Leftist employees in Foreign Ministry attempt to undermine Israel before Hamas-Fatah deal

Dr. Aaron Lerner
IMRA
04 May '11



[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA:

So you are a lefty employee at the Foreign Ministry.

You have been working there for many years and, of course, have a monopoly on the truth.

Those idiot unwashed masses may have elected a government that follows a policy you disagree with. But you aren't about to let the democratic process get in the way.

Now its one thing to shoot off a memo to the foreign minister and everybody-else-and-his-brother in the Foreign Ministry sharing your wisdom

That's perfectly legitimate.

But sending it to Barak Ravid at Haaretz in order to bushwhack the Netanyahu administration with a headline that attempts to undermine Israeli policy?

That's another story.

This lefty, who has absolutely no respect for the system of government that pays his salary, should be shown the door.

Today.]

Israel Foreign Ministry views Hamas-Fatah deal differently than Netanyahu Confidential Foreign Ministry report calls Palestinian reconciliation agreement 'an opportunity,' despite premier's recent comments following the deal's announcement.

By Barak Ravid Haaretz Published 01:06 04.05.11


http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-foreign-ministry-views-hamas-fatah-deal-differently-than-netanyahu-1.359706

An internal, confidential Foreign Ministry report advises that the creation of a Fatah-Hamas unity government in the Palestinian Authority would offer Israel a strategic opportunity. The views expressed in the paper are clearly counter to those expressed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since the reconciliation reached last week by the Palestinian factions. The reconciliation document is expected to be signed in Cairo today.

"The Palestinian move is not only a security threat but also a strategic opportunity to create genuine change in the Palestinian context," the report states. "Such change may serve the long-term interests of Israel."

The report was delivered earlier this week to Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Foreign Ministry Director General Rafael Barak and other senior figures. It was prepared by the ministry's policy planning division, which is staffed by career diplomats and is responsible for formulating foreign policy recommendations.

Foreign Ministry Staff Should Learn From Abba Eban's Example

Dr.Aaron Lerner
IMRA
Weekly Commentary
10 June '10

In December 1955 the Syrians shelled an Israeli fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee. There were no Jewish casualties, but Israel retaliated with an operation which left 73 Syrian dead. Eban protested to Ben Gurion privately, while defending the operation in public.

Ben Gurion replied that he, too, had doubts about the wisdom of the operation, but said: "When I read the full text of your brilliant defense of our action in the Security Council, all my doubts were set at rest."
Abba Eban Obituary - Daily Telegraph (UK) 18 Nov 2002

That, in a nutshell, is the job of the Foreign Ministry staff.

Haaretz Correspondent Barak Ravid reports in today's edition that during the two months leading up to the arrival of the Gaza-bound aid flotilla, members of the Foreign Ministry team repeatedly warned that while Israel was well within its legal rights to stop the ships in international waters, such a move would create a serious public relations challenge.

In fact, the Foreign Ministry team suggested, that in order to avoid this challenge, Israel wait for the ships to reach the country's territorial waters - which lie within 20 miles from the coast - before launching a takeover operation.

This suggestion was rejected on operational grounds.

It would appear that Ravid got this story from one of the Foreign Ministry team members, who, annoyed that his advice hadn't been taken, decided to have his "I told you so" published in Haaretz.

They just don't get it.

The Foreign Ministry team doesn't come off as geniuses in this story.

(Read full commentary)

If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.
.