Report: Hezbollah on high alert over concern Israel 'preparing something for us'

As per your request, at the bottom I bring info about the book dealing with this, which is in Hebrew, but perhaps was translated into English by now. I don't remember the editor's name, I believe A. Yariv, former chief of IDF intelligence. or some other former officer of a similar stature. Read the first article were the information you requested is found. Begin gave his speech before the College for National Security (Israel). It was not a response to a question but the topic he discussed. As I mentioned earlier (and is well known, even if some do not remember), the original goals of the 1982 operation (not war) were modest. Sharon developed it into a war, aimed at "fixing" internal Lebanon matters, including the installment of Christians as rulers. Before the Sharon deception became known, Begin defended the war he himself did not plan (as he defended Deir Yassin at the time). A very loyal man, Begin. Now, the book: "Milḥemet bererah : ḳovets maʼamarim" (= War of Choice : a collection of articles), Publisher: Tel Aviv : ha-Ḳibuts ha-meʼuḥad : ha-Merkaz le-meḥḳarim asṭraṭegiyim ʻa. sh. Yafeh, Universiṭat Tel-Aviv; Tel Aviv (1985)

I never said it was in response to a question. It was in response to criticism. You should read it more carefully. It was a justification of the initial operation - the "modest part" as you say. He believed it was justified - to stop deaths of citizens caused by operations "planned in Beurit". Your first post is misleading and dishonest because you don't give context to his "war of choice" phrase which was actually used in an ironic, perhaps sarcastic sense" - int he sense of "yeah it was a choice - we could continue to see our civilians killed"

That doesn't mean they aren't justified. If fact that was Begin's point. -that the initial operation was justified because of attacks from Lebanon. So why are you using his quote to imply that Israel has always been the aggressor - Begin wasn't saying that. If YOU think that you are entitled to your opinion, and you are of course not obliged to agree with his justification, but you shouldn't misrepresent his point.

Hezbollah was never even able to slow down Israel and never will. Sending badly doctored photos to European Newspapers doesn't change that and even with three thousand dead as nothing more than a speed bump they still have the insanity to declare victory? Nonsense, Mutual Threats don't work with suicidal idiots, they will continue to declare victory until they are all dead and Lebanon is safe for Innocent Infidels again.

This hairbrain puts that quote in nearly all of his posts. There wasn't much of a choice given the level of attacks against Israel by the PLO from Lebanon.

The book (a collection of articles) is scholarly and not a response to any ironic remarks. Read the first article by Yariv. You will get a long quote from Begin's lecture. Alternatively, check with Prof1, he might be a professional who can make some distinctions..

If you read more carefully, you will see that I consider Hizballah the "agrgessor". They acted, and Israel reacted. The problem with the reaction is that it was sometimes "extreme". As far as Begin, he did not plan a war, so it is difficult to call it a "justified war". But whether or not it can be justified after the fact, the reaction was too extreme, Israel got stuck in the Lebanese quagmire for years, and begin died sorry and depressed. In my post I express the hope that with "mutual threats", there will be quiet, neither action nor reaction.

.. why do you keep saying things. Just look in the mirror and ask: Do I want to look like a fool? If you decide not to, you will skip a useless post.

The victor - usually the bigger army - is almost always the person who starts the war. There by, it is safe to assume the party with the bigger army and who wins a war started the war.

Given what you have to say, particularly pretending that the 1982 was a war of "choice," it's clear that YOU are the one who is saying stupid, useless things.

about how many professions and how much freedom is denied to Palestinian Arabs in Lebanon and other countries. Even Syria is not as bad as Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt etc. But no Arab countries leave their Pal Arab citizens to democratic freedoms the way Israel does. Any Palestinian is better of as an Israeli than as any other Arab nationality citizen. That's why they prosper, live longer, build businesses and stay put. Does anyone expect a flood of Arab Israelis to claim refugee status in a Palestinian State which, if the UN doesn't stick around to help the place solidify but just throws bribe money at it and then runs home, will become a Hamastan?

Jordan has revoked citizenship to it's Palestinian citizens and has purged their military of them as well. The majority of Palestinians that live and prosper in Israel would never want to be ruled by the other arab governments. Their Israeli citizenship cards are like gold; giving them the opportunity to buy homes, businesses, get an education, and the best healthcare. Your reply is appreciated and we all hope for a peaceful co-existence between the Jews and our arab cousins.

The Mullahs would never have it.

im normally absolute criticly to israel but thats a point. anyway the last lebanonwar didnt find my sympathie to israel and the next wont too.

Don't worry about Lebanon, don't waste your time here. Germany have been killing Muslims in far away Afghanistan for the last nine years. When did Afghanistan attack your country? What are you doing, as a German citizen, about it?

I consider it all right when you criticize our government for sending soldiers to Afghanistan in order to serve U.S. imperial purposes. Given that you should not issue a gag-order on us when we are concerned on your government's warmongering. We don't live in the 19th century and should have a global mutual interest.

Theft of Golan Heights? Did Israel pickpocket Syria or repel their murderous invading army with a good kicking, then keep the buffer zone? Theft of the West Bank - ditto re Jordan. Or are you gonna pretend that the West Bank wasn't merely the name that the Jordanian Occupiers gave to Judea and Samaria?

your love to logic is strong, but judeophobia is even stronger

"So classified that it just had to become public information." That's your greatest argument? They IDF decided it was a better trade to disclose some information for a PR victory and to further strengthen the image behind Hezba's human shield tactics.

Wanna sign up and join the IDF this thime round?Easy to be brave on your keyboard...

I would join in a heart beat to get rid of the hizbull pestilence once and for all if the IDF would have me - in a heart beat.

Unlike you armchair generals I already took part in the defense of Israel *wink* ^_-

I would in a heartbeat if they would accept American citizens in their ranks. I don't think they need the help though. Everyone keeps talking trash about "the last time" - The "last time" IDF were fighting with incredible restraint - trying to avoid loss of innocent life... If Hezz would stop hiding behind women and children or if Israel threw public opinion to the wind and really "took their gloves off" it would be over in a heart beat. So sit there and mock - take pride in your cowardice but you know this to be true.

Defense, you say? Needless to say, it isn't difficult to be a soldier, or army personnel where you are. It's not a reason to be egocentric either, especially when you consider the military equipment it has, which is granted by its donor. There's no pride in that.

"it isn't difficult to be a soldier...reason to be egocentric either" You're right, it's the duty and chore of every Israeli to sign to the Israeli defense forces, which is why I served there. He merely made a wrong assessment and I corrected him. "which is granted by its donor. There's no pride in that. " You seem to be conveniently forgetting that the U.S began to be Israel's friend only during the six days war and before that it even had an arms embargo on us. Even so it was only to break the monopoly the Arab armies had with the support of the USSR. The conflict began way before the six days war as you surely know. But it's not logical nor does it add credit to your post when you completely ignore the IDF's tactics and our own technology. The IDF isn't known to be one of the most technological armies in the world, and the IAF known to be one of the best air forces in the world with superior Intel gathering capabilities simply because they got some of the US's technology. Correct? Even if you don't agree with Israel you should see that and thus I am proud in the knowledge that my country managed to defend itself for the last 60 years against states 50 times its size in terms of population who hold a monopoly over oil. Many believed it was the guidance of God but when I grew up I simply saw it as the result of superior tactics mixed with very high morale and mixed luck.

Ethan, I for one would be happy to see you join the IDF. A bit of combat might cause you to lose your naivete about battle. Israel uses state of the art weaponry against lightly armed Hezbollah resistance. Who arre the actual cowards?

Israel's border only 'appears' to be less threatening - until you start looking at the Israeli arsenal and available methods of weapons delivery that lie beyond those "tourist towns and guesthouses, cherry orchards, farms, apples, an ice rink, hiking trails, etc. etc" - which it's always eager to unleash upon civilian targets and infrastructure - without prejudice.