Jorge was President back then, Like HUSSEIN is President now.
They rely on our aid and assistance and are reluctant to be overly aggressive if the Idiot-in-Charge in the Oval Office has a love affair with people like the Saudis.
They are stuck between a rock and a hard place with Obama as they were with his predecessor.
Well ZULU, it wasn’t GWB who avoided close contact with the Terrs, that was the PM and the Generals, in fact iirc they sacked a General over the performance in that conflict.
The IDF did not wish to take the hit in terms of deaths and serious injuries among their soldiers, which was completely out of character for the IDF as they would use stealth when needed they also used brass gonads and aggression in past wars.
NOT cheerleading for fine young men and women in the IDF to suffer casualties, more pointing out that such sacrifices are what is required to survive as a State in that region.
I’m reminded of the change in the Romans tactics as the Empire aged, when they were successful they used short swords as they closed with enemies and defeated them, as the Empire aged, swords grew longer so they could fight at a distance.
YMMV
Given that the US government is increasingly inclined to hold hands with (dubya) and bow to (zero) those who pull the jihads’ strings, perhaps it were best that Israel not be beholden to America for anything.