Comments on: YW interviews MK Effi Eitam

By: YZM

YZM — Mon, 14 May 2007 21:15:12 +0000

Effie believes the Winograd report indicates a huge gap in leadership from the top, not form the troops themselves. He believes that Olmert was weak and was afraid of poll numbers had Israelis seen too much Israeli blood spilled in a ground incursion, and last year’s Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz was so wrapped in his own air force experience, he failed to see the forest for the trees.

Effie believes that Israelis wanted a ground war that would have likely been harsher at first, but swift and decisive and would have rooted out the enemy and their weapon caches. As a general and one who commanded Golani, he believes that the troops were ready and willing, but they were fighting with at least one hand tied down.

What he wants to see is a real military commander in place as Defense Minister, where Peretz was inexperienced and also weak, and that the IDF commander must be someone who can put aside hubris or branch-bias, if you will, and make decisions that are strategically correct, and not just fitting an expected paradigm.

Effie truly believes that if Israel is forced into Lebanon again, it will be different and winnable. He knows the troops are ready and that Israel is emotionally able to absorb casualties that may accompany a ground invasion, for the euphoria and pride of an Israeli victory in the manner an Entebbe, Yom Kippur, Six Day, etc. Effie not only has emunah in Israel and Israelis (religious and secular), but has emunah in G-d not to see Israel’s fall. To back it up, he also has 30 years on the ground with a rifle in hand, being part of the troops and then leading them to victory time and again.

As for the public perception point of view on Israel and its fighting style, he feels that protection of Israel is more important that what leftists and fundamentalist Muslim apologists think, and that a fast and decisive victory for Israel leaves less time and ability for wandering photographers and videographers to get the anti-Israel propaganda they seek. The airwar of last summer kept soldiers away, and left time for Hezbullah warriors to stage photos using collateral damage. In a ground invasion, the terrain is more volatile and less friendly for journalists, no matter how anti-Israel, who want to live also, will be less inclined to wander, looking for a staged photo.

Maybe not a perfect plan, but it works.

By: IMHO

IMHO — Mon, 14 May 2007 20:22:02 +0000

It is rather unfortunate that YW did not press on him to give his honest opinion on the Winograd report and indicate what he would like to see changed in the Israeli military structure and training. The very first question began to address it and then veered off to Iran and Olmert’s leadership.
I served just after the infamous mishpatei givati back in the first intifadah, (for those of your readers who are unfamiliar with the cases look them up, MK Eitam featured prominently in them). I fully understood then and now what the security approach must be from a tactical and real world politic pov and was wondering about Eitam’s current stance on Israel’s security in light of last year’s dismal failure in Lebanon.
Maybe next time.

By: ondaroadtoboston

ondaroadtoboston — Mon, 14 May 2007 18:24:13 +0000

Killa Killa Interview!
Mamesh every question thought out & asked to the zach!
Keep up the great work!
Kol Hakavod!

By: Blue Pinky

Blue Pinky — Mon, 14 May 2007 03:53:07 +0000

iliv2bhap, while Feiglin is an influential member of the Likud party, he is very far from being the #2. He is not even a current member of Kenesset, and Likud has 12 seats.

By: Lawrence Melchior

Lawrence Melchior — Mon, 14 May 2007 02:43:40 +0000

Effie is able to be a leader and will switch to the Likud party if that will be the only way he can move ahead in the Knesset. He should not be discounted. In addition to his ability to appeal to the frum, the secular, the kibbutznicks and the military sectors of the voting public, he seems to have financial backing from some of the wealthiest American Jews who will likely back his electoral ambitions.

Mr. iliv2bhap, Eitam can restore Jewishness and attract a considerable spectrum of Israelis He is someone to watch and I love that the YW got this interview and asked such great questions.

By: iliv2bhap

iliv2bhap — Sun, 13 May 2007 20:25:52 +0000

we must remember that effie eitam will not be a leader of the israeli people bc he only represents a certian sector of the jewish political spectrum moshe feiglin on the other hand is the 2nd largest person in the likud party right behind netanyahu and wants israel to run in a jewish way for jewish reasons.

By: urbmase

urbmase — Sun, 13 May 2007 17:43:49 +0000

This interview is wonderful. This man and his responses remind me often of Harav Kahana, z”l. Very pointed, very direct, and honest. Thank you, YW!

By: eliezer

eliezer — Sun, 13 May 2007 01:58:46 +0000

Yasher Coach, YW. Very informative and very well organized. Your questions were to the point – except for the “Gaon” “Ganov” fiasco – which was entertaining.

You have stepped up your stature with this interview.
Thank you.