Uncomfortable Truths about Israel (Larry C. Johnson)

[laststeamtrain]

Uncomfortable Truths about Israel

by
Larry C Johnson

What would we be saying if Hizbullah kidnapped the Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and launched a daring raid inside Israel to disrupt a U.S. effort to resupply the Israeli Defense Force? We would be up in arms over their provocation and would be convening the UN Security Council to recommend new sanctions. Hell, we'd probably have the National Security Council in session and be ready to dispatch U.S. military forces to help Israel.

Okay. Back to reality. Hizbullah is minding its own business (or at least fostering that public image) and has embarked on public relief operation to counteract the devastation visited on the people of Lebanon by Israel's recent invasion and bombing campaign. The Hizbullah aid and recovery effort is so successful that some wags suggest that Nasrallah be hired to take over from FEMA in the event the U.S. is hit with another storm like Katrina. How inept are you when Hizbullah is able to organize a better public relief effort? But I digress.

Having helped transform Hizbullah from a band of terrorists into the rock stars of the Muslim world, Israel persists with being stupid. Ehud Olmert either never learned or forgot the first rule of crisis management--i.e., when you're in a hole, stop digging. With the reputation of the Isreali Defense Force in tattters after the debacle in Lebanon, Israeli leaders apparently decided to go all out to secure their reputation as the supreme rogue state in the Middle East. How else to explain the following?

"Israel kidnaps elected official: The Palestinian's Deputy Prime Minister, Nasser Al Shaer was kidnapped by the Israeli army on Saturday, after hiding since the start of Israel’s Palestine offensive in June. He was seized in a raid at his home in the West Bank town on Ramallah."

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http://noquarter.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/08/uncomfortable_t.html#more

[havocmom]

1. .

more time later. Mr Johnson usually makes a lot of sense and a good case

[ThomCat]

2. K&R: Excellent commentary

Even the author seems to think he's wasting his breath, but we can only hope some people in the right places are thinking along similar lines.

[IntiRaymi]

3. I remember posting a link to this CNN link.

The post caused a flurry of epithets from some members. Mr. Johnson is quite correct in saying that sycophancy is a mistake, since it detracts from the moral high ground.

[sabbat hunter]

4. one HUGE difference

hizbollah is a terror organization/illegal militia.

israel is a legitmate nation.

[IntiRaymi]

5. Did you read the post?

He compared the actions of Israel re. Eichmann, vs the actions of Israel vs. Defenseless Lebanese civilians. He is referring to the very real worldwide perception concerning the impunity of Israel with regards to human rights in general.
And no amount of circuitous logic can erase offended sensibilities.

[htuttle]

7. If that distinction means anything at all,...

...it would mean that the standards of conduct for Official Nation-State Israel should be much higher than that of an illegal militia.

Wouldn't it?

[ellenfl]

6. kick for later! eom

[havocmom]

8. As usual, Mr. Johnson is rational and spot on

Israel has nothing to gain and everything to lose with its present mind set. They are not making friends and are showing some glaring weaknesses to their enemies.

Unwise course.