There is probably no one more qualified to lead this country as a prime minister, into such a battle than Binyamin Netanyahu, former commando in the IDF’s elite Sayeret Matkal.
No one more qualified to lead the defense establishment than Moshe ‘Boogie’ Ya’alon, also a commando in Sayeret Matkal and a former head of military intelligence. Ya’alon eventually became IDF chief of staff to lead the military during the second intifada.
IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz served in the northern part of the country through the first and second intifadas, facing the challenges of dealing with terrorism on both sides of the border. He is a veteran of numerous wars and conflicts and is an expert in dealing with the subtleties of having to balance the issues of the safety of human shields on the enemy lines versus national security when leading a conflict.
And then there’s Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman. Now there’s a man who, unlike nearly any other diplomat in the history of this country, rarely hesitates to bluntly state plain truth, palatable or otherwise. Liberman is clear when it comes to national priorities: the safety, defense and well-being of Israel’s citizens comes first. International opinion will always be an issue and Israel will deal with it; but Israel’s existence must take precedence.
With such leadership, Israel cannot lose. But it can no longer afford to ignore the monster waiting in the room, either.
A third intifada is upon us, and Israel must now address this issue, promptly and without any further delay, regardless of how unhappy or offended it makes our “friends” in the international arena.
It will do us little good if Hamas makes good on its promises, and we no longer exist to discuss it with them by this time next year.