Decision to give 'green light' to expand IDF operations in Lebanon met with severe criticism from left
Attila Somfalvi
The decision Friday to expand IDF operations in Lebanon met with severe criticism from the Left wing. Chairman of Meretz-Yahad Yossi Beilin said the move was "a prize for Hizbullah."
"I hope Olmert and Peretz's decision is part of the arm-twisting on the eve of the security council decision (on a ceasefire). If the ground operation is indeed stretched to the Litani, the result will be long weeks of exhaustive warfare," Beilin said.
Chairman of the Meretz faction Zahav Galon defined the decision as "hasty and thoughtless."
"This decision was a surrender to the army's agenda to expand the war process instead of waiting for a diplomatic victory," Galon said.
On the other hand MK Yisrael Hason (Israel Our Home) praised the decision made by the prime minister and defense minister.
"The past few days prove that the Homefront and the army need leadership. The government must stand up to the goals the prime minister presented in his speech at the beginning of the war, and the agreement being reached (in the UN) is a severe hindrance which at best will result in generations of tears," Hason said. Ilan Marciano contributed to the report
Once military action of this sort starts, it may not stop so easily. One Hezbollah mistake or aggressive strike can alter this in a heart beat. Once again, I'm watching the military to see where this we'll go. I do believe Olmert is finished politically though.
Peacekeepers, ceasefires....my foot!
a couple of hezzie suicide bombs & watch them scatter in every direction, same as North Africa
From another freeper:
Per Bolton, this seems a good move. Israel gets to stay in Lebanon until the UN force is in place, and the UN will have authority to fire back at Hezbollah (gasp!). Hez must stop all offensive acts. Look... we know they won't. As soon as Hez rockets fall again, Israel will already be in lebanon to hit back. In the meantime, Israel will have had time to run its logistics train up to the front line. Hez will have had no chance to rearm. When Hez starts shooting again, the war continues with Israel having had a breather. Israel is using maneuver warfare against terrorists who have only pre-dug bunkers. The cease-fire will also allow Israel to further target Hez weapons positions.
My view: On the political side, I expect Olmert to be tossed-out of his chair within the next two weeks and replaced by someone who has testicles. Olmert is an early warning system for the US. How would we like to have an American Olmert/Dem president?
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