The Israeli army is getting ready for a war in the summer. The army should always be prepared. No one wants to find that there is no sufficient equipment, and that the soldiers lack the necessary training, in case that a war will break out.
But is the IDF only preparing itself for a possible war, or pushing towards such a war?
I’ve spoken to various people that have returned from reserve service recently. They have a feeling that the army really wants to go to war – to regain the honor it lost while fighting Hizballah in 2006.
Except these feelings, senior officers are suggesting that there is a good chance of a war breaking out this summer. Is it a build up for the Israeli public? I fear so. I must say, that I’ve added my small contribution to this build up. I ran a survey about the chances of war (Hebrew link). Most of the people answered yes – there will be a war.
And what about our leaders? Well, after the Winograd committee’s interim report, they have softened their approach to the Saudi initiative. The Arab League will soon send some representatives to Israel, for initial negotiations. In the Syrian front, there is no change in policy. The answer to Assad’s statements remains no, partly due to the American demand.
I’m pleased with the serious work of the Winograd committee that is investigating the war of 2006, and I’m still demanding the resignation of PM Olmert. I don’t want a future committee to investigate the events happening now (May 2007) and ask: “How didn’t we prevent another war?”.
I hope that the leaders here, and also those in Syria and Lebanon, will do all they can to avoid a war in summer 2007.