Analysis: Olmert must swallow his pride, adopt UN resolution

[IndianaGreen]

Last update - 02:44 11/08/2006

Analysis: Olmert must swallow his pride, adopt UN resolution

By Uzi Benziman, Haaretz Correspondent

It is to be hoped that the United Nations Security Council will quickly pass the resolution ending the war in Lebanon in the spirit of the agreement revealed on Thursday. Ehud Olmert must be encouraged to lead the cabinet firmly to adopt it.

This war broke out in no small way because of the Israeli leadership's lack of diplomatic-military experience and failure to predict the future. Olmert will have to be magnanimous in accepting the compromise taking shape internationally, because it will be an admission of Israel's inability to achieve its declared goals.

There is reason to believe he has this quality. He is not a cynic who, for reasons of prestige or other extraneous considerations, would take tens of thousands of soldiers into battle to risk their lives.

The diplomatic solution, in spite of its limitations and the bitter pills to be swallowed, is preferable to expanding the war, since a new military move would not change the outcome of the armed conflict.

Even if the military limits considerably Hezbollah's short-range Katyusha launch capabilities, it will not erase the impression that this organization has made in its challenge to Israel.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/749257.html

[EFerrari]

1. His pride? What about his malignant narcissistic ego?

His mouth looks to be big enough.

[LiberalPartisan]

2. Olmert must

take the restraints off the IDF and let them do their job.

[IndianaGreen]

4. What I see here are the same generals that promised a quick victory

are now doing a CYA by saying that the proposed ceasefire would deny "Israel a significant military achievement." **

This war has lasted longer than all of Israel's previous wars combined. It is becoming clear that the IDF has failed in all of its strategic objectives, and that continuing the war will only result in unnecessary casualties on both sides and another quagmire in Lebanon.

** http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/749019.html

[whistle]

3. Olmert swore in a speech posted here on DU that he would never

...do such a thing back on July 31,2006 when he outlined Israel's position:

Olmert: No cease-fire
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has just announced there will be no cease-fire in Israel's battle with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, the Associated Press reports.

Haaretz.com adds these news alerts from Olmert's speech:

• Olmert: We'll end offensive when northern Israel no longer threatened.
• Olmert: Offensive will end when rockets cease, soldiers are returned.
• Olmert: There is no cease-fire and there won`t be one in coming days.

And this is what former Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said today:

<snip>
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Not Too Late to Win
By Binyamin Netanyahu (Jerusalem Post)


The government's decision comes late, very late, but not too late.

Destroying Hizbullah's fighting capacity and missile arsenal remains the objective that Israel must achieve. Clearly, air power alone cannot do so and a major ground offensive is necessary. While this should have been done considerably earlier, it nevertheless should be done today.

Firstly, on the military front, our goal should be victory over Hezbollah, a proxy military force for Iran.

Secondly, on the hasbara (public relations) front, we have to fend off the attacks and vilification of Israel in order to gain time for the military objective.

And thirdly, on the civilian front, the government must immediately declare a state of emergency. This is a war that, for the civilians, is worse than previous wars - longer and more costly in lives and property.

These are the objectives that I will support.

In war, you must achieve your objectives. It is painful, but it will be much more painful for the country - in lives lost, cities paralyzed and security imperiled - if we have to face future rounds because we did not win this one.

http://www.iris.org.il/blog/