Weekly Question: Do comments on Iran from the IDF Chief of Staff and former head of the Shin Bet help or harm Israel’s security?
Please leave a comment below to let us know what you think.
April 30, 2012
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Please leave a comment below to let us know what you think.
Was it appropriate for Benjamin Netanyahu to use the Holocaust Remembrance ceremony to discuss the threat from Iran?
Please leave a comment below to let us know what you think. ...
steve mann
3:33 pm
Apr 30, 2012
I would not know- I am not an Israeli and I feel that my knowledge of such a situation dis allows me to comment.
I do know , military men when reaching aq point in their life where they may stand down sometimes enter the political field-
Eisenhour (USA) , Sharon, Dyan (Isr) Ashdown (UK). and even Winston Churchill.
I will wait to hear from others he know more.
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Ben
3:34 pm
Apr 30, 2012
Divrrdity of opinions is helpful
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M. Falik
3:58 pm
Apr 30, 2012
I do live in Israel and it is unthinkable that someone with close to “first-hand” knowledge will publicly voice such an opinion. Yes Israel is a democracy in every sense of the word and he has the right to say what he thinks but with such sensative an issue he should be more responsible. But of course that was the point, he has political aspirations and he has begun to use “all” the tools at his dispolsal.
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Jossef
4:00 pm
Apr 30, 2012
Chief of Staff Gantz should be commanded for risking his career by trying to prevent an unnecessary military “adventure” against Iran. Ehud Barak is untrustworthy, trying to salvage his political career (which will end after the next election) through a “heroic” military operation. It is Gantz’s responsibility to prevent the use of a dangreous military operation, to promote the personal ambitions of a politician like Barak.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Eli Levanoni
7:23 pm
Apr 30, 2012
You are wrong. It is Major General Gantz’s duty to raise his concern with his civilian superiors. However, as long as he is in uniform he should stop there and keep his mouth shut as far as civilians are concerns. Definitly, he should not speak to the media. It is agains military procedures to speak to the media without your superiors approval. President Obama kicked general McCristall in his behinde, the moment his comments were published in the media. And you never heard British MI5 and MI6 heads speak to the media soon after their terem as heads of the MI organizations ended. So, I think, no matter whethere those talkers are right or wrong, they damaged the Israeli public.
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David Zapiler
5:03 pm
Apr 30, 2012
Yes he said it correctly, Like Hitler did he is promising to do the same thing to the Jewish people
and I am a survive from Warsaw
DZ
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Horrified
5:05 pm
Apr 30, 2012
It is disgraceful. If they have sworn an oath of secrecy, it should be for life.
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steve mann
6:06 pm
Apr 30, 2012
If one swears an oath to secrecy- then breaks that oath- Is he a fit person to hold office?
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David Zapiler
5:07 pm
Apr 30, 2012
I agree
DZ
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Kristine
5:40 pm
Apr 30, 2012
Ex-Shin Bet Head Diskin Calls Netanyahu, Barak ‘Messianic’: Yuval Diskin says he has no confidence in present leadership, attacking Iran will accelerate its nuclear program.
“I have no confidence in the present leadership, which may have to lead us to an event on the scale of a war with Iran or a regional war,” he said (Israel National News, 4/28/2012).
Netanyahu: We don’t want messianic cult controlling nukes: “The entire world should fear the day Iran possesses a nuclear weapon. “You don’t want a messianic apocalyptic cult controlling atomic bombs,” he said (Ynet News, 04.01.09).
A messianic figure, known as the “Mahdi” to Muslims, is poised to reveal himself after an apocalyptic holocaust on Earth that leaves most of the world’s population dead (Iran Leader’s UN Finale Reveals Apocalyptic View: WND, 09/21/2006).
The Driving Force of the Conflict is Religious – There is a Solution to This Without War.
Radical Islam-Defeating Iran: http://www.torahblogg.net/32628552
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dbdent
6:29 pm
Apr 30, 2012
I too live in Israel
Personally I would not trust either of the 2 ex Shin -bet persons in any business
It will not be the first time that someone of that level has erred in giving advice at the higher echelon
They advised whilst in power and it is upto the Govt to act accordingly – and maybe it did
Spouting off the way they have done in the public realm is designed to create political ripples and is demeaning in all aspects and does NOT / should not stand them in good stead for any political party
Could you trust them to keep a secret? Not any more
I do not like Barak but I trust Netanyahu
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JT
7:38 pm
Apr 30, 2012
A serving member of a government has an obligation to support the government’s position. There is nothing preventing a dissenter from objecting in council, or from keeping silent if he feels that he can’t support his government’s policy. Retired officers and opposition politicians, of course, have the right – perhaps even the obligation – to express their views. Audiences should remember, though, that those not currently in government may not have all the relevant information and may have ulterior motives for opposing the incumbents’ policies.
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martin green
7:44 pm
Apr 30, 2012
Iit is a digrace that former and present members of the military and shin bet give opinions which they know that the enemies of israel are ready to use in every manner they can to denigrate israel.
unfortunately we are burden with these so called aitzah gabbers throughout the centuries which have caused us to suffer dificulties
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Naftali Spector
8:43 pm
Apr 30, 2012
It seems to me that those speaking out against destroying nuclear facilities have their own agendas which may be political. Those who are not presently in the security establishment have a right to speak out publically but we should be aware that what they are saying may be used to advance their political agendas. Those who are presently in the security establishment can express their views to their superiors but can not speak out publically unless they resign their positions.
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Rich L
9:32 pm
Apr 30, 2012
Like another commenter, I also live in diaspora and as such my thoughts and opinions don’t carry the weight of those who live in Israel about the statements made by a former head of Shin Bet.
What strikes me as important is that this is a internal, voluntary discussion taking place in Israel. That it would hurt Israel’s security is an overstatement in my view. If anything it tends to show that Israeli opinion is not monolithic but rather exists in varying shades of opinion on this issue. Most all would agree that Iran has a deep animus toward Israel and is a genuine threat. At the same time, how Israelis have that discussion is up to them, not those of us outside. Furthermore, it’s not our job in diaspora to settle who is “right” and who is “wrong” on this issue.
Note that this is fundamentally different from the other HR item about CBS’s story on 60 Minutes by Bob Simon. That was external and our anger as Americans and Jews is genuine and HR has outlined steps on how to express our disapproval to CBS.
While the above two stories were on admittedly different topics, who was leading the conversation is instructive and is what separates our roles and how I believe we ought to react.
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Michael
10:36 pm
Apr 30, 2012
Too bad all Jewish Israelis’ don’t drop their egos and keep the faith!
Were they to keep their roots derived from the Exodus instilled in their minds constantly, following the Sinai experience and its’ Torah revelation, World Peace would have already happened.
But everyday all Jewish souls involved, including all other people on earth, in Israel and across the planet, have to scan countless hundreds of material mind numbing illusions everywhere they look, which for sure keeps that damn ego running the show inside our foreheads.
These false gods are forced upon us via T.V., radio, internet, advertizements, magazines, and ‘the leader of the pack’, women everywhere one looks, dressed to kill in their cat clothes!
Their ‘Come-On’ looks leave nothing to the imagination these days, but I can’t help thinking what I read years ago in an Aish Ha Torah article concerning the greatest of all sins . . . . . . . that being, ‘To Cause the Many to Sin’.
Well isn’t that exactly what these women mentioned above are doing? It’s not 100% their fault as many many men are also involved in this hellish fiasco. But as a person knows full well in their G-dly soul & heart, their day of G-ds’ judgment shall not escape them.
These ego building mind traps are placed in front of us by a dark side that has unimaginable power over our G-dly senses. And our G-dly senses contain zero ego thoughts! Only ‘Love’ you could say are the thoughts of our essence.
But believe me . . . all you Israelis and Jewish folks across the globe aren’t alone. There are countless millions of us Gentiles who have had severe spiritual experiences brought on by a G-d that pretty well straightens-out or thought processes.
Everything we went through in our ‘Psychedelic Experience of LOVE’, gave most all of us an ‘Altered State of Hebrew/Jewish/Masonic awareness’ that has never left our consciousness since that time nearly 40 years ago.
Bob Dylan just may very well be ‘Elijah The Prophet’, and if that’s a fact . . . according to the Torah/Bible Codes, then the man he speaks through, for, and about is none other than your prophesied redeemer, ‘Moshiach’.
As Mr. Dylan says in his song ‘Jokerman’, “Well the book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, the law of the jungle and the sea, are your only teachers.” I guess that means kill or be killed in the jungle, and don’t touch anything on the bottom of the ocean . . . it will burn like hell.
The books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy should be pretty well self-explanatory! They ARE the LAW for all of us on earth in the end.
According to the music of all these followers of the man Dylan speaks for, He was born in 1946/1947, ten years before the music geared-up to keep-up with this kids’ life and story.
Funny it was just about the exact same time Israel became a Nation.
Dig deeply enough in the Old Testament and you’ll find where G-d says, when asked by the Rabbis of the day when they were to expect the arrival of their Messiah, He replied,
‘When Israel becomes a Nation, you’ll know He is here’.
Looks like to me that it’s about time for ALL involved Jewish souls around the world (especially in Israel), to ‘Straighten-Up & Fly Right’ . . . If you all would, all the rest of us Gentile believers would become much stronger spiritually, and lend millions of helping hands & prayers to help you defeat your enemies.
Then, G-d willing, the ‘Super Miracles’, as in the days of old, would once again manifest themselves in earnest across the our entire world . . .
PS: That would make Yahweh ‘VERY’ proud and ‘EXTREMELY’ happy!
Count VonDoleke ~
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Madrigal
11:00 pm
Apr 30, 2012
If these people spoke out without Netanyahu’s prior knowledge, they have no excuse, their actions are probably legally treasonous and against their oaths of office.
But is it not possible that Netanyahu is content to let them talk out to create confusion in Iran and Washington, D.C.?
Netanyahu is a very bright man…
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gary ashton
1:34 am
May 01, 2012
the real problem is israel is loosing it’s pr war with the world, and no matter how good a military man you are, or how good your intentions are, in a situation like this it’s best keep things internal rather than give your enemies (which is most of the world) ammunition.
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Sam1am
4:43 am
May 01, 2012
These loose lips destroyed within a second the hard work by Israel’s government of the last 3-5 years.
All three ex-officials, Olmert, Dagan and Diskin are wrong in their inane declarations, and it is tantamount to TREASON. In particular in view of Israel government long and arduous campaign in the last 4-5 years to shed light on Iran nuclear ambition and for getting the world to follow through on that threat to world peace and Israel’s existence.
This is especially cowardly of Olmert, the disgrace ex-PM, who is under a corruption investigation. He has the chutzpah to lecture the party that he and Sharon tried to destroy when they split off Kadima, what a joker.
It is time the Knesset will pass a ‘silence law’ for all ex-officials to prevent them from speaking in public on any matter concerning national affairs and Israel security for 7-10 years. You talk you go to JAIL.
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Henry Tobias
9:16 am
May 01, 2012
I think those who have special knowledge should not speak out in public, whether retired or not.
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TMay
9:30 pm
May 01, 2012
It is not helpful. I have seen articles with the headline “Israel says the threat of Iran is not a threat.” One person makes a statement and all of a sudden “Israel says”.
It is no risk for him if he wants to enter the political field. If he is wrong and more than 7 million people are incinerated, there won’t be anyone around to point out he’s wrong. If they carry out a strategic bombing and are not successful, he can say “I told you so”. If the whole world gets angry at Israel, he can say “I told you so.” For all we know, Obama has promised him backing if he undermines Bib/Israel’s determination. We know that Obama the Far Leftist Utopian hugely dislikes Bibi, which is actually a compliment. If Israel is successful, everyone will be so delighted that they’ll forget his comment. Besides everyone knows it is not a permanent solution. and will have to be redone about every 2 years. I think it is very cynical of him. He is not speaking as an individual. he is speaking from his position. And we Americans don’t know his background which is not helpful.
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TMay
9:37 pm
May 01, 2012
Yes Netanyahu was right to raise a Holocaust possibility on Holocaust Day. Bibi, having lost his brother due to terrorism lives in the real world, not Disneyland like Leftist Utopians like Obama where there never are any real consequences. And Obama was very cynical to use Holocaust Day to announce his anti-atrocity board and to appoint a rabid anti Israeli Leftist Samantha Powell to head the board, one more of the sick people he chooses to surround himself with. Plus in his speech he omitted the Turkish genocide of the Armenians thus showing he’s a flip flopper and a political opportunist since he said he would as a candidate. Obama so takes the Jewish vote for Dems for granted.
l change Americans policy on the Turkish genocide when he was a candidate.
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