Soccer Dad

If we don't report it it didn't happen

When Finance Minister Netanyahu resigned his position, ostensibly over disengagement - though possibly because PM Sharon signaled his intent to undo his work at the Finance Ministry - the New York Times wrote him a lovely good bye note, "Disengaging Mr Netanyahu":

He has certainly done all he can to fan Israelis' fears with fiery speeches warning that Gaza could become a base for radical Islamic terrorists. In resigning from his post, Mr. Netanyahu is making the political calculation that he can cordon off the far-right wing of Likud from Mr. Sharon, and then manage to look prescient if the Gaza pullout is a disaster.

Let's be clear, Netanyahu was probably motivated in some part by self interest. But it's ridiculous to say that if the Gaza pullout woud be a disaster he would "...manage to look prescient." Come on given the Palestinian behavior over the past several years only someone ideologically blinded could not have expected the worst. Anyone who expected the worst was a pragmatist; those who didn't were living in a world where the sky wasn't blue.

Let's just go over what's happened in the past week:
1) The Palestinians destroyed the standing buildings that used to be synagogues.
2) Hamas blew a whole in the security fence and the border between Gaza and Egypt was open to uncontrolled traffic both ways.
3) So many arms came into Gaza that the prices for weaponry and ordnance dropped precipitously.
4) There are indications that Al Qaeda is planning or has set up a base in Gaza.
5) The Egyptian army did nothing to stem the tide of the traffic either way ensuring that the security situation would deterirate.
6) Once again (or more) Abbas said that he'll confront Hamas. (He sounds like Annie. "Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow ....")
Were any of these outcomes unforeseeable?
Netanyahu was not engaging in empty scare tactics. He was warning the Israeli public of the high risk Israel was undertaking for uncertain rewards. Yes he's been made to look prescient. But it's better than being made to look blind.

Technorati tags: Israel, terror, Netanyahu, Gaza,New York Times.

Crossposted on Israpundit and Soccer Dad.