Egozi’s Fury – Tunnels And Some Exaggeration

Egozi’s Fury – Tunnels And Some Exaggeration

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Everything here is exaggerated, moving from one extreme to the other. After it was revealed that there are still tunnels being dug from Gaza, and after it turned out that they weren’t all destroyed in the last operation either, comes a new record: Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, following the discovery of an attack tunnel in the Gaza Envelope, has declared that “in the past few days the state of Israel has achieved an international breakthrough in its ability to detect tunnels.”

He congratulated the chief of staff, the IDF, the general security services, and the intelligence and technology staff “for this unique breakthrough.” According to Netanyahu, “the government is spending a fortune to destroy the threat of the tunnels. This is a continuous effort, it doesn’t end overnight, we are investing and will continue to invest in this with perseverance and determination.”

He of course warned that “Israel will respond with force to any attempt by Hamas to attack its soldiers and its citizens. I am sure Hamas understands this well. I wish to say to the residents of the Gaza envelope – IDF is working tirelessly to protect your safety as well as your daily life.”

I doubt each part of this statement. Even is an admirable breakthrough was achieved, it isn’t a full solution, and the threats on Hamas should be taken with a salt. And another thing – these new tunnels are being built using huge amounts of cement that Israel is transporting to Gaza for “rehabilitation”. Houses are not being built, tunnels are. And then we have to discover them.

A spineless government can declare declarations, but most of them cannot be followed through. The government has lost what little trust it inspired in anyone with a head on their shoulders.

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The UN, as much as it is a body with no real influence, at least supplies us with its share of comedic moments. Last week was one such example when the representatives of Israel and the Palestinians got into a loud argument, which broke the dreariness typical of the large debate hall in the tall building in New-York, which should have long ago been turned into a five star hotel.

Israel’s envoy to the United Nations, Danny Danon, opened the debate at the end of his speech during the monthly Middle East council meeting, when he looked at the other side of the table, towards the Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour, and asked him: “Will you condemn the Palestinians who commit terror attacks against Israelis?”

The Palestinian envoy said something in response, to which Danon replied. A classical comedy moment. At least we got something from this worthless organization.

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Even our best friends in Washington are sick and tired of Israel’s lack of policy and initiative. Speaking in a rather unusual and harsh manner, American Vice President Joe Biden expressed last week the American government’s “overwhelming frustration” with Israel’s peace policy and its activities to expand the settlements.

In a formal dinner by the liberal Jewish Lobby J Street, Biden said that “the steady and systematic expansion of settlements, the legalization of outposts, land seizures – they’re moving us, and more important, they’re moving Israel, in the wrong direction,” the vice president said.

It was clear that this was a sign of real despair felt by the whole world of the spineless government in Israel.

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How hypocritical can the world be? Endlessly, it seems. After the Prime Minister declared that the Golan will always remain in Israeli control, the US responded aggressively.

The State Department Spokesperson John Kirby said that the Obama administration believes that Ramat HaGolan is not a part of Israel. Kirby said this in response to a question regarding Netanyahu’s declaration, according to which Ramat HaGolan will always remain a part of Israel. “The US policy remains the same.” said Kirby. “This position was maintained by both Democratic and Republican administrations. Those territories are not part of Israel and the status of those territories should be determined through negotiations. The current situation in Syria does not allow this,” Kirby continued.

Oh please. Does anyone think that there is anyone to return the Golan to? But in international politics there is a lot of false talk. So here is one more. What’s the difference in this bad circus?

Arie Egozi iHLS editor-in-chief
Arie Egozi
iHLS editor-in-chief