WarSclerotic

Zvika Fogol

With so many analyses, predictions and statements made on the U.S. strike on Syria over the past few days, for a moment it felt like we became the 51st star on the American flag. The Tomahawk and stealth jet have become as integral a part of the Hebrew dictionary as the catcher’s mitt is to baseball. Turns out sometimes it is not so bad watching others impose justice in our region, even if some say Israel took part in the U.S.’s intelligence gathering and decision-making. We have grown accustomed to being responsible, according to foreign reports, for numerous impressive covert operations. In this not-so-covert instance, our focus is on the aftermath of a U.S. strike on Syria.

It would be correct to assume — and maybe this is what is happening right now — that the world’s sheriff cannot make a promise it cannot keep. The U.S. attack will likely be before, during, or after the ten days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. The Iranian, Syrian and terrorist response, if there is one, has kept many in Israel’s defense establishment working late into the night.

Credit should be given where it is due, and the government and defense branches deserve it for how they have handled things so far: responsibly, without over excitement or inducing panic. They have prepared for the worst case scenario in an understated, professional manner. I have no doubt that the American military intervention that may take place on our borders will forge a different tomorrow for us.

As someone who is very familiar with the Israel Defense Forces during times of high alert like these, I have no doubt that all branches are ready and prepared to defend, respond and take the initiative as necessary. Iron Dome and the other missile intercepting systems have been deployed, the Homefront Command has already made all the necessary preparations to treat the population, and our offensive forces — the pilots, artillerymen, infantry and armored corps — are ready to carry out any mission on our border or farther way to protect our way of life. Our ability to make the correct diplomatic decisions, combined with our military and intelligence gathering capabilities gives us reason to be optimistic. If those who wish us harm could see our determination and readiness, they would not be so eager to embark on a dangerous adventure they will not know how to get out of.

As we prepare to sit down at the dinner table for the High Holidays, 40 years after the Yom Kippur War and on the backdrop of the Egyptian coup, terrorist groups conspiring around us and peace talks with the Palestinians, we can take solace in our existence as an island of rationality, determination and readiness in such a volatile region.

via Israel Hayom | We can only rely on ourselves.

This entry was posted on September 1, 2013 at 1:46 PM and is filed under Uncategorized. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.