Deputy Chief of Staff: Goldstone Report a Trojan Horse
IDF Spokesperson 31 January 2010 , 20:01
http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/today/10/01/3102.htm

On Sunday (Jan 31.) the Deputy Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz,
addressed the 10th Herzliya Conference. He referred to the northern border,
Hezbollah, Syria, Hamas and Iran. "Each player is very volatile and their
threats have been growing more powerful," he explained.

Hezbollah and the Northern border

"Hezbollah is becoming stronger after the Second Lebanon War. They are
investing a lot in deployment of arms to towns and villages," said Maj. Gen
Gantz and added that, "Hezbollah is moving its military bases and
capabilities throughout the entire area of Lebanon including the northern
part of Lebanon." Gantz added that this is proof that the Lebanese
government is allowing Hezbollah to operate in territories which they didn't
before, and the IDF will hold the Lebanese government responsible for any
eventuality with Hezbollah.

Gaza and West Bank

"In Gaza we have enjoyed one of the most peaceful years," Gantz explained.
"Smuggling into Gaza is still taking place and Hamas is consolidating their
grip on the Strip." Gantz also said that Gaza is a very volatile region and
this reality can change at any given time.

Referring to the West Bank, Gantz praised the security forces for the
quietness that the West Bank has enjoyed in the past years. "Better
intelligence in cooperation with the Israel Security Agency has produced
better security in the West Bank." In addition, Gantz said that this
security situation and the easing of restrictions by the IDF in the West
Bank has allowed for a stronger economic recovery in that area.

Iran

"Iran is smuggling weapons from air, land and sea. Areas like Africa are
mostly used to smuggle weapons by land," Gantz stated. "We will continue to
observe these developments and act accordingly." He also added that the
Francop ship operation is one example of missions the IDF will continue to
implement to cut down on the smuggling of weapons from Iran to Hezbollah and
Hamas.

The Major General also spoke about the importance of the international
community to strengthen sanctions against Iran. "The world and Israel cannot
ignore the situation in Iran," he claimed. Gantz added that the IDF has to
train for symmetrical and asymmetrical warfare. "Iran trains terror
organizations with symmetrical tools for use in asymmetrical wars. The enemy
is acting in urban neighborhoods and putting citizens in danger. To counter
this we must always maintain conventional competence in the IDF. We must be
prepared for both symmetrical and asymmetrical war. We must develop a
combination of both abilities."

Goldstone and Media

The Deputy Chief of Staff also spoke of the importance of winning the media
battle. "We must counter the way our enemies always turn from aggressors to
victims."

Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz referred to the Goldstone report as a Trojan horse.
"The Goldstone report is a Trojan horse; it gives terrorist organizations
legitimacy to fight us from urban populations."

"Our moral soundness is clear after dozens of investigations and
interrogations. The famous army doctor who was head of the Israeli field
hospital also took part in Operation Cast Lead."

"Israel must make it clear that while we share a number of values with the
West, there is a basic difference. We live with our values in a war zone.
This fusillade does not allow us to respond any other way. We must remove
this threat. We cannot remain victims.

Maj. Gen. Gantz also said that during Operation Cast Lead, his mother, who
passed way five months ago, told him: "Don't stop sending food to Gaza, but
don't stop fighting either."

"This is the essence of it all, we must remain moral, but at the same time
continue to fight in the face of the threats."