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A little modesty wouldn't hurt By Haaretz Editorial Tags: terror, Israel News  The terrorist attacks in Mumbai, which left 174 people dead and hundreds wounded, also claimed at least six Israeli and Jewish victims. Naturally, the event evoked sorrow over the loss of life, tinged with rage toward the terrorists who targeted Chabad House, which is run by an organization whose offices constitute a meeting place for Israelis and Jews traveling abroad. To our regret, these obligatory reactions were accompanied by shrill voices that emitted an odious scent of patronization and by baseless populist declarations. Israeli officials who earn their living from defense contracting and security consultations were quick to criticize India's security forces and to dish out advice on how to deal with terrorist attacks. An outstanding example was Minister Rafi Eitan, who blamed the Indians' shoddy preparation for such scenarios. This is the same Eitan who, during his service in the Israeli defense establishment, embroiled Israel in the Pollard affair, tripping up the Jewish spy in a case that got him a life sentence. Eitan could learn a thing or two from the Indian home minister, who oversees most of his country's security agencies. He resigned from his post after accepting responsibility for the lack of prior intelligence on the terrorist cell as well as for the slow response to the attack. Unfortunately, no country, including Israel, is immune to terrorism, and no elite unit can guarantee the safe rescue of hostages taken captive by fanatic terrorists, who embarked on their mission with the aim of killing and ready to be killed themselves. Even countries with the most advanced security and intelligence services, like the United States, cannot thwart terror attacks or prevent the mass slaughter of civilians, as happened on September 11, 2001. Advertisement It is more convenient to recall the 1976 Entebbe rescue operation than to remember the very same, vaunted Sayeret Matkal unit storming a school in Ma'alot, which had been taken over by a group of terrorists two years earlier. The operation left 22 children dead. Less than one year later, the attempt by Sayeret commandos to rescue hostages held in Tel Aviv's Savoy Hotel left eight civilians dead, and also cost the lives of paratroop brigade commander Uzi Yairi and Sayeret soldier Itamar Ben David. In October 1994, the soldier Nachshon Wachsman was killed as Sayeret Matkal forces broke into the house where he was being held hostage by terrorists. IDF Captain Nir Poraz was killed in the operation and seven soldiers were wounded. Meanwhile, Gilad Shalit has been held captive for over two years just a few kilometers from the heart of the country. The Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem acted commendably in distancing itself from the criticism, releasing a statement that read: "In Israel, we are convinced that the Indian security forces did everything in order to prevent harm from coming to the hostages and civilians during the storming of Chabad House." The ministry emphasized that relations between Israel and India withstood a test during the tragic events in Mumbai. It would behoove a government official to call out certain politicians like Housing Minister Ze'ev Boim, who proposed that thousands of Jewish institutions around the world, including Chabad centers, be added to the long list of Israeli missions that are outfitted with security details from the Shin Bet security service. Terrorist attacks are a cause for sorrow and rage, not for arrogant statements and impossible ideas. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Boycotting Wagner The composer's works will remain a sensitive topic in Israel for many years. Bound for Gaza The Libyan ship is the most notable attempt yet to break the Gaza blockade.

Read & React Amos Harel: After Mumbai, the war against terror has changed Responses: 52 EU document on Israel, Mideast: Re-open Orient House Responses: 235 Anshel Pfeffer: Israel, stop offending India over Mumbai Responses: 62 Pope praises Nazi-era pontiff accused of Shoah inaction Responses: 57 Israeli Opera to uphold Wagner ban over Nazi link Responses: 47 More Headlines 00:32 Six bodies of Mumbai Chabad victims arrive in Israel 00:15 Olmert: I'm convinced Hillary Clinton will advance Israel-U.S. relations 01:07 Parents of Mumbai terror victim: We may take Rivka's place as Chabad envoys 21:43 Olmert offers condolences to Indian PM over Mumbai deaths 23:09 Hamas tells Haaretz journalist Amira Hass to leave Gaza 21:45 Bush: My biggest regret is false intelligence on Iraq WMDs 01:02 Israel turns back Libyan ship bound for Gaza with aid 00:56 Fetus kept in formaldehyde for 11 years found in Jerusalem 14:06 Israeli Opera to uphold Wagner boycott over link to Nazis 14:36 Indian investigators: Mumbai attackers trained in Pakistan 21:45 Iran dismisses Israeli military threats as 'psychological warfare' 12:14 German firms seek to bypass Berlin sanctions on Iran 14:29 Body of Israeli Omri Kidron found 5 months after he disappeared in China 11:06 Israeli security accidentally intrudes on live Livni interview 02:32 Five Palestinians hurt in clashes with settlers in Hebron 09:46 Eight IDF soldiers among 25 nabbed in drug trafficking bust Previous Editions Select Day 01 dec 30 nov 28 nov 27 nov 26 nov 25 nov 24 nov 23 nov 21 nov 20 nov 19 nov 18 nov

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