Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., February 02, 2009 Shvat 8, 5769 | | Israel Time: 00:09 (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 Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 00:41 01/01/2008 Israel Harel / Defense establishment gives enemy hope that Israel's end is near By Israel Harel Tags: israel news, intelligence  When it comes to obtaining quality intelligence from Israel, Iran, the Arab countries, the Palestinians and even Western countries do not have to work hard or risk much. The Israeli defense establishment provides free operative, tactical and sometimes strategic intelligence. The defense establishment believes, for example, that "despite the heavy price" that Israel will pay in terms of uprooting settlements in the Golan and in bringing the Syrians back to the Kinneret (Haaretz, November 23), an agreement with Syria must be advanced. In addition to service to Bashar Asad's intelligence service, the defense establishment also provides political intelligence to other bodies, such as the new administration in the United States, about what Israel is willing to give up, and thus lets slip out of her hands a comfortable bargaining position toward generous compensation in terms of security in exchange for this strategic concession. Besides the recklessness and foolishness of giving up state secrets, the security establishment must be asked: What does this issue have to do with you? Your job is to provide the government with intelligence evaluations about the enemy, not to provide the enemy with intelligence about us. Operative conclusions, certainly those involving clearly ideological issues such as leaving the Golan Heights, destroying settlements and exiling their inhabitants, are off-limits to the defense establishment, certainly in public. Advertisement The political arena is where the future of the Golan Heights will be decided. The moment the "defense establishment" recommends giving up the Golan, it climbs fully onto the bandwagon of the left. The defense establishment cannot claim that its recommendation is "professional;" it seems that there is no danger expected from Syria in the foreseeable future. But even if that is not the case and war is a concern, the job of the army is to fight and protect the settlements, not recommend withdrawal and the uprooting of settlements so it might flee from these obligations. With its recommendation, the defense establishment also exposes Israel's fears of standing "almost alone" in the face of an "existential threat from Iran." Even if these fears are justified, why give this intelligence to the Iranians? And why reveal to them that Israel has failed in garnering the support of allies in the battle against them. True, even without us, the Iranians sense hesitation on the part of the United States and Europe, but we have also read and heard Iranians argue that this hesitation is intentional ambiguity. Then the Israeli intelligence comes and removes any doubts for the Iranians: It is neither a ruse nor a trap. Israel is "almost alone." Bravo. At the beginning of October, the defense establishment volunteered intelligence to Hamas about Gilad Shalit. "No military option has been created for his release... and the price of the deal is 1,400," referring to prisoners, among them 450 whose identity is to be determined by Hamas according to reports, and "we must pay... even if it is with the release of terrorist murderers." The enemy concludes from this serious leak that the Israel Defense Forces is helpless and is ready to pay any price Hamas imposes. And as for us, the citizens - the defeatist leaks reveal the lack of motivation at the top to fight is what gives hope to the enemy that Israel's end is near. And that, not the Jewish presence on the Golan Heights, endangers the future of Israel. Bookmark to del.icio.us   'Modern Kristallnacht' Chavez condemns attack on Caracas synagogue, blames opposition. Avenging Mughniyah Israel: Hezbollah planning attack to avenge Mughniyah assassination.   1.   Sensible article mysteriously appearing in Haaretz 00:53  |  Steve 01/01/08   2.   Ineptitude & Hideous Judgement 00:04  |  Ron 01/01/08   3.   absolutely correct, with one addition 00:36  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 01/01/08   4.   Israel will not allow itself to be destroyed in the interest ... 00:18  |  Mario Sala 01/01/08   5.   I have been asking the same question 00:48  |  Michael 01/01/08   6.   At lastt someone said it ! 00:54  |  Ben 01/01/08   7.   Michael #5 00:59  |  George 01/01/08   8.   Another sensible article by Mr. Harel and thanks, Talkbackers, fo 00:24  |  Robert Haymond 01/01/08   9.   So long as Olmert is still in power and the Left behind him 00:38  |  Dagma 01/01/08   10.   One thing for sure I will never trust the media and politicians, 00:06  |  e.m Jordan is Palse 01/01/08   11.   Fire IDF`s top promoted during Rabin-Sharon era 00:14  |  Absolute Sweden 01/01/08   12.   Israel is different! 00:27  |  Manny Goldstein 01/01/08   13.   Who decides about the leaks? 00:36  |  s 01/01/08   14.   It`s much worse than that, Jews are not running Israel 00:00  |  U figure it out 01/01/08   15.   are you sure the word is intelligence ?? 00:06  |  victor hardman 01/01/08   16.   Sorry, your bigotry is showing 00:49  |  Murray 01/01/08   17.   Thank You 00:06  |  David 01/01/08   18.   When Moshe Arens (Likud) was DM, Israel was safe militarily 00:12  |  Vittorio 01/01/08   19.   It would help if Harel knew what intelligence is 00:15  |  Mark Lincoln 01/01/08   20.   Israel`s end is NOT near. But... 00:31  |  Golde 01/01/08   21.   Defense Establish Want Sales 00:14  |  Erud Havrier 01/01/08   22.   Don`t let me laugh 00:05  |  Edith 01/01/08   23.   History will judge that Olmert and Peres Admin did D worse damage 00:09  |  Simon 01/01/08   24.   re: #12 00:31  |  William Bilek, M.D. 01/01/08   25.   ISRAEL IS NO. 1 IN CAVING IN TO MUSLIM TERROR 00:50  |  Alon Chiloni 01/01/08   26.   IN WORLD WAR BY MUSLIMS ISRAEL POLITICIANS UNDERMINE 00:55  |  Alon Chiloni 01/01/08   27.   The `Inspector Clouseau effect` 00:04  |  David M 01/01/08   28.   israel harel /defense estab etc.... 00:14  |  rabbi lawrence siege 01/01/08   29.   defense estab etc... 00:18  |  l.m.siegel 01/01/08   30.   TALK 00:37  |  joe 01/01/08   31.   israel no.1 in financing terror in sending lorryloads of cash 00:23  |  William Alswall. 01/01/08   32.   It Is Bad Enough They Are Military Ignoramuses 00:23  |  Tod Zuckerman 01/01/08   33.   Israel no.1 in giving 3000 assult riffles and one million 00:25  |  William Alswall 01/01/08   34.   #29 (and others) 00:26  |  kibblets 01/01/08   35.   Terrorists want destruction of Israel. Israel government is no 1 00:29  |  William Alswall 01/01/08   36.   THE TROUBLE WITH SOME ISRAELIS... 00:41  |  Ian 01/01/08   37.   the left hand dddoesnt know what the right is doing 00:38  |  victor hardman 01/01/08   38.   We all have to stop playing these silly games 00:01  |  Israeli 01/01/08   39.   Another try on an important point 00:23  |  Mark Lincoln 01/01/08   40.   Israel Harel 00:24  |  Esther Sherman 01/01/08   41.   Harel doesn`t understand... 00:07  |  Nathaniel 01/01/08   42.   Israel is not that stupid 00:08  |  Ari 01/01/08   43.   I TOTALLY DISAGREE 00:44  |  Robert 01/01/08   44.   I TOTALLY DISAGREE 00:57  |  Robert 01/01/08   45.   #24 A apology to William Bilek 00:38  |  Manny Goldstein 01/01/08   46.   IT`S ALL ABOUT PIECE;GIVING ISRAEL`S INHERITANCE THAT GIVES THE 00:39  |  glenna 01/01/08   47.   A National Fault 00:29  |  Jojo 01/01/09

Read & React Chavez condemns attack on Caracas synagogue, blames opposition Responses: 55 A. Nachmani: Could spat with Israel cause Turkey to form an alliance with Iran? Responses: 5 IAF aircraft bomb Hamas targets across Gaza Strip Responses: 31 Akiva Eldar: Hamas laughing at Israeli declarations of restored deterrence Responses: 2 Yitzhak Laor: Israeli liberals lack the courage to condemn IDF actions in Gaza Responses: 1 More Headlines 00:59 IDF troops trade fire with Palestinian gunmen in Hebron Hills 00:01 IAF aircraft bomb Hamas targets across the Gaza Strip 00:09 Jewish sources: Vandals set north Turkey synagogue ablaze 00:43 Did Israeli officials help U.S. firms win security tenders? 00:44 Israeli envoy to Australia: Gaza op a 'pre-introduction' to attack on Iran 00:07 Police: We have enough evidence to indict Olmert for cronyism 00:33 Red tape keeps Israeli widow of Gaza man from getting benefits 00:25 Israeli and Turkish officials meet to ease tensions over Gaza op 00:38 Elections 2009 / Druze likely to comprise 5% of next Knesset, despite small population 00:17 High alert over Hezbollah plans to attack Israelis abroad 00:09 Diplomats: Cyprus stopped suspected Iran arms ship 'as gesture to U.S.' 00:34 Hamas leader Meshal: Iran has big share in our victory in Gaza 00:55 Two IDF soldiers, civilian lightly hurt as Gaza mortars hit Negev 00:39 Elections 2009 / Likud MKs: Netanyahu to do away with deputy PM post if elected 00:32 Hamas delegation to arrive in Cairo to respond to Gaza truce proposal Previous Editions Select Day 01 feb 30 jan 29 jan 28 jan 27 jan 26 jan 25 jan 23 jan 22 jan 21 jan 20 jan 19 jan

Special Offers Advertisement Summer in Israel Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009 Passover Vacations The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit You can make a direct IMPACT! on the life of an Israeli soldier State of Israel Bonds During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help. SURF RAMBAM Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research. Camp Kimama Israel 2009 The best place for your children this summer Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |

| Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved