Yossi Sarid / Lies about Netanyahu's trip harm Israel's credibility
In future, any official statement from the PM's bureau will be considered false unless proven otherwise.
By Yossi Sarid Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu Israel news"For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace, for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest," the prophet Isaiah said. But he did not say in private conversation that "for state security one may sometimes not tell the whole truth."
What one could see then, one does not see now. And the conversations were so private that there was not one newspaper Thursday that did not quote something from them. What is true of a private conversation in Jerusalem is also true of a mysterious trip to Russia. Every state secret immediately becomes the talk of the town. Even Isaiah would have changed his comment today and told you that it is worth remaining quiet for Jerusalem's sake.
Sources in the Prime Minister's Bureau reported that the mendacious statement to the press was the private initiative of the prime minister's military secretary. Just as an army general is permitted not to tell the truth for security's sake, so we are permitted not to believe him.
So let it be clear - we indeed do not believe him. And it is also okay for us to assess that Meir Kalifi did not decide of his own accord to tell a lie. Do we need to mention again the inferior status of a half-truth?
From now on, any official statement from the bureau will be considered in our eyes false unless proven otherwise. We'll take everything with a grain of salt for our wounds. And we will allow ourselves to examine the proof.
That is exactly where this kind of suspicious credo trips up; if you believe in it, then I do not believe you. And it is not easy to replace trust that has been lost - sometimes it cannot be done at all.
And if it is state security that we are talking about, then security is first and foremost a matter of trust and credibility. Countries and armies that disseminate lies and half-truths testify to their own weakness.
When the Arabs were still Arabs and announced victories that had never been, they were already defeated; they had already marked their escape path with discarded boots. Then, in those far off days, we were victorious because an Israeli report won the day over an Egyptian report; anyone who distorted a report did not have the upper hand.
Credibility is power, as is written in every textbook ever read by Uzi Arad, the highest ranking official in state security. Over the years, our neighbors reined in their imaginations while we became more thoroughly integrated into the region.
Was it just by chance that the false dissemination was assigned to the ranking officer in the group? It was not merely the hand of fate that was involved in the fraud, it was more appropriate for a man in uniform to take the name of security in vain.
It is easier for him; in recent years, the army has specialized in press releases that are "sometimes not the whole truth."
If every time a senior official were to sin he would resign, the bureaus would empty out and the ranks of the unemployed would fill up. Therefore this time, once again, we will forgo the pathetic call for a resignation or a dismissal.
Instead, we hereby propose a freeze on all lies for a period of up to one year. A whole year without lies.
Can the public tolerate a decree of that kind? And will the Prime Minister's Bureau be able to bear it?
When I recall another kind of freeze, which started with a massive thaw, I am not sure my proposal for an end to the distortions is a good one.
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"all that is needed for peace is for the Jews to give up just a little MORE land." (B. Dissen) Nonsense. Israel - not THE Jews - have never given up any land. You are sorely mistaken. All Israel - not the Jews - has done, till now, is 1- put an end to the occupation of Sinai, against peace with Egypt, 2- retreated from South Lebanon, 3- put an end - unilaterally (know what that means?) - to the occupation of the Gaza Strip, while opening its gate wide before the worst of enemies. Don't rewrite history. And use the right terms: Israel is a state member of the U.N. THE Jews are not. The two are not synonymous. As long as you mistake one for the other you will never understand what is going on here.
"You said Sarid's article is about lying." (Pupik) Yes, this is what I said, and this is what Sarid's article is about, NOT about the duty to disclose everything to the public. Keeping a secret is not the same as lying. "Even Isaiah would have [...] told you that it is worth remaining quiet for Jerusalem's sake." (Y.Sarid) #14's remarks were pointless and cantankerous.
"Surprise! Israeli government tells lie!" - Solow from Bastrop, Texas Solow, coming from Bastrop, Texas you might have a bit broader understanding of the kind of people who become politicians. The namesake of 'Bastrop" Texas was Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop. That was the assumed name of Philip Nering Bogel, who was run out of Holland for stealing the taxes he was collecting for the government. Succeeding, later failing, at fraud in Louisiana, he fled to Texas. Where he became a politician - and corrupt as always. Solow, decent people do not go into politics. Nor do politicians do anything but lie. "Israel' has nothing to do with the fact that Bibi is a politician, and that all Israeli politicians are politicians. If the did not lie, no one would elect them. Would you vote for someone who promised to steal all he could, defraud at any chance, lie rather than tell the truth and murder when ever it was profitable? Of course not. And that is why ALL politicians lie.
Sour grapes much? It never stops amazing me how everybody thinks they need to know and talk about everything in Israeli politics and media. Yossi stuck between both but not in the know about this Netanyahu trip. Guess what, it's none of your business and some things are best left unsaid even by our tribe.
Bibi has learned his lesson. From now on, he will clear everything he does with you, in advance. Can't have anymore of this bad ink.
"Instead, we hereby propose a freeze on all lies for a period of up to one year. A whole year without lies." - Yossi Sarid Is this a request for the sounds of silence? If politicians can't lie, what have they to say?
Perhaps it's your reading comprehension that needs attention. You said Sarid's article is about lying. #14 said there are times when secrecy is needed and explanation does not require full disclosure. That means if you want to keep the secret it may be necessary to lie or mislead. Do you just need something to complain about?
Netanyahu's credibility is the same as, Lieberman's credibility is the same as, Sarid's credibility is the same as, UN's credibility is the same as, EU's credibility is the same as, the Arab's credibility,the same as, Politic's credibility. "Consultants have credibility because they are not dumb enough to work at your company"
and Haaretz is all of a sudden concerned about Israel's credibility on the International Stage? So funny. Thanks 9/11 is always a bad day since the events of 8 years ago. I needed a laugh
never become Presidents nor PM's. Obama lies habitually.Soother the speech bigger lies.Afganistan surge Davis,NATO should quit,noforeign invaders ever won in Afganistan Even Alexander the Great had to leave Afganistan after his soldiers mutinity. As politician Arik Sharon lied often Biggest lie was his intended scope of Lebanon War Except when he was leading daring attacks on Arab Armies and terrorists. Ben Gurion Lied about the forged letter ordering the ill fated spy mission to Egypt in 1954. He new that Dayans entourage forged that letter to set up Lavons downfall (Lavon Affair) Pres.Lyndon Johnson lied about Tonkin Naval incident to have a pretext to escallate the VietNam war.This cost him his second full presidential term.Obama will meet the same fate after escalating the troop number on Afganistan. Nixon Lied about Watergate Break in.It cost him his presidency.Tricky Dicky wasn't a bad President.He opened relations with c
One thing you don't know: The difference between keeping silent about "some items that are not for everyone's consumption" (your words) and lying about them. Sarid's article is about lying. Do something about your reading comprehension problem.
"Then, in those far off days, we were victorious because an Israeli report won the day over an Egyptian report; anyone who distorted a report did not have the upper hand." - Y. Sarid All one has to do is read a good, reliable history of the 1967 war, and the days preceding it, to know that this statement is not true. And check out what Begin said to Carter at Camp David I. False statements by Israeli military and government authorities are nothing new. Neither are misleading statements by some Israeli journalists.
makes no sense.netanyahu wanted to keep a visit to russia secret.that is allowed. find a more important topic for your writings.
Sorry, my dear Yossi Sarid, but Israels "credibility" problem in the world was certainly not caused through this (rather minor) incident. That "job" was done by the chronical cheating/ tricksing of pretty much the whole political establishment in Israel when it came to issues like settlement expansion or route of the fence/wall in the past. No need at all to blame "Bibi" alone for that image.....
In recent times Israel has managed to offend many other states including Russia, the Vatican, Turkey, Spain, Sweden and, increasingly, the US. Yet Israel wants international support to prevent Iran obtaining nuclear capabilities. If the Prime Minister will lie to the media and the Israeli public then it makes obtaining such support much harder.
Sorrrrrrrry, Sarid, you are not in leadership anymore and not privy to the workings of some items that are not for everyone's consumption. whether the issue was bungled or cleverly thought out with the precise outcome happening, there are times when secrecy is needed and its explanation does not require full disclosure. Let me think a another example you might be able to follow= Oslo, there were many clandestine meetings by people with and without authority, and when the time came to act upon it, it was thrust down Israel's throat without a chance to properly cook, slice and chew it. It turned out that it was undercooked, it could have severely sliced up Israel and it has been chocking to death too many Jews, you don't seem to care about. The big difference- Bibi is protecting our people. You and your criminal allies have endangered them. Go ahead, stab the pm for a shekel's worth of nothing. How's retirement. Shana Tova
Haaretz Fan is correct. On hearing anything regarding the whole "Most moral Army in the World" sham, and everything surrounding anything the IDF does, you first assume the exact opposite of what is said.
"If every time a senior official were to sin he would resign, the bureaus would empty out and the ranks of the unemployed would fill up. " - YS True. There'd then be space in those bureaus for the honest bod senior officials who have, until now, been swelling the ranks of the unemployed or leaving for jobs abroad.
"to the media I say: you do your job and let the government do its job." (US CITIZEN) Please enlight me: Is it possible that sometimes the Government is failing to do his job [to keep the people safe, in particular - and, in general, to ensure the survival of the country] and is it then right for the media to make their views known to the public? Or should we presume - just because they have been democratically elected - that all elected governments always do the right thing? "A phenomenon noticeable throughout history, regardless of place or period, is the pursuit by governments of policies contrary to their own interests." Barbara W. Tuchman, in "The March of Folly - From Troy to Vietnam". "She twice won the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction, first for 'The Guns of August' and again for 'Stilwell and the American Experience in China'. In 1980 the National Endowment for the Humanities selected Tuchman for the Jefferson Lecture, the U.S. federal government's highest honor for achievement in the humanities." See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Tuchman
Mr Sarid, don't you think that you should apply equal vigilance to statements made by your Moslem friends, on all that is needed for peace is for the Jews to give up just a little more land? Don't you think that their failures to keep a single item of what they promised should lead to some concern?
The government was elected by the people. The FIRST responsibility of government is to keep the people safe, even if that means telling a lie from time to time. So, to the media I say: you do your job and let the government do its job. OK?
.. and you might not like it at all.
Israel lost its credibility a long time ago. People need to wake up and come to their senses. If Israel wants to regain its credibility, it needs to take serious steps towards resolving this enduring and most twisted of conflicts with the Palestinians. Short of this, Israel's credibility will forever be questioned.
the lie told shows us the fear of the liar about the truth, and the projection of his fantasy. so what was bibi afraid of and what was his fantasy? the fear is that events, as always, are out of our control. russia and other "friendly" nations supply our ennemies with weapons. the fantasy projected is that by leasing a private jet and making a secret visit one can make a deal and set things right, like some high powere CEO. heh, heh. Bibi has his plate full of problems and the waiter delivered a frozen meal compliments of Obama.
1.As if HARM TO CREDIBILITY is not enough, get ready for the worst part. Here is a prediction that HARMS the AUTHORITY of leaders. 2.As foretold in the Gospel, present leaders, no matter how great, intelligent, famous, religious, pure or sweet-talking, will not have the right food for the hungry, angry, weary, sick, lame, blind, dumb and deft multitude. 3.The predicted provider of the correct food is a small but well-trained shepherd boy mahdi with the Moshiachs Meal of Five Loaves and Two Fish. This boy will also have what present leaders do not have today: efficiency, credibility, and authority. 4.There is only good move for leaders: give up looking for a solution because they have none and then find the small boy. 5.That good move should be initiated by Haaretz.
Do you expect the Prime Ministers office to publish state secrets of the details of secret negotiations affecting the future of Israel and or sensitive negotiations regarding the arming of Iran? I guess Haaretz believes the it was elected to protect the State of Israel. This sort of probing is damaging and pathetic!!
Remember? King David wanted Bathsheba so her husband, Uriah, had to go. MGN Meir Kalifi is just a soldier and is, therefore, expendable. He will be expected to fall on his sword like a good soldier so as not to embarrass the Prime Minister.
Who believed Israel's statements up until this time anyway?
Given the mendacious and unsubstantiated reports coming from the paper about the IDF's conduct, I don't think it can. We'll see.