Barak: Summer 2006 war backfired, strengthened Hizbullah
Source: Agencies: 11-8-2008
"Israeli" War Minister Ehud Barak said Monday the summer 2006 war backfired on "Israel" because it resulted in strengthening Hizbullah. Speaking to "Israeli" television network Channel 10, Barak said "Israel" was not prepared for the summer 2006 war, "which turned out into a major launching pad to upgrade Hizbullah's power.
Barak also criticized the "Israeli" government's performance during the six years that preceded the outbreak of the 34-day war with Lebanon on July 12, 2006.
Barak said former "Israeli" Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and the "Israeli" government did not act wisely "by not responding to Hizbullah's growing capabilities." He recalled a traditional "Israeli" theory that says wars should be avoided, or delayed, "but if imposed we should win them on the enemy's terrain."
"Israeli" newspaper Haaretz reported last week that "Israel" will hold Lebanon responsible for attacks against "Israel", in particular for any Hizbullah bid to avenge the murder of its top military commander Imad Moghnieh.
"This decision on Wednesday by the Security Cabinet represents a change in "Israeli" policy, after always firmly separating Hizbullah and the Lebanese government," it reported.
According to war establishment recommendations adopted by the Security Cabinet, "Israel" will treat the Lebanese unity government, which is headed by Fouad Siniora and includes Hizbullah, "as responsible for any event that takes place in its sovereign territory or events for which Lebanese nationals are responsible."
A source told Haaretz that if Hizbullah attacks "Israel" from inside Lebanese territory, shoots at "Israel" Air Force aircraft or carries out a terror attack abroad as revenge for the Moghnieh assassination, which it attributes to "Israel", then "Israel" will hold Lebanon responsible and respond appropriately.
"In the coming weeks, "Israel" plans to start transmitting this message to the United Nations, United States, Russia and European nations, and primarily to Syria and Hizbullah itself," Haaretz said.
"Israeli" War Minister Ehud Barak said Monday the summer 2006 war backfired on "Israel" because it resulted in strengthening Hizbullah. Speaking to "Israeli" television network Channel 10, Barak said "Israel" was not prepared for the summer 2006 war, "which turned out into a major launching pad to upgrade Hizbullah's power.
Barak also criticized the "Israeli" government's performance during the six years that preceded the outbreak of the 34-day war with Lebanon on July 12, 2006.
Barak said former "Israeli" Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and the "Israeli" government did not act wisely "by not responding to Hizbullah's growing capabilities." He recalled a traditional "Israeli" theory that says wars should be avoided, or delayed, "but if imposed we should win them on the enemy's terrain."
"Israeli" newspaper Haaretz reported last week that "Israel" will hold Lebanon responsible for attacks against "Israel", in particular for any Hizbullah bid to avenge the murder of its top military commander Imad Moghnieh.
"This decision on Wednesday by the Security Cabinet represents a change in "Israeli" policy, after always firmly separating Hizbullah and the Lebanese government," it reported.
According to war establishment recommendations adopted by the Security Cabinet, "Israel" will treat the Lebanese unity government, which is headed by Fouad Siniora and includes Hizbullah, "as responsible for any event that takes place in its sovereign territory or events for which Lebanese nationals are responsible."
A source told Haaretz that if Hizbullah attacks "Israel" from inside Lebanese territory, shoots at "Israel" Air Force aircraft or carries out a terror attack abroad as revenge for the Moghnieh assassination, which it attributes to "Israel", then "Israel" will hold Lebanon responsible and respond appropriately.
"In the coming weeks, "Israel" plans to start transmitting this message to the United Nations, United States, Russia and European nations, and primarily to Syria and Hizbullah itself," Haaretz said.
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