Can it be that a week into the war we failed? Two prestigious Israeli writers, Shooky Galili and Yossi Gurvitz criticise Miri Regev, the military spokeswoman. Whilst Shooky says that Regev presents her facts unevidented and dogmatic, Yossi Gurvitz not only criticised the incorrect facts presented by the Army, but also explains that this may lead to reducing the public’s support to the IDF’s activities.
The main reason that the Israeli public, imho, still supports this war is basically defaultance. We know war is the worst form of living in a state; however, we know that violence will not cease if we stop our violence. We do not wish to prolong our endeavours in Lebanon and we do not wish to occupy civilians or territory. The only problem, basically, is that we don’t know any other option to end the conflict. We do not have any conflict with Lebanon (the state or government) since they agree with our position that the Hizbullah has not room as an army in Lebanon and they are the legal entity for negotiations. We also can’t talk to Syria or Iran, since both of them declared that they are not the initiators of this conflict. We can’t talk to the Hizbullah, since they are not the sovereign body over the area which is used to bomb Israel, nor do they acknowledge Israel. So what are we left with?
That’s why, unlike what several arab bloggers pointed out we have no interest to have a buffer zone where our soldiers will sit; nor do we wish to move the civilians out of their homes. When Buj says:
Doesn’t this sound all so familiar to what happened in 1948, 1967, 1973, 1982 and the continuing onslaught on the palestinians? For a country that was created to shelter an unwanted people it is disappointing to witness such actions. More than all of the Arab world’s refugees exist because of Israeli agression. […] LEBANON! Perfect.. a country weakened by almost continous wars in the last 60 years and is just about to stand on it’s two feet.. let’s distroy their economy.. let’s bomb their airport… let’s scare a few civilians by bombing their capital while we actually know where hizbulla is.. let’s frighten a few other countries by stranding their citizens in there.. the US is giving us some spare time with the UN and all.. and Condi is not in a rush to come with a solution so we should press on…
I felt like our efforts are problematic. Israel can’t continue bombing “in the name of peace†nor can it stop bombing under this flag. Peace is something you do with your enemies, it is something bought by blood and might take some time. Peace is done after both parties acknowledge that war is not the way, and that bloodshed will continue as long as people won’t put an end to it.
However, how can i make peace when i don’t know how? I know that bombing is wrong, but what is the better way to stop the Hizbullah from killing two young brothers living in Nazareth? What will make the Israel from doing the same to young Lebanese? If anyone has an answer i’m here to listen.
I’m afraid that neither Israel nor the Hizbullah can or want to make an effort to stop the war. I think that we are dependent on the good will of the outside world.
Currenly, I’m afraid that Europe still doesn’t do too much, and the US is backing Israel.
Without external pressure on both sides, I doubt that a ceasefire will come.
The US backing might be due to some more hidden reasons. They might want to see Iran’s ally beaten not only for Israel’s sake. It could well serve their interests in Iraq. The Iran backed insurgency in southern Shiite Iraq will get a blow if they see that another ally of Iran was beaten. Not only beaten, but possibly abandoned by Iran.
If this theory is true, the question is: Are we puppets of the US? What is our interest?
Today, when fierce combat happens also on the ground, and Israel considers invasion, and the Hizbullah continues firing rockets, the ingredients for peace seem out of stock.
Both post and above comment is very well thought out. I myself keep feeling that there is a bigger picture from where Israel and all the other ‘players’ are but a bit part. Still, I can suspect it from the same reasoning as Yohay, but when will we find out for sure? In any conflict, there are always players who do not wish to compromise for the sake of making peace. Or who do not have any interest in peace. I can see it being a very discouraging venture to try and be undermined whils trying. I do hope people try to find ways and to answer your question Jonathan, how do we find/make peace? I think that would be the perfect starting question for the blogger round table once it starts up. Even though the conflict seems to be about two parties, Israel and Hizbullah, like Yohay alluded to..there are more parties and interests involved and that makes it all the more difficult.
Ingrid
One does get the ‘scent’ that something much larger is afoot here. I really began to wonder when the Saudis (who never issued a similar condemnation of Hamas) wieghed in against Hizbollah. Like wtf?
Today, there is a report that the Saudis were just granted an arms deal worth $6 billion (compare that to the measly $50 mil in chump change promised in Lebanese aid and the $135 asking sale price for Prince Bandar’s house in Aspen). billion $. Now think about that and think about the good it would do if even a tenth of that money were spent on humanitarian aid in the Arab world. A la Bill and Melinda Gates….despots need war to maintain their hegemony, I am afraid (and I am including the Bush-Cheney cabal in that equation, btw)
Abu Aardvark has an interesting perspective.
Itay from http://www.blacklabor.com calls everybody to write letters to world leaders, in order to stop the war.
He gathered email addresses of world leaders.
The post is in Hebrew, but you can pick up the email addresses and begin writing.
Maybe I’ll prepare an English version of the post. (after I get some sleep).
Good night.
Yohai,
that’s great. I’ll be more than glad whether you translate it.
Sunrunner,
I’m not sure there’s a greater thing here, i’m quite afraid that there’s nothing bigger and it’s all plain war. we always want to find out that there’s something bigger in order to be safe, and to have an excuse. i think that this time it’s sheer violence. As for Abu-Ardvark, he has a great blog which i enjoy. I think his analysis is smart, though i’m not sure i agree.