Israel's weeklong turning point

[bemildred]

THE Israeli commentator Aluf Benn has a name for the moment at which a "good" war goes bad. He calls it the "euphoria point".

Answering his own question on what turns a bold military operation into a depressing war of attrition, he defines the moment thus: "Rapid success at the start of a campaign boosts the leaders' spirits and encourages them to continue the fighting 'until victory is achieved' … scornfully reject proposals for ceasefires … the enemy regroups … What began as a walk in the park ends in pointless attrition, or even in searing defeat."

Benn was moved to write by the avalanche of criticism of Israel after the death of more than 40 Palestinian civilians on Tuesday, when an Israeli tank fired in the direction of a United Nations-run school, to which hundreds had fled in response to the Israelis' leafleted demand that they vacate their homes.

But the hit on the school was just the start of what was to be a prolonged euphoria point.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/israels-weeklong-turning-point/2009/01/09/1231004287018.html

[azurnoir]

1. Perhaps hasbara has over played its hand

just that this PR machine has become publicly known weakens its effectiveness on an international level. However possibly the only thing that will end this conflict is when this battle becomes unpopular with the Israeli public at large, something that has of yet to happen. Something that will not because of international pressure or condemnation either for the short term those items will only reinforce the us against the world mindst that seems to be in play here.

[bemildred]

2. Bullshit will only take you so far.

Eventually, everyone knows there is an organized PR campaign being conducted. To really be effective and retain effectiveness, you have to limit your effort so as not to be noticed too much.

[The Magistrate]

3. Mr. Benn's Point Is a Good One, Sir

"War is, at first, the hope that one will better off; next, the expectation that the other fellow will be worse off; then, the satisfaction that he isn't any better off; and, finally, the surprise at everyone's being worse off."

[bemildred]

4. Sigh. Wit fails me Sir. nt

[bemildred]

5. BTW, I saw as story quoting the Arab press, saying that Abbas wants to resign,

and call elections. Waiting to see if it pans out.

[The Magistrate]

7. His Term Is About Up Anyway, Is It Not, Sir?

[bemildred]

8. Yes, or so some say, but it seems to be in dispute.

There were statements coming from the PA that he has another year, and that he could not leave with the war going on. Hamas says he is no longer President. If he were to resign, or the end of his term were acknowledged, the point would become moot, and any attempt at an agreement would require new elections, or some means of restoring a legitimate agent to speak for the Palestinians.

[LeftishBrit]

6. Very good point indeed!