[1633] in peace2
Anoter note from Israel
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Danny Fox)
Thu Apr 11 08:59:16 2002
Message-Id: <4.3.2.7.2.20020411085851.098c1e48@hesiod>
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 09:00:32 -0500
To: Sara Kaminker <skami@netvision.net.il>, Ori Simchen <ori.simchen@yale.edu>,
oritsky@hotmail.com, ido.geiger@yale.edu, peace-announce@mit.edu
From: Danny Fox <fox@MIT.EDU>
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>Reply-To: "Yosef Grodzinsky" <yosef1@post.tau.ac.il>
>From: "Yosef Grodzinsky" <yosef1@post.tau.ac.il>
>To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;@post.tau.ac.il;>
>Subject: April 11th: The Fiasco
>Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 13:21:59 +0200
>Organization: TAU
>X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2600.0000
>
>A. JENIN: THE MILITARY FIASCO<?xml:namespace prefix =3D o ns =3D=20
>"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
>
>The army=92s preparedness and capacity are an extremely important element=
of=20
>this whole affair. It was always assumed here that any political decision=
=20
>can be enforced militarily, as the gap between Israel and its enemies=20
>seemed infinite. By now, gone is the superior =93human material=94 Israel=
was=20
>said to rely on. The victory in the Jenin refugee camp was obtained only=20
>by order of battle =96 it was won, that is, exclusively by US made tanks,=
US=20
>made bulldozers and US made gunships.
>
> Israel made at least 3 mistakes: it overestimated the army=92s=
=20
> ability; it underestimated the motivation and fighting skills of the=20
> Palestinians; and most importantly (by the admission of top brass), the=20
> strategic decision to go into Ramallah first, in order to humiliate=20
> Arafat and crush the PA, gave the fighters in the northern parts of the=20
> West Bank time to organize, and many on the Israeli wanted-list reached=20
> Jenin, booby-trapped large areas, and prepared for a long battle. Place=20
> of origin of =91Az ad-Din el-Qassam after whom the military wing of Hamas=
=20
> is named, Jenin carries a long a tradition of tough resistance. Sharon=20
> was aware of that, yet chose to begin the attack in Ramallah, an=20
> intellectual, cultural and commercial center whose military worth was=20
> insignificant. This choice may indicate that the government=92s intention=
=20
> was not to eliminate =93the infra-structure of terrorism=94, but rather,=
to=20
> destroy the Palestinian Authority. Still, no one, I believe, dreamed that=
=20
> the Palestinians would stage such a fight, and thus the victory was=20
> obtained only through total destruction. Journalists are barred from the=
=20
> area (see below), but the little that has been shown points to a terrible=
=20
> picture that we will see once cameras are allowed into the camp.
>
>It seems to me that if there is an achievement that the Palestinian=20
>fighters can boast of, on top of their success in entering into=20
>Palestinian history as a national myth (=93the new Massada=94 as Israeli=20
>generals called it), it is that they may have prevented an invasion into=20
>the Gaza Strip. They gave the Gazans time to organize, and demonstrated=20
>that they cannot be taken for granted anymore.
>
>There are some indications that Israel will not invade Gaza, at least not=
=20
>for now. First, we have heard of no reports of reserve units headed there.=
=20
>Second, the army has proposed that the fighters besieged inside the Church=
=20
>of Nativity in Bethlehem would surrender, and sent to safety in Gaza=20
>(declined). Right now we can see no major moves from Gaza: a huge=20
>prison-city, it is surrounded by troops. Yet suicide bombers can sneak=20
>through, as did yesterday=92s suicide bomber who came from Jenin, sneaked=
=20
>successfully through a thick layer of troops, and exploded in a bus,=20
>taking 8 with him. Many others are probably waiting in Gaza for an=20
>opportune moment.
>
>
>
>
>B. TERRORISM
>
>
>
>The Palestinian decision many years ago to attack civilian targets was a=20
>strategic mistake, in my view. But this discussion is moot, as by now it=20
>is a fact, with everyone =96 including the Palestinians =96 forced to bear=
the=20
>consequences. It is important to remember, however, that suicide missions=
=20
>are not a new concept in the Middle East. Ariel Sharon himself sent=20
>soldiers on suicide missions more than once. How he dispatched paratrooper=
=20
>Yehuda Kan-Dror to his death at the Mitle Straights in the Sinai in 1956=20
>is a legend familiar to any Israeli who was in a youth movement in the=20
>50s-60s. One can only imagine how legendary the suicide-bombers have=20
>become in Palestinian society.
>
>As Israel tries to tear apart the fabric of this society, more and more=20
>desperate young people fall into this trap. This tendency will be further=
=20
>strengthened due to the worsening of Israel=92s already dismal human rights=
=20
>record: B=92Tselem =96 the leading human rights documentation center here=
=20
>(<http://www.btselem.org>www.btselem.org) =96 reports of mass detentions in=
=20
>sub-human conditions, torture, and a ban on communication between=20
>detainees and the outside world (including lawyers).
>
>Is there anything we can do? I think yes, though somewhat indirectly. Many=
=20
>people have taken the easy route, using the bombings as an excuse for=20
>dismissing the Palestinian cause altogether. I have seen quite a few=20
>rational people lose it during the recent bombings. Pointing out the link=
=20
>between Israel=92s human rights record and the growing waves of terrorism=
=20
>might bring some of these back to the realm of reason. Yesterday=92s=
suicide=20
>bomber, who sneaked through the =93closure=94 and killed 8 and wounded 29=
on a=20
>bus near Haifa, shows how terrorism cannot be fought with violence.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>C. ECONOMY AND SOCIETY: CAN INTERNATIONAL PRESSUE WORK?
>
>
>
>If there is a key to pressuring Israel, it is the economy. The situation=20
>here is deteriorating gradually: Production is lower, certain industries=20
>are nearing paralysis, the (direct and indirect) cost of the war is high.=
=20
>All this is happening in the face of virtually zero external investment, a=
=20
>critical element in this country=92s economic growth. The government is now=
=20
>planning to impose new taxes, many of them regressive. As a first measure,=
=20
>Treasury has proposed to raise bus fares. Some might see ironic =93justice=
=94=20
>in the fact that poor bus riders, prime victims of many terrorist attacks,=
=20
>are now expected in addition to carry the burden of the war effort.
>
> The European Parliament recommended commercial sanctions.=20
> Israel is a US satellite not only militarily, but also economically.=20
> Pressure at all levels (local, state and federal) to impose sanctions on=
=20
> Israel, might =96 if successful =96 have an effect, as its consequences=
might=20
> be intolerable to the business community here.
>
>Many Israelis who are willing to risk their lives, will not risk their=20
>assets. People are somehow used to daily danger, but upon facing a drop in=
=20
>their standard of living, they rebel. Thus a declining economy might put=20
>an end to the invasion.
>
>Likewise, the cancellation of artistic events and science conferences and=
=20
>public lectures (as artists and scientists from abroad refuse to come=20
>here) affects the elites. And once elites begin to hurt, they will no=20
>doubt exert pressure on the government.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>D. THE LEFT
>
>
>
>Efforts to organize are slow, but growing and visible: civil rights=20
>organizations are taking a variety of legal steps; small groups are trying=
=20
>to organize; more reservists refuse services and are jailed (36 up to=20
>now); small demonstrations are organized in city centers, on campuses and=
=20
>at roadblocks. A big rally is planned for this Saturday by Ta=92ayush and=
=20
>other organizations, on the road to Jenin. Here is the call:
>
>
>
>From: "Ta'ayush Arab-Jewish"=20
><<mailto:arab_jewish@hotmail.com>arab_jewish@hotmail.com>
>Date sent: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 11:24:53 +0000
>
>What is going on in the Jenin refugee camp? We don't know for sure. The=20
>military is not letting the press into the camp. However, reports that are=
=20
>coming in paint a gruesome picture: Hundreds are killed, their bodies=20
>piling up in the houses and streets for lack of ability to transport them=
=20
>to graveyards; the wounded are dying in the streets, with access of=20
>medical assistance barred; the camp has been bombed from the air; houses=20
>are being demolished with their inhabitants still inside. Hundreds of=20
>families have been driven out of the camp with nothing but the clothes on=
=20
>their backs. Others are left behind, destitute following the demolition of=
=20
>their homes and destruction of their property. There is a dire need of=20
>food and water.
>
>The Supreme Court has recently denied several petitions against the=20
>demolition of houses and other IDF actions in Jenin, but we shall not be=20
>silent in the face of these atrocities! Each and every person of=20
>conscience among us has to obligation to remind the government of Israel=20
>and our fellow Israelis of the boundaries imposed by human morality.
>
>This coming Saturday, April 13th, at 11:00 AM, we shall march in=20
>protest against these horrors, from the Megido junction to the Salem=20
>checkpoint on the road to Jenin. The trucks accompanying us will carry=20
>much needed emergency supplies for the homeless, the destitute and the=20
>expelled of Jenin.
>
>There is a severe water shortage in the camp, and using water tanks turned=
out
>to be impractical in the circumstances. We therefore ask you to bring 1 1/2=
L
>bottles of water (refilled with tap water is fine), preferably packed in=20
>cardboard boxes. These will be loaded on a truck and delivered into the=20
>Jenin refugee camp.
>
>Other needed equipment is: clothing (decent condition only! Let's not=20
>insult the
>recipients and embarrass ourselves), blankets and basic kitchen equipment.
>
>Come voice your indignation, and bring a friend. Our protest must come
>across loud and clear! Remember that our strength is in large numbers.
>
>Don't forget your ID card, and bring along video or stills cameras.
>
>
>
>Bank information for wire transfer:=20
>(<http://taayush.tripod.com>http://taayush.tripod.com)
>Bank HaPo'alim, Tel Aviv
>Branch 606, Acct No. 396608
>
>Checks made out to Ta'ayush can be sent to
>P.O.Box 59380
>Tel Aviv 61593
>
>In the USA send checks made out to Ta'ayush care of
>Elizabeth Rottenberg
>1210 St. Paul St. apt. 2F
>Baltimore MD. 21202
>
>
>
>I will report to you about this event on Saturday night.
>
>
>
>Best,
>
>Yosef Grodzinsky
>Department of Psychology
>Tel Aviv University
>Tel Aviv 69978, ISRAEL
>
><mailto:yosef1@post.tau.ac.il>yosef1@post.tau.ac.il
>http://freud.tau.ac.il/~yosef1
_______________________________
Danny Fox
E39-216, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge MA, 02139
(Tel) 617-258-7411 (Fax) 617-253-5017=20
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Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
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<br>
<blockquote type=3Dcite cite>Reply-To: "Yosef Grodzinsky"
<yosef1@post.tau.ac.il><br>
From: "Yosef Grodzinsky" <yosef1@post.tau.ac.il><br>
To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;@post.tau.ac.il;><br>
Subject: April 11th: The Fiasco<br>
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 13:21:59 +0200<br>
Organization: TAU<br>
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2600.0000<br>
<br>
<font face=3D"Times New Roman, Times"><b>A. JENIN: THE MILITARY
FIASCO<?xml:namespace prefix =3D o ns =3D
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /></b><br>
<br>
The army=92s preparedness and capacity are an extremely important element
of this whole affair. It was always assumed here that any political
decision can be enforced militarily, as the gap between Israel and its
enemies seemed infinite. By now, gone is the superior =93human material=94
Israel was said to rely on. The victory in the Jenin refugee camp was
obtained only by order of battle =96 it was won, that is, exclusively by US
made tanks, US made bulldozers and US made gunships.<br>
<br>
Israel
made at least 3 mistakes: it overestimated the army=92s ability; it
underestimated the motivation and fighting skills of the Palestinians;
and most importantly (by the admission of top brass), the strategic
decision to go into Ramallah first, in order to humiliate Arafat and
crush the PA, gave the fighters in the northern parts of the West Bank
time to organize, and many on the Israeli wanted-list reached Jenin,
booby-trapped large areas, and prepared for a long battle. Place of
origin of =91Az ad-Din el-Qassam after whom the military wing of
Hamas is named, Jenin carries a long a tradition of tough resistance.
Sharon was aware of that, yet chose to begin the attack in Ramallah, an
intellectual, cultural and commercial center whose military worth was
insignificant. <b>This choice may indicate that the government=92s
intention was not to eliminate =93the infra-structure of terrorism=94, but
rather, to destroy the Palestinian Authority</b>.<b> </b>Still,<b> </b>no
one, I believe, dreamed that the Palestinians would stage such a fight,
and thus the victory was obtained only through total destruction.
Journalists are barred from the area (see below), but the little that has
been shown points to a terrible picture that we will see once cameras are
allowed into the camp.<br>
<br>
It seems to me that if there is an achievement that the Palestinian
fighters can boast of, on top of their success in entering into
Palestinian history as a national myth (=93the new Massada=94 as Israeli
generals called it), it is that they may have prevented an invasion into
the Gaza Strip. They gave the Gazans time to organize, and demonstrated
that they cannot be taken for granted anymore.<br>
<br>
There are some indications that Israel will not invade Gaza, at least not
for now. First, we have heard of no reports of reserve units headed
there. Second, the army has proposed that the fighters besieged inside
the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem would surrender, and sent to safety
in Gaza (declined). Right now we can see no major moves from Gaza: a huge
prison-city, it is surrounded by troops. Yet suicide bombers can sneak
through, as did yesterday=92s suicide bomber who came from Jenin, sneaked
successfully through a thick layer of troops, and exploded in a bus,
taking 8 with him. Many others are probably waiting in Gaza for an
opportune moment.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
</font><h4><font size=3D4 color=3D"#FF0000"><b>B.
TERRORISM</b></font></h4><br>
<br>
<font face=3D"Times New Roman, Times">The Palestinian decision many years
ago to attack civilian targets was a strategic mistake, in my view. But
this discussion is moot, as by now it is a fact, with everyone =96
including the Palestinians =96 forced to bear the consequences. It is
important to remember, however, that suicide missions are not a new
concept in the Middle East. Ariel Sharon himself sent soldiers on suicide
missions more than once. How he dispatched paratrooper Yehuda Kan-Dror to
his death at the Mitle Straights in the Sinai in 1956 is a legend
familiar to any Israeli who was in a youth movement in the 50s-60s. One
can only imagine how legendary the suicide-bombers have become in
Palestinian society. <br>
<br>
As Israel tries to tear apart the fabric of this society, more and more
desperate young people fall into this trap. This tendency will be further
strengthened due to the worsening of Israel=92s already dismal human rights
record: B=92Tselem =96 the leading human rights documentation center here
(<a href=3D"http://www.btselem.org">www.btselem.org</a>) =96 reports of mass
detentions in sub-human conditions, torture, and a ban on communication
between detainees and the outside world (including lawyers). <br>
<br>
Is there anything we can do? I think yes, though somewhat indirectly.
Many people have taken the easy route, using the bombings as an excuse
for dismissing the Palestinian cause altogether. I have seen quite a few
rational people lose it during the recent bombings. Pointing out the link
between Israel=92s human rights record and the growing waves of terrorism
might bring some of these back to the realm of reason. Yesterday=92s
suicide bomber, who sneaked through the =93closure=94 and killed 8 and
wounded 29 on a bus near Haifa, shows how terrorism cannot be fought with
violence. <br>
<br>
</font><h4><font size=3D4 color=3D"#FF0000"><b> </b></font></h4><br>
<br>
<font face=3D"Times New Roman, Times"><br>
</font><h4><font size=3D4 color=3D"#FF0000"><b>C. ECONOMY AND SOCIETY: CAN
INTERNATIONAL PRESSUE WORK?</b></font></h4><br>
<br>
<font face=3D"Times New Roman, Times">If there is a key to pressuring
Israel, it is the economy. The situation here is deteriorating gradually:
Production is lower, certain industries are nearing paralysis, the
(direct and indirect) cost of the war is high. All this is happening in
the face of virtually zero external investment, a critical element in
this country=92s economic growth. The government is now planning to impose
new taxes, many of them regressive. As a first measure, Treasury has
proposed to raise bus fares. Some might see ironic =93justice=94 in the fact
that poor bus riders, prime victims of many terrorist attacks, are now
expected in addition to carry the burden of the war effort.<br>
<br>
The
European Parliament recommended commercial sanctions. Israel is a US
satellite not only militarily, but also economically. Pressure at all
levels (local, state and federal) to impose sanctions on Israel, might =96
if successful =96 have an effect, as its consequences might be intolerable
to the business community here.<br>
<br>
Many Israelis who are willing to risk their lives, will not risk their
assets. People are somehow used to daily danger, but upon facing a drop
in their standard of living, they rebel. Thus a declining economy might
put an end to the invasion.<br>
<br>
Likewise, the cancellation of artistic events and science conferences and
public lectures (as artists and scientists from abroad refuse to come
here) affects the elites. And once elites begin to hurt, they will no
doubt exert pressure on the government. <br>
<br>
</font><h4><font size=3D4 color=3D"#FF0000"><b> </b></font></h4><br>
<br>
<font face=3D"Times New Roman, Times"><br>
</font><h4><font size=3D4 color=3D"#FF0000"><b>D. THE
LEFT</b></font></h4><br>
<br>
<font face=3D"Times New Roman, Times">Efforts to organize are slow, but
growing and visible: civil rights organizations are taking a variety of
legal steps; small groups are trying to organize; more reservists refuse
services and are jailed (36 up to now); small demonstrations are
organized in city centers, on campuses and at roadblocks. A big rally is
planned for this Saturday by <b>Ta=92ayush</b> and other organizations, on
the road to Jenin. Here is the call:<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
From:
"Ta'ayush Arab-Jewish"
<<a=
href=3D"mailto:arab_jewish@hotmail.com">arab_jewish@hotmail.com</a>><br>
Date sent: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 11:24:53
+0000<br>
<br>
What is going on in the Jenin refugee camp? We don't know for sure. The
military is not letting the press into the camp. However, reports that
are coming in paint a gruesome picture: Hundreds are killed, their bodies
piling up in the houses and streets for lack of ability to transport them
to graveyards; the wounded are dying in the streets, with access of
medical assistance barred; the camp has been bombed from the air; houses
are being demolished with their inhabitants still inside. Hundreds of
families have been driven out of the camp with nothing but the clothes on
their backs. Others are left behind, destitute following the demolition
of their homes and destruction of their property. There is a dire need of
food and water.<br>
<br>
The Supreme Court has recently denied several petitions against the
demolition of houses and other IDF actions in Jenin, but we shall not be
silent in the face of these atrocities! Each and every person of
conscience among us has to obligation to remind the government of Israel
and our fellow Israelis of the boundaries imposed by human=20
morality.<br>
<br>
<b>This coming Saturday, April 13th, at 11:00 AM, we shall march in
protest against these horrors, from the Megido junction to the
Salem checkpoint on the road to Jenin. The trucks accompanying us will
carry much needed emergency supplies for the homeless, the destitute and
the expelled of Jenin.<br>
</b><br>
There is a severe water shortage in the camp, and using water tanks
turned out<br>
to be impractical in the circumstances. We therefore ask you to bring 1
1/2 L<br>
bottles of water (refilled with tap water is fine), preferably packed in
cardboard boxes. These will be loaded on a truck and delivered into the
Jenin refugee camp.<br>
<br>
Other needed equipment is: clothing (decent condition only! Let's not
insult the<br>
recipients and embarrass ourselves), blankets and basic kitchen
equipment.<br>
<br>
Come voice your indignation, and bring a friend. Our protest must come
<br>
across loud and clear! Remember that our strength is in large
numbers.<br>
<br>
Don't forget your ID card, and bring along video or stills cameras.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Bank information for wire transfer:
(<a href=3D"http://taayush.tripod.com">http://taayush.tripod.com</a>)<br>
Bank HaPo'alim, Tel Aviv<br>
Branch 606, Acct No. 396608<br>
<br>
Checks made out to Ta'ayush can be sent to<br>
P.O.Box 59380<br>
Tel Aviv 61593<br>
<br>
In the USA send checks made out to Ta'ayush care of<br>
Elizabeth Rottenberg<br>
1210 St. Paul St. apt. 2F<br>
Baltimore MD. 21202<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
I will report to you about this event on Saturday night.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Best,<br>
</font> <br>
<font face=3D"Times New Roman, Times">Yosef Grodzinsky<br>
Department of Psychology<br>
Tel Aviv University<br>
Tel Aviv 69978, ISRAEL</font><br>
<br>
<font face=3D"Times New Roman, Times"><a=
href=3D"mailto:yosef1@post.tau.ac.il">yosef1@post.tau.ac.il</a><br>
<a href=3D"http://freud.tau.ac.il/~yosef1"=
eudora=3D"autourl">http://freud.tau.ac.il/~yosef1</a></font></blockquote><b=
r>
<br>
<div>_______________________________ </div>
<div>Danny Fox</div>
<div>E39-216, Massachusetts Institute of Technology</div>
<div>Cambridge MA, 02139</div>
(Tel) 617-258-7411 (Fax) 617-253-5017
</html>
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