May 01, 2007 ... Resignation is not a valid option.

Even though the Eliyahu Winograd report may have legitimate criticisms to level at the current administration, it would enable Hezbollah and its sponsors to declare victory if Ehud Olmert were forced out of office as the prelude to the turmoil of yet another election in barely more than twelve-months. All that this would achieve is to send a very clear signal to Israel’s enemies that, given persistence along with misguided and sufficient international support, the Israeli government can be repeatedly defeated by its own democratic process. This is hardly in Israel’s self-interest. Nor is it in the interests of the EU or the USA, which both put so much pressure on Israel during the thirty-four day conflict to reach a UN agreement and pull out before a proper military victory could be achieved.

Eliyahu Winograd

A greater number of trained and equipped ground-forces would have been advantageous, but Israel cannot afford the expense of a standing army of such a magnitude and continuity of expertise, including revised training to account for a war well suited to Hezbollah’s lack of sophisticated weaponry and no need for concern over civilian or military casualties. Israel has had to be concerned for both types of casualties for fear of international censure, from the perspectives of disproportionate response, killing innocents and the possibility of being accused of war crimes, leading to Israeli politicians and commanders sharing cell-time with Liberia’s Charles Taylor, for instance, in the Hague, courtesy of the International Criminal Court.

The advocacy of air-power by Danny Halutz, was legitimate enough, given that it could have been used aggressively enough, and without concern to casualties. Especially on Hezbollah’s stronghold in South Beirut. Or better still, Damascus. This would have been the proper, alternative response to Hezbollah.

Israelis must think very long and hard about what to do next. Simply forcing Ehud Olmert and his administration from office is not a good choice.