http://www.infoisrael.net/cgi-local/text.pl?source=4/b/vii/060820061 Red Cards and Summer Rains
By Robbie Friedmann IHC Abstract The world of soccer has a means of dealing with unacceptable behavior, as was the evident during a 2006 World-Cup match, when the French player Zizu, of Algerian extraction, head-butted an Italian opponent for insulting him. Zizu was handed a red card, which meant he had to leave the playing field. No such governing system applies to the real world in which terrorism has so often been allowed free reign. Countries such as France do nothing about murders against Israeli citizens by Arab or Islamic terrorists, although their leaders are quick to threaten the same murderers with massive retaliation if their own civilians are harmed. The IDF's departure from southern Lebanon in September 2000 and the disengagement from Gaza last year have boosted the confidence of Israel's enemies and have made their attacks even more brazen, as evidenced by the recent abductions of Israeli soldiers on Israeli soil. However, this time Israel's response has been far less lenient, and with few exceptions, both public and politicians stand united against the terrorist threat. This cohesiveness and determination must be maintained, now as much as ever before. Israel's future and that of the free world depend upon it. If other countries in the free world do nothing else, they should at least refrain from labeling Israel's reaction as disproportional. _____ During the June-July world cup soccer games, many players were yellow-carded (as a warning) and several were red-carded (and thrown off-court). A-dime-a-dozen pundits provided ample - if hollow - narratives about the symbolic importance of soccer: It is a unifying game, it is a divisive game, it is a game that gives an opportunity for lower class players to get out of poverty and heroes to identify with, it is a game that gives the upper class a chance to let off some steam, it is even a game that allows nationalist sentiments to be channeled into the playing field and the energize crazed fans. In short, divinity incarnate. If one wants to find symbolism in soccer, nowhere was it more apparent than in the last minutes of overtime of the cup final game when a talented French player, of Algerian extraction, head-butted an Italian opponent (see tinyurl.com/zbo7t ). He was unceremoniously red-carded on the spot for this despicably unsportsmanlike conduct. Later he explained that the Italian player uttered some unflattering attributes about his mother and sister. Assuming the Italian tried to provoke him, the player, known as Zizu, violated all expected norms and rules by violently attacking the Italian. Namely, he took the law into his own hands, to "defend his honor," in front of an estimated 3-billion spectators. And the world be damned. Soccer's red-carding does indeed serve as the sport's criminal justice system, the same way that an officer would arrest anyone who would commit a violent crime. Charges would be filed and due process will ensue. Regrettably, the mechanism available in civic life and in sports, is sourly missing in the international arena. Terrorists have been acting with impunity, not only taking the law into their hands but also glorifying their action as inspired by divine commands and blaming their victims for being the infidel-offender. Unlike Zizu, who has talent on the sports field, the terrorist's talent is channeled into mayhem and destruction. Not into art, construction, or any other acceptable productive activity. Palestinians have perfected terrorism to an unprecedented level. They have specialized in airline hijacking, murdering civilians, sending suicide bombers into the heart of civilian populations, and launching rockets on civilian centers. On 25 June, Hamas terrorists attacked an Israeli army post after crossing the border from the Gaza Strip into Israel via a tunnel. They killed two soldiers, wounded four others and kidnapped corporal Gilad Shalit. Despite the PA not being a state entity, this action clearly constituted an act of war. For almost three weeks Israel has applied pressure on Gaza trying to return the soldier home and at the same time damage the terrorists' infra-structure there to stop the launching of rockets on Israeli territory. Officially Israel has stated it will NOT negotiate with terrorists; this despite reported efforts by various third parties (Egypt, Finland) to serve as intermediaries to secure the release of the kidnapped soldier. Third party efforts thus far have not yielded the desired results as the terrorists, guided by Iran and Syria, want to milk this situation to the best of their advantage - knowing full well the sensitivity for human life in Israel and the west. They also counted on past successes where Israel released hundreds on terrorist in deals it "did not negotiate" with terrorists. However, unlike in numerous previous instances, this time Israel decided to red-card the terrorists and started massive action by attacking them, their hideouts, ammunition storage sites, Qassam manufacturing sites, and bridges to prevent Shalit's possible smuggling out of Gaza. This operation received the code name "Summer Rains." It is important to note that this attack was against what the Hamas terrorist entity calls "an occupation army," yet it took place on sovereign Israeli territory, which Hamas sees as their own and therefore, as part of their grand design to destroy all of Israel. As the tensions in Gaza have risen and the Palestinians realized that they are not likely to see Israel budging this time, the Iranian-Syrian axis decided to open another front in the north. On July 12, in a carefully-planned and well coordinated late morning attack, Hizbullah terrorists crossed into Israel, ambushed a military border patrol unit and kidnapped 2 Israeli soldiers in yet a second act of war. In the activity that ensued a total of 8 Israeli soldiers were killed and several were injured. Israel has started Operation "Just Reward" attacking mostly from the air and sea. Yet, approximately 200,000 residents of northen Israel were instructed to spend the night in bomb shelters to protect themselves from a possible Hizbullah rocket attack. The Iranians and Hizbullah continue to threaten to annihilate Israel. Within the five days that followed, Hizbullah has lobbed about 700 rockets on northen Israel, two of which have hit the city of Haifa, more than 20 miles south of the Lebanese border and at least 12 hitting Tiberias (about the same distance). At least four Israelis were killed and dozens were injured. And for another dose of symbolism: One Israeli TV station reported of a dove injured by a Hizbullah rocket in Tiberias. On the third night an estimated 600,000 Israelis were forced to stay in bomb shelters and protected rooms. The fourth night the military home-front command took over the coordination of civil defense matters. On the fifth day the missiles aimed at Haifa directly hit a train depot, killing eight workers and later a barrage of missiles fell on numerous Israeli residential centers in the north (including Afula and Upper Nazareth), with a few falling awfully close to Christian holly site around the lake of Galilee. All indications are that this time Israeli warnings of red-carding terrorists - on both the southern and northern borders - are finally matched with action on the ground. Israel has decided to change the rules of the game that its enemies have gotten so accustomed to. Since the withdrawal from Lebanon in May 2000, and its excessive restraint in the face of numerous attacks that resulted in casualties and property damage, Israel's deterrent impact has constantly deteriorated and thus self-imposed restraint (often with the "help" of the State Department and/or the Quartet) was mistakenly interpreted by the terrorists as a sign of Israeli (and western) weakness. Clearly, the retreat from Lebanon has inspired the Arab wave of violence - in late September 2000 - that started shortly after the failed Camp David talks (June, 2000). The unilateral disengagement from Gaza last year was defined by the terrorists as Israel's second defeat in five years and inspired further "victorious" attacks into Israel's pre-1967 borders. Numerous Palestinian spokespersons bragged that Israel is "breaking down." Continued restraint was no longer an option for Israel because it has evidently only invited more attacks, not less. It might be too early, at this stage of developments, to realize whether tactical decisions in Israel are guided by overarching strategic approaches that will change again the balance of power to allow Israel to regain its deterrent power in the area. It is likely that the Israeli operation will last approximately three weeks. Israel is entitled to self-defense and its offensive efforts are clearly part of the local, regional and global war on terror. Israeli government and military leaders have made various public statements (perhaps too many); but beyond the obvious (that the operation seeks to retrieve the kidnapped soldiers, to destroy the terrorist infrastructure, and to remove them from their close proximity to the border), one determination seems evident: Israel has entered this operation with a clear intent to press on until it gets the desired results and it will not be driven by the kidnapped soldiers card the terrorists are constantly waving. Of course, all this is part of a far larger picture where the U.S. has regional interest in stabilizing (and democratizing) the region and where Iran and Syria continue to be the biggest threats to peace. For that sake alone Israel has no choice but to act forcefully, effectively, and wisely. The next few weeks will demonstrate that there is a link between bombings in London, Mumbai, and Israel (for those who still do not get that connection) and that there is a strong need to respond aggressively to this arrogant terrorist bullying whether initiated by proxy organizations such as Hamas and Hizbullah or by their sponsor states such as Iran and Syria. Within this time frame the region could also erupt into an outright warfare with Syria and Iran (but not highly likely). There is also the likelihood that the Iranians and Hizbullah will resort to their favorite tactic of terror operations on civilian populations around the world, the like of Buenos Aires. Israel is showing signs of decisiveness and internal cohesion. Expect perhaps even an emergency wide-based coalition government. On 12 July, Israel - coalition and opposition parties alike - spoke without any discord (with the expected deviation of the Arabs in Israel). On 15 July, one opposition leader already became critical of the government. On 16 July, a few dozen die-hard extreme leftists demonstrated in Tel-Aviv "against the war and occupation." One wonders why they did not hold the demonstration in Haifa. How lucky are they to take advantage of Israeli democracy where they can earn an honorary place in the Hall of Shame. In England and other countries, they would have been arrested for aiding the enemy at a time of war. The attacks on soldiers on 25 June and 12 July, and the ensuing bombardment of civilians in Israel, are on Israeli sovereign territories which are not under any internal or external contest. Despite some (expected) disconcerting statements by the French, the Russians and some other Europeans about Israel's reaction using "disproportional force," the US, Germany, and England expressed understanding and support for Israel's actions. It is ironic to hear this from the French president who threatened terrorism with nuclear weapons if France will be a target. In fact, one could argue that indeed the reaction is disproportional, but in the other direction: Israel has waited too long and is still being rather surgical and limited about its targets, allowing far more damage to the Israeli home front than was anticipated. This war with the Arabs and Muslims is characterized by attacking civilian centers in Israel. Successfully ambushing two military patrols does not constitute military capabilities. Bombarding civilians on purpose is cowardly and is nothing short of a despicable war crime. Like the Nazis who blitzed London, they are raining missiles on Israeli towns and with the terror that ensues, the resilience of the population is evident. Israel is attacking surgically at terrorists targets. Civilians are hurt in Beirut but they are not the objective of the Israeli bombing. Indeed, it is rather obvious that Israel and the West care more about the civilian population than do the Palestinian, Lebanese, Syrian or Iranian neighbors care about their "brethren's." Certainly one does not see much compassion for human beings - particularly their very own - with their belligerent leaders. Just consider the fact that rockets lobbed from Lebanon have hit several Arab villages in the Galilee. Showing solidarity with and support for Israel is more important now than ever before. This is true not only for the sake of Israel's future, but also for the sake of the future of the free world. Terrorism has indeed to be red-carded and thrown off the field. Israel I snot only fighting operation "Just Reward" but is engaged in one of the most justified and moral defense initiatives in its history. The very least the rest of the world (allies included) could do is to refrain from suggesting that Israel's reaction is disproportional. 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