General Discontent

[Classical_Liberal]

General Discontent


A minority of Israelis have long expressed their disapproval of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's hard-line approach towards the Palestinians, but dissent within the nation's military has been limited. True, some reservists and even elite pilots have publicly split with the government, but such refuseniks have been few in number and politically isolated. Now, however, one of Israel top generals is making his displeasure known.

Army Chief of Staff Moshe Yaalon, a commander known for his tough position towards the Palestinians, told Israeli media that he was the frustrated anonymous source behind recent statements slamming Sharon's policies. Yaalon declared that the harsh treatment of Palestinians by Israeli soldiers only serves to increase "hatred and terrorism." The general also said that the tight restrictions now imposed on Palestinians were preventing the harvest of olives and other essential agricultural goods. Finally, Yaalon argued that Sharon's policy of "stingy" compromises contributed to the political demise of former Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas.

Such a public rebuke may amount to a minor seismic tremor in the complicated landscape of Israeli politics, but can it change matters on the ground? While the news of Yaalon's ideological defection made regional headlines, many in the Arab world took the news in stride. After all, Yaalon's observations themselves are hardly revelatory, Maher Othman writes in Beirut's Dar al Hayat.

"The actual controversy in Israel about the block in the political horizon because of Sharon's extremist government's policies towards the Palestinians stems from fear of the possibility of the Palestinian Authority's complete collapse, the fact that would charge Israel with the burdens of its outrageous occupation of the Palestinians. It should not be believed that Chief of Staff in the occupation army, Moshe Yaalon, has suddenly noticed the war crimes, which his forces are committing against the Palestinians. He, as some Israeli commentators drew to his attention, was and is still a partner in taking the assassinations and military strikes' decisions."

http://www.motherjones.com/news/dailymojo/2003/45/we_601_01b.html