I read an interesting analysis on rotter.net in Hebrew -- a scoop from news reporter Nitzan Chen, who usually is very accurate and responsible about his reporting.
Some background: We lost the war in Lebanon this past summer. So far, the general of the Northern Command resigned, and just yesterday, Lt. General Gal Hirsch resigned as well (before being "forced" to resign by a damning report against him).
However, Israel's IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz is above reproach, as is Israel's Minister of Defense, Amir Peretz and Israel's PM, Ehud Olmert.
In a poll released today, from GeoCartegraph for the "Politika" TV show, the Israeli public feels as follows:
Should the IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz be replaced?
62% Yes
21% No
17% No opinion (weird for Israelis who have opinions on everything!)
Should PM Ehud Olmert be replaced/new elections be held?
53% Yes
33% No
14% No opinion
Should Minister of Defense, Amir Peretz be fired/replaced?
59% Yes
26% No
15% No opinion
Nitzan reports that Dan Halutz's supporters are threatening that if Halutz is fired, he will spill all the beans on the Disengagement's dirty laundry...how all the IDF generals and heads of security warned Sharon that the IDF should not leave Gaza, and that the Disengagement would be a tragic mistake. Ultimately, the IDF's return to Gaza would be after much loss of civilian life, and the necessary return to Gaza would be a very difficult military operation.
Some background: We lost the war in Lebanon this past summer. So far, the general of the Northern Command resigned, and just yesterday, Lt. General Gal Hirsch resigned as well (before being "forced" to resign by a damning report against him).
However, Israel's IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz is above reproach, as is Israel's Minister of Defense, Amir Peretz and Israel's PM, Ehud Olmert.
In a poll released today, from GeoCartegraph for the "Politika" TV show, the Israeli public feels as follows:
Should the IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz be replaced?
62% Yes
21% No
17% No opinion (weird for Israelis who have opinions on everything!)
Should PM Ehud Olmert be replaced/new elections be held?
53% Yes
33% No
14% No opinion
Should Minister of Defense, Amir Peretz be fired/replaced?
59% Yes
26% No
15% No opinion
Nitzan reports that Dan Halutz's supporters are threatening that if Halutz is fired, he will spill all the beans on the Disengagement's dirty laundry...how all the IDF generals and heads of security warned Sharon that the IDF should not leave Gaza, and that the Disengagement would be a tragic mistake. Ultimately, the IDF's return to Gaza would be after much loss of civilian life, and the necessary return to Gaza would be a very difficult military operation.
With the incessant Gaza Qassam attacks against Southern Israel following the Disengagement, and today's deadly Qassam attack against Sderot, leaving one dead**, one critical and over a dozen wounded, it's apparent that the first part of this analysis has come true.
With mounting public criticism against Halutz -- it's convenient for Olmert and Peretz to let him take the fall (it deflects direct criticism against them). The question is, if Halutz falls, will he take anyone with him?
Regardless, he's yet another fallen leader of the Disengagement -- joining a long list of pro-Disengagement leaders who are under investigation for all sorts of things: Arik & Omri Sharon, Chaim Ramon, Tzachi Hanegbi...even President Katzav -- whose apathy towards the Gush Katif refugees puts him in the same category as the others.
Update: got this from WestBankMama's blog. If it doesn't give you the chills, I don't know what will...
Update: 10:00am Israel time: Another barrage of rockets fell in Sderot. A psychologist who works there came on to IDF radio to report that there is a severe shortage of psychologists to help with the trauma that everyone is experiencing. The shortage is not just for today's short term need - but is long term also. She says that professionals are afraid to go to Sderot to work because of the security situation. She is describing some of the difficulties -There are babies whose first words are "BOOM". There are children who can't concentrate in school. There are adults who are experiencing marital problems due to the stress...
** Just found out that this was my friend's mother :(
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael
5 comments:
So, in his infinate wisdom, the Lord is punishing them all, one at a time...
It's kinda cool that we get to watch!
For a complete list of Names go to- http://shame.co.il/english/gov/minhelet.htm
Sorry, Jameel, I have a hard believing your "Halutz supporters are going to spill the beans about the Disengagement" story. All the Generals did NOT think that Disengagement was a bad idea. In fact, the General in charge of the Gaza area around the time of Chomat Magen was quoted as saying that the situation in Gaza could NOT last and that evacuation was inevitable in face of all the casualties Israel would face; both military and civilian. There is also the fact that had the Disengagement NOT happened, there would NOT have been enough forces to fight this past summer. On top of this, I can tell you that I know for a fact that MOST Generals that took part of in the Disengagement understood its necessity and also understood that the IDF would be back in Gaza shortly after the Disengagement. Only then, they would be better equipped to handle the situation seeing as that they would not have to be defending almost 10,000 citizens at the same time they were carrying out operations against the terrorists. So, really, you need a little more proof that Nitzan, because I am intimately familiar with what the Generals and security heads said in regards to the Disengagement.
-OC
Baruch Dayin Ha'Emet.
-OC
"These are babies whose first words are 'BOOM!'"
My 3yr-old and her gan friends have a game that makes me very sad; one will shout Ketushiot! and then they all run and hide.
As always, the question is, What to do?
Not give up? I'm not there, so I am in no position to tell any-one anything about how to react to this atrocity. But, the people of Sderot have shown how immensely strong and brave they are. But, you can only allow people to suffer for so long before they crack.
-OC
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