Where is Israel going to?
Reader comment on item: Hezbollah's Victory, Israel's Decline

Submitted by Robert J Kennedy (Canada), Feb 4, 2004 at 03:11

I read with immense regret that the path the Sharon government took regarding the return of one live and three deceased persons to their place of origin, was seemingly, a path leading directly into the abyss.

I recall with a sense of immense pride, the Israel of the early 60,s. A country so small that it could almost fit inside one of several of Americas' larger cities, and whose total population was well matched to those same cities. The Israel I remember, with immense pride, is one that was at the apex in its ability for self-defense. Defense, in such a supreme manner that other countries of the world looked upon it in awe. How could so small a country be so adept at maintaining its survival while being totally surrounded by implacable enemies who freely state their sole aim is the complete and utter annihilation of Israel. An Israel capable of responding to and winning a war that from the outset seemed a forgone conclusion. Settled in a way that was to have annihilated Israel from the Middle East forever. An Israel that responded so dramatically and positively to a much greater military challenge. An Israel that showed the world even small countries can be capable of great things. But, as with all great things, resolve of those participating must be strong and resolute, otherwise the chance of success is slight.

How then can such a country fall so dramatically and so quickly? Surely there must be something unseen that supports Ariel Sharon in his decision to allow such a seemingly lopsided exchange. I certainly hope so. For myself, I am witnessing a country that appears to be in turmoil. Israel seems to be responding to terrorists' actions by adding fuel to the blaze. What positive purpose, particularly in the long range, does this exchange represent? It seems to give all to the same avowed enemies who have sworn to the total destruction of Israel. It boggles ones mind to view these happenings with a gaze and attitude more fitting to a play on Broadway! King David must surely be viewing this process with utter contempt. He faced what seemed insurmountable odds with nothing more than a sling and a stone. How then, can the leader of Israel, who has at his disposal far more than a mere sling and stone, allow such a once proud country to teeter so dramatically on the edge of the abyss? Where, once fallen into, may be to deep to extricate oneself from.

The picture being seen by the world is none other than one of a country in total disarray. Who then will step forward and return it on a path to its former glory?

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