Britannia Radio

Proposal: Israeli human shields for IDF as response to invading Arab civilians

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 14 February 2011


During the period of then PM Ehud Barak’s retreat from Lebanon the IDF opted
to simply accelerate its departure when faced with approaching ostensibly
civilian marchers.

In sharp contrast, several organized “civilian” marches from Gaza into
Israel failed when the IDF succeeded in convincing Gazans that those who
attempt to march into Israel will find themselves dispatched to Paradise.

In the wake of developments in Egypt, numerous Israeli leftists have
recommended/warned that Arab civilians march from Gaza, the West Bank,
Lebanon, etc. to seize various places in Israel.

While the IDF certainly can be expected to warn that it will not tolerate
such civilian invasions, there is certainly a danger that a PR savvy Arab
operation could package such an invasion in a way that would make an
appropriate Israeli response extremely expensive from a PR – and in turn
diplomatic – standpoint.

The greater the perceived possibility that the IDF will not in fact deliver
on its threats, the greater the danger that such an Arab operation is
actually initiated.

Gil Lerner has suggested a novel Israeli move to restore the balance:
Israeli civilians, in a move neither planned, sanctioned nor approved by
Israeli authorities, could place themselves in the direct planned path of
the incoming Arab “civilians”.

The presence of the Israeli civilians would fundamentally change the clear
and present danger that the invading Arab “civilians” represented.

It is clear to all parties that in such a scenario, the IDF and the Israeli
civilian leadership that ultimately gives the orders in such circumstances
would have no choice but to authorize the use of whatever force required –
including deadly force – to prevent the invading Arab “civilians” from
reaching the Israeli civilians.

Thus, the presence of Israeli civilians would serve to insure the deterrent
effect of IDF warnings.

Given the experience in Gaza, it can be expected that the Arab civilians
will opt not to march to Paradise.

But in the very worst case scenario, they will indeed conclude the operation
in Paradise and not with successfully invading Israel.


Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il