General Israel Update
Hi all!
Few very important things have happened lately, among them the chief of staff quitting his post; the president is about to be charged with a few very serious allegations; the vibe regarding some kind of talks between Israel and the Arab world while another suicide bomber went off.
- Dan Chalutz, chief of Staff, resigned.
For few months now many in Israel where calling the person who lead IDF's last war, in Lebanon (last summer) to resign. Most of the public and few representatives of officials thought Chalutz is to blame with what happened in Lebanon. Among other things it was said that Chalutz miss-understood the whole concept of war and therefore miss-prepared the IDF to that war in the summer.
Chalutz was the first COS coming from the Air -Force. He was the high commander of the air -force being himself a pilot. He was known to be an excellent pilot and did participate in a few very dangerouss acts, such as the bombing of the nuclear site in Iraq (1981). The decision to resign was may be the result of foreseeing the near future: the Vinograd committee will soon publish findings. This committee was assigned to investigate what have happened in the summer and why. According to some, Chalutz would have been almost forced out if he would wait to that report from the committee.
So what will happen next? A new COS is soon to be appointed and the IDF is already going crazy with budgets and making sure it will be ready to next round. (Expected by some in few years time). And the more concerning issue: if the COS of IDF has resigned because he understands what is responsibility, will the defence minister and prime minister follow?
More info:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/814335.html
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1167467749213&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
http://www1.idf.il/dover/site/mainpage.asp?sl=EN&id=22&docid=15774
- Moshe Katzav, Mr president.
This is the story of a new immigrant from an Arab country, making his way to the top at a very young age. This is the story of the Israel we want to believe is exciting – the one where everyone, no matter where from, can become a star. Katzav was raised in Kryat Malachi, a very poor town in between tel aviv and beer-sheva. He was 32 when he was first a parliament member, very young and very successful. He was never known after the kick-off of his career, as different or unusual, but the opposite – a grey style type of civil servant who was perceived as working hard for the benefit of the nation. (He was a minister in few different offices such as transportation or industry).
Then came the big surprise – against all odds the dark little kid from a Maabara (a temporary camp for new immigrants known for bad reputation) was beating Shimon Peres, Lord of the country, on the race to presidency. They say the rumours of him being naughty are not new, but it was no more than a joke back then.
All of a sudden our country’s president is facing soon the charges of Rape, sexual assault and abuse, and more. This is almost impossible to even hear about.
Last week, for 60 minutes, Katzav was talking to the nation via mass media. He attacked all of Israel authorities of being corrupted and therefore witch hunting him. Can it be true?
Find more info:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3355982,00.html
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/818356.html
- The latest peace process and terror attack
For few months it seemed very quiet on the Israeli side of the green line. With the exception of sderot, the southern town next to gaza strip being bombed almost daily, it wasn’t that bad. The clashes in-between Palestinian armed force was part of the reason for the suicide bombers free era. For few days now, after a long process of escalation of acts against each other, Hamas and Fatach are now affectively in a war. Hamas, not long a go won the general elections in the PA, led by Prime Minister Hanya, couldn’t take control over the PA day-to-day management. The main reason was, and still is, Abu-Mazen (Machmud Abbas), the current president from the Fatach stream.
Israel was busy with its northern border and Gaza strip lately, but the latest suicide bomber is believed to have sneaked in the border from Egypt or Jordan, not very far from Eilat. In the city it self-citizens are shocked to realize terror can reach every place in Israel, even when it is not expected. Tourism will be probably the first to get hit by the 7 month long preparation before operation act, which has occurred today.
Once again it looks like recent talks about some kind of start of process are nothing but political spin. The secretary of state, Condo Rise, was in Israel and mid-east to try and push things forward. It didn’t help may be. But the most important question now is what will Israel decide to do? Will it be another round of violence in the west bank and Gaza strip? Or may be another round of immature negations?
For more info:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/819015.html
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/819084.html
Few comments
So many things to write about: the recent agreement in with PA; the turbulence in Lebanon; the Iranian threat; the death of one of Israel’s most loved poets; the crisis regarding the social ministry and more…
So just few comments
1- the death of a legend
Ali mohar was 58 when died this week. He was born in tel aviv and was able through his songs to show how much he loved the city and what it stands for. Mohar wrote so many famous good songs but preferred to stay anonymous and didn’t like the fame or the celebrity way of life.
Mohar was very ill lately and the last couple of month was really a struggle for him. He was a writer and journalist as well: for years he wrote in one of tel-aviv’s most popular newspapers “ha-ir” (the city). He was a big football fun (Hapoel Tel Aviv) and even wrote songs about his team. He was a good friend of Arik Einstein, Israel’s most known singer, supporter of Hapoel as well.
Not sure why, but lately in Israel there are many well-known artist living us. Is it due to the complex political situation?
2. Another truce?
Last week Israel and the Palestinians have reached an agreement regarding stop of violence actions from both sides mainly in Gaza but as well in the west bank. According to the agreement both sides will not only stop fighting but also will try to look for new ways to search for a more full agreement. Olmert (PM) said Israel would be willing to give up a lot in terms of land if the Palestinians will pay back for it (with a true peace).
Will it work this time? Why?
In the meantime, as always in the middle-east; different groups announced they would react to IDF operations taken while truce is affectively on. IDF declared it would not tolerate any act, breaching the so-called agreement.
3. The Lebanon problem
Once again Lebanon, a torn apart country, is on the brinks of another civil war: Hizbulla declared few days ago it will protest in Beirut the capital city until the acting PM, Seniora, will resign.
Hezbulla claims Seniora is pro-western and anti-Islamic and therefore should quit his position.
This comes after what perceived in Lebanon a “win” of Hizbulla over Israel last summer and the lack of the Lebanese government to fight back Israel or hold Hizbulla.
So what will happen in Lebanon?
If Hizbulla will succeed in their strike and protest, and the PM will resign, we are probably in front of new elections. It is not hard to believe that Hizbulla will use its momentum and will win the elections. In this case we will see a new pro-Iranian government and another big worry to Israel.
If PM Seniora and his allays will survive this protest, there is a good chance to see a civil war in Lebanon where Hizbulla will try violently to take control of the country.
How will it affect Israel? In any case Israel will have to deal with new reality in the north and to make sure the country is ready for everything.
|
