News and Observations from Israel 19.7.96

[im...@netvision.net.il]

News and Observations from Israel

Aaron Lerner 19 July, 1996

*** SHULAMIT ALONI CALLS FOR PRESSURE AGAINST ISRAEL
"Israel is the only country left in the world that insists on
remaining a colonial state - one that has usurped the land and
rights of another people and continues to subject them to
oppression...The existence of the state of Israel will be
jeopardized by Netanyahu's policies...The quicker we give the Golan
Heights back to Syria, the sooner our political and moral losses in
Israel will be alleviated...The only remaining hope is that world
powers will bring pressure to bear on Netanyahu and that he will
feel the sting of economic pressures...[U.S.] President Clinton
should use strong persuasive measures on Netanyahu and encourage
him to continue the peace process on the basis of the 'land or
peace' formula."
Shulamit Aloni, former Meretz Minister
(Al-Ahram Weekly, 11-17 July 1996)

*** "MAARIV" FEATURE REPORT ON PROBLEMS IN IDF
In its first article in a series, the 19 July edition of "Maariv"
features a shocking article about the lack of readiness of the IDF
today. The article focuses on two principle problems facing the
IDF: a serious cut back on expensive training exercises and
micromanagement of field units. The lack of training is reflected,
the article claims, in the lackluster response of IDF forces in
recent altercations. In three separate incident in recent months,
for example, Golani forces who were attacked while traveling in
vehicles responded by charging in the wrong direction. The Tank
Corps used to regularly include a training exercise which reviewed
some possible operations on the Syrian front. Today it is possible
to go through officer training without ever having the opportunity
to participate in the exercise. Micromanagement of field forces by
higher command levels has lead to a situation that units in the
field are not able to effectively take the initiative and respond
to changing situations. This has also resulted in highly
predictable troop movements and repeated routines - something
exploited by Hizbulla forces. The heavy degree of micromanagement
is blamed on an attitude in the IDF to avoid the exposure to
criticism. The brass covers themselves by issuing mountains of
memos and instructions to the troops while at the troop level,
initiative, which raises the exposure to possible criticism in the
case of failure, is stifled.

*** MK YEHUDA HAREL SUPPORT PALESTINIAN STATE AND JERUSALEM
COMPROMISE
MK Yehuda Harel of the Third Way, told a conference that he
supported the establishment of a Palestinian state. Regarding
Jerusalem, Harel said that there "is room for compromise which will
deny the Palestinians the possibility of voting in the Israeli
elections." Harel later told a "Haaretz" reporter that his views
reflect the known positions of the Third Way.

During the election campaign, all Third Way candidates signed a
"Commitment to the Citizens of Israel" which included the following
:

"We Are Committed:

.... 6, To uphold Israeli sovereignty in greater Jerusalem: To
oppose any threat to Israel's sole sovereignty over its capital;
Jerusalem, and to work for the accelerated development of the
Jerusalem region - Ma'aleh Adumim, Gush Etzion, Givat Ze'ev and
Betar."
("Haaretz" 19 July, 1996)

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Associate
IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-904719/Fax 972-9-911645
INTERNET ADDRESS: im...@netvision.net.il
pager 03-6750750 subscriber 4811

To subscribe:
A) Regular subscription via Virtual Jerusalem
http://www.virtual.co.il/city_services/lists/imra-l
B) For free fax subscription, please send request to
im...@netvision.net.il
Fax service limited to: American area codes 212, 313, 503, 514
(Montreal), 541, 718, 813 (Tampa) as well as Athens(+30 1), Lisbon
(+351-1), Croatia (+385), Zagreb (+385-1), United Kingdom (+44),
Sweden (+46), Australia (+61 - Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney,
Darwin), Seoul (+82-2), Hong Kong (+852)