"Escalation" - A Dirty Word, for the Moment!

Ron Ross
Bridges for Peace News
Email: ronrossbfp@hotmail.com

14 June, 2007

War between Israel and Syria is the hot topic in Jerusalem this week. Media pundits and military analysts became so vocal, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert asked for the tone to be softened for fear Syria would react.

IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said army drills were being stepped up for fear of `escalation.' Amir Peretz, the Minister of Defence followed him to the podium and warned against using such an inflammatory word.

War between Israel and Syria is the hot topic in Jerusalem this week. Media pundits and military analysts became so vocal, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert asked for the tone to be softened for fear Syria would react. IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said army drills were being stepped up for fear of `escalation.'

Amir Peretz, the Minister of Defence followed him to the podium and warned against using such an inflammatory word.

Nobody doubts the war-mongering is orchestrated in Tehran but the orchestral instruments are spread effectively to Hizbullah, Hamas and Damascus.

The IDF is fully aware Hizbullah has rearmed stronger than they were before the Second Lebanon War. They are now positioned on both sides of the Litani River, armed to the teeth.

The UN Peacekeeping Forces have provided only token oversight of the area and do not enter towns inhabited by the terrorists. The situation is farcical.

Israel is very fidgety over the lack of activity by the Egyptian border squads. The tunnels have provided a flow of weapons to strengthen Hamas which is now the major military force in the Palestinian territories.

Fatah, once the flagship of Yasser Arafat, has become weak while Hamas has gone from strength to strength. Mahmoud Abbas the choice of the US administration and the Israel leadership as a potential peace partner lacks popularity and support from his own people.

He failed to deal with internal corruption in Fatah and the people no longer fear or trust him.

So Israel faces a volatile situation with the rearmed Hizbullah in Lebanon. Hamas is growing in strength in the Palestinian Authority and Damascus is reportedly preparing for war in a matter of weeks.

Syria has made huge weaponry purchases from Russia. Long-range missiles are most likely now available to the Hizbullah-Hamas arsenal.

I have been notified doctors working in Israeli hospitals have been advised not to plan for extensive leave after July 15.

Respected analyst Daniel Piles wrote this week: "As for Ehud Olmert, he proved himself to be such a terrible military chief last year in Lebanon that a Syrian intifada on the Golan Heights now looms as a real possibility. And his severe political unpopularity makes him receptive to negotiations that a stronger Israeli prime minister would scorn. This unusual combination of circumstances makes the Damascus-Jerusalem confrontation unusually volatile. Incompetence has a way of generating unpredictability. I cannot assess the chances of war beyond saying they are worrisomely real."

Farmers who supply product to Bridges for Peace for distribution to the poor, came a week early, just a few days ago.

They had been advised to make their deliveries `immediately' as military training will close their roads next week.

There is an `escalation', even if some do not like the emphasis in the word.

It has been reported today in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Olmert is prepared to talk to the Syrians about surrendering the Golan Heights in exchange for peace.

If he chooses that approach he may find another very passionate front will open right on his front door step and this time it will be Israelis.

Next week the Labor Party will vote for their new leader. Amir Peretz will go. He will step down as Minister of Defence. Will he be followed quickly by Olmert?

Only time will tell. Maybe if Olmert departs `escalation' will be back in the military vocabulary but that only if the US gives permission.

What a sick crazy world, we live in

Ron Ross resigned as Senior Pastor of Noosa Baptist Church to become National Director of Bridges for Peace Australia. Three years ago he joined Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem to establish international radio news and an audio service webcast at www.bridgesforpeace.com Ron was Sports Editor of WINTV for 20 years before joining the full-time missions. You can contact Ron at : ronrossbfp@hotmail.com