Posted on 05/13/2011 1:11:12 PM PDT by Ari Bussel
Nakba Day By Ari Bussel
One lesson from the 9/11 attacks on the United States is that we did not have human intelligence in the Muslim community. Developing such assets requires time.
In the military one plans for the unexpected, often training for worse case scenarios. Readiness is priceless, although the hope among civilized nations is never to need to resort to war.
To these two seemingly very simple processes, intelligence gathering and preparedness, allow me to add implementing lessons learned. In the military, one debriefs after operations (both successful and failures), derives lessons and implements them.
There is quite a difference in Israel between Israel and her immediate enemies to the south and north.
Israel excels in investigations of operational failure by immediately establishing commissions of inquiry. Regretfully, the lessons learned seem to take too long to be implemented, if at all. Often until the next investigation.
Hamas sees what Hezbollah does, announces it will be doing the same and implements the lessons learned in real time. Thus, Hamas kidnapped Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier held almost five years without access to the International Red Cross, after an almost identical operation by Hezbollah. Both operations were announced, carried out within Israel proper and resulted in dead and kidnapped Israeli soldiers.
Israel fails to see the bigger picture. One event follows another, and the similarities are striking. For instance, when the Turkish Terrorist Flotilla of Lies (supplying expired, unwanted and unneeded supplies to Gaza) was in the planning and early execution phases, Israel ignored open sources and essentially walked into the trap resulting in overwhelming international condemnation.
Similarly, Israel seems to be walking into an almost identical trap this coming Sunday, Nakba Day.
Israel’s Independence Day is celebrating the rebirth of Israel as a modern country after two thousand years of exile. The enemies of Israel have declared it a day of mourning, protest and violence. They never miss an opportunity.
There could have been two states living side-by-side in peace and regional cooperation since 1948. Had the Arabs only admitted to themselves and to the world that the Jews have a right to exist in their midst as an independent country, there would be peace.
Alas, that was never acceptable to them. In their minds, Israel’s very existence is a perversion. Indeed, their current-day representatives, the so-called “Palestinians,” proclaim their hatred in their official documents. They will not draw Israel anywhere in the Middle East since Israel does not have a right to exist in their convoluted mindset. Thus the “Disaster” is their own failure to eradicate the Jews. Why not blame the Jews for that as well?
And so, the war continues.
Israel is no less to blame. It was under Education Minister Yuli Tamir that Israeli textbooks had to address the Nakba. What should have been done instead? Israel should have focused on teaching her Declaration of Independence and highlighting the Israeli reality of the Arab minority. There are many reasons that the latter refuse to live anywhere but as a minority in Israel.
Israel should have gone on an all-out offensive against the very notion that her citizens are even contemplating an alternative to the Independence Day, a Destruction Day, or their “Disaster.”
The Muslims feel growing strength and influence. The “Youth” or “Spring” revolt has shaken the very foundations of the Middle East. They call for the masses to walk onto Israeli borders, thinking that Israel will not dare to stop unarmed civilians.
They are actually quite accurate in their assessment. Israeli Judge Advocate General expressed the following sentiment at the Turkel Commission Hearing investigating the Maritime Incident of May 31, 2010 (Turkish Terrorist Flotilla): “We would not drown a vessel with four or five hundred innocent people.”
Likewise, “We would not open fire on five or six thousand innocent people walking toward our borders” (armed or otherwise) would be the guideline to the military.
This is exactly one of the things planned for this coming Sunday: Muslims walking onto the town of Bet-El (the House of God) in Samaria and Judea and on Israel’s Southern, Eastern and Northern borders. There is even a call for an uprising onto Jerusalem.
There are other calls for a Third Intifada, an uprising of the masses against Israel, expecting the Israeli Government to cave in and surrender (much like what happened to President Mubarak in Egypt than to a slaughter similar to Assad’s Syria).
The first lesson of intelligence gathering would have taught us to assess the threat. Israeli radio has been doing just that, broadcasting available information for the third day in a row. This paints the picture of what may take place on Sunday and the preparations being carried out by Israel’s enemies. It also gives an indication of the constantly changing threat assessment and possible preparations by the Israeli authorities. Although not explicit, like a carefully crafted piece of art, the sublime messages to those who listen carefully resonate. All that is needed is to paint the bigger picture.
The Chief of Staff has instructed all units in Samaria and Judea to prepare for any eventuality. Talking points approved by the Israeli Government today and expressed by the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson to reporters emphasize Israel is a Democracy and peaceful demonstrations will be allowed.
Laughable: Israel is a Democracy, and almost anything is permissible.
Except that in Israel, things tend to deteriorate very quickly and for a very simple reason: Whatever the enemy does, it comes out the winner. The scenario is taken directly from their textbook: Arrange a flotilla. Call it a peace activists’ attempt to break an imaginary siege. If Israel caves in, it is a win—a new route is established. If anyone gets killed, it is a win too—Israel is accused of war crimes, deliberately murdering innocent peace activists.
Now change the label: Arrange a non-violent protest. Call it the Third Intifada in which people are urged on Facebook and other social networks (“new media”) to walk onto Israeli borders, towns and cities. If it works, they win. If anyone gets hurt or killed (say a kid or a pregnant woman), Israel will pay a price. It will be time to expand the struggle worldwide, killing many everywhere all because of Israel’s endless brutality.
At the next commission hearing to investigate the Nakba Day Events, a panel will sit and question the Chief of Staff, who just replaced the one in charge during the Turkish Incident. The new commander will say he (like his predecessor) did not prepare correctly for the threat. Why have the lessons learned not been implemented in the interim?
Government officials will be asked why did they not start a blitz attack in the days and weeks prior to the actual Incident. They will say they did not want to make events even worse, to suggest ideas or courses of action for the enemy to pursue.
News bulletin: The enemy does not need suggestions. They can teach Israel a lesson or two (and more) from their arsenal. They act, attack aggressively and win.
When and why has Israel forgotten the best defense is an offense?
Is Israel preparing for the worst-case scenario for Nakba Day? One would expect the Israel Defense Forces to be ready with operational plans that can be executed upon order of issue. However, the Government of Israel and all members of the Israeli Parliament must back up the IDF, so orders can be given without hesitation or delay.
It is probably safe to assume that there will be much discourse and deliberation followed by finger pointing and accusations. It is highly likely Israel will fail once again, thus activists around the world and people who love Israel should get ready—next week will allow you little, if any, rest.
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The series “Postcards from America—Postcards from Israel” by Ari Bussel and Norma Zager is a compilation of articles capturing the essence of life in America and Israel during the first two decades of the 21st Century.
The writers invite readers to view and experience an Israel and her politics through their eyes, Israel visitors rarely discover.
This point—and often—counter-point presentation is sprinkled with humor and sadness and attempts to tackle serious and relevant issues of the day. The series began in 2008, appears both in print in the USA and on numerous websites and is followed regularly by readership from around the world.
© “Postcards from America — Postcards from Israel,” May, 2011 Contact: bussel@me.com
First Published May 13, 2011
The landmines will be an interesting surprise.
ML/NJ
Israel's Independence Day is celebrating the rebirth of Israel as a modern country after two thousand years of exile.
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