Ynet published an interview with the commander of the UN peacekeeping force in the Golan Heights. And he’s figured out what the real problem is. It’s Israel.
The breathtaking unwillingness of this UN “peacekeeper” to actually see what is right under his nose is astonishing.
The UN troops observe the two countries’ lineup of forces on a 50-kilometer (31.05-mile) wide strip – 25 kilometers (15.525 miles) east and west of the Yom Kippur War’s ceasefire line.
[…] Contrary to the Israeli view, which regards Syria as a strategic threat, Jilke says that actually Israel bears the brunt of the responsibility for causing the current tensions.
You see? It’s Israel’s fault. Syria isn’t doing a thing to raise tensions. Like, say, announce that if Israel doesn’t give up the Golan by August, Syria will take it back by force. Or ask Iran to “coordinate attacks” with Israel. Or arming Hezbollah. No, it’s all Israel’s fault, the hostilities. Just listen to this guy.
“The tensions on the Golan Heights have not been so high in years. I am worried,” he says.
[…] According to him, the Syrians have not stationed any special forces in the area next to the border that would be capable of launching a surprise attacking against Israel.
“On the Syrian side I do not notice any unusual preparations,” he says. “On the Israeli side, however, we see intensive activity… Israel’s right to defend itself is self-understood, but its current activities do not contribute to the efforts to diminish the tensions in the region… The actions on Israel’s side are not very helpful when it comes to calming the Syrians down.”
And he is utterly confident that even if a war does break out, it won’t matter, because a) the Syrians aren’t planning for an offensive and b) The IDF will kick their asses anyway. Wow, that makes me feel so much better that this moron is in charge of peacekeeping operations in the Golan.
The UNDOF commander is not worried by Syria’s rearmament, although his soldiers would be the first victims should a war break out.
“We must remember that the antitank and antiaircraft missiles Syria is purchasing are not offensive weapons. Syria is renewing its weapon inventory like any other army in the world. I do not view this as something unusual,” he says.
In light of the balance of power, Jilke estimates that “the chances the Syrians will surprise Israel are very low, and in any case, the Israelis have prepared and positioned themselves in a way that guarantees their advantage and deny the Syrians any gains.”
He’s so generous with Israeli blood. And those antitank missiles? Hezbollah found a use for them against soldiers. Fatah and Hamas used them against each other. They’re not “defensive” weapons.
But wait. There’s more “Israel is worrying too much about Syria from this guy and his people.
UNDOF sources, who likened the Golan to a “crowded military camp”, told Ynet of the poor state of Syrian forces. “Their trucks barely work, their tanks are rusty,” sources said.
“In Syria, you see three soldiers with one shovel trying to prepare trenches in the hard rocks of the Heights. On the Israeli side, we see bulldozers massively altering the terrain,” they explain.
According to some sources, the hard training schedule of the IDF has made it difficult for them to keep contact with Israeli commanders. “Your chief of staff works the officers day and night, they have almost no time to meet with us,” UNDOF sources said.
Okay, let’s break this down. First, the UN forces claim the Syrians are underprepared. Israel has all the advantages. Sound familiar? It should. It’s the typical “bully Israel” line being thrown by the Pals. I’m surprised they didn’t throw in “Boycott Caterpillar!” out of habit. Secondly, we have the UNDOF complaining that they can’t keep in touch with the IDF because the IDF is too busy training. Let’s think a moment. What, exactly, is keeping the IDF so busy? Could it be the constant threats of war from Syria?
Oh. Yeah.
And of course, the fact that the IDF has no time for the UN probably adds to their natural antagonism of Israel.
If you read the entire piece, it’s even worse. The guy’s a Prussian officer with a proud heritage of Prussian officers in the family. Gee. Life was so much better under the Kaiser, wasn’t it? Damned Jews. Ruined everything.
Yeah, okay, I’m stereotyping here. But really… three generations of Prussians? Is anyone else surprised that he’s blaming the Jews?
Leave it to the UN to always find the wrong side of an issue, and stick with it.
Who the hell still thinks of himself as a Prussian? Or for that matter still takes pride in Prussian military training? Is he planning a cavalry charge against massed cannon?
Having taken a quick glance at the link, I see that this guy is an Austrian. Hmm, an Austrian who believes that the Jews are causing all the trouble and if anything happens to them they deserve it. This reminds me of someone somehow.
The Egyptians put “defensive” antitank and antiaircraft missiles to good offensive use in 1973. It was those weapons (together with their artillery) that allowed them to attack across the canal and seize a bridgehead on the East bank. They were still clinging to part of it at the end of the war. It certainly wasn’t any great Egyptian skill at using their tanks in maneuver battles that brought them any success in their offensive to retake the Sinai in the 1973 war. The idea that certain weapons are inherently defensive or offensive in nature is the mark of ignorance, surprising in a presumably trained soldier.
Michael:
“… presumably trained soldier”
Quite a presumption when you’re talking about the UN farces, I mean forces. UN stands for “united nitwits”, right?