Gil

I knew that eventually we would agree simply because we both have at heart the best for Eretz Zion.
This means that, just as with my previous argument that Israel welcomes well intended eitzes, but she is in full and reliable control, its enemies have learnt from all previous experiences that , at the crunch stage of their provocations, the Zionist Armagedon shall reveal itself and no pebble shall be big enough to hide the villains.

Otto,

You say in times of essential existential threats everyone “behaves”.
In these circumstances, what do you expect them to do?
The question one should ask is why wait until a clear and present danger presents itself before they are united?

Minimising these threats requires sound, consistent policies where at the very MINIMUM the cabinet is united and speaks with one voice so that enemies will fear what they could expect from a united Israel that is provoked.

Gil,

I read and comprehend fully what you said, yet it does not mean that you had a point I could possibly miss.
On the other had, I DO have a point and I am sure that you did not miss it. The point, worth repeating, is that , in times and issues of essential, existential threats etc. , OUR Israeli boys and girls in Goverment and even Knesset abandon the knifing and ( always ) behave.
The knifing, by the way, is done the fair, Jewish way, NOT in the back but unbearably up-front, hence the infinite way they can do it and do it and the more they do it the more absurd it gets. After all, how long can you keep on knifing while the other party refuses to expire……

Otto,

You’ve missed the point.

The issue has nothing to do with really assuming or not assuming anything.
The facts are that Israeli Governments are disfunctional where everyone in the Cabinet babbles on with their own agenda and keeps knifing each other in the back to push their own policies. There is no Cabinet solidarity on many issues confronting the country, a recipe for chaos.

Have a read of Isi Leibler’s latest post titled: “Chaotic Government Undermines our Global Standing.”

Just telling ……..

Just asking……………

Liat,

As well meaning as you are, where have you been for the last 20 years?

Never once since the Oslo Accords when the world was attentive has any Israeli Govt. seen fit to demand that the indoctrination of Arab children in hate must stop as a precondition of any talks taking place or resuming.

The Palestinians have the advantage of knowing that not even the most heinous statements such as “Jews are the offspring of pigs and apes” will bring so much as a rebuke. Israeli “Negotiators” meet with their counterparts, smile and shake hands for the cameras but never make the demand IN PUBLIC (for the “rest of the world” as you say) that the indoctrination of children in hate is so serious an issue that talks will cease if nothing is done about it.

Now they face a new generation of adults who know nothing but hate for Jews and Israel and these are supposed to be Israel’s new peaceful neighbours in some newly created Palestinian entity?

It’s time Israel stopped allowing itself to be treated with contempt, said whatever is needed to be said clearly and PUBLICLY with a clear warning that in the event of any further hostilities after these talks formally break down, this time the gloves will come off.

Hi Michael.
Thanks for your reply.

One last comment in relation to the terrorist issue.

It seems that the only permanent way out of any dilemma is for Israel to adopt new Rules of Engagement which specifically instruct the IDF that in any future confrontation with terrorists there are to be “No Prisoners.”

However, being the “enlightened” nation that it is, I wouldn’t expect this to happen any time soon.

Best Regards.

Thanks,Gil, for your comments. In reply to your 2 questions:

1. Apart from a few States in the USA I don’t believe that other western democracies have the death penalty and if some do it is not enforced. Israel has the death penalty for one category only and that is Nazi war crimes. This is why Eichman was hanged. The argument against the death penalty for terrorists is that they will become martyrs although as that is their stated aim anyway I think we should help them on their way to the virgin territory they so crave. As an “enlightened” member of the civilized community Israel perceives the death penalty to be contrary to those values. That being the case the terrorists should serve their sentence for the duration of their lives and under no condition should they be released early.

2. The world of politics and diplomacy is riddled with political correctness which has gone mad. As neither Isi nor I are diplomats we do not speak in diplomatic double talk and as we are not politicians we tell the truth as it is. Most politicians are well known for “fudging” the facts and trying to please other (often vested) interests.