IDF vs. Goldstone: PR 'commando' explains war against Hamas to Americans
Col. (res.) Ben Tzion Gruber doesn't tour Western Europe for fear of being arrested for Gaza war crimes.
By Amos Harel Tags: Goldstone report Israel news IDFWhen it comes to public relations for Israel, Col. (res.) Ben Tzion Gruber is a one-man self-appointed PR commando unit. Deputy commander of the reserve division that served in Operation Cast Lead, Gruber has crisscrossed the United States - even before the Gaza campaign - explaining the unique way the Israel Defense Forces conducts itself in its war against Hamas terror.
Gruber, from Efrat, is a businessman who serves an average of 100 days a year of reserve duty. Over the past 20 years, during which he also served as a reserve brigade commander during the second intifada, he frequently lectured to IDF units, in schools and abroad. The pay he receives for his foreign lectures "more or less covers expenses," he says.
Gruber returned from the Gaza campaign with a deep awareness of the complexities of fighting terrorists operating among civilians. He bases his lectures on his own experiences, and uses films and data to illustrate the difficulty of making decisions under such circumstances. He received some of the films (particularly those showing cases where the IDF chose not to attack, so as to avoid harming civilians), from the IDF Spokesman's Office.
Gruber says he wants to deliver a message to those who don't get all the facts.
"The problem is when they are bombarded all the time with Goldstone, Goldstone, Goldstone. Without hearing anything from the other side, they begin to believe the report," he says.
Only some of Gruber's lectures are for Jewish audiences. He also speaks on college campuses, at think tanks, in Congress and in courses for Western military forces. Foreign journalists here also consider him a good source of information about the nature of fighting in the territories.
On campuses he has encountered organized, vocal opposition from Palestinian students and anti-Israeli leftist groups, in which Jews feature prominently.
"They interrupt every lecture, and shout 'Liar.' Some bring their laptops and quote the Goldstone report from the Internet. It's become their bible," he says.
At Brown University in Rhode Island, his picture was distributed with the caption: "Wanted for war crimes in Gaza."
Still, he feels he has made an impact. "When people hear what warnings we give before we bomb the house of a terrorist, their perception changes," Gruber says. Other than the films, Gruber receives no state assistance. At least five government bodies deal with PR, but it's doubtful that any of them have managed to wage a campaign as extensive as Gruber's.
For now, Gruber is limiting his activities to the United States.
"I know that if I try to do the same thing in Western European countries, pro-Palestinian groups may try to have me arrested for participating in the Gaza operation," he says.
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Let's drop the 'war' rhetoric. Cast Lead was not a war, but a minor genocide, garnished with huge loss of property and destruction of Gazan infrastructure. 1400 Palestinian dead versus 13 IDF soldiers does not in any way describe a "war" operation. It was more in the nature of a 'pogrom.' And of those 13 Israeli dead, how many of them died from enemy fire? What percentage of them may have died from friendly fire, or by accident? Please, no more "war" talk.
There are evidences Hezbollah may have White Phosphorus shells in stock. White Phosphorus shells were seized in the recent smuggling operation from Iran to Lebanon(Francop). It is very possible Hezbollah will use it against IDF forces on the next Lebanon war.
Please don't insult the word WAR. This like shooting ducks in a barrel. It takes a really great and MORAL army to pull off such a victory. Congradulations, you must all be proud.
"People always want to explain crimes" - Kelly How do you know he is a war criminal Kelly? I have read the Goldstone Report and it does not imply that the majority, or even a significant minority of Israeli soldiers were personally guilty of war crimes. The BIG accusation is that the form of warfare ordered was intended to maximize damage to civilian infrastructure without regard to whether it harmed terrorists or not. Col. BenTzion Gruber has not been mentioned in any way as being a war criminal. If I have a complaint it is that BOTH Col. Gruber and many of those who cite the Goldstone Report have clearly NEVER read it. It is not what the rabid on both sides have assumed it to be.
"People always want to explain crimes" - Michael Like the efforts to explain the crimes outlined in the Goldstone Report? Michael, personal responsibility only applies to others. It never applies to the rabid right. The rabid right always demands 'amnesty' or a 'pardon.'
"This is not the mark of a civilized society,(i.e. internecine struggle between Hamas and Fatah), but of brutal gangs fighting a petty turf war." Yeah, and it kinda looks like "self-hating jews and "self-loving" jews might be headed in the same direction. Whadya think?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/world/middleeast/30hamas.html By STEPHEN FARRELL Published: December 29, 2008 "RAMALLAH, West Bank ? On the wall of the Israeli government press office in Jerusalem on Monday was a stack of yellow Post-it notes pasted one on top of the next, with the number 10,048 scrawled on the top one. That was the number of Palestinian rockets and mortar shells fired into Israel from Gaza since 2001.It was quickly out of date, and other Post-its will soon be stacked on top.---" I think the figure 12000 was on one of the ads ( even flashed on Harretz?)I saw I will try to find it. PS The Arab invaders that came to Palestine did not take over a "terra nulis". They built their Mosque on TOP of the Jewish Temple site. Abraham purchased land,not what the Arab invaders did is it?
And however they fight against Hamas I never understood why. That needs some explanation too.
A story that grows in the telling. According to the Goldstone report: Since April 2001, Palestinian armed groups have launched more than 8,000 rockets and mortars from Gaza into southern Israel. So where does the 12000 figure come from? This figure seems to have escalated during the course of this year. Earlier in the year everyone was talking about the 8000 rockets etc. and it seems like the effect was in danger of losing its potency so another 4000 was stuck on for good measure. It must be something akin to the formation of the scriptures. First there were a few guys on camels leaving Ur of the Chaldees, the next thing they turned into several millions crossing the Red Sea to meet their pre ordained destiny in the Occupied Territories. By the way. Goldstone quotes his 8000 from the Report of the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC), "Summary of rocket fire and mortar shelling in 2008"; available at: http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/ipc_e007.pdf Which crank site do you get your figures from?
I sometimes ask myself whether the israeli society is aware of the facts who made the creation of hamas possible? Whether the people know who gave sheik yassin a lot of money and other support to fight the constitution of a civil society in the occupied territories? Spirits that I've cited.. My commands ignore.. (Goethe)
When Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza, did Hamas start building schools, universities, a free-market economic system, or any other part of a normal civilized society? No. Hamas? top agenda was to go on a brutal rampage directed against its own people, the members of Fatah. Their next ?priority? was to start shooting missiles at Israel. This is not the mark of a civilized society, but of brutal gangs fighting a petty turf war. Yet many people in the ?world community? ignore Palestinian society?s extreme dysfunctional nature. As to the ?Palestininas?, they prefer Hamas : http://xrl.us/bepvm7
... the 500 innocents (probably much less) Gazans in Cast Lead who lost their life... Look at the thousands upon thousands of Pakistanis, Indians, Africans who have have been INTENTIONALLY MURDERED by Muslims in the last year alone. Israelis are absolute pikers when it comes to murder. Of course that doesn't fit the liberal agenda.
'1. What about shooting civilians with white flags?' Yeah I saw the video of him putting down his weapon 1st. '2. What about that UN facility that was supposed to have Hamas operatives *firing from inside* but it turned out that the IDF systematically lied about it and was caught red-handed doing it?' You mean the one the UN admitted didn't happen? '3. How do you explain the videos we have all seen of the white phosphorous being fired upon a UN shelter?' Again never happened '4. What about flechette munitions, DIME and other non-conventional weapons used in this tiny crowded ghetto, was this a testing ground?' Not a shred of evidence. 'One could go on and on.' Yes you do that - keep writing the same lies over and over.
If you don't believe what the UNHRC investigators have come up with, there's a simple solution; hold an impartial investigation and prove them wrong.
Let a Hamas spokeman apologist for his side come to the U.S. and speak at all the same venues visited by the IDF shill. Then let the people decide. But that's not the way it works with our "allies," the "only democracy" in the ME.
Raining down on civilian areas? We all saw it on CNN, BBC, and so on, live. Even as the hapless Israeli spokesmodel was saying Israel doesn't use WP in civilian areas. Oops. Embarrassing.
hamas doesnt negotiate with israel unless its about prisoner swaps. This is a war people hamas dont need lawyers or theorists to explain UN laws and resolutions they need building materials and weaponry to build a prosperous nation and protect it. you guys think if israel wants to talk to hamas that hamas will say thank god we've been waiting on u. Freedom fighters dont depend on the enemy they are fighting
A story that grows in the telling. According to the Goldstone report: Since April 2001, Palestinian armed groups have launched more than 8,000 rockets and mortars from Gaza into southern Israel. So where does the 12000 figure come from? This figure seems to have escalated during the course of this year. Earlier in the year everyone was talking about the 8000 rockets etc. and it seems like the effect was in danger of losing its potency so another 4000 was stuck on for good measure. It must be something akin to the formation of the scriptures. First there were a few guys on camels leaving Ur of the Chaldees, a few generations later these turned into several millions fleeing across the divided Red Sea to meet their pre ordained destiny in the Occupied Territories. By the way. Goldstone quotes from the Report of the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC), "Summary of rocket fire and mortar shelling in 2008"; available at: http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/ipc_e007.pdf Which crank site do you get your figures from?
....if the Hamas "soldiers" would also be allowed to travel to the United States and explain their position to the American people.
no, you have to see in this way: 1) Palestinians who hate Israel and fight its existance 2) Israel who replies to the terror attack of the palestinians. Israel has the right to respond to terror with all the strength it has.
without willingness to hear the other side . How democratic is that ? Or is it that democracy only applies to haters if it confirms their feeling of right to hate ? Or maybe only the Arabic kind of democracy is an exceptable democracy for them ? By the way , would they agree that Hamas operatives should be arrested also as Goldstone calls them possible war criminals ? Empty heads have a very loud but drumming sound .
Good ratio ,it is a beginning of an actual thinking,means the time of real peace between the Pals. and the Israelis has come.
Exactly. Has Gruber taken his examples fro Operation Cast Lead. What does Gruber say about the massive damage marked intentionally for the civilian infrastructure in Gaza? Groups that know the truth must follow him and confront him on every point.
A story that grows in the telling. According to the Goldstone report: Since April 2001, Palestinian armed groups have launched more than 8,000 rockets and mortars from Gaza into southern Israel. So where does the 12000 figure come from? This figure seems to have escalated during the course of this year. Earlier in the year everyone was talking about the 8000 rockets etc. and it seems like the effect was in danger of losing its potency so another 4000 was stuck on for good measure. It must be something akin to the formation of the scriptures. First there were a few guys on camels leaving Ur of the Chaldees, a few generations later these turned into several millions fleeing across the divided Red Sea to meet their pre ordained destiny in the Occupied Territories. By the way. Goldstone quotes from the Report of the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC), "Summary of rocket fire and mortar shelling in 2008"; available at: http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/ipc_e007.pdf Which crank site do you get your figures from?
The lecture sounds facinating.
Don't confuse "anti-zionists" with the facts. Their minds were made up long ago. Of course they don't want to hear what he has to say, much in the same way that "anti-zionists" prefer to ignore actual history in favor of the collection of myths, fabrications and tall tales called the "Palestinian narrative." Its a consistant pattern.
new US commander has especially given out an order that limits or forbids Predator attacks when civilians are in danger (hence the massive drop in civilian casualties since he took office in April this year).I also have not seen the US use white phosphor since 2004(that gave the US army some bad press!),nor do they target civilian infrastructure (the even have reconstruction teams to rebuild it).The US realised that they need a 'hearts and mind' approach in order to gain local support in AfgPak and Iraq.After 40y of endless occupation, Israel is way past that phase.Cast Lead was all about punishment and future deterrence while minimizing Israel casualties,no matter what.As a matter of fact,this sort of conduct in war may constitutes a war crime, which has to be investigated. BTW,the term coward applies usually to the side which can't take casualties without breaking down, aka IDF soldiers and the Israeli society.That's why the IDF flattened everything in Gaza,not because they r moral.
experience with all of us. Since British have centuries of criminal military activities they are exceptionally good at explaining their own crimes. For example, they have no doubts that they have a right to invade Afghanistan and to try to enforce civilized way of running things there without even a hint form Afghan side of any intention to carry out rocket attack on UK. At the same time they call hundreds of rockets landing in Israel fire crackers and do not think Israel has any rights to stop the practice.
Hate monger.
I'm waiting for someone to say that Goldstone is an anti-semite....oh wait! that trick won't work this time
will file extradition papers on this individual. Especially as he id avoiding Europe on fear of arrest. Especially as we have enhanced extradition treaties with the United States
Who will be judged? Where is Goldstone? Bunch of cowards.
I think this man means well, but he is biased as well. ( as in painting a story exclusively from the Israeli point of view)
Shabbat shalom.
His home is Efrat. Look it up on the map. Gruber should think about where home is and, for the moment at least, leave IDF hasbara to someone who lives within the Green Line.
"You have to look both sides - the was is made by 2 sides. Both fight, both die." Translation: You kill civilians deliberately, now we kill civilians deliberately. Conclusion (missing in your post): You are terrorists, so we are terrorists, too.
3. How do you explain the videos we have all seen of the white phosphorous being fired upon a UN shelter? .. really? and what about years of suicide bombing into civilians areas? Is this type of primitive arm allowed and not dengerous? What about killing israeli civilians? You have to look both sides - the was is made by 2 sides. Both fight, both die. Stop kill us if you don't want us to kill you. Simple.
... to the good Judge Goldstone, who is also a good Jew... ... yes, close contact in crowded treacherous Gaza is a huge challenge to the humane evaluations of the IDF... ... basically Goldstone implores us not to forget our humanity... we should thank him for that reminder, not vilify him...
and fighting without uniforms amongst civillians. You people do not like getting hit back? Live with Israelis are no free kick.Miss the good old days of Arab pogroms? Those days are over since independence.
This man is enlightening people with facts as to what really occurred in Gaza. Israel removed so many mass murdering terrorist from the world owes Israel a debt of gratitude.
He might have something that does not suit the spin of the leftist-Hamas axis. No wonder you speak up first. Just like the UNHRC impartial investigators.
The Government having given up on PR (which is why they did not attend/defend the Goldstone report) thei man seems to have the right idea Good on him - now lets have some more organised followers doing what he is doing
Another good man from Efrat! Goldstone is evidently a sham, so let us admit it and move on with Cast lead part II.
Aha you and your ilks are trying to show here, how human rights abider, how democrat you are. But you don't have any notion about democracy. I know very well when it comes to you, history shows how ruthless you are. You don't have the nerve to listen the truth. You've already listen the other side and have an opinion. Why don't you want to listen our side. I doubt ever yo'll learn what juripendence is. Aby
have anyone who criticizes this man ever served in the army? war is chaos. mistakes are made. fact: no country in the history of the world has ever gone to the extent of israel to warn the citizens of its enemy. fact: gaza is the 5th densest area in the world (4,311 persons per sq km (11,165 per sq mi)). fact: if america had thousands of rockets launched into its borders, there would be no mexico.
Yeah your ass is not in trouble. We witness how you deal in Iraq or Vietnam when your ass was in trouble. If you were an Israeli I'm sure you've got mad. Bias standarts, why don't you stand up and try to arrests your USA officers? Aby
You don't want even to listen, why are hurriying to much in conviction. It seems you don't want to change your opinion. Why does bother so much the truth. Aby
The U.S. has enough war criminals. We don't need any more of your kind.
And should be thrown out of the US.
How moral to phone and warn of in comming bombs, but escape to where? Whats his slant on the siege and the on going institutional violence meted out on the Palestinians daily. I hope Goldstone Goldstone Goldstone follows him EVERYWHERE! Is the Palestinian future going to be the Orwellian horror of "A BOOT ON A HUMAN FACE FOREVER"! PR commando's are to obscure the truth and to remove the light with distortions and half truths and to tell the BIG LIE over and over until it is believed unquestioningly by the US sheep.....how much is the US government directly or indorectly paying for this propaganda ministry anyway?....PEACE EVER?
1. What about shooting civilians with white flags? 2. What about that UN facility that was supposed to have Hamas operatives *firing from inside* but it turned out that the IDF systematically lied about it and was caught red-handed doing it? 3. How do you explain the videos we have all seen of the white phosphorous being fired upon a UN shelter? 4. What about flechette munitions, DIME and other non-conventional weapons used in this tiny crowded ghetto, was this a testing ground? One could go on and on. There is no defense to the indefensible except for a complete and independent investigation, and a subsequent bringing to justice those on both sides responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Israelis must be very proud.
He works for the IDF's propaganda unit, but we are all expected to believe that he doesn't work for the IDF's propaganda unit. I gather that in the world of spooks this is called establishing a "legend". IDF military intelligence is grooming this guy to be an "expert witness" in their defense, and this is the first step in establishing his "cover" as someone who a) is in touch with the IDF but b) isn't being controlled by the IDF. Even though he is being controlled by IDF military intelligence. "Ben Tzion Gruber is a one-man self-appointed PR commando unit." If this guy is "self-appointed" then my name is "Shimon Peres".
This is a perfect reaction to guys like him who go on "PR" tours. PR is for hacks and the colonel is certainly one of them. Doing "PR" to sweeten what IDF did in Gaza. How sick and ugly can Israeli society get?
I think we should arrest him when he visit here next time. He is war criminal.
They hear warnings were given but the cage door was closed and then they knew what was coming and couldn't get away...that too is a crime. Shame on America for letting this war criminal propagandist into America