it will get better anytime soon. The second Israel dares defend herself, the 'international community' screams about the 'poor innocent children'. We don't have any leaders that have the guts to stand up to that kind of pressure.
ReplyDeletemrsrbs-
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure where you're coming from. Are there innocent children in Gaza? Should we not be worried about them? Of course, the existence of innocents does not automatically preclude the propriety of a military operation, but it doesn't seem like it's even a concern for you.
As for the post, Rafi-
Whether or not I agree with your assessment of the civilians in Gaza, from a technical legal perspective your suggestion cannot be done. Israel plays by certain rules, among them the basic principles of international law. If you think that we shouldn't play by those rules, or alternatively that those rules should be changed, that is a legitimate opinion. However, it is not in the purview of the executive branch of the government that now has to make these decisions.
Jeremy,
ReplyDeleteI'm not an international law expert myself, but it is inconceivable to me that international law would prevent a country from using artillery to defend itself against artillery. Just imagine what sort of wrath would be invoked if, say, Mexico were to start firing missiles into Texas from a little village on the border. You wouldn't just see that little village being attacked with pinpoint strikes, and you certainly wouldn't see the US ground troops being sent in to root out the missile launchers. Mexico City would be turned into a parking lot. And no "international law" would be of any concern.
Rather, the problem is the double standard that Israel is held to, both by the world and by its own "leaders", who clearly do not believe in the justice of their own cause.
Jeremy,
ReplyDeleteIn any war there are casualties. During the last Lebanon war, I watched Bibi on all the news channels stating the case as such:
During WWII, when the allies bombed Europe, they knew there were innocent pple in the way, but that is a very very sad reality to getting the job done. And at the end of the day, that is the ONLY way.
How come you are not enraged by all the kids in Sderot etc who are dealing with post traumatic stress disorder, if not actual physical wounds???? Where is the absolute waste of time UN when THAT happens???
Yes, at this point, I am more concerned with true innocent victims in Israel, not ones being indoctrinated with hate.
if that bothers you, then I guess we have to agree to disagree.
A technical quibble, Rafi- Isn't the effect of the present blockade and checkpoint block on Gaza such that there is in fact NOWHERE the residents can run to if there is an airstrike?
ReplyDeletehmmmm good point... but that is really recent. the gates were open as part of the ceasefire... Hamas chose to start shooting rockets again, so the gates got closed.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one who sees an obvious solution?
ReplyDeleteSecure the entire Israeli border with Gaza, and start bombing from the North towards the South. Give ample warning and get the civilians to flee southwards, keep squeezing Gaza like a toothpaste tube - until Rafah can hold no more and 1 million Gazan Arabs burst over into Egypt. Then seal Rafah again and rebuild Gush Katif.
I actually had a forlorn hope this might have been Sharon's hidden plan behind the hitnatkut, but I guess we'll never know...
Dear Shaul Behr -
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea. I vote for you.
With an pre-action: - I will give any family that leaves Gaza - some money (10K) and a month to evacuate to any of their 22 other countries.
and they will have to swear on their Korean not to fight again.
Than I will FLATTEN Gaza.
May God be with his nation in the open,for all to see. and WE should be with God.