One often relies on government at all levels to protect one’s long-term interests, to be ready for unforeseen eventualities. In an emergency, all that needs to be done is open a manual and follow the instructions. Preparedness and training support this readiness assumption. Yet, real emergencies and disasters never resemble those we anticipate and for which we train. Thus, improvisation, flexibility and thinking outside the box must all be exercised for real-time events.
Israel is said to have the necessary “drawer plans” for almost all eventualities. Its readiness is constantly tested, both by the proper authorities and by its enemies. Some say that the Second War in Lebanon as well as the events leading up to and culminating in Operation Cast Lead in Gaza were nothing but intelligence gathering operations by Hizbollah and Hamas, checking Israel’s response to various scenarios.
When the enemy becomes exceedingly more sophisticated, and when it is ready to sacrifice its resources (both human and ammunition and infrastructure like underground bunkers) to learn what its enemy (Israel) does and how it responds, one must admire the determination and admit the level of threat is much greater than otherwise anticipated.
Preparing for the Threat
How does Israel prepare for the possibility of war as it faces threats from the North, Northeast, Southwest and from within its gates? Aware of a growing possibility of USA disengagement from Israel, who are the likely partners with whom Israel will cooperate? Is it Israel’s responsibility to counter the Iranian menace or is she better off standing aside allowing other Iranian targets to answer the threat?
Who will analyze and assess the threats, evaluate the options and provide possible courses of action under different scenarios?
There are many governmental “think tanks” in Israel. They are part of the system, yielding far-reaching influence since their recommendations are translated into action, or at the very least presented to decision makers.
Their purview is wide and the general public is often unaware of their existence or their work. One such exception was seventeen years ago when the contents of a study were deliberately released on the twelve o’clock news: “The Nuclear Threat to Israel.” Almost two decades have passed, and a subject that once was under a Top Secret classification has become an every day topic of discussion. Among the regular contributors to that discourse is the President of Iran. A traitor in Israel provided a detailed description of Israel’s nuclear facilities. Technology and computer simulation have aided in recreating the facilities to the finest detail at which only one’s imagination can marvel. Israeli politicians, headed by former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, have cast aside caution and publicly exposed Israeli nuclear capabilities, an area purposely left fuzzy in the past.
Think tanks enjoy the freedom of creativity, and assignments are not only handed down but are sometimes initiated from within. One such current assessment should be Israel 2009 – 2012, another might be Israel 2010 – 2048. The major players in the first study are President Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu.
Obama’s Will to Destroy Israel
A certain delicate political power balance has been created since Obama and Netanyahu took office: a very strong will to destroy against a will to protect. The former is a politician rushing to overhaul major systems all at once, bringing little good change and sinking all of us into generational debt. The latter is a seasoned politician whose plan of action is to bring about major, critical changes by small strokes, so subtle as to be barely noticeable.
A new Pharaoh has arisen, the One, He who does not know Joseph anymore, a Goliath drunken and arrogant with power. His opposition is a David intent on survival, protecting his nation and unwilling to bend, as his opponent has done, before the ruler of Saudi Arabia and his cohorts.
While President Obama overtook the U.S. financial systems by storm and now in the midst of taking over the healthcare system, he remains determined to bring Israel to her knees. Israel is expected to kneel before the Grand Plan of a Palestinian Statehood on the ruins of what once – since Biblical times – is a Jewish Homeland.
“Hope” in the Current Realm of “Change”
In life, plans do not often proceed along the course originally forecasted. One must take into account that major change is not cosmetic and someone must foot the bill. Nice talk provides insufficient currency when one needs and requires more. The Chinese, who now single handedly finance our enormous debt, will awake soon, and the USA will ultimately feel China’s wrath. In the global geo-politic village, behavior is determined by self-interests, and in the future, possibly still during the His first presidency, the USA may be the one brought down to its knees, not Israel.
But more than the cost and related subjugation to the People’s Republic of China, there are other factors acting in Israel’s favor. The Middle East “Peace Plan” is, as those that came before, doomed to fail. This is clear and obvious to local participants, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Israel.
Despite his early Islamic upbringing, the President does not seem to comprehend Middle Eastern mentality. Imposing peace is tantamount to humiliating Israel to such a degree she may not be stand any longer. If Israel falls, the last fort protecting the West from the advances of Iran would collapse. The rest of the modern world in Europe and the Americas will be left unprotected. With the force and intensity of raging water from a dam whose barrier wall broke, a storm of hatred and destruction will ravage the world, the likes of which have not seen at least for sixty-five years.
Unlikely Partners
While Jordan – the true “home” of the “Palestinians” – has taken a somewhat backstage role, Egypt and Saudi Arabia recognize the threat from Iran overrides all other considerations. Unlikely partners have already emerged, supporting Israel’s efforts for self-survival.
Against very stiff hatred emanating throughout the Western World against Israel during the Gaza excursion in December 2008 and January 2009, Egypt has stood in support of Israel’s efforts to bring a respite to its million residents in the south of the country. The reason for its behavior has not been the cold peace, now starting its fourth decade, rather partnering as a strong ally in the war against Iran’s cronies. It is said, although the Saudi Arabian government has not admitted it publicly, that Saudi rulers have consented to the idea that Israeli forces en route to Iran may set Jewish foot on Holy Soil.
As long as Israel’s interests coincide with or can serve those of the Arab nations, the current urge to destroy Israel will be pushed aside just long enough so Israel can serve the intended purposes. For these reasons alone, Israel should not attack Iran, directly or covertly.
Beware Oh Israel: The enemy is at your gates. Sleep not, the watchman on the walls, keep guard. Continue the faithful, it is your belief in the Covenant with G-d that guarantees Israel’s survival as a Jewish State. Behold, all others, do not tempt yourselves with the false notion Israel can be wiped off the map. Beware you fools before you unleash horrors, look at history and see who is the only one who has - throughout the millennia - survived and prevailed. Dare not.
