'Israel is a united and determined place on this, the seventh day of hostilities'
Received earlier today from Dan Kurtzer, former U.S. ambassador to Israel (2001-2005) and the first holder of the S. Daniel Abraham Chair in Middle East policy studies at the Wilson School (see related story). He writes from Tel Aviv.
Israel is a united and determined place on this, the seventh day of hostilities in the north and the third week of hoy after Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000. In this respect, the current military campaign restilities in the south. Prime Minister Olmert addressed Parliament, the Knesset, yesterday and captured the national mood, i.e., Israel won't tolerate further kidnappings of its soldiers or threats against its citizens within the boundaries of the state.
I have had a chance to talk to senior military and political leaders. They believe Israel should have responded years ago to Hizballah terror, especially after Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000. In this respect, the current military campaign represents the pent-up feelings of a people who feel wronged by the world's tolerance of terrorism against Israel.
There are more than 120,000 Americans living in Israel plus many tourists and students. Like most of them, I haven't felt the tension or experienced the threatening atmosphere. Life in the the center of the country appears unaffected by this war. Incredibly, in the past two days, the Israeli stock exchange has risen and the shekel has strengthened against the dollar!
So, the Middle East has erupted again, unfortunately familiar to me, having served as Ambassador during most of the Intifada. The inevitable ceasefires and prisoner swaps will follow, but the underlying problems will remain.
Shalom\salaam from Israel. Dan Kurtzer
Related: Read the 'Prince' story on Professor Kurtzer's Feb. 16 lecture outlining goals for U.S. policy in the Mideast.
Israel is a united and determined place on this, the seventh day of hostilities in the north and the third week of hoy after Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000. In this respect, the current military campaign restilities in the south. Prime Minister Olmert addressed Parliament, the Knesset, yesterday and captured the national mood, i.e., Israel won't tolerate further kidnappings of its soldiers or threats against its citizens within the boundaries of the state.
I have had a chance to talk to senior military and political leaders. They believe Israel should have responded years ago to Hizballah terror, especially after Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000. In this respect, the current military campaign represents the pent-up feelings of a people who feel wronged by the world's tolerance of terrorism against Israel.
There are more than 120,000 Americans living in Israel plus many tourists and students. Like most of them, I haven't felt the tension or experienced the threatening atmosphere. Life in the the center of the country appears unaffected by this war. Incredibly, in the past two days, the Israeli stock exchange has risen and the shekel has strengthened against the dollar!
So, the Middle East has erupted again, unfortunately familiar to me, having served as Ambassador during most of the Intifada. The inevitable ceasefires and prisoner swaps will follow, but the underlying problems will remain.
Shalom\salaam from Israel. Dan Kurtzer
Related: Read the 'Prince' story on Professor Kurtzer's Feb. 16 lecture outlining goals for U.S. policy in the Mideast.
posted by theprince at 7:05 PM
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