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August 19, 2006 at 13:02:15
Firing Squad: Time for Accountability in Israel by John E. Carey Page 1 of 3 page(s) |
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See this page for links to articles on OpEdNEws that articulate both sides on the issues in the middle east. It is the goal of OpEdNews to air opinions from both sides to stretch the envelope of discussion and communication. Hate statements are not accepted. Discussions of issues and new ideas for solutions are encouraged. .
My friend Amir Taheri asked, "Was it Tacitus who said, 'Defeat is an orphan while victory has a thousand fathers'?"
In fact, that Roman historian had it just about right.
Argue, if you will, that Israel is the victor in all of this. Meanwhile, we'll assemble the firing squad.
Accountability is tough. Post war accountability is brutal beyond belief. Especially if you lose.
Even Saddam Hussein has said he prefers the honor of the firing squad to the other more ignominious forms of death meted out as judgment for conduct unbecoming.
There are some simple rules of accountability in the U.S. military and in other places in the world. These can be rather ruthless as they enforce strict guidelines of ethics, personal performance and professional achievement.
The people of Israel must make their own assessment of their leaders in this war. But if the tenets of personal accountability followed by the U.S. military are enforced, there will be some changes at the top of Israel's leadership team in the weeks ahead.We therefore briefly review some of the players during the last two months or so in Israel.
Foreign Minister
"There can no longer be militias and terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah."These words were spoken by Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to der SPIEGEL on July 25, 2006.
This promise (or assertion?) was not fulfilled.
Moreover, Ms. Livni was absent from the United Nations in New York while that august body crafted the terms of the cease fire agreement. When she prepared to leave Israel, less than 24 hours before the cease fire was finalized in New York, the Prime Minister sent Mr. Shimon Peres instead of his Foreign Minister.
Since the war ended, she has been diligently though ineffectively lobbying United Nations diplomats in efforts to get Hezbollah disarmed. That hasn't happened.
She has also worked hard to get a real peacekeeping force into the area between Hezbollah and Israel. That hasn't happened.
Ms. Livni should most probably be asked to leave the government.
Defense Minister
Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz should retire.
Israel lost 118 Israeli soldiers and 39 civilians in the conflict that began July 12, when Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid.
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errors of fact
Stating that Hezbollah executed a "cross border raid", while accepted as truth in corporate media is nothing but an Israeli government lie. Both the IDF and Israeli Foreign ministry spokesman Mark Regev admitted that the Hezbollah capture of 2 Israeli soldiers took place in LEBANON, NOT ISRAEL: "It appears we have an escalation in the North," he said. "It is very clear that the escalation started on the Lebanese side of the border, and Israel will respond appropriately." Voice of America, Jerusalem, July 12, 2006 See: Operation "Change of Location"? How Reports of the July 12th Capture of IDF Soldiers Soon Shifted From Lebanon to Israel By TRISH SCHUH http://counterpunch.org/schuh08152006.html "Hizbullah terrorists" is a slur that does not correlate to a resistance against an unlawful occupying army. While the term "terrorism" can be bandied about by anyone in any circumstance these days, capturing combatant occupying soldiers hardly qualifies as "terrorism." This article is biased and shameful in its treatment of Israel's illegal and immoral bombardment of Lebanon, its people, its infrastructure and its children. It is Israel that has committed atrocities in this conflict, began the assault, and acted in a despicable and barbaric fashion. Israel should be punished in no uncertain terms with arms embargoes and economic sanctions. Israeli "terrorism" from the air has greatly overshadowed this war, and should be stated as such. While Israeli pundits always attempt to portray Israel as a victim and its neighbors as the victimizers, this is usually a lie. The body counts speak for themselves. Dead Lebanese civilians: 1300 minimum Dead Israeli civilians: less than 100 Who is the true "terrorist" here? by johndoraemi (17 articles, 12 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 166 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Aug 19, 2006 at 9:35:49 PM  (0+)
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Reply: truth is painful
you speak the truth, and the truth is painful...we must find a solution better than the willingness to kill for the sake of killing, just to be perceived as strong. by Zenseeker (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 14 comments) on Monday, Aug 21, 2006 at 6:14:46 PM (0+)
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Firing Squad.
Yes, poor old Israel really lost. Did you see all the Hezbollah tanks withdrawing out of Israel? Did you see all the Israeli airports, bridges, roads and buildings leveled to the ground. Poor Israel. In spite of one billion Muslims and another billion Israel haters, she losses one war after another. I guess this makes six wars she has lost. Poor Israel. Allah must really hate her. by pratliff94 (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 972 comments) on Saturday, Aug 19, 2006 at 10:54:42 PM (0+)
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