Now that our boys are out of Gaza, there are some things that need to be said.Photo IDF spokesperson
As long as they were in Gaza, in harm's way, as little as possible needed to be said about the motives of the government for sending in our troops - our total and unbending support had to be with the men and boys on the ground.
Knowing full well that the government did not send them in for the right reasons, still I hoped and prayed that in spite of that, we would do what needed to be done. The men were ready. They were primed to push to victory - to crush Hamas once and for all. They were excellent in the field and I prayed that they could complete their task.
Unfortunately, this was not to be the case. Right at the doorstep of success, Olmert and Barak pulled the forces, and once again yanked the victory from our grasp. From what little I do know about IDF Chief Gabi Ashkenazi, he must be aghast at this decision. He did a superb job in directing the troops. He needs our thanks and congratulations, as, do, of course, the men and boys who fought so valiantly. All the troops coming out of Gaza have expressed great disappointment that they weren't allowed to finish the job.
It is all quite obvious that Hamas will simply rearm as quickly as possible, that the civilian infrastructure they hid behind was severely damaged, but not their chain of command...although we were drawing close to the higher echelons before the disgraceful exit.
We know that even though many tunnels were destroyed, there are hundreds still in place, and no one will really stop the weapons smuggling. Hamas has said, correctly, "we know how to acquire the weapons." Israeli intelligence stated early in January that there were already Iranian-made Fajr rockets in Gaza, (London Times) and since we did not hear of their destruction, we must assume they are still there. At any rate Iran has promised to deliver more for future use.
In other words, while we did some damage to the Hamas warehouses, launchers and infastructure, we stopped short of what needed to be done for victory.
But let's get real. The push in Gaza, on Olmert's part, and cooraborated by Barak, had nothing to do with punishing Hamas for 8 years and 8000 rockets on our citizens. It had nothing to do with protecting the south or it would have been done years ago. It had nothing to do with protecting Israel in general, although I swear there were times when I heard the faint beginnings of the ancient and righteous roar of the Lion of Judah in the voices of our so called leaders.
I'm afraid however, that even if there was such a whisper, it has been shut down and silenced and those "in charge" continue on their paths of corruption and betrayal.
So, what was it? Why did we march into Gaza then abruptly march out of Gaza? What exactly were the goals that Olmert has beamingly declared we reached so quickly? There is no doubt in my mind that the whole thing was orchestrated from beginning to end.
Everyone has their take on it. Some think it was Bush pushing Israel for a short lived spurt of strength to make his exit look good, some think it was political manuevering ahead of the elections to strengthen Kadima's hand.
While both of those reasons sound plausible up front, they really don't hold water in depth. It is probable that Bush did want us to go in, but I think he wanted us to hammer Hamas, not tease them and let them go again. Bush's primary reason for this would be to advance Abu Mazen, whom he [mistakenly] thinks is a moderate nice guy and would like to see him in power instead of Hamas. (Abbas himself however has other ideas, like a unity government with Hamas)
If Olmert acted on the advice or request of Bush, then his bizaare behavior regarding Condoleeza Rice and the UN vote and his betrayal of Bush makes no
sense. Nor does his independent decision to not complete the job in Gaza substantiate a response to American intervention...this time. (And frankly, whether one likes Bush or not, or his policies towards Israel, for Olmert to embarass the man he has bragged about as his best friend (Bush) in such a rude manner only highlights the self-serving and egocentric ways of this Prime Minister).
As far as US intentions go, unless it was an after the fact pretense, even the US military felt Israel made a mistake not to complete the victory and squash Hamas.
Something else seems to have motivated Olmert. Certainly his ego manical personality was be a contributing factor, but to what end? Not the Israeli elections. Because if the Israeli elections were the motivating factor, then once again, Olmert would have gone for the kill (pardon the accurate expression).
This country wants our boys to complete the job and destroy the Hamas entity. The nation, both left and right factions, were united in this desire. So if it were election points for Kadima that Olmert was seeking, he would have finished the job. Whoever will deliver that victory is whom this people will elect. As soon as the government declared a one-sided ceasefire, Kadima lost the upcoming election.
That leaves us with the question we posed earlier. What was the whole Gaza episode about?
Without turning this blog into a book, the answer to that taps into my previous promise to write a more detailed analysis of what is happening here in Israel. I will try to offer a brief explanation here.
This Gaza War, I believe, was scheduled to take place from the very beginning as a nod to the globalists who are convening to re-direct the rhetoric about, and manipulation of, Israel. Bush was given a chance to set some groundwork, but he didn't accomplish what had been hoped for, partially because his own understanding of what was expected veered off course from their agenda. Or rather, the agenda of the globalists shifted and Bush was left holding the bag.
The original plan if you recall, has been the infamous two-state solution - Israel and "Palestine" living side by side in peace. This plan, you and I both know, will never happen. Arafat was too capricious and a bit too crazy to actually deliver the Two States from the PLO side. Abbas was groomed to be a moderate alternative...except that he was a bit too lackluster and he couldn't deliver either.
As I said in my 2007 article "Coup in Gaza, So Slick it Squeaks" someone was needed who wore both kefiyah and silk suit, and the charismatic Haniyeh might fit the bill. Hamas, with their enormous but radical street strength, would either be repelled for their radical nature and Abbas would emerge stronger, OR Hamas itself, by its charisma, would deliver the goods themselves.
Hamas was originally brought into the game by Condi Rice's demand that they be allowed to enter into the 2006 Palestinian elections (do you think she was stupid or sly?). The intention was a Palestinian free for all, to see who would emerge on top, and the West, including the corrupt leaders of Israel were playing both cards, one against the other.
It's called hedging your bets.
However, neither the West nor the corrupt leaders of Israel know what they are dealing with and they continually misguess the outcome. Their anticipated scenario began to come undone.
Meanwhile, as the world dreamed on about two states living side by side in peace, certain leaders began to look upon the "one state" solution more favorably ... but not everyone noticed.
Because Bush was the leader of the free world and the original author of the now failing Road Map, in the end it was his own inability to deliver "2 states" which was taken as a sign to forge a new, (read old) path. Love him or hate him, Bush was the leader only of America, and he is not a globalist. He wanted the United States to be the one who solved the "Israeli-Palestinian" issue.
Obama looks beyond the United States and says he is going to unite the world, and he will be the catalyst for global change. And Europe is right on board.
Uniting the world, however, means compromise and embracing at least some of the values of a large portion of that world, and a very very large portion of our globe wants Israel gone...out of the Middle East. Europe has already gone the route of compromise. Accomodating the enormous influx of Muslims onto it's various shores has meant accomodating the principles of Islam...and the European muslim community is at the moment more radical and louder than it's American counterpart. Bat Yeor correctly calls Europe Eurabia in her book of the same name.
Slowly the global rhetoric regarding Israel is becoming more in tune with Islamic thinking, and again, because of their own personal struggles with radical Islam in its midst, European leaders are right on board.
International sympathies held against Israel no longer lie with Abbas and Fatah, but indeed with Hamas, the brave freedom fighters. The scene is beginning to slowly change...have you noticed? Enormous demonstrations in support of Hamas and involvement with them are sweeping the European continent. And the leaders are listening and carefully edging their way towards the same. Lauren Booth (sister in law of Tony Blair) and cheerleader for the cause of Hamas, recently led 10,000 muslims in wild screams and chants": "...we have a message to you, Israel. You’re finished...Israel out, Israel out." [out of London, out of the middle East]. It's the tip of the iceberg.
So, back to Gaza.
Olmert, though corrupt, is not stupid. He wants to be on the winning side. His insatiable and desperate need to be loved by friends in high places is an strong motivator for him, and a useful weakness for others. Israel is not in his vision, but his own political survival is front and center.AP Photo
Bush? No longer the leader of the free world? Olmert felt free to flip him: "In your face, Bush!!" Europe and the rising star of Obama, who will soon be joined at the hip because of the ideals of a world united....omg yes, bring them on. Not only bring them on, but Israel will bow to their day in the sun. We will initiate a ceasefire with our troops and give it as a gift to the emerging united world.
In fact, Olmert made no secret of his reason for the maneuvers of the sudden withdrawal from this War. His words: "This is not a ceasefire with Hamas. These are understandings with elements in the international community which Hamas, as an illegitimate entity, has no place to be involved in."
By Olmert's own admission the ceasefire had nothing to do with the entity we are fighting, it had nothing to do with a war where thousands of rockets have fallen on our citizens for years, where our soldiers are shot upon and kidnapped, where just now 10 of our precious boys lost their lives and many more wounded. It was an agreement with "elements" of the international community. Who are these "elements" in the international community? What exactly are "these understandings?" Do you think they are for the good and strength of Israel?
I have news for you. Israel is nowhere in the picture in their minds.
There's something else. Hamas. Did you think it strange that Hamas, who has such livid vitriolic rage and hatred against Israel, would simply lay down their weapons and watch while our soldiers walked - WALKED - out of Gaza???Photo IDF Spokesperson
Something is very peculiar about this scenario, although for our men and boys, I am grateful and trust that it was the Almighty who was really escorting them out.
There is a parallel: Lebanon May 2000. When Barak ordered the sudden withdrawal of IDF troops from the buffer zone in Lebanon, (and 7,000 loyal Southern Lebanese Army (SLA), it's families and officers were forced to immediately evacuate as well), Hezbollah directed the traffic at the border. I spoke with one SLA officer afterwards. He told me "...Hezbollah knew more than the SLA. How come? ...For the first time, Hezbollah didn't kill us or bomb us...because they had an agreement..." (Journey into the Heart of Israel, 2001)The shock and betrayal was still with him. How could an agreement have been made with Hezbollah? What was promised?
We ask the same. What has been promised Hamas by Europe, by Olmert? Obama isn't even in the picture yet, but the table has already been set. He will be the figurehead of change and he was accorded an honor few have been given: Israel on a silver platter, offered by Israel herself. Israel won't be invited to the dinner because she is the main course.
The drumbeat doesn't come from Obama, he is simply the catalyst.
Where does this leave us? Since our withdrawal, rockets continue to come into Israel, smuggling has resumed and Olmert has said we are willing to pay the terrible price (for Shalit) of 1,000 terrorist and all open crossings into Gaza - meeting all the demands of Hamas....hours after we had them at their throats. Exactly where we were when this started. This is insane.
And I am certain, pre-arranged.
It is a very awful situation and could lead one to despair.
Except for one thing. There is another way to look at this terrible scenario. I am a firm believer in God's destiny for Israel and for the nations. Whether we like it or not (and we usually don't!), but as Jews and as Israel, we have always been a measuring stick for the nations. This war, unlike anything else recently, brought very clear lines of demarcation. Individuals and nations either supported Israel or supported Hamas. It was very black and white with little gray area.
It is said in the Tanach that the nations have a choice where they stand with Am Israel which reflects where they stand with acceptance of God's plan.
Perhaps God was simply taking a vote.
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