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| Sharon Over the Top
by John M. Curtis Copyright October 5, 2001
Urging Israelis and Palestinians to follow the Mitchell protocol and begin a ceasefire wasn’t a bad idea—though unrealistic. But clearly it’s the right thing to do while the U.S. prepares to take on the most dangerous madman since Adolf Hitler. Sharon’s reference to Czechoslovakia reflects his dynamics—or paranoia—certainly not U.S. policy selling out Israel. Vowing to take “all necessary measures” to protect Israelis, Sharon hurt Israel by creating negative public opinion. Whether or not he’s pandering to his right wing, Sharon’s remarks impact world opinion. Serving as his country’s PR mouthpiece, he must choose his words wisely. Giving history lessons only dilutes the message that Israel won’t cower to terrorists. Sharon’s remarks were deemed as “unacceptable” by White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer—especially while U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld completes his delicate Mideast tour. With the Islamic coalition on shaky ground, Sharon’s comments didn’t help U.S. efforts. Showing better restraint would allow Israel to go quietly about its business. No one expects the Israeli-Palestinian tit-for-tat to change anytime soon. With charges and counter charges occurring daily, Israeli officials must play the PR game with greater finesse. “What the prime minister intended was to make a warning to everyone, including ourselves, but especially to the leaders of the free world, that appeasement never works,” said Israeli spokesman Zalman Shoval, trying to perform some much-needed damage control. Sharon should measure incendiary rhetoric before calling attention to himself. Surely he must know that Bush’s campaign against terrorism helps Israel by denouncing all forms of terrorism, including righteous Palestinian suicide bombings. Crossing a new threshold, Arafat can no longer expect sympathy without renouncing terror as a political solution. Asking for a ceasefire hardly warrants Sharon’s conclusion that Israel faces the same fate as Czechoslovakia in 1938. His parallel—if he really believes it—raises serious concerns about his judgment and, maybe, his mental status. Without a well-equipped military, Palestinians pose no real threat to Israeli sovereignty, aside from annoying terrorist attacks. Possessing one of history’s most lethal land armies, Nazis threatened all of Europe, at a time when pacifism and appeasement ruled the post-World War I era. Unlike the Nazi’s, Bin Laden’s terror machine has no juggernaut but spreads its insidious infiltration, subversion and sabotage to the Western world. Raining unthinkable destruction on the U.S., Bin Laden tops the enemy list, with his global terror network now targeted for destruction. While Sharon’s certainly at liberty to denounce terrorism, he’s not at liberty to trash Israel’s number one ally. Public gaffes are all too common when public figures succumb to stress, whether in politics or elsewhere. Just ask ABC’s Politically Incorrect host Bill Maher, whose insensitive remarks—about the U.S. being cowards—nearly cost him his job. Comedians shooting off their mouths are less concern than heads-of-state. But the same rules of political correctness apply to all. Offensive remarks have more to do with crudeness and insensitivity than free speech. When heads-of-state like Sharon make off-the-wall remarks, it’s reason to take notice. Sharon’s mood was clearly affected by Sibir airline’s inexplicable explosion, killing 66 Russian-born Israelis and 12-crew en-route from Tel Aviv to Novosibirsk, Siberia. With terrorism on everybody’s minds, every unexplained disaster is easily blamed on foul play. No doubt Sharon considered sabotage, despite more plausible explanations that the Ukrainian military errantly fired surface-to-air missiles during training exercises too close for comfort. Mishaps like this and everyday terrorist attacks tend to weigh on nerves, leading to the kind of erratic statements made by Sharon. For many people now on pins and needles—including American officials facing impending military action and possible further terrorist strikes—it’s easy to make irrational statements. It doesn’t show grace under pressure to vent pent-up frustrations in public, especially when it causes its own collateral damage. “Israel won’t roll over for anti-terror alliance,” said Sharon, abandoning the kind of cool head needed during this time of crisis and added stress. Israeli officials need take a hard look at leaders given too much latitude to speak their minds during this critical period. Sharon clearly stepped out of line comparing today’s Israel with 1938 Czechoslovakia. Perhaps the only valid comparison involves taking a firm stand against another dangerous madman threatening world stability. Fortunately for the West, Bin Laden doesn’t command the military might of Hitler’s Third Reich, despite mastering sabotage and guerilla warfare. Unlike 1938, Israel possesses one of the world’s most powerful militaries, and has the means and will to defend itself. Like in the 1991 Gulf War, Israel will once again have to take a backseat, allowing the U.S. to prosecute the war against Bin Laden and his Al Qaeda terror network. Despite his fury against terror, Sharon must regain his boundaries and remember who was attacked on Sept. 11. No matter how frustrating, Sharon must bite his tongue and get back to the real heavy lifting done at the peace table. About the Author John M. Curtis is editor of OnlineColumnist.com and columnist for the Los Angeles Daily Journal. He’s director of a Los Angeles think tank specializing in political consulting and strategic public relations. He’s the author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma. |
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it with the bad news about Air Sibir’s explosion over the Black Sea and the latest terror attack in Afula, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon went over the top, accusing the U.S. of pandering to Arabs in preparation for their war on terrorism. “Do not try to appease Arabs at our expense,” said Sharon, unable to contain himself after a Palestinian impersonating an Israeli soldier, killed three civilians at a bus station in the Northern town of Afula. Since Bin Laden’s deadly Sept. 11 strike on New York and Washington, the White House heaped pressure on Israel and the Palestinian Authority to show restraint. Gearing up for War, Washington hoped to direct their energy to Bin Laden, not waste precious time on the endless propaganda battle between Sharon and Arafat. Hitting below the belt, “Do not repeat the dreadful mistake of 1938, when enlightened European democracies decided to sacrifice Czechoslovakia [to the Nazis] for a convenient, temporary solution,” lashed out Sharon at a Thursday afternoon press conference. Sharon’s comments drew bleak reviews at the White House, demonstrating, if nothing else, that the 73-year-old prime minister crossed the line.|
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