...do such a thing back on July 31,2006 when he outlined Israel's position:
Olmert: No cease-fire
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has just announced there will be no cease-fire in Israel's battle with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, the Associated Press reports.
Haaretz.com adds these news alerts from Olmert's speech:
• Olmert: We'll end offensive when northern Israel no longer threatened.
• Olmert: Offensive will end when rockets cease, soldiers are returned.
• Olmert: There is no cease-fire and there won`t be one in coming days.
And this is what former Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said today:
<snip>
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Not Too Late to Win
By Binyamin Netanyahu (Jerusalem Post)
The government's decision comes late, very late, but not too late.
Destroying Hizbullah's fighting capacity and missile arsenal remains the objective that Israel must achieve. Clearly, air power alone cannot do so and a major ground offensive is necessary. While this should have been done considerably earlier, it nevertheless should be done today.
Firstly, on the military front, our goal should be victory over Hezbollah, a proxy military force for Iran.
Secondly, on the hasbara (public relations) front, we have to fend off the attacks and vilification of Israel in order to gain time for the military objective.
And thirdly, on the civilian front, the government must immediately declare a state of emergency. This is a war that, for the civilians, is worse than previous wars - longer and more costly in lives and property.
These are the objectives that I will support.
In war, you must achieve your objectives. It is painful, but it will be much more painful for the country - in lives lost, cities paralyzed and security imperiled - if we have to face future rounds because we did not win this one.
http://www.iris.org.il/blog/