5. Continuing ceasefire despite Palestinian attacks
In late November of 2006, Israel and the Palestinians reached a ceasefire agreement, which ended five months of fighting. Israel was to end all military operations in Gaza, which began after the abduction of Shalit, and the Palestinians were to stop launching rockets and kassams into Israel. Not even a day later, the rocket attacks resumed. And they continued well into the next month. A month after constant Palestinian violations of the ceasefire, Olmert refused to respond. While some may say that it is good
4. Welcoming the racist Avigdor Lieberman into his administration
In October 2006 the Israeli Knesset approved Avigdor Liberman as deputy prime minister and minister in charge of strategic affairs. Lieberman is one of the most racist politicians outside of the Islamic world. He makes no secret of his hatred for Arabs. Upon Lieberman's oath to office, all Arab lawmakers left the room in disgust. Liberman has supported racist policies such as a "population exchange" and the expulsion of "unpatriotic" Israelis (a reference to Israeli Arabs). He was quoted in Haaretz calling for all Palestinian prisoners to be drowned in the red sea. Liberman is right that Israeli Arabs who do not recognize Israel's right to exist are unpatriotic. But to suggest that people with these views should be arrested or expelled from the country undermines Israel's status as a civilized democracy. It is like saying people like Cindy Sheehan (who is a very unpatriotic American) should be kicked out of America. People like Cindy and the Israeli Arabs should be able to express their views without fear of being expelled from their country... so long as they dont act on these views in any way that can hurt national security. Prime Minister Olmert said he was "pleased" to have someone like Lieberman in his administration.
3. Offering a prisoner swap for the release of Shalit
In the summer of 2006 Hamas militants captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit with the intention of blackmailing Israel to release Palestinian prisoners. Anyone with the slightest amount of sense could figure out that if you reward bad behavior, the behavior will be repeated. This is especially true with a terrorist group like Hamas. Yet in November 2006, in a speech Olmert said was intended to create "real peace", Olmert offered to release "many Palestinian prisoners" in return for Shalit. By giving in to Hamas' demands, he is putting Israelis in more danger by encouraging Hamas and other terrorist groups to continue kidnapping Israelis everytime they want something from the Israeli government. In fact in this area Olmert is worse than Bush. At least Bush respects one of America and Israel's primary values of not negotiating with terrorists. Next time Hamas wants something from Israel, they know exactly what to do.
2. Snubbing Assad's calls for talks
Despite what some say, I believe that Assad's recent overtures to Israel are genuine. The U.S. and Israel are stupidly foolish for snubbing Assad. Assad is a secular dictator. Like other secular dictators in the middle east, he is an enemy of Al Qaida, and at the same time he keeps the extremists in his country under control. Syria has the potential to be a close ally in the war on terror. Assad does support terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, and his country is currently closely allied to Iran. But there is no doubt that Assad would gladly end his support for these rogue entities and make peace with Israel in return for U.S. backing of his regime. It has been reported that secret talks between Israel and Syria have taken place in Europe, and an understanding had been reached between the two countries. A former Israeli offical recently claimed that Syria prefered an alliance with Israel over Iran. However, for some unknown reason Olmert has rejected any notion of talking to the Syrians, even after they dropped their demand for the Golan being a pre-condition to talks. Some claim this is to avoid "embarrassing" Bush (as if he isn't embarrassed enough already). But whatever the reason, no one can doubt that this stubbornness is only hurting Israel. It is giving the world the impression that Israel doesn't really want peace with its neighbors. Refusing talks with Syria also elminates any chance that the two countries can reach any type of understanding which would convince Assad to end its support for Hamas and Hezbollah. This will discourage other Arab leaders from streching out their hand to Israel, and in turn will only increase Israel's isolation in the region.
1. Praising the Iraq War
As an American I find this blunder the most offensive. In November 2006, on a visit to Washington, Ehud Olmert told a gathering of reporters that he was "encouraged and impressed" by the Iraq war. As everyone knows the war has been a disaster to this country. 3,000+ U.S. troops have been killed, the whole world has turned against us, and we have strengthened two of our worst enemies, Iran and Al Qaida. Hearing Olmert praise this American tragedy was as offensive as hearing someone praise 9/11. Israel has been accused by some for being responsible for the Iraq war. This, off course, is untrue and that can be proven right HERE. Yet when it comes to Israel the facts sometimes become irrelevant. Despite it being proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Israel had nothing to do with the Iraq war, there are still some who wish to make this accusation over and over again. Olmert has given these individuals powerful propoganda. He has made people like me and others who try to defend Israel look like fools. And the fact is the war has made Israel less safe as well. Iran and Al Qaida are Israel's enemies as well. Olmert is delusional for saying the failed war is going well, and for actually thinking that the war hasn't harmed Israel. Olmert stands alone in the world with Bush in praising this war and claiming that it was worth it. Olmert owes all Americans an apology for praising this great American tragedy.
Return to Home Page