Back in 2001, Yossi Klein Halevi wrote State of Despair for the August 6 issue of the New Republic (no link available):
Rachel Dahan left her native Kiryat Shemonah 18 years ago and settled in her husband’s town, Sderot, near the Gaza border. Dahan calls herself a “shelter child”–part of a generation of children who regarded shelters as an extension of home and, as a result, suffered disorders like bed-wetting and an inability to concentrate. Only in Sderot did she gradually stop having nightmares. But then, in April, mortars fired from Gaza fell in Sderot. Though no one was hurt, Dahan is sure Katyushas will follow. She sees the familiar symptoms of trauma beginning among her five children, who cling to her, afraid of any loud noise. “Where should I run to now? My husband was afraid to live in Kiryat Shemonah. But what’s the difference anymore? The whole country has become Kiryat Shemonah.”
For a while after the current violence began, we pretended there were two Israels. There was the safe Israel inhabited by those who supposedly care only about “drinking wine with cheese,” as Uzi Landau, the right-wing minister of internal security, contemptuously put it. And there was the Israel under siege–settlements, border towns, Jerusalem. Then came the Tel Aviv bombing in June. The Friday-night attack on a discotheque on the Tel Aviv beach–the ultimate symbol of a normalized Israel that has transcended Jewish history–ended the illusion of immune space. People still go to restaurants and concerts, but the pretense of two Israels is over. From Kiryat Shemonah to Netanyah to Sderot you hear the same refrain: For the
Palestinians, we are all settlers.
Now in the Wall Street Journal he writes in The return of Israel’s existential dread.
If Israel were to launch a pre-emptive strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, Tehran’s two terrorist allies on our borders—Hezbollah and Hamas—would almost certainly renew attacks against the Israeli home front. And Tel Aviv would be hit by Iranian long-range missiles.
On the other hand, if Israel refrains from attacking Iran and international efforts to stop its nuclearization fail, the results along our border would likely be even more catastrophic. Hezbollah and Hamas would be emboldened politically and psychologically. The threat of a nuclear attack on Tel Aviv would become a permanent part of Israeli reality. This would do incalculable damage to Israel’s sense of security.
It seems that in eight years, not much has changed. Israel is still at the mercy of enemies to its north and south. The main difference is that now Iran’s role in threatening Israel is more open.
Given the efforts to tie Israel’s hands and prevent it from defending itself, it’s good to know that the IDF’s chief of staff, realizes that Israel cannot depend on any other country. (h/t Hashmonean) Gen. Ashkenazi said
“Our legitimate fight against terror organizations that disrupt the lives of our citizens has provided pretext for anti-Semitic attacks by Holocaust deniers and other hostile elements, who legitimize every atrocity committed against the citizens of Israel.”
Ashkenazi added, “From this place, from whence our brothers and sisters were led to the gas chambers without cause or reason but for their Jewish faith, we say to all haters, deniers, and bringers of malice with our heads held high: We are here. The people of Israel have risen and rejuvenated in their country and they demand their independence and security.”
This recalls a similar speech given at the same train platform, back in 2001.
It is the right of the Jewish people, after years of suffering and privation, to be the masters of our fate and to let no one control the fate of our people. We will preserve this right more than anything.
In the quiet that prevails here, which allows a short respite from the flow of troubles, I am committed, as a man, as a Jew, and as the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, to ensuring the future of the Jewish people, of each and every Jew, in the country and around the world. I do not forget, even for a moment, that every time we find ourselves obliged to realize our right to defend our security – we will do so vigorously and with courage.
Maly, Hala and Abraham Bobkar will never return from that journey, just as six million Jews – including 1.5 million children – will not. We must see to it that Jewish children will never again depart on such journeys.
What’s remarkable is that even as the threat against Israel has coalesced, the idea that Israel has the right to defend itself, is not taken for granted but must be enunciated and defended by Israel’s leaders.
Crossposted at Soccer Dad.
Very easy to say this safe in my home in Ferndale, Michigan, but I hope the Israelis realize that the US not only is no help for the next three years (at best) but will actively take steps against Israel if it hits the Iranian facilities. But given the potential of the threat…even no nukes on Tel Aviv doesn’t mean that a nuclear-armed Iran won’t expand its influence and threat widely…I hope the Israelis’ only concern is whether they can strike effectively, not should they strike.
Or perhaps they could offer the hand of friendship, a la Obama. Look how effective that’s been.
Damn….
I just don’t know what to think about Dear Leader and his support of Israel right now. Now I don’t mean along the lines of his ACTUAL support, we already know he doesn’t give a good dam about Israel. And will sell it out at any opportunity to hoist his very bad international record onto someones else’s shoulder.
But truly what WOULD he do if Israel attacked Iran?
Iran wants nukes. Iran wants to nuke Israel. That is fact. Iranian leaders have stated as much, so that is beyond reproach. But how will Iran USE them? They could launch them on rockets into Israel. And Israel will have a much clearer path to launch their own back. Sure, the UN, and Obama, and most of the rest of the world will scream about it. But Israel will still be able to defend herself, and history will see it as just. Plus the other “moderate” muslim countries will have an out saying, “Well Iran started it.” We all know they fear Iran more then Israel, and as long as they can keep their own “moderates” moderate they will be happy to see Iran taken down a notch.
But why wouldn’t Iran just GIVE the nukes to Hamas, or one of their other lackyes in the region? So when it goes off, Iran can say, with a sparkle in their eyes, “It wasn’t us? It must have been the one armed man!”
Of course the world will know what happened, but it would give Obama and his like the out they need to tell Israel to stop any retaliation, that they need to investigate what “really” happened.
Of course Israel will attack anyways. And Iran (what’s left of it, strangely all it’s leaders were already in bunkers, but that will be over looked) will scream that it’s wrong, will press the UN to sanction Israel. Which it will do .25 seconds later. Iran will call for the destruction of Israel, and it, and it’s lackyes will attack. Fearing terrorism, most Muslim countries will assist, either openly with military assistance, or with roadblocks in the UN.
Israel asks the United States and NATO for help, and this is were I hit a wall… Obama sees ALL his support on the left fall as he takes us into a REAL WWII-like war, with thousands of troops, and innocent civilians killed monthly, or he keeps the left, and alienates the (rich, money donating) Jewish vote? Plus the majority of the voters that STILL support Israel toady. Seeing how he doesn’t give a dam about the majority of the voters now says a lot.
I just don’t know. I know all his decisions are based on politics, and polls. But both tacks seem bad to me. What do you think?
And this is one of those situations where, like Czechoslovakia in 1938, we will look back after the war or the foreign policy disasters that amount to the aftermqth of a war, and ask plaintively why didn’t anyone see what Iran having nukes would mean–even if it doesn’t use them on Israel or anyone else, even if simply its possession of such weapons extends its influence at the expense of the west?
The answer, of course, is that plenty of people see it coming but those in power simply can’t shift their worldviews enough to deal with it (the United States) or are too craven to act (Europe).
Fifty years from now I wonder who historians will see as the Churchill of today, the Cassandra of the coming storm?
By the way, J Street opposes sanctions on Iran…not different sanctions but sanctions at all. “Pro-Israel” my sainted aunt.
I don’t know why but this just popped into my head.
“Illinois nazis…”
“I hate Illinois nazis…”
(sound of four barrel carb kicking in)
(copious splashing) Cheers…
I just can’t believe people can be so f’ing blind. That is is going to be allowed to happen. (again)
I bet Iran won’t counterattack Israel. A few terrorist acts here and there, but no rocket war. Hezbollah and Hamas welcome Iran’s money but won’t fight Iran’s war