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Sharing the Blame
by Naomi Ragen (28 August 2006)
What I find most upsetting about the last month and a half is how little people
talk about history.
The disastrous war with Lebanon was a long time in the making, with roots that
go back many years. The decision to unilaterally run out of Lebanon in the
middle of the night and to allow Hezbollah to endlessly arm itself on our
borders. The disastrous unilateral disengagement that convinced our enemies we
were morons prime for the taking. The budget cuts and politicization that have
weakened the IDF. All these things did not happen yesterday, and so a political
party that was elected yesterday cannot be held solely responsible.
Now, don’t misunderstand me. I said before the elections that Kadima was a bunch
of losers that had gathered together
in one place, and I was unfortunately correct. I am of the firm belief that Ehud
Olmert, Amir Peretz, and Mr. Halutz should have the decency to resign over their
incompetence. No question. But that doesn’t mean that the individuals and
organizations responsible, including Ehud Barak, Shaul Mofaz, Peace Now, Women
in Black, Four Mothers, Shimon Peres, and Yossi Beilin—should sit back and get
an exemption.
When I see smug peace-nowers like Mr. Oppenheimer on television attacking the
head of the reservists protest movement, I want to shout at him: What right do
you have to open your mouth and say anything to soldiers who fought in Lebanon
to save your skin? Haven’t you and your kind done enough damage with your
policies and your insane vision that has put our reservists on the front lines
while you continue your diet of cake and Frappacino in Tel Aviv cafés, safe from
rockets and mortars? Where is the responsibility of the entire “peace” movement
for all that has happened here, starting with the brainwashing of the Israeli
people to take in Yasir Arafat. To give up land that is now being used as basis
for the war of annihilation against us? For policies that have proved an
unmitigated disaster? They just go on and on, sharing their “wisdom” giving us
their opinions, as if nothing has happened, priming us to get the next bunch of
soldiers killed.
Yes, Mr. Olmert should resign, along with Mr. Peretz and Mr. Halutz. And people
like Mr. Oppenheimer and Mr. Peres and Mr. Beilin should not be interviewed on
television or have their words printed in newspapers. They should have the
decency to shut up and take responsibility for the incredible damage they have
already done to this country.
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