[That Haaretz would publish this opinion piece is surprising and noteworthy.]
People of conscience, particularly commanders looking after the true spirit of the IDF, have a duty to protest Lt. Col. Shalom Eisner’s dismissal and to point out the senior command’s ethical lapse.
“You shouldn’t join the chorus of rabbis and politicians who are trying to make Lt. Col. Shalom Eisner’s case into one that divides the religious and the secular, and the left from the right,” B. begged me. B.’s views are well considered and highly regarded. From his point of view, the media lynching of Eisner, after a recording surfaced on the Internet of a confrontation in which the officer hit a Danish activist in the face, has engendered precisely the opposite reaction – a natural sense of empathy with Eisner that cuts across various communities.
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“Many people felt uneasy when the usual suspects who would automatically condemn Eisner’s conduct were joined by Israel’s president, prime minister, defense minister, and the chief of staff and GOC Central Command of the Israel Defense Forces even before any sort of investigation of the incident had been carried out. Even I, whose politics are different from yours, am amazed by their conduct,”
B. told me. “If the country’s leadership is engaged in competition over who can take Eisner to task more forcefully, the world, which they so wanted to satisfy, understood this was not just a common smack in the face – it was an act of absolute evil. As a result, instead of paying attention to the provocations of the anarchists whom Eisner had to confront, the world directed its attention to the ‘absolute evil’ committed by Israel in the territories.”
B. is a wise and knowledgeable gentleman, and I, too, thought the media overkill would come back to haunt those who engaged in Eisner’s lynching. But I was wrong. Eisner was offered up as a sacrificial lamb and dismissed from his post without any substantial protest that an officer on duty had been hung out to dry.
Eisner is just one name on a long and painful list of officers and other soldiers sacrificed on the public relations altar of the senior IDF command. It was treated as both a command failure and an ethical failure on Eisner’s part, rather than a case of a demonstrator being hit. This surrender of the top IDF command to the pressures of political correctness, rather than a needless blow from the butt of a rifle, is what is destroying the IDF. If, contrary to orders he was obliged to follow, Eisner had allowed the convoy of provocateurs to go on their way, and had preferred the approbation of the media over dedication to duty, no one would have thought of sacking him. And that’s the heart of the matter.
A commander’s instinct is to support those under his command. The stage at which blame is assessed, and must be assessed, only comes later. In the case of Deputy Brigade Commander Eisner, however, everything was reversed. His own commanders rushed to sacrifice him and investigation of the incident, the conclusions from which were decided in advance, would only come later.
And when Eisner has already been taken to task by IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz and GOC Central Command Nitzan Alon, what investigating officer, even if he or she were to find information exonerating Eisner, would dare draw conclusions running counter to their commanders’ sentiments? And the punishment that has already been meted out – the portrayal of Eisner as a monster – is the worst of punishments, even worse than expulsion from the army.
One of the most important qualities required of an army officer is maintaining one’s cool under pressure. That, of course, was required of Eisner, and it’s all the more true of his superiors. But in dismissing him from his post they totally lost their cool. People of conscience, particularly commanders looking after the true spirit of the IDF, have a duty to protest Eisner’s dismissal and to point out the senior command’s ethical lapse, as officers courageously did when Border Police officer Madhat Yusuf was left to bleed to death at Joseph’s Tomb in 2000.
It’s reasonable to assume that, following his dismissal as deputy brigade commander, Eisner will also be dismissed from the IDF altogether. And the outcome will be like those of the Second Lebanon War. From now on every soldier and officer will know that supposed values like dedication to duty and engaging hostile forces are merely lip service. Anyone who takes such values seriously, and there are other prior examples of this, will end their service just as Eisner is.
On the other hand, there are almost no examples of officers who have been dismissed for shirking their duty, and some have even been elevated to the highest ranks. It is these “values” that have brought about the dismissal of an officer who, even if he faltered somewhat, committed the sin of being dedicated to the task at hand.
@ the phoenix: Precisely.
Nothing will happen while the same people “leads”.
We have been preparing plans of action for nearly ten years and those are ready.
Quite a few people has woken up and is joining.
The Petition must bite into the core including declaration of intent to truly act for that purpose including rigid activities leading to a new government structure and people.
Dear Ted and Linda,
This is a technicality (setting up the Internet petition). Somebody will set it up and there will be thousands, hundreds of thousands and maybe million signatures.
Shoyn.
To WHOM will this petition be addressed?
Please do not misunderstand. I am not making light of this suggestion. I am merely pointing out that unless there is a total change in leadership, we’ll be shuffling the deck chairs of the Titanic….
@ NormanF:
Couldn’t agree more!Bravo, NormanF!
@ Linda Rivera:
Yes to a protest petition. And a thanks to the newspaper that published the letter which began this conversation.
Those flytilla people were invading a sovereign nation expressly for the purpose of causing trouble. I saw the video and that guy deserved to be popped in the face for baiting Sgt. Eisner.
@ Linda Rivera:
I was waiting for someone else to do it. I will look into w3hat is to be done to set it up..
It must be done.
Bibi and Barak Cooperated Fully with the Evil LIES and Filthy
Islamic propaganda of the enemies of Jews and the enemies of the Free World.
Because of pro-Islam Israeli leaders who refuse to tell the truth and behave as if the IDF are evil attackers, Muslims-Leftists-terrorists and their supporters are winning the propaganda war big time.
The UK Daily Mail is read by people from many countries. The article on this made the IDF look guilty, when they are innocent. There were hundreds of comments on the article, many saying very bad things about Israel and the IDF.
Please create a protest petition on the internet that we can sign! Thank you!
@ yamit82:
We are in agreement. Ok. Wonderful.
The real question is what is going to happen next? Tachless!
I may be a little off base, but honestly! Until when?
Here is a treasonous government AND military….and by next week (if not sooner) it will be ‘business as usual, and all the coffee houses on Dizengoff filled with the ‘beautiful people’ (spit!), sipping with their pinky raised and continuing like nothing happened….
In the U.S. you have an illegal musloid in the w.h. The senate knows, the congress knows and it is ‘business as usual’….
I am as secular a Jew as one can be, but I think the answer might be in unseating this bb demagogue and his cohorts, and replacing this useless treasonous leadership with Jewish leadership as in Moshe Feiglin
Netanyahu, Barak, Peres and the other leftists have no problem when Jews are being beaten by the black uniformed YaSSam storm troopers in the middle of the night whne they raid Jewish outposts and beat Jewish mothers and children with worse brutality. They allow use of force against innocent Jews as their homes are destroyed and they are throw out into the rainy cold night without warning. This they have no probem with but when a religious soldier does his job with his hands tied behind his back by their insane policies they condemn him. What hypocrisy. TO them Jewish blood is cheap as rockets from Gaza fall on the Negev from the formerly Jewish held areas as nothing is done to protect the Jewish residents.
@ the phoenix:
@ HBendor:
Op-Ed: J’Accuse: Lt. Colonel Eisner and Alfred Dreyfus
Published: Thursday, April 19, 2012 4:36 AM
Ehud Barak has messed it up again. He and Netanyahu have guaranteed that ISM anarchists from abroad will continue to provoke our soldiers and abuse them physically, with cameras poised to create doctored films. Eisner is Israel’s Dreyfus Case.
” His own commanders rushed to sacrifice him ” —-Apparently being a Jew is becoming synonymous with appeasement, selfish opportunism, a breakdown in basic values and most of all BETRAYAL. The Kapo Jews in the concentration camps had more justification for their acts in that they acted selfishly to save their own lives. The commandeers and leaders of Israel have done no such thing, they have exhibited the most despicable of behavior and no shame is too great for them. It is not only about Eisner but about all Jews. The opportunistic, selfish, appeasing and betraying Jews are becoming the norm in Israeli leadership as exhibited by the unusual amount of corruption at the highest levels. Apparently in this modern paradigm loyalty is without virtue yet for some it is the highest virtue. Perhaps this is why the betraying left, who are without a shred of loyalty to their brethren, cannot understand the emotions, forces, and even hatred that has welled up in many Jews for the betraying Europeans and their Jewish kapo allies. They know condemnation and judgment but lack understanding. I know this is politically incorrect but this is why they act shocked when there are equal and opposite reactions such as Rabin’s assassination and Eisner’s rifle butt in the face. They do not understand or respect that the soldier is becoming fatigued and nauseous with the betrayals and lack of loyalty. If their leaders and commanders cannot demonstrate loyalty in small incidents what will happen in large incidents. We know that corrupt leaders trying to save themselves give away the jewish patrimony such as gaza. If they do not understand what is going on, they need to get out quickly and let others who understand loyalty take charge. Israel needs loyal leaders with their brothers interests in their heart. They have given the solders, and all Jews, “a basket to carry water”
@ SHmuel HaLevi:
Shmuel, you have spoken the truth! There is NO WAY that crimes against the Jewish people can continue and to ad insult to injury, the ‘shepherds’ who were entrusted with the safety of the ‘herd’, are the ones who readily and willingly pave the way for the wolves to help themselves.
This is treason, of the highest order and as such, as you said “the people MUST get rid of that element forever”….
And to that I would add, by whatever means necessary…
And to paraphrase yamit, whoever understands….understands.
@ HBendor:
Exactly – and the reason they (i.e., Danes) come to Israel to “protest” is because if they protested in their own country, they would get more than the butt of a rifle in their face, re the video link posted by #5 – HBendor
Maagar Mohot poll on suspension of Lt.-Col. Shalom Eisner: 51%:37% Not
justified, 70%:16% Caused by media pressure
Dr. Aaron Lerner – IMRA 20 April 2012
Telephone poll of a representative sample of 606 adult Israelis (including
Israeli Arabs) carried out by Maagar Mohot Survey Institute (headed by
Professor Yitzchak Katz) the week of 20 April 2012 for Makor Rishon and
published on 20 April 2012.
Poll question relating to suspension of Lt.-Col. Shalom Eisner for the
incident in the Jordan Valley.
Was the suspension justified?
Yes 37% No 51% Other 12%
Was the decision caused by media pressure?
Yes 70% No 16% Other 14%
How do you feel towards Lt.-Col. Shalom Eisner?
Identify with him 41% Angry 21% Other 38%
Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il
——————————————–
IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis
Website: http://www.imra.org.il
We may consider that the political generals and horrid leadership have sacrificed, intentionally, and for their personal gain, (Nobel Prizes, bribes, etc.), not just Lt. Colonel Eisner but tens of thousands of Jews since Oslo and, I do not doubt, before that as well.
Some soldiers were wantonly left bleeding to death, One may recall the Druze soldier abandoned to dead at Kever Yoseph by the same Gantz and Barak, others were left entrapped to be killed, captives, others were sent into dead end “missions”, etc.
Even their own spin doctors labeled the Oslo disaster casualties “victims of peace” and “painful sacrifices”.
The people MUST get rid of that element forever.
They will not do anything of relevance about Iran either.
And also we must remember that the same trash has expelled and virtually abandoned 9000 people during “disengagement”.
Those so called leaders are criminals in the large sense of the word.
Speech making is way overrated.
This is heart breaking to see the IDF Chief of Staff condemn a soldier before the fact are brought out at a hearing. Having been in the military, I understand that this is not a democracy; however, it is the responsibility of the commanding officer of a unit to take control of a bad situation which was taking place. The victim had previously struck the officer which resulted in a broken hand. Had I been there, he would have had a lot more than a sore jaw.
I am joining the above writers to register here my complete disgust at the outrageous way a brave officer has been sacrificed on the altar popular correctness by IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz and GOC Central Command Nitzan Alon… The Danish punks coming to Israel under the guise of activism apparently have no outlet to discharge their erroneous anger at Democratic societies… Please click of the following link and watch how they are treated in Copenhagen by their own Police.
http://youtu.be/IpeiNso-Lqw
This is ingrained ghetto-type Jewish cowardliness. This boot licking behavior towards non Jews is so ingrained in almost all Jews ,who knows how long it will take to eradicate it. If Israelis flew into Copenhagen airport ,to insert themselves into a conflict which has absolutely nothing to do with Israel, supporting anti-Danish terrorists,what what would be the reaction of Danish police or military service personnel who whose task was security?. The Danish worm, was supporting the fictitious Fakestinians who are really just Arab trespassers governed mafia-like gangs whose only goal is the finish off what Hitler did during the holocaust.The leader of the Fakestinians during WWII was an active collaborator with SS.
Eisner’s real crime is that he is a devoted servant and hero.
But what can you say of a country that elevated a man to army Chief Of Staff who in an act of moral cowardice, allowed an IDF soldier to bleed to death?
Hitting an anti-Semite with a rifle butt is not as serious an offense as allowing a soldier to die on one’s watch.
The entire country went mad for no good reason and not because Eisner did anything wrong.
This is beyond pathetic. If the rest of the country continues to go on with business as usual, and there is no outcry, no outrage about this abomination…..I am afraid we might as well kiss goodbye to a sane world for, it is terminally infected by the pc-mc virus. This is a very virulent and lethal type of virus which causes people to fight the firefighter while cheering the arsonist!
This is not my grandmother’s Israel; If Israel was truly a united country, Israel would NEVER have left Gilad to rot for 5 years.
The diaspora Jews are not much better in my experience here in Montreal Canada.
But if this soldier is hung out to dry by the top brass, than I cannot say I will be shocked.
I have not been to Israel in over 20 years. No doubt I will be shocked at what they have accomplished that leaves their neighbours in the dust, including all the stuff I read about the Turkish economy, but the IDF is supposed to mean something.
The politicians, including Bibi, like the politicians everywhere are weasels and well paid. Espesh the arab muslim ones. WTF?????
Israel is just too confusing to really understand and frankly I really do not have a lot of time these days.
Too many Israelis are leftists and too many Jews over here are ashamed of being anywhere the right wing side of the issue or portrayed as a right wing demon in Ha’aretz or CNNMSNBCBBC or any worthless MSM station that has little viewers other than strange left wing Jews or demonic academics.
Many of the Top Israeli brass are most likely ” ash can nazi” whose grandparents or great grandparents had German names rather than being sephardic.