By Joel A Moskowitz M D
LA JOLLA, California—Israeli Lt. General (ret.) Dan Halutz at Sunday’s Yom Limmud, San Diego’s Jewish Community Day of Learning, quipped about his decision to join the Kadima Party in Israel: “In politics, you can be killed many times; in the military, only once.”
This veteran and long-time member of the Israel’s Defense Force (IDF) gave the Keynote Address, “Israel’s Challenge,” at the day-long event sponsored by the Agency for Jewish Education at the Lawrence Family JCC.
His family originated from Iran and Iraq and he joined the Israel Air Force in 1966. Ascending in the ranks, during the Yom Kippur War he flew 43 operational flights, and in dogfights shot down three enemy planes. His presentation before a packed house at the David and Dorothea Garfield Theater elicited standing ovations– testimony to his charisma.
General Halutz’s star-studded career in defense of Israel has not been without criticism. Under his leadership the I.D.F. took part in ‘targeted killing’ of Palestinian terrorist leaders. This strategy has been faulted by some because of ‘collateral damage’. Questioned about this, Halutz mentioned a book by Alan Dershowitz citing the theory of proportion. Had Halutz had the opportunity to ‘take out’ the suicide bomber of a Netanya catastrophe, he volunteered he would have done it without remorse. He noted that his attitude has resulted in his being unable to visit London. Ironically, an ex-Israeli lawyer, utilizing the British legal system, takes cases where military personnel, like Halutz, may be brought up on ‘war crimes.’
Halutz suggested that the Israel Defense Force must not be thought of as belonging to Israel alone; rather, it should be thought of as the Jewish Defense Force. In times of Auschwitz, he asks, what would have happened had there been an Israeli military?
These days, the Middle East is a critical environment for the whole world. It is ‘shallow thinking’ that Egypt would easily and swiftly become a democracy if protestors are successful in their demand for the removal of President Hosni Mubarak. In 2003, before the U.S. launched the campaign into Iraq, he had expressed his opinion that the goal of moving from dictatorship to democracy’s timetable should be thought of in the realm of 2500 years. He thinks that Mubarak having chosen a former head of Egypt intelligence, Omar Suleiman as his vice president bodes well. because of Suleiman’s positive relationship with the Egyptian Army.
There are other ‘hot potatoes’ in the Middle East: Non-conventional threats such as nuclear bombs are worrisome. Three years ago, the nuclear capability of Syria (a ‘gift’ from North Korea) was destroyed. The links between Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon are a concern. But Halutz asserted, “Unlike 1939, we are a strong country” …. and must maintain an iron hand.”
After 62 years of independence, Israel has achieved much. For example, this tiny state is among the first ranks in high technology and agriculture. Internal problems, however, perhaps even more than Syria, Lebanon or Iran, pose dangers. One third of the population are “not contributing as they should.” He referred to Arabs and ultra-orthodox Jews and even the moderate orthodox. Halutz didn’t define specifically how he thinks they should ‘contribute’. Statistics, he warned, indicate that 50% of the present seven-year-old pupils come from this one-third of the populace. In ten years they will have the vote! Not proposing a specific solution, he cautioned that, for instance, Israel must separate itself from the Palestinians lest they will demand citizenship under the right of return. Hence, Israel will no longer be a Jewish State. This is a phenomenon not belonging to Israel alone. Europe faces similar demographics.
Then too there is the changing nature of war: No longer are those who have the largest tanks and armament likely to prevail. Terrorist and guerrilla insurgency is the mode. One reason why he has decided to align himself with the Kadima party for his political career because its focus is more pragmatic and less driven by ideology.
Questioned from the audience about Iran’s recent computer mishap and what may Israel do next, Halutz quipped, “Don’t expect me to give you a time table.” Though he did say, along with sanctions and other political maneuvers, “The stick should be always on the table”. He would hope that Iran’s population will wise up. He cited that there is a rift between the young population and the extremists in that country. Things change–for example it wasn’t so long ago that he flew with the Iranian Air Force.
On the sensitive subject of precision strikes, Halutz offered the quandary: “It is no problem to pinpoint a target in centimeters but the explosion will not be in centimeters.” There is, however, a lot of effort to hit the ‘bad guys’ not the ‘good guys’. Ever optimistic, General Halutz said leaders must be attentive to opportunities to work out a peaceful solution. He referred to three attempts to achieve peace with Syria.
“We must always take into account U.S. interests when developing relationship with others.” With that, Lt General (retired) Halutz from Israel received the approbation from his attentive audience.
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Dr. Moskowitz is a freelance writer based in La Jolla.