Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., November 23, 2008 Cheshvan 25, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:15 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File

General elections By Yossi Sarid Tags: David Petraeus, Israel News Not two, but three birds with one stone: a chief of staff, a kibbutznik and a dairy farmer. But at the ranch a lamb can be carried on your shoulder - with a cow it's much harder; that how a charming picture of compassion is spoiled, one that conveys a folksy image and social sensitivity to sheep and cattle. For months we have been holding our breath - will they join or won't they. At first they play "hard to get," with the left hand rejecting and the right beckoning, and only in the end are they placated and come running in hordes. The ship is overloaded and liable to sink due to a security overload; then people will once again become mice. What is the secret of their charm and wherein lies their great strength? It already looked as though their glamour had dimmed somewhat, and suddenly they are enjoying a revival. Is the disgust with professional politicians restoring the halo to the generals? Is the disappointment with civilian Amir Peretz renewing their days as of old? Does our lameness when it comes to security require the acquisition of crutches? Does rejection by Sharon bring along with it approval from Netanyahu? Advertisement Once again politics are filling up with former wearers of uniforms, and the general staff is filling up with politicians in khaki - veterans are signaling the way to their successors. Political parties are becoming an induction base without processing for those being drafted into their second career. This is a bakum, an induction and placement base, with a vacuum: People from the fields of education, welfare, health and culture have been sucked into it and ejected from it. The list is long and growing: Bogie Ya'alon, Ami Ayalon, Shaul Mofaz, Uzi Dayan, Yossi Peled, Ehud Barak, Matan Vilnai, Benjamin Ben-Eliezer (with a guaranteed slot), Effi Eitam (still searching), Avi Dichter and Gideon Ezra and Israel Hasson (Shin Bet security service), Assaf Hefetz and Yitzhak Aharonovitch (police), Aryeh Bibi (Prison Service), Miri Regev and Nahman Shai (military spokespersons). The notebook is still open and the hand is becoming tired of writing. There will never be a military coup in Israel; a de facto military government makes it superfluous. Most of them are people of all seasons, of all opinions, of all parties - and that is their charm. After all, most of the public also lacks a consolidated viewpoint, and public opinion is a weather vane. How nice and pleasant, therefore, to opt for wherever the wind will be, wherever the wind is blowing, to be blown away. Not only they. The parties themselves are a mixed multitude, and it is hard to differentiate between them. Colorless frames call for featureless faces to be hung prominently on unadorned walls. Why should they, the people from the security forces, run around among the market stalls? On the contrary, let them arise and establish a party of their own, an Israel Security Party, and the group picture will be revealed in full: All the losers from the first and second Lebanon wars and the period between them; all those who lost the battles against the glorious armies of Hamas and Hezbollah, against the advanced technology of the Katyusha and Qassam rockets. And the new party has a ready-made platform: Combine the Agranat Report and the Kahan Report and the Winograd Report, prepare a concentrate from all three and serve it to the voters. Last July Barack Obama visited Iraq. The commander of the U.S. forces, General David Petraeus, warned him against a hasty withdrawal. Obama listened politely and said: "If I were in your place I would say the same thing as you are saying. That is your job as the commander on the ground. But my job as president, as the supreme commander of the armed forces, is to take into account other considerations, far more comprehensive than yours." That's how it is in America and other properly run countries: National security is too complex and serious an issue to be left in the hands of Petraeuses and Bogies. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Mikaeel Jackson Report: Pop star Michael Jackson converts to Islam. Peace now Abbas calls on Obama to enact Arab peace plan as soon as he takes office.

Read & React 20,000 Jewish pilgrims to descend on Hebron amid settler violence Responses: 222 Experts argue: How close is Iran to its first nuclear weapon? Responses: 135 Video: Prof. Avi Shlaim says settlements turn Israel into Apartheid state Responses: 181 Debate over Museum of Tolerance - an exchange Responses: 23 PLO official Yasser Abed Rabbo: The Palestinian people need Obama's help Responses: 76 Gideon Levy: Israeli left was born in sin and died because of a lie Responses: 91 More Headlines 21:39 Settler teens attack Border police in Hebron 21:55 Qassams strike western Negev in latest threat to fragile truce 00:20 Obama's Mideast peace platform is coming into focus 15:00 Abbas calls on Obama to enact Arab peace plan as soon as he takes office 22:13 Top Israeli diplomats in Turkey kicked out of Istanbul university 22:49 Hollywood in Netanya: Ben Stiller and Chris Rock in coastal city for 'Madagascar 2' premiere 01:12 Saudi Arabia denies report it offered asylum to Taliban leader 00:22 Hezbollah: 'Zionist Lobby' behind Germany's decision to ban Al-Manar TV station 10:08 Iran executes man convicted of spying for Israel 23:00 Visiting Argentine president offers Libya help with nuclear power 13:11 Your land is my land 20:47 Report: Pop star Michael Jackson converts to Islam 19:59 Peru police nab Israeli for plotting to smuggle a half a ton of cocaine to Europe 13:10 Report: Hezbollah carries out military drills in south Lebanon 16:10 Syria: No more UN visits to alleged nuclear site Previous Editions Select Day 21 nov 20 nov 19 nov 18 nov 17 nov 16 nov 14 nov 13 nov 12 nov 11 nov 10 nov 09 nov

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