Our Views

We Need a Knock Out
by: Michael Fuah
General Director of Manhigut Yehudit
 
Adar I, 5768 (Feb., '08)

Israel’s abandonment of the residents of the Negev to Gaza terror is clear proof that Olmert has drawn no worthy conclusions from the Second Lebanon War. Instead of declaring war and acting to achieve a decisive victory, Olmert’s government is once again treading water. Even worse, the Olmert government is actively assisting the abductors of Gilad Shalit and the Kassam terrorists. The electricity, food and a great deal of the materials used to produce Kassams come to Gaza straight from the State of Israel.

Talking heads warn that if Israel hermetically seals the check points to Gaza and cuts off its supply of electricity and water, Gaza will be faced with a humanitarian crisis. The fact that this warning is leveled at Israel means that Israel holds the tool to defeat the Hamas. But instead of using it, Olmert’s government supplies and supports our enemies.

A photo-op at the hospital where Sderot’s wounded are recuperating in which the Prime Minister would announce that as far as he is concerned, Gazans can drink water from the sea until Gilad Shalit is returned and all the explosives there neutralized, complemented by a public relations campaign explaining Israel’s position, could place the responsibility for the situation in Gaza squarely on the shoulders of the Hamas. A photo of the Defense Minister at the power plant in Ashkelon after it has been struck by Kassams, turning off the power to Gaza while explaining that Israel will not provide electricity to those who shoot at the plant (that also supplies Gaza’s electricity) would be more effective than hundreds of tanks. But Olmert’s spin masters are too busy with their media fight against the bereaved families and the reserve soldiers. They have no time for trivialities like Sderot.

If it wanted to, the government could neutralize Supreme Court interference in the battle against Gaza by declaring war, which would abrogate the legal right of the Supreme Court to intervene. And Egyptian president Mubarak, still reeling from the Rafiah fiasco, would be afraid to so much as chirp if he would understand that any wrong move on his part would bring the responsibility for Gaza into his lap.

But Olmert is treading water, and the situation is steadily deteriorating. Olmert was one of the godfathers of the Expulsion from Gush Katif, which was designed to detach Israel from Gaza. He accepts no responsibility for the abysmal failure of his plan. But he is reluctant to re-enter Gaza, which would be a de facto admission of his error. Nevertheless, it seems that Israel is headed for a major military excursion that will bring us deep into Gaza.

I have no opposition to conquering Gaza. On the contrary: In my opinion, Israel must repopulate all of Gaza with Jews. But that could not be farther from the thoughts of the two Ehuds heading Israel right now. So what we are about to experience is another pointless war in Gaza which will end with Israel’s humiliating retreat. Many soldiers entering Gaza will doubtless be asking themselves what they are doing there and why they are endangering their lives. Responsible commanders will be asking if Israel’s political leaders really want to win. And if they do, why are the orders so confused? Why does one hand send us to fight while the other supplies electricity, water and food to the enemy?

Israel can deal Gaza a knockout blow. Israel can win a decisive victory. But Olmert can’t and that is why he should resign. Ehud Barak, Shas and the army and reserve soldiers are the factors that make it possible for him to continue to play with our lives.