On October 7, I was walking on a sunny Ashdod beach when the rockets struck. Like everyone in Israel, I was shocked, humiliated, and outraged. On that day, while Hamas fighters were still killing people, Netanyahu declared "We are at War." He added that he directed the army to "fight back on a scale and intensity that the enemy has so far not experienced.” Initially, I welcomed his statement, but in the days that followed, I began to have doubts. It was difficult to express these doubts while in Israel, and more difficult to do so now that I am back in Oaxaca. In the eyes of many Israelis, it is inappropriate for me, an outsider, to discuss security matters. However, perhaps I am allowed to ask questions. I'll present them in reverse order.
Gaza. Pause and think
1. Does the conduct of this war by the IDF, an army that prides itself in innovative thinking and technical knowhow, meet your expectations?
2. Is the cost of the war, 100 Israeli soldiers, 20,000 Gazan civilians and counting, acceptable to you?
3. Will a war achieve permanent security for Israel?
4. Will the war insure the release of all the hostages?
5. Were you presented with alternatives solutions to war?
If the answer to some of these question is not a clear 'Yes!', ask yourself 'Why?'
It could be evidence of a leadership failure to think.
I know that Israel's political and military leaders are smart and have good intention, so I will venture to guess some causes for their failure.
a. Shock. It is hard to think under attack
b. They accepted and joined the national urge for revenge.
c. A deep personal burden of guilt may cloud rational thinking and drive one to strong violent action.
I am afraid that unless the current leaders are dismissed now, the underperformance will continue. It is the Israeli voters turn to pause and think.
P.S. I am often asked "Then, what do you propose?" All I wish to say is that I have heard many anecdotes of action that could have been taken or action that should have been avoided, to prevent the massacre. Those hypothetical actions are an indication that there are other options.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Tsachi,
ReplyDeleteFirst, it is appropriate for anyone who cares about Israel to voice his opinion.
Actually, the points you raise are shared by many Israelis who wish the current government to be replaced immediately.
It is also clear that the attack could have been avoided, but this is water under the bridge.
As for now, I am not certain what the army can do better.
Kobi Tal.
More than the government should be replaced.The army could have resisted participating in the fanatic war dance. Instead, they encouraged Bibi to enter the war. The top brass should also be replaced. I have no answer to what they can do better now. My knowledge as a paratroop officer says: Fight at night, use flanking maneuvers, and move quickly. They are doing none of these things. The fact that I don't have an answer does not mitigate my deep disappointment
DeleteThis war, with its devastating consequences has made us so demoralized. I find I have less and less empathy for all of the victims. (Especially the 20 thousand) And I am furious that there was even an attack in the first place.
DeleteLisa DeWitt
I share your frustration, as do many others. The attack evoked many strong emotions, in everyone. You cited anger, but surely there are more. My post was not intended to evoke empathy for Gazan victims, but to raise the issue of effective results, which, I believe, could have been better.
DeleteLater, as the raw emotions develop a scab, I am sure you will also find room for empathy.