Fake Negotiations, Fake Ceasefires

What is better, I thought, to be assailed by sirens and forced into bomb shelters knowing you are fighting your enemies? Or to be left in a peaceful limbo during a useless ceasefire which you know can’t last as your enemies regroup, rearm, and prepare to kill once more?

This is Israel’s situation on her 78^th birthday.

Honestly, I was glad for the few precious days of peace and quiet, but am ready to go back to war at any time if it means destroying Israel’s enemies for the long term.

From all indications, it looks like that time is not far off.

The Iranian negotiations, no surprise, are going nowhere and at this writing have basically been cancelled. Trump today: “I told my people who were getting ready to go to Pakistan: ‘No. You’re not flying 18 hours there. All the cards are in our hands. They can call us whenever they want, but you’re not going to take any more 18-hour flights to sit and talk about nothing.’ ”

I give credit to President Trump for not falling into the endless “negotiation” trap Iranians have perfected to such a degree that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi – who is also currently its chief negotiator – wrote a book called The Power of Negotiation. In it he boasts about Iran’s successful experience in using delay and dragging things out, techniques developed by Iranian carpet bazaar salesmen (his two brothers control the Iranian carpet bazaar, so he should know.) Unfortunately for him, Trump’s ascension to power has emasculated the power of this tried and true method that worked so well on past gullible American presidents like Commander and Chief Fool Obama. Trump’s sea embargo and direct attacks on Iranian facilities have upended the belief that delay is working in Iran’s favor.

I believe that the buildup of American fire power in the Middle East is going to result in a stupendous destruction of Iranian assets, unless the IRGC immediately lose their carpet bazaar mentality. But, as our President has said, no one knows who is in charge in Iran, certainly not the Iranians.

Meanwhile, desperate for a show of popular support, the IRGC is offering Iranians the equivalent of a fourth of a U.S. penny to come out to demonstrate in favor of their oppressors. It is an indication of the economic collapse of the country, that Iranians are lining up to participate.

Two things that are really bothering me that I have no answers for. The first is the discovery of how many Israelis were spying for Iran in exchange for cash. Some of them are unemployed ultra-Orthodox. Some are simply young idiots who got involved online. And the latest, and most heartbreaking, are two IDF soldiers who gave Iran detailed secrets of our fighter planes. I don’t know why their names and photos are being withheld. But talkbacks on news sites from Israelis agree they should be put in front of firing squads for treason. I personally am in favor of tarring and feathering, then public stoning. But Israel is for some reason keeping their names and faces hidden from the public, when the opposite is needed to deter future traitors.

The second problem is the American penchant for declaring ceasefires thus tying Israel’s hands in dealing with her enemies. It is an age-old problem imposed on Israel for decades. The moment we get close to winning, we are shut down. Unfortunately, Trump has been as bad in this area as every other American president. The “ceasefire” with Lebanon is ignored by Hezbollah, which continues to fire at our northern communities. Sirens went off in northern Israel six times over 24 hours over this Shabbat. The Prime Minister’s office revealed that he has instructed the IDF to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon with force. Subsequently, Lebanese media reported massive explosions being carried out by the IDF in Khiam, three stikes in Hadatha, two strikes in Bint Jbeil, Sutaniya, Yater Kirbet Selm and Zibqin. There are dead and injured terrorists in all of them.

In Gaza, the “ceasefire” with Hamas was supposed to culminate in their handing over their weapons, but that has not happened. The deadline is long past, and they continue to fire at our soldiers and intimidate the local population, with no reference at all to their demilitarization obligation, which was the foundation of the understanding when the ceasefire went into effect. Israel fires back, but this is not a way to win the war or maintain peace. This needs to end, Mr. President. Let us get on with this work. It’s not connected to Iran.

Elections have been held in Gaza in one place, Deir al-Balah. Abu Mazen’s party won. Only 21% of the voters turned up. Does this mean something?

And finally, some excellent analysis by an Israeli Arab about this seemingly endless generational conflict. Ali Shaaban, the beloved Israeli Arab who fights with us in the IDF, explains the difference between the Israelis fighting for their homeland, and Arabs fighting out of hatred (thank you Ali Express for the translation):

“A Jew fights to survive, and an Arab fights out of hatred. A Jew who fights for his State which he sees as the last refuge for his people, fights with a survival mindset, not because he loves war or hates Arabs. He is convinced that if he loses his State there is no other place in the world that will protect him. This kind of fighting produces planning, discipline, investment in science and the building of long-term strength, Because the goal is not just a moment of victory; the goal is the continuation of life. On the other hand, the Arab fights out of hatred, which psychologically and physically cannot build, plan, or think ahead. It is merely an explosive energy that burns everything around it and often burns its own bearer first.

“The difference lies also in the religious motivation, a religion that fights for the sanctity of life versus one that fights for the sanctity of death. A soldier who fights for his people and his religion versus a terrorist who wants to commit suicide in order to have sex with the virgins. When we compare the motivations for fighting, we understand why one side develops technology, education, economy, and strategy, while the other repeats the same cycle of blood, generation after generation without change in outcome. And we understand that as long as hatred is the fuel in the engines of Arab leadership and resistance, future generations will learn how to hate, kill and lose, before they learn how to love, build and succeed. Peace.”

Have a listen here: https://t.me/englishabuali/71830

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