Question asked of Jerusalem Post columnists: "Do you think comments made earlier this week by OC Intelligence Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin by which Israel's deterrence had been restored were premature?" For all replies, see "Burning Issues #40: Israeli Deterrence."
Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin of the Israel Defence Forces. |
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I disagree. Deterrence is not something established by a single raid but through a persistent, protracted effort over years and decades. Israeli leaders laboriously built up such a reputation during the era 1948-93, only then to throw it away by adopting a policy of appeasement. It will take years of hard work – not yet begun, I might add – to reestablish the old deterrence. For now, Israel's many enemies are feeling emboldened and aggressive. (September 20, 2007)