Save Us From Livni's Logic

Either way one looks at Livni's logic, there is simply no good reason to forge a deal with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas
In case you were wondering if the people negotiating away Israel's future with the Palestinians have any idea what they are doing, you can stop wondering.

Speaking at the Jerusalem Conference, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni made the following statement today: "It's true that they [the Palestinians] are still unable to implement agreements, but I believe that it's time, otherwise it will be too late."

Say what?

On the one hand, Livni is essentially admitting that any agreement signed with the Palestinian leadership is worthless because they won't stick to it anyway. On the other hand, she insists, Israel needs to sign a deal with them now, before they are swept from power.

If you are scratching your head over that one - you aren't alone. Either way one looks at Livni's logic, there is simply no good reason to forge a deal with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

If his position is so weak that he will be gone tomorrow, then of what value is an agreement that is reached with him? And if he won't keep to his commitments, then why bother signing with him in the first place?

It is truly frightening to think that Livni's logic is what lies behind Israel's mad rush to give away the store and make a deal. All one can say is: the sooner this government is sent packing, the safer Israel will be.

Egypt & Michael Corleone

this rather undiplomatic outburst by Egypt's top diplomat is in fact quite revealing. It demonstrates just how empty Cairo's professed concern for the welfare of Gaza's Palestinians truly is.
This past week the world was given a glimpse, however fleeting, of the true nature of Arab solidarity and brotherhood.

In an interview on Egyptian television, Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said that Cairo would no longer tolerate Palestinians crossing illegally into Sinai from Gaza, as hundreds of thousands did just last month seeking food and other supplies.

Sounding like a member of the Corleone family in The Godfather trilogy of films, Gheit stated that, "Anyone who breaches the border will have their legs broken".

Talk about laying out a welcome mat for tourists.

But this rather undiplomatic outburst by Egypt's top diplomat is in fact quite revealing. It demonstrates just how empty Cairo's professed concern for the welfare of Gaza's Palestinians truly is.

For all their talk about the humanitarian crisis in the area, when push comes to shove, Egypt would much rather push and shove the problem away.

Indeed, it brings to mind a scene from Fiddler on the Roof, when the rabbi of Anatevka is asked if there is a blessing to be said for the hated Russian czar. Of course, responds the sage, declaring, "May G-d bless and keep the Czar…. far away from us."

Needless to say, Gheit's street-thug remarks were met with pure and utter silence, and failed to elicit even a peep of protest from the international community.

Imagine what would have happened had an Israeli official used similar language? Well, 20 years ago, then-Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin reportedly instructed the IDF to "break the bones" of Palestinian terrorists in the intifada, and they're still talking about it.

The contrast speaks for itself.

Winograd vs. Spinograd

Essentially, Mr. Olmert and his handful of supporters are hoping that some good old fashioned Spinograd will obscure what Winograd truly had to say about his pitiful leadership
The ink was not yet dry on the Winograd Commission's report on the Second Lebanon War, but that didn't stop Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's aides and associates from trying to put a favorable spin on its conclusions.

In a desperate attempt to stave off their boss' political demise, Olmert's men sought to latch onto any crumb of information in the report that could be portrayed in a positive light, even if the bottom line was extremely critical of the Government.

And so, when Winograd declared the ground operation at the end of the war to have been essential, Olmert's spinmeisters were quick to tell the media: you see! you see! We were right after all to have launched the attack!

Of course, what they are deliberately choosing to ignore is that the very same Winograd report declared that the ground operation "did not achieve any military objectives nor did it fulfill its potential." In other words: it failed.

This is but one example of many. Essentially, Mr. Olmert and his handful of supporters are hoping that some good old fashioned Spinograd will obscure what Winograd truly had to say about his pitiful leadership.

Perhaps the two most critical lines in the 500 page document are these: "We found grave faults and failings both in the political and military echelons in the lack of thinking and strategic planning. And we found grave faults and failings in everything concerning the defense of the civilian population and the challenges presented by the blows it suffered."

No matter how you try to splice it, the result is the same: Olmert blew it - he was a colossal failure.

In the coming days, there is sure to be more spin sent our way. Whatever you do, don't let it distract you or confuse you. We must all raise our voices loudly and clearly: Ehud Olmert has got to go.