Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., December 04, 2008 Kislev 7, 5769 | | Israel Time: 05:44 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
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
Last update - 09:03 01/12/2008
Stop offending India
By Anshel Pfeffer
Tags: israel news, Mumbai Chabad 

There are many Israelis who are convinced that they are experts on terrorism. There are also more than a few who fancy they know a lot about India. Terrorism in India is a slightly more complex topic, and the chorus of those who were once somebody in security, quick to harshly criticize over the weekend the way in which Indian security forces handled the coordinated terrorist assault in Mumbai, were guilty of more than arrogance. That chorus is liable to do serious damage to a vital strategic relationship.

The land of Shanti, a haven for backpackers, is also the second most-terror-plagued country in the world after Iraq. The attacks in the Subcontinent occur nearly weekly and claim the lives of dozens of civilians, while warranting at best a brief mention on the margins of the foreign news in our press. And yet, there are those in Israel who think we have advice to offer a mammoth country that is home to 1.1 billion people belonging to hundreds of religious groups and sects while it is coping with simultaneous multiple attacks on large civilian targets, a scenario Israel has never experienced. The insulting tone of inaccurate reports stating that India "refused" to accept aid from Israel is especially ludicrous.

"If the media in Israel want to criticize the Indian operation," an Israeli diplomat in New Delhi said, "they should quote their Indian colleagues rather than interview all sorts of self-styled Israeli experts. They would find that the Indians certainly know how to criticize themselves." Indeed, the newspapers and local news channels are filled with criticism, particularly from the ordinary Indian on the street, who is incensed that his country - which in the last decade succeeded in building a flourishing economy and is competing with America's Silicon Valley - could not manage to secure the shoreline surrounding one of the most important national, commercial, and tourism sites.
Advertisement
This criticism has already resulted in the resignation of the home minister responsible for public security, Shivraj Patil, and threatens the ruling party, which faces general elections in four months. Since Friday night, those same media outlets have devoted extensive coverage to the criticism in Israel. The statements made here are seen as an insult, a blow to national pride, and are especially galling coming from a country that has not always succeeded in saving its own people who were captured and held hostage.

The Indians are also angry that the Israelis are focusing solely on the attack on Chabad House and the Israeli and Jewish victims who were killed there, while ignoring the fact that the security forces managed to rescue hundreds of civilians from the large hotels under attack and forgetting about the losses suffered by the Indian police and army units who stormed the terrorists.

For years, India has been perceived in Israel as the leader of the non-aligned countries and as a country that instinctively backs the Arab states. In recent years, though, senior officials in both countries attest to the blossoming of an unprecedented relationship. Both India and Israel are highly concerned over the nuclear Islamic superpower that is Pakistan, which is now in the advanced stages of disintegrating. There is a free flow of information exchange between the two countries. The attack on Mumbai highlights both of their positions on the front line against Islamic terrorism. The great deal of attention being paid to Israeli criticism of India does not help solidify this front.

"We must not spit now into the well from which we drink," said an Israeli defense source who is familiar with the ties between the two states. "And we must not anger the Indian establishment so they view us as a threat rather than support. There is a common fight against terror, and we need to leverage this into even closer cooperation."

As of yesterday evening, the Indian government had not officially responded to the Israeli criticism. At least they understand there were more urgent matters to deal with during the latter part of the attacks on Mumbai. That includes self-criticism and extensive investigation.

"The people in positions of influence in the intelligence and defense apparatus know to distinguish between what the official agencies say [and the unofficial commentary]," an expert on Indian defense matters said, "and they are happy with the excellent cooperation that is ongoing behind the scenes. But due to diplomatic reasons and domestic policy considerations, they must downplay these ties." The anger over Israeli boastfulness will keep these ties hidden from view.
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Light unto the nations
Obama must help Israel break its territorial addiction.
Blockade busters
Israeli Arab leaders vow to sail to Gaza to break blockade.
  1.   Criticism of Indian forces 1 09:31  |  Hastaroth 01/12/08
  2.   Thank You Anshel Pfeffer 09:34  |  Jon Jaye 01/12/08
  3.   Criticism of Indian forces 2 09:38  |  Hastaroth 01/12/08
  4.   TEN TERRORISTS SHOWED THAT INDIA`S 09:40  |  Robert 01/12/08
  5.   Criticism oof Indian force 3 09:48  |  Hastaroth 01/12/08
  6.   The Indian police and commandos did very well ! 09:49  |  Benjamina 01/12/08
  7.   Of course, Anshel! I hate to think of the coming responses... 09:49  |  S 01/12/08
  8.   Anshel Pfeffer: R U OUT OF UR FRICKIN MIND? 10:09  |  Wang Ming-Ti 01/12/08
  9.   Indians are good self-critics but rever their army ... 10:27  |  Roni 01/12/08
  10.   Simply ungrateful 10:27  |  Peter Chan 01/12/08
  11.   the critics should shut up already 10:29  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 01/12/08
  12.   Hastharot 10:36  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 01/12/08
  13.   Haaretz, is it true that the Israeli hostages 10:41  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 01/12/08
  14.   # 1.Hastaroth, you are 100% is right 10:48  |  e.m Jordan is Palse 01/12/08
  15.   Re Wang Ming-Ti 10:54  |  M 01/12/08
  16.   ... and it`s not only the Israeli know-alls.... 10:58  |  Esther 01/12/08
  17.   # 1 ,Hastaroth, you are 100% is right 10:58  |  e.m Jordan is Palse 01/12/08
  18.   Cipora! What question! Why, what for??? 11:05  |  S 01/12/08
  19.   Cipora #11, 12... identify entirely with what you express... 11:14  |  Esther 01/12/08
  20.   Enough of the Kid Gloves 11:24  |  in der Tat 01/12/08
  21.   #18, S 11:33  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 01/12/08
  22.   #10, PETER CHAN, now you know what we`re up against 11:48  |  VIPER 01/12/08
  23.   Thank You for Writing This 11:51  |  David 01/12/08
  24.   Instead of offending them, why not help them? 11:53  |  Sarah 01/12/08
  25.   Thank you Anshel 11:58  |  Proud Israeli 01/12/08
  26.   Hastaroth, Please do self review first 12:06  |  An Indian 01/12/08
  27.   Indian police afraid to shoot, but Isreal talks too much 12:35  |  x-ray 01/12/08
  28.   Stop Naval Gazing 12:41  |  Raj2000 01/12/08
  29.   Raj - India`s the only country never to harm Jews? Hmmm 13:04  |  Hannah 01/12/08
  30.   Correct about Israeli criticism But criticism also from elsewhere 13:12  |  Shalom Freedman 01/12/08
  31.   My biggest regret about coming here 13:20  |  Will-o`-the-wisp 01/12/08
  32.   Offending India 13:22  |  HM 01/12/08
  33.   STOP OFFENDING INDIA 13:30  |  PS 01/12/08
  34.   So,when a Jew criticizes,everybody tells him "shut up"! 1 14:05  |  Hastaroth 01/12/08
  35.   When a Jew criticizes,everybody tells him "shut up!" 2 14:09  |  Hastaroth 01/12/08
  36.   Proud Israeli #25 - Thank You ..we appreciate it 14:26  |  Maulik 01/12/08
  37.   you will always find people offending other people 15:00  |  Israel loves India 01/12/08
  38.   time to tell the truth 15:39  |  nita singh 01/12/08
  39.   Israelis weren`t only in Chabad House 15:42  |  Ken 01/12/08
  40.   Relying solely on defense cannot work 16:17  |  Michael 01/12/08
  41.   U r right, Anshel Pfeiffer 16:20  |  as it is 01/12/08
  42.   India has been very critical of us 16:35  |  Gee 01/12/08
  43.   u r right Hastaroth, BUT 16:42  |  as it is 01/12/08
  44.   Right now India is offending India - or not 16:49  |  Mark Lincoln 01/12/08
  45.   Some people missed a great chance to shut up! 17:16  |  Manny Goldstein 01/12/08
  46.   Ah, come now, Will-o-the-wisp #31... 17:37  |  Esther 01/12/08
  47.   Addendum for Will-o #31 17:46  |  Esther 01/12/08
  48.   re in der Tat 17:54  |  Reader 01/12/08
  49.   hastoroth 17:56  |  private security 01/12/08
  50.   BARBARIC TERRORISTS TORTURED HOSTAGES BEFORE EXECUTION 18:13  |  Dharmesh 01/12/08
  51.   I AM INDIAN & Feel sorry for deaths of Israelis 18:17  |  Ajay 01/12/08
  52.   India Has Lot to Learn from Israel 18:23  |  Venkatesh Naini 01/12/08
  53.   Esther #40-41 18:55  |  S 01/12/08
  54.   #44 Reader 19:07  |  in der Tat 01/12/08
  55.   Anshel, you got it wrong ..... 19:13  |  Charlie 01/12/08
  56.   THANK YOU INDIA, FOR TRYING 19:30  |  obsever 01/12/08
  57.   My dear Israeli friends, "Entebbe" happened a long time ago..... 19:36  |  Swiss (Dino) 01/12/08
  58.   #To Wil-o`-the-wisp If you have not learned The Israeli 19:47  |  Kathy 01/12/08
  59.   Indian response 21:35  |  Parth Pala 01/12/08
  60.   What have the critics to offer? 22:12  |  Rachel 01/12/08
  61.   india is vast with a range of abilities 22:41  |  giora 01/12/08
  62.   Learn from mistakes 23:09  |  Suresh Babu 01/12/08
  63.   Myopic view : Criticism of Indian forces 2 23:39  |  rahul 01/12/08
  64.   India crisis. 00:57  |  shailesh shah 02/12/08
  65.   We treat everyone as if they were Israelis 01:56  |  Zev Cohen 02/12/08
  66.   I can only speak for myself 02:08  |  Lisa 02/12/08
  67.   Quoodos to India gr8 Job 03:05  |  Big sur 02/12/08
  68.   To S "Je ne regrette rien" and Kathy: I will believe you 03:06  |  Sarah 02/12/08
  69.   what about the Australians lost in Jakatra Nite club bombings! 03:11  |  Big Sur 02/12/08
  70.   Thank you for understanding, Esther Post 46 03:26  |  Will-o`-the-wisp 02/12/08
  71.   I think you`ve misjudged my reasons S in Post 53 04:44  |  eric 02/12/08
  72.   Only Indians Sacrificed for Jewish 05:13  |  Jewish Supporter 02/12/08
  73.   Dumb author 05:25  |  Umer 02/12/08
  74.   MUSLIMS DEMOSTRATING 05:26  |  TOBIA 02/12/08
  75.   appreciate Mr Robets response from tlv 05:27  |  Umer 02/12/08
  76.   # 66 IMPOSTER ALERT! i did NOT write this! HAARETZ PLS POST THIS 05:30  |  eric 02/12/08
  77.   # 66 IMPOSTER ALERT! i did NOT write this! HAARETZ PLS POST THIS 05:32  |  eric 02/12/08
  78.   Time for solidarity between victims of Islamic Terror 05:45  |  Robert 02/12/08
  79.   # 66 IMPOSTER ALERT! i did NOT write this! HAARETZ PLS POST THIS 07:00  |  eric 02/12/08
  80.   India deserves an apology 07:17  |  Afikoman 02/12/08
  81.   A perspective from Indian 07:49  |  Jay 02/12/08
  82.   In the midst of this horrible massacre India backstabbing Israel1 08:33  |  Genuine Tosefta 02/12/08
  83.   In the midst of this horrible massacre India backstabbing Israel2 08:34  |  Genuine Tosefta 02/12/08
  84.   Its all relative 08:43  |  ATan 02/12/08
  85.   OMG! I never noticed this one, Eric in Post 75 09:02  |  Will-o`-the-wisp 02/12/08
  86.   Offending Indians 09:25  |  Arnab Ganguli 02/12/08
  87.   Indians are angry! (1) 09:41  |  Savi 02/12/08
  88.   Indians are angry! (2) 09:43  |  Savi 02/12/08
  89.   Stop offending Israel first 11:28  |  Haaretz pepper 02/12/08
  90.   Stop offending India 13:01  |  Prof. Vijay Dahima 02/12/08
  91.   re in der Tat 19:09  |  Reader 02/12/08
  92.   re Hannah 19:13  |  Reader 02/12/08
  93.   #68 Sarah Just read your post.Was That a Jibe at me? 21:52  |  KATHY 02/12/08
  94.   Are we comparing Apples to Apples? 22:19  |  Bocanot 02/12/08
  95.   what complaints? 23:53  |  PR 02/12/08
  96.   # 85 you`ve done nothing wrong, will-o 11:53  |  eric 03/12/08
  97.   Criticism of indian forces 4 04:31  |  RROA 04/12/08
  98.   if its any consolation 05:02  |  RROA 04/12/08
 Read & React
Bradley Burston / The Jihadi as Nazi, from 9/11 to Mumbai
Responses: 226
IDF declares Hebron `house of contention` a closed military zone
Responses: 83
Amira Hass: Hamas sacrificing Islamic religious rite to keep its iron grip on Gaza
Responses: 51
Experts urge Obama to negotiate with Iran, advance Syria peace
Responses: 74
Palestinian seriously hurt in Jerusalem stabbing; says Jews attacked him
Responses: 90
Rabbi, priest and imam pray together for rain on Kinneret
Responses: 36


More Headlines
03:24 Defense Ministry: Hebron house eviction may spark violence across W. Bank
03:32 ANALYSIS / Settlers can't stop evacuation of Hebron house
05:11 NATO: Diplomacy, not defense, to determine deployment of peacekeepers in Mideast
04:23 Footage released of Palestinian militant reenacting murder of Israeli lawmaker
05:13 Libya accuses Israel of piracy for blocking Gaza aid ship
05:33 At synagogue overlooking Obama's house blacks and Jews live side by side
03:20 Blair urges Obama to press hard for progress in Mideast talks
03:56 Forget about renewable energy in Israel, Infrastructure Ministry says
02:31 Report: Argentina to halt trade with Iran over Jewish center bombings
18:27 Egypt MP: We won't let Hamas form an Islamic emirate in Gaza
16:45 Israeli Arab leaders vow to sail to Gaza to break blockade
16:56 JEWISH WORLD / Obama must help Israel break its territorial addiction
15:39 Three Qassams hit west Negev, further unraveling Gaza truce
00:23 Ido Pollak appointed CEO of TheMarker
21:23 U.S. court upholds $156 million judgment against Palestinian charities
Previous Editions
Special Offers
Advertisement
Israeli Style
Summer in Israel
Living in Israel Studying in English
Click & Meet our students from all around the world
Fattal Hotel Chain
Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
Car rental in Israel
Shlomo Sixt Receive $15.00 from our low rates.
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
Jewish Singles Personal Ads
Find the love of your life on JDate.com
Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
www. israel-property.com
Hebrew Summer courses
From $39.95
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
birthright 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