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Where is the Israeli determination? By Israel Harel When small fry criminal gangs are referred to as "families" who make their living in, as criminologists and other experts put it, "organized crime," we tend to forgive the police for not being able to cope with them. After all, in line with the fantasy depicted in movies like "The Godfather," Ya'akov Alperon, Yitzhak Abergil, and Amir Mulner - "our guys" - are the Israeli twins of Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, and Bugsy Siegel. If, after decades of trying, the police in the United States have not managed to do away with organized crime, why should we demand that the Israel Police do better even though, as the police commissioner tells us, the brightest minds and best forces are being utilized in the war against this criminal scourge? Advertisement This week, we bore witness to absolute proof that we have indeed become New York and we are resembling Chicago, and the scene is highly reminiscent of gangster movies, the best in reality media. But the truth is that the resemblance between American organized crime and Israeli "organized crime" is extremely flimsy. In Israel, organized crime is marginal, though it is artificially blown out of proportion. If our most select people, intelligence and technologies are being used to combat organized crime (Why is that so? Most of the public is victimized by property crimes, road accidents, drugs and violence on the streets.) why has it yielded so few results? Indeed, the prime minister, who knows a thing or two about the police, lashed out against the force for not displaying enough determination. Rightly so, but who in the public sector is demonstrating determination? And the question of all questions: why, in nearly every area, has Israel ceased showing determination? It is difficult to single out one public entity, including the IDF high command in recent years, which as a result of its inherent, clear organizational culture, strives for total success (or total victory, in the army's case). It is also difficult to point to one government body that takes special pride in its work or possesses a deep, true sense of mission. Against whom are the police, which despite its whining has at its disposal tens of thousands of officers and the most advanced technological means, at war? Against dozens of unrestrained criminals who are helped by a few hundred "soldiers." If only the police high command and its officers were required to display integrity, determination, creativity and a sense of mission, perhaps adherence to the law in Israel would be among the most acute of all countries. In principle, the police failure in the war against organized crime can be proportionally likened to the IDF's failure in its war against external enemies: four divisions; an air force that has no equal to it in the skies; and artillery and armor that is no match for any tank or cannon, could not defeat one division of Hezbollah gunmen. As a reward for his "success" in commanding an IDF elite division during the Second Lebanon War, Colonel Eyal Eisenberg was named commander of the IDF's Gaza division. He will deal with Hamas with the same motivation, skill, and determination with which he dealt with Hezbollah. If this is the state of affairs in the organizations responsible for the protection of people and property, then the situation is tenfold more dire in the civilian government agencies. Were it not for the non-profit organizations, devoted individuals and volunteers, what would the state of the environment be here? Who would take care of the thousands who have been consigned to a bitter lot while the relevant ministries are negligent or hopeless in helping them? In every ministry, there are departments or people who have proven to be extraordinary and who do their jobs accordingly, but the overwhelming majority of those in the government apparatus are not friendly and they certainly do not go above and beyond to serve the citizens. Rarely, if ever, does the citizen feel that standing before him is someone with a joy for creativity and a sense of mission. Only in one unusual realm - which attests to the realm - has the IDF and police claimed victory in recent years. The preparations for this victory were done with diligence, thoroughness, determination, and remarkable adherence to achieving the goal: the uprooting of the Jewish settlement enterprise in Gush Katif and the war against the youth at Amona. Contrary to the hesitation and lack of motivation that has characterized these two organizations in the face of the real challenges before them, it was during these two events that they exerted from themselves the full extent of the cruelty and violence necessary for victory in the war with the enemy. In the coming days, they will certainly show similar persistence in the simulations as part of the preparations against the Hebron settlers. Contrary to "organized crime" - an area where the police, prosecutors, and courts religiously pay attention to every last detail in gathering evidence - there is no need for complex legal procedures when it comes to the settlers. Every step, necessary or not, is permissible. Bookmark to del.icio.us   The King is dead Archeologists find new evidence for King Herod's tomb site. Al-Hasbara Israel launches Arabic YouTube channel to bypass Arab media.

Read & React Bradley Burston: Dividing Jerusalem, one wall at a time Responses: 42 Peres: Obama told me he was 'very impressed' with Arab peace plan Responses: 75 VIDEO / Peres speech at Oxford University disrupted by anti-Israel protesters Responses: 104 Settler rabbi: The State of Israel is an enemy of the people Responses: 69 Hamas: We're prepared to end cease-fire and confront Israel Responses: 49 More Headlines 22:25 IAEA: Syria site bombed by Israel bore features of nuclear reactor 22:05 Israel to boycott 'Durban II' anti-racism conference 21:40 Assad: Israel never asked Syria to cut ties with Hezbollah, Iran 21:42 PA negotiator: Obama told Abbas he'd spare no effort to see Mideast peace 19:26 Israel launches Arabic YouTube channel to bypass Arab media 22:02 Jewish Republican representative elected to top deputy spot in Congress 01:36 Archaeologists find new evidence for King Herod's tomb site 23:06 GA special report / Satisfied participants bid farewell to Jerusalem 00:44 U.S. FAA downgrades Israel's aviation safety ranking 19:04 Dividing Jerusalem, one wall at a time 02:09 Al-Qaida No. 2: Obama guilty of betraying Muslim roots in backing Israel 00:42 Peres speech at Oxford University disrupted by anti-Israel protesters 02:07 Warsaw completes restoration project marking Jewish Ghetto boundaries 01:50 Court sentences Boaz Yona to 7 years, doubles damages he must pay 02:40 Report: 90% of schools offer auxiliary programs not monitored by Education Min. Previous Editions Select Day 19 nov 18 nov 17 nov 16 nov 14 nov 13 nov 12 nov 11 nov 10 nov 09 nov 07 nov 06 nov

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