Behind closed doors, the IDF is admired and studied in great detail. Yet, in public, it’s denounced. Condemnation without context or consistency will not produce peace.
The double standard applied to Israel and Jews is more telling of the inherent biases of the bias holders. The projection of France, the UK, Canada and increasingly the democratic parry in the United States is indicative of the cognitive dissonance that people play to absolve themselves of their own sins.
I agree with the analysis, but the world’s hypocrisy neither surprises me nor comforts me. What would comfort me is if Israel were seen as a light unto the nations in culture. medicine, science and humanism, rather than as an innovator in instruments of war. I am sure Brig. Gallant himself would be happier remembered as Israel’s former Education Minister — a role of growth and learning — rather than as former Defense Minister, associated with killing and conflict.
Every time I hear a complaint about the IDF I imagine future American NCOs and Officers being called baby killers WHILE they are engaged with an enemy.
I am not fooled by this “hate Israel” garbage. The civilization killers are just prototyping their tools on the Israelis. But they won’t stop at the destruction of Israel. They will come for the Armenians, Christian Cypriots, Serbians adjacent to Kosovo, and the Copts, next. Eventually, they will come for the main body of western Christians. Seattle already makes public hatred of Christians a sport.
As an old Infantryman the dumbest expression I've ever heard on warfare is "surgical strike." The lefties have glommed on to that foolish saying as if war is supposed to be clean and laser-like focused because of precision-guided weapons. When you have enemies like Hamas and the Viet Cong in Vietnam who don't play by the Rules of Land Warfare then civilians WILL be killed regardless of the care taken to avoid casualties. So, the solution for Israel is to continue attacking Hamas and if so-called "innocents" are killed then so be it but Israel must do what is required to SURVIVE despite the hypocritical world.
I understand this point, but the reality is that life's not fair. Israel is subjected to a double standard, and its political leaders have to learn to work within that reality. Complaining bitterly about it does not good.
"Democracies must regain strategic clarity. They cannot afford to treat war as a morality play while military officers prepare for reality. They must explain to their populations that war, when necessary, is not only legal but at times morally required." Indeed, but unfortunately in this war Israel didnot form a national government capable of doing just that, so the image of a divided nation remained.
That means that worldwide, Israel is suspected of following the lead of the most extremist wing of its administration. A public relations failure of the first order especially in a war resembling the very bloody conquest of Okinawa in WO II.
1. Wadda ya’ expect? Jews have excelled at many vocations, after all these years of fucking wars, each one existential, you would think that Jews would figure it out. And, they have. I mean, they coulda, maybe shoulda, wiped out the Ayatollah and the entire regime. They made their point. Didn’t lose a single plane. Go figure.
Don’t forget, we were and have been a warring people. Joshua, David, the Maccabees, The Tenach is full of war stories. Until the Romans, the 2nd Diaspora when we lost our land, took the fight out of us. But, now that we have Israel, again, we’ve regained our mojo… so, FAFO.
2. Of course, this the ultimate ironic paradox: Israel is not only at war with an enemy of savages, but the Joos are obligated to keep them in business by providing humanitarian aid which the enemy steals and sells to fund their war. Huh? The UN is sooo complicit. WTF??
3. Regarding other militaries studying and Israel sharing tactics, strategies, etc., I would be very leery of sharing any info with Euro countries. Many will be ruled by Islamists in the near future so…
4. Are the military leaders of these other countries who are studying the IDF tactics being silenced? Why do they not refute the narrative of their political leaders. Other than Richard Kemp, who else is speaking out? And, why not?
The double standard applied to Israel and Jews is more telling of the inherent biases of the bias holders. The projection of France, the UK, Canada and increasingly the democratic parry in the United States is indicative of the cognitive dissonance that people play to absolve themselves of their own sins.
Like David . . . Writer and cultural leader plus military genius still studied today. Go with God, General.
Well written and intelligent essay.
Much respect 🥇🥇🥇🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱
I agree with the analysis, but the world’s hypocrisy neither surprises me nor comforts me. What would comfort me is if Israel were seen as a light unto the nations in culture. medicine, science and humanism, rather than as an innovator in instruments of war. I am sure Brig. Gallant himself would be happier remembered as Israel’s former Education Minister — a role of growth and learning — rather than as former Defense Minister, associated with killing and conflict.
European politicians won't tell the truth publicly because they fear the jihadist terrorists they allowed to invade by the millions.
So simple. “Britain, France, Canada - you recognize Palestine, you are no longer our allies and we no longer share military know-how with you.”
And Australia
Power speaking truth to power. Bravissimo.
Thank for an exceptionally clear, documented piece.
Every time I hear a complaint about the IDF I imagine future American NCOs and Officers being called baby killers WHILE they are engaged with an enemy.
I am not fooled by this “hate Israel” garbage. The civilization killers are just prototyping their tools on the Israelis. But they won’t stop at the destruction of Israel. They will come for the Armenians, Christian Cypriots, Serbians adjacent to Kosovo, and the Copts, next. Eventually, they will come for the main body of western Christians. Seattle already makes public hatred of Christians a sport.
As does Britain.
As an old Infantryman the dumbest expression I've ever heard on warfare is "surgical strike." The lefties have glommed on to that foolish saying as if war is supposed to be clean and laser-like focused because of precision-guided weapons. When you have enemies like Hamas and the Viet Cong in Vietnam who don't play by the Rules of Land Warfare then civilians WILL be killed regardless of the care taken to avoid casualties. So, the solution for Israel is to continue attacking Hamas and if so-called "innocents" are killed then so be it but Israel must do what is required to SURVIVE despite the hypocritical world.
I understand this point, but the reality is that life's not fair. Israel is subjected to a double standard, and its political leaders have to learn to work within that reality. Complaining bitterly about it does not good.
"Democracies must regain strategic clarity. They cannot afford to treat war as a morality play while military officers prepare for reality. They must explain to their populations that war, when necessary, is not only legal but at times morally required." Indeed, but unfortunately in this war Israel didnot form a national government capable of doing just that, so the image of a divided nation remained.
That means that worldwide, Israel is suspected of following the lead of the most extremist wing of its administration. A public relations failure of the first order especially in a war resembling the very bloody conquest of Okinawa in WO II.
A perfect summary and a perfect editorial. Thank you you John Spencer and General Gallant. And Josh Hoffman for hosting the column. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A few thoughts
1. Wadda ya’ expect? Jews have excelled at many vocations, after all these years of fucking wars, each one existential, you would think that Jews would figure it out. And, they have. I mean, they coulda, maybe shoulda, wiped out the Ayatollah and the entire regime. They made their point. Didn’t lose a single plane. Go figure.
Don’t forget, we were and have been a warring people. Joshua, David, the Maccabees, The Tenach is full of war stories. Until the Romans, the 2nd Diaspora when we lost our land, took the fight out of us. But, now that we have Israel, again, we’ve regained our mojo… so, FAFO.
2. Of course, this the ultimate ironic paradox: Israel is not only at war with an enemy of savages, but the Joos are obligated to keep them in business by providing humanitarian aid which the enemy steals and sells to fund their war. Huh? The UN is sooo complicit. WTF??
3. Regarding other militaries studying and Israel sharing tactics, strategies, etc., I would be very leery of sharing any info with Euro countries. Many will be ruled by Islamists in the near future so…
4. Are the military leaders of these other countries who are studying the IDF tactics being silenced? Why do they not refute the narrative of their political leaders. Other than Richard Kemp, who else is speaking out? And, why not?
I am not surprised by what you wrote in your article.