Peres: Assassination harmed Israel's image

[JoFerret]

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1079929447906

...

<<"We must look terrible around the world for killing an old religious leader in a wheelchair coming out of a mosque," Peres said. "I never thought they would dare to go through with it."

Peres predicted that the assassination would lead to the escalation of terror attacks against Israel.

"I don't think that assassinating terrorist leaders will assassinate terror, because only by assassinating the reasons for terror can we assassinate terror," Peres said. "Yassin was a man of death, who caused the deaths of many, but I doubt that the assassination will reduce terror. It's not a matter of justice, it's
a matter of poor judgment. >>>
<more>

[Leilani]

1. Thank goodness

for a sane voice coming out of Israel.

This act did nothing to help Israel's security or image in the world.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

10. There are plenty

Unfortunately, they are typically muted by the blood lust. Peres is a consistant reasonable voice.

[maddezmom]

2. Peres speaks the truth

and to continue with the targeted killings will do nothing to promote peace or reduce terror.

[Malikshah]

3. I've said it before

Terrorism is a symptom.

Addressing the symptom does not provide a solution-- one needs to provide a proper diagnosis and plan of action to deal with the causes of said symptom.

Peres gets it.

God willing, others will get it before more blood is spilled.

[prodigal_green]

4. what always gets me is

that if you criticize the Israeli government in this country, you are accused of being anti-semetic...of course, Israel is a democracy, so there are plenty of Israelis who criticize their government and I doubt that they are anti-semetic.

I am pro-Israel, insofar as I believe that there is a need for a Jewish homeland; I also strongly believe in the need for a Palestinian state, but I think that Sharon has done about as much to secure peace for that country as our president has for ours.

[Malva Zebrina]

5. the methods and approach toward warfare is similar between Bush and Sharon

that being preemptive or preventive attacks without bothering with investigation--just plain barbaric, blind killing of a target and anyone else who happens to be in the way. Bush probably has outdone Sharon on the numbers of innocent human beings he has murdered under the dubious blanket of "defending ourself" (in Bush's case it is "defending our freedoms") and "preventive" killing of anyone the leader says to kill. Both should be cited, arrested and prosecuted for war crimes.

[readmylips]

8. No offense: We already have a Jewish Homeland...

In Florida..Sorry! Sorry! Just a quick joke. Don't take me off the board. It's too early for serious talk. The world around us is coming apart, along with the USA.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

11. Yep....

Jewish groups want to be political entities but refuse to take political criticism. The ADL has to be the biggest culprit of this. You might notice that the Christian Coalition groups have started taking the exact same stance, claiming "anti-Christian" sentiment by Democrats.

[sir_captain]

13. It's a narrow line...

The anti-semitism card is no doubt played too often. And you're absolutely right that it's possible to criticize Israeli policy without being anti-semitic. The issue is that, on the other hand, there is a lot of real anti-semitism in the world, and a lot of it gets directed at Israel, so being "anti-Zionist" is often used as a shield. Take for instance many of the things said by groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad; on the one hand, they are criticizing Israel, but they're also couching it in terms of conspiracies and stereotypes, etc.

My point is, it's not very simple. But don't be afraid to post what you believe. I think most people at DU are educated and reasonable enough to listen to what you have to say without immediately resorting to name-calling. (Besides, calling someone an anti-semite is against the rules!) :-)

[readmylips]

6. Sharon and Littleman Bush have the same arrogant walk...

they both have that cowboy, big cohones appearance walk...I'm sure sharon lost his cohones long time ago.

Sharon is one bastard I'd like to see eliminated. Why we have allowed the American government to support thugs and murderers, with our tax money, it's so against humanity.

[Kinkistyle]

7. Way ta go "big tuff Israel"

An elderly guy in a wheelchair. Way to go. Peres gets it.

[aprilgirl]

9. Peres will be charged with spewing anti-Semitism.

Sharon too is "a man of death" who is responsible for assassinating and killing many. This double standard is disgusting!

[sir_captain]

14. If you think Shimon Peres is going to be called an anti-semite...

well, you're wrong. He may be unelectable, but a lot of people have a lot of respect for him.

[EdGy]

12. forget about image, what about security???

In Israel itself the real concern of many people is not the image of Israel, it's the safety and security.

Sharon NEEDS to have violence and conflict. He cannot have a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He has undermined every single effort to defuse the situation.

Sharon and Bush are two of a kind. They cannot keep power in any other way than making their countries less safe, making their citizens fearful, creating threats and violence, actually making their countries less safe.

This in turn is a TYPICAL right-wing ploy; right wing authoritarian governments do this all the time. Especially when they are threatened by domestic challenges. Apparently Sharon is facing severe crises at home. This disastrous move is nothing more than a move to save his own skin.

Sharon and Bush are no different.

Both of them are fully willing to do things to save their own political butts at the expense of the lives and safety of their own countries.

Despicable.