Israel Matzav

Dhimmis don't dare defend themselves

In early June, before Gilad Shalit was kidnapped, before the IDF operation in Gaza and the war in Lebanon began, I wrote that the Olmert government - or what is now known as the Olmert - Peretz - Livni government - is a government of dhimmis. At the time, I said it because the Israeli government apologized for the IDF defending itself. This morning, the government decided that we cannot even let the IDF do that anymore.

This morning, despite the addition of 'far right' leader Avigdor Lieberman to the government, and despite everyone knowing that Gaza has become a hotbed of all kinds of advanced weaponry, the cabinet decided to reject the army's recommendation to expand military operations in Gaza, or to retake the Philadelphi Corridor. This followed an IDF raid in the northern Gaza Strip overnight Tuesday in which 10 'Palestinians' were killed and at least 60 more wounded. According to the IDF, nine of those killed were armed.

Speaking at a press conference at the Gaza Command earlier Wednesday, [Defense Minister Amir Comrade] Peretz said that "No one can put an absolute stop to Kassam fire … but that doesn't mean we have to remain helpless. We won't let these [terrorist organizations] grow stronger." [How does he propose to prevent them from growing stronger if he's only going to shoot at them from the outside? CiJ]

Peretz added that the public debate surrounding IDF activity in Gaza could "hamper" the army's operational ability. [Especially because the public wants stronger action. CiJ]

Not only does the public want stronger action - so does the IDF, which knows the score and knows how the 'Palestinians' are building up weaponry:

OC Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Yoav Galant said on Tuesday, "Thousands of families living in the Gaza Strip make a living by smuggling weapons into the area." [And you thought the 'Palestinians' were economically deprived. CiJ]

Hamas has acquired advanced Russian-made weaponry, including an unknown number of AT-14 Kornet antitank missiles, a senior consultant to the Defense Ministry told the Mideast Newsline Web site.

The missiles, which are highly accurate and have a range of 5.5 km., could "break the strategic balance" in the region, according to Shalom Harari. They could "wreak havoc" with IDF tanks and also be used against army posts and civilian sites inside the Green Line, he said. [So why aren't we going after them? How are 'targeted assassinations' going to keep the 'Palestinians' from using these missiles? CiJ]

According to analysts, Hamas learned a great deal from the war in Lebanon and is attempting to emulate Hizbullah's tactics. Hundred of thousands of rounds of ammunition, shoulder-fired missiles, and "tons of military grade explosives" have been smuggled into the Strip since disengagement, according to military officials.

Many of the 116 IDF soldiers killed in southern Lebanon died when missiles, including AT-14 Kornets, were fired by Hizbullah cells or when large bombs detonated beneath Israeli tanks and armored personnel carriers.

DEBKAfile is reporting that Hamas also has the Metis-M9 anti-tank missile, also known as the AT-13. Hezbullah has the same missile. Here's a description of it:

Israeli military´s has determined that Hizbullah obtained the Metis-M anti-tank guided missile from Syria. The military reported that Hizbullah deployed the Metis-M during its assault on Israeli border positions on Nov. 29, 2005. The Merkava Mk-4 main battle tank reportedly withstood the attack.

"The Metis-M provides Hizbullah with a major asset that could destroy all but the most heavily-armed of our tank platforms," a military commander said. "It has forced us to revise our armored requirements along the northern border."

The Metis-M9 M131, also known as the AT-13, has a maximum range of 1.5 kilometers. The Metis, an advanced version of the AT-7, has a 4.6- kilogram high explosive anti-tank [HEAT] warhead and was designed to defeat add-on explosive reactive armor.

Military sources said Hizbullah obtained the semi-automatic Metis from Syria in 2005. Syria acquired the Metis-M from Russia in 2003.

DEBKA sums up Hamas' strategy as follows:

According to Hamas’s military plan, parts of which DEBKAfile’s military sources are exclusively reporting, Hamas has come to the conclusion that firing rockets, particularly Qassams, at Israeli towns and villages is no longer effective and should be stopped. Instead of firing rockets, Hamas intends to open a barrage of around-the-clock heavy fire on Israel, using antitank missiles, short-range ground-to-ground missiles and artillery fire – similar to what Hizballah used during the Lebanon war – and mortar fire.

The massive barrage of fire, Hamas believes, will prevent Israel from embarking on any military or civilian activity in a 2-km to 4-km buffer zone from the Gaza security fence. The intention is to transform all IDF bases and outposts, and all settlements in the Negev, into ghost towns, since any movement between them would entail heavy losses.

Peretz has been spooked by his leftist friends from his 'Peace Now' days objecting to the fact that he was the Defense Minister in a war this summer. He needs to get back on their good side. So he has chosen to fiddle as Gaza burns. Olmert, Livni and the rest of the cabinet have joined him. And Lieberman has to start to ask himself whether this group of dhimmis will back whatever 'strategy' he develops for dealing with Iran. It will be interesting to see what happens when and if Peretz's hometown of Sderot - which is five kilometers from Gaza - becomes a ghost town.

Update 6:07 PM

Middle East Newsline is reporting that yesterday, at a conference at Tel Aviv University, Comrade Peretz endorsed the 'Saudi plan' for the destruction of the Jewish state, thus becoming the second cabinet minister to do so (Meir Sheetrit was the first). The 'Saudi initiative' calls for Israel to leave Judea and Samaria, for a 'Palestinian' state reichlet to be established in Judea and Samaria, and for the Arab world to recongnize Israel's existence (but not its 'right to exist' - contrary to what you see reported in most of the media). I cannot help but wonder why the government would be so desperate as to be willing to accept this terrible plan that recognizes a 'right of return' for 'Palestinian refugees.'

I reported last week that the Olmert - Peretz - Livni government is conducting a 'dialogue' with the Saudis that is predicated upon Israel accepting the 'Saudi initiative.' I guess the ministers are agreeing to accept it one by one.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:32 PM