Netanyahu’s Gaza policy: De-escalation without war
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu chose to elaborate on his security policy in the face of the Gaza Strip conflict for the first time on the day before Israel’s municipal elections on Oct, 30.
Israel’s military restraint in the face of escalating Palestinian terrorist provocations from the Gaza Strip over the past seven months has drawn criticism and general perplexity about the Netanyahu government’s and IDF policy. On Monday, Oct. 29, a “senior official” called reporters to hear a detailed elucidation of the prime minister’s policy for first time.
Netanyahu found this step necessary – not only to sway the local elections, but because recent events have raised questions about his handling of the soaring violence from the Gaza Strip – which peaked with heavy missile fire against two Israeli cities last Wednesday, and the standstill of Israeli operations against Iran in Syria. Confidence in his reputation as “Mr Security” who can be relied on to navigate Israel on a safe course with a steady hand has begun to falter.
Netanyahu’s trip to Oman last Friday, Oct. 26, and talks with Sultan Qaboos bin Said were intended to impress the people with his wide range of strategic contacts in the Arab world and re-burnish his image. But by bad luck, its impact was drowned out by the massive rocket barrage from the Gaza Strip that same Friday and the tragic Pittsburgh synagogue massacre of 11 Jewish worshipers the next day. Some critics faulted him for not getting on a plane and flying there at once, to demonstrate the highest level of Israeli solidarity with the American Jewish community, instead of sending Education Minister Naftali Bennett. But fatigue clearly won out,
The prime minister had carefully timed his Oman trip to demonstrate that his good connections in the Gulf region were solid – even after the cloud cast by the Khashoggi murder over the Saudi kingdom and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with whom he has close relations.
Before laying out the rationale behind his current security doctrine, Netanyahu would certainly have canvassed its popular reception by a privately-commissioned opinion poll, to find out if he could expect the elections results in Tuesday’s municipal poll to be a vote of confidence. The ideas laid out by the “senior official” (Netanyahu himself) can be summed up as follows:
- A resolution of the Gaza conflict should be sought through a negotiated truce arrangement rather than a major war which should be avoided.
- Providing normal lives for the half million Israelis living within range of Gaza rockets is not sufficient justification for a full-scale war.
- While the IDF is capable of capturing the Gaza Strip, no other parties are willing to take it off Israel’s hands.
- Indirect negotiations with Hamas through the UN, Qatar and Egypt are the preferred course, while improving the lives of the Gaza population by supplying their essential needs.
- Netanyahu is fully aware of the criticism he faces for this approach, but believes it has solid popular support.
- The orders for the latest round of missile volleys came from Iran’s Al Qods Brigades in Syria and their commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Since no agreements are possible with a government dedicated to Israel’s destruction , a diplomatic solution is ruled out. All that remains therefore is deterrence and humanitarian aid as the means for preventing the Gaza crisis blowing up in all our faces.
- Although there are no reports of Israeli operations in Syria, they are nonetheless continuing.
There is no gainsaying the large holes in the prime minister’s propositions and the strategy he has laid out, which hinges essentially on waiting patiently for Egypt, Qatar and the UN to sort out Israel’s security problems. Their efforts in recent months have not produced calm, but the reverse, a greater Palestinian appetite for violence while mocking Israeli deterrence. But lurking in the background of the prime minister’s thinking is a possible snap election in the early months of 2019, ahead of the scheduled November date. The strategy he laid out may well represent the outline of a campaign platform which he believes will draw the popular vote. Meanwhile, he hopes to influence the municipal poll of Oct. 30 in favor of the candidates of his Likud party.
A good Peace Plan with “palestinians” moving out of the Middle Est in in the interest of all states there. These “palestinians” are the migratory like Tziganes of the preexisting Berbers in the North Arfrica, and they all came from Tunisia, Algeria, Lybia during the WW2.
Then they where encouraged to lie as being from Gaza by the Russians during Nasser, and payed to migrate by the Arab interests at that time.
Кнессет Pathetic, incompetent nothingness – paralyzed by their own stupidity and demagogy. With them, Hamas will live forever, get its millions a week.
What is the Bibi clique participating in? Protecting the Jews – Not a word about it. Conclusion of a treaty with a terrorist organization. Subject: Money sharing, the Territory of the Jews. The current liquidation of the Jews – no problem – the perpetrators of the partners Bibi ….
You will never see a democrat complain about gun policy at visit in Israel and there is a reason. Outside Americans are like a wall, one voice.
Bibi come with a deceive statement “Jews were killed in a synagogue. They were killed because they are Jews. The location was chosen because it is a synagogue.”
In the middle of local election… after he puts all his chips on Elkin in orthodox Jerusalem…
At the same public election Miri Regev leaves Israel for one week to Abu Dhabi, locked in a hotel, reaching out to all people, going out for one hour to mosque and gives supreme performance.
Those are actions of statesman’s not small politicians. This is not to encourage your “base”
Bibi decide the right thing about Gaza, resolution and not war is the right thing. Whatever Hamas think he will get Israel have the key and the door. War is never the first option
I predict that a policy of deterrence, restraint and diplomacy will ultimately fail, and sooner rather than later. Why? Because the fake “palestinians” who are no more than terrorists will prove incapable of restraining themselves from attacking Israel, which they hate.
They will force Israel’s hand and when Israel attacks they will cry out to the world, poiting the finger of blame at Israel for defending itself…all as usual.
“They will force Israel’s hand and when Israel attacks they will cry out to the world, poiting the finger of blame at Israel for defending itself…all as usual.”
@Mr. Gray,
Very well said and sadly, all too true…………………..as history repeats itself……………once again!
They will force Israel’s hand and when Israel attacks they will cry out to the world, poiting the finger of blame at Israel for defending itself…all as usual.
@Mr. Gray,
Very well said and sadly, all too true…………………..as history repeats itself……………once again!
People in Southern Israel suffer the most terror , property loss and destruction of the ecosystem. They are constantly under threat by a people who now are engaged in terrorism as a political ends in itself. And a religious cause.
But regardless the random though persistent frequency of Hamas bigotry inspired attacks do not equal what we have seen in the past when 4,000 plus missiles were being sent to test the will and technology of the Israeli people.
At the same time the uN ignored the level of attack perpetrated by Hamas to murder Jews based on religious bias expressed matter of factly in their own charter.
One has to wonder if the persistent pin pricks Hamas and PA agents are inflicting is part of the old notion of death inflicted by 1,000 cuts or an attempt to get IDF forces to precipitously attack into a urban area behind which Hamas hides cowardly behind women and children.
I understand the Southern impatience but also have to admire Netanyahu’s forbearance, in the face of Hamas desperate desire to kill Jews.
no word from the green ^parties in the world about the destruction of the eco system
Lets face it Israel is falling apart because of the fake leftists Jews.Now they have a leftist fat Chief of Stuffing,Natanyahou joined him because his pants are full of kaki because of Hamas and of going to jail fear. Israel need not worry about American Jews because of one idiot.
Lets face it Israel is falling apart because of the fake leftists Jews.Now they have a leftist fat Chief of Stuffing,Natanyahou joined him because his pants are full of kaki because of Hamas and of going to jail fear.
“Israel need not worry about American Jews because of one idiot.”
@Sam Popack,
Based on the illogical nature of your comment, that last sentence wouldn’t just happen to be you, would it?
Is there a danger of Israël’s borders being overrun? This is an honest question.
The “palestinians” do not belong in Israel at all. The Torah demands that we drive them out and not make any kind of covenant with them whatsoever. The have refused to live in peace and obey the Seven Laws of Noah. We should assist them in finding new homes somewhere else in the Middle East. The Hamas terrorists should be destroyed permanently just like ISIS and the others like them.
Israel is not strong anymore, days of winning wars and kicking people out is over, Israel is scared from Gaza, even from Abbas, the head of the Shin bet came to visit Abbas in Ramallah in the night begging him not to cut security coordination in west bank. WAKE UP.
“The “palestinians” do not belong in Israel at all. The Torah demands that we drive them out and not make any kind of covenant with them whatsoever. The have refused to live in peace and obey the Seven Laws of Noah. We should assist them in finding new homes somewhere else in the Middle East. The Hamas terrorists should be destroyed permanently just like ISIS and the others like them.”
@Jay Silverman,
The so-called “Palestinians” do have a home……………….it’s called “Jordan”.
“Jordan”???? HAHA! that country is actually East Eretz Yisrael – part of the original “Palestine” as we all know.
The Israeli Government should cease using the term “Jordan” and refer to it constantly as “Palestine” – just like the Arabs appropriated the term “the Palestinians”, we should refer to Jordan as Palestine again and again and again and again until everyone understands that it is indeed Palestine. WHEN THE SO CALLED “Palestinians” ask for a land of their own, we should simply say “go across the Jordan River to Palestine.”
The OLD HISTORIAN IS SO RIGHT. today everything is a matter of vocabulary. a little twist and ugly becomes acceptable – even nice! Examples:
1) a group of “frum” Jews decide that instead of hearing a haftarah on Shabbos morning, they will go out for some shnapps drinking. W don’t label them “alcoholics unanimous” – NO – they simply formed a “kiddush CLUB”!! D I S G U S T I N G !!!!!!!!
2) 2 MEN (OR 2 WOMEN) decide they will never marry the way most people do, but simply stick together forever. The torah considers this a “to-eivah” – we don’t even call it “homosexual” activity – no it is GAY! A beautiful English word misappropriated for this activity, so that it sounds so nice. UGH!! Gone are the days when I could sing the beautiful Stephen Foster song: Gone are the days when my heart was young and g a y – oy vey!!
3) Nobody is guilty of adultery anymore!! They engaged in an “extra-marital relationship”. In fact they have an “open marriage”.
I am sure I could supply another ten examples but my fingers are getting tired.
I think we need new ideas. and his old ideas it doesn’t work, and I think the change is Benent….
I think it’s obvious that Bibi’s position is to avoid jeopardizing the coming peace agreement.
“I think it’s obvious that Bibi’s position is to avoid jeopardizing the coming peace agreement.”
@ “Rev 19.10”,
The “coming peace agreement” will magically stop the missiles, incendiary balloons, mortars, grenades, Molotov cocktails, attack tunnels and mobs from attacking Israel from Gaza…………right?………………………………just like in the past!
The “coming peace agreement” won’t even cause a condemnation from the so-called “international community” when these acts of war continue against Israel……………….only when Israel responds to defend itself will we hear anything at all from them……….so sad!
Americans more Bible savvy than Mssrs. Kushner & Trump are very concerned how “The Deal Of The Century” takes land from Israel. America is on the platter for Divine consequences equivalent to any Treaty details involving division or taking of Covenant land of Israel. Trump Administration is responsible for American lands lost to extant Israel is forced to cede territory. For example, West Bank and Gaza Territories made part of Two-State Treaty might be equivalent to California Coastal territory inundated by Hilina Slump Tsunami? Kilauea is building pressure, Mr.Trump….
See Bill Koenig book “EYE FOR AN EYE” for authoritative compendium on how the Lord measures equivalency, Mr. Kushner. And fair warning Mr. Netanyahu; if you are party to Treaty taking or dividing Israel, woe be to you.
Bibi, you need to find a good time to attack Gaza and destroy it completely. Nobody should know before. An operation well planed to blow away these terrorists for ever.