Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Olmert's Propaganda Game

Ehud Olmert's speech at the Knesset, July 17:

...in Lebanon, we will insist on compliance with the terms stipulated long ago by the international community...The return of the hostages, Ehud (Udi) Goldwasser and Eldad Regev;
- A complete cease fire...
- Expulsion of Hizballah from the area, and fulfillment of United Nations Resolution 1559.
...
We will search every compound, target every terrorist who assists in attacking the citizens of Israel, and destroy every terrorist infrastructure, everywhere. We will persist until Hizballah and Hamas comply with those basic and decent things required of them by every civilized person. Israel will not agree to live in the shadow of missiles or rockets against its residents.

Ehud Olmert's speech at the National Defence College, Aug 1:

...The military campaign has already created a new equation between the ability of Israel and that of Israel's enemies...No one promised that at the end of this war there would be no missiles left that could reach us.

My Theory:

Ehud meant what he said at first. Then he found out how powerful international pressure can be. So he is trying to save face, saying things like "we've already won", and then when he announces a ceasefire and pulls back our troops, while we are still being fired on, he will keep referring to his "we've won" speech, and he hopes if he says it enough we will believe him.