It looks like overwhelming public pressure in Israel is now forcing the Olmert government to pursue the war in Lebanon far more vigorously. The polled majorities are on the order of 80 to 90 percent for finishing off Hezbollah, even at the cost of more Israeli lives and international pressure. Newspapers of the Left (which is most of them) and Right (just a few) are unanimous on this point: it is time for a decisive battle. In a country that thrives on heated debate, this kind of unanimity is rare indeed, and formidable. It looks like the Olmert government is now running fast to stay in front of the parade. War is the most serious business in which any nation ever engages, but if there were ever a well—informed people that has thought about all the pros and cons, it is the Israelis. There is always the possibility of Syria and Iran entering the war. It is impossible to believe that the average Israeli does not know this. They have simply decided that if war must come, let...(Read Full Post)