BDS

Boycott Divest Sanctions.
It's the latest craze and its all the rage in some circles.
This veiled anti-Israel campaign is aimed at destroying Israel economically.
It will not work.
This boycott can do damage to people who work in Israeli factories which are often Arabs who find themselves unemployed.
The Israeli economy is too diverse to be seriously threatened by any boycott.
In fact in some circles the opposite is happening as Israeli products are being purchased to counter BDS actions.
Some numbers have been mentioned as to the extent of lost revenue but they are hard to verify as many products that are not sold in one place often find other markets.
The Israel economy is robust and BDS will not do it major harm.
Why then are so many fighting this movement?.
The answer lies in the true meaning of this movement and what it stands for.
It is the modern trendy age old anti-Jewish hatred rearing its ugly head.
it is no more than a new twist on the blood libel.
It is evil and must be eradicated.
It is not more complicated than that.
Did I say it would not work?

Israel and American elections

The rather bizarre election process in the US will have little to no effect on the peace process in the Middle East.
The simple reason is that there is no peace process and the two state solution is a non-starter.
(it always was but now all know this)
What Obama could not do in eight years no one else will do in four or eight.
It is possible that finally the American embassy will be officially moved to Jerusalem after so many presidents promised to do so and did not.
That will be symbolic but a step in the right direction.
If Trump or Cruz is elected the Iran deal may be jettisoned.
In which case some interesting things may happen.
Unclear what those might be at this time.
At this point it does not look like a Republican can make it to white house.
Hillary will be more of the same for the next four years of stagnation and the diminishing power of the US around the world.
The direct effect on Israel will be minimal.
One of the three people Clinton, Trump or Cruz will be president.
Hard to see any one of those as the leader of the free world.
Very hard to see indeed.
As the two state solution ceases to become the policy of any rational leader we may see some bold newer solutions to the regional issues at hand.
Hold onto your hats ladies and gentleman.

Annexation, the only solution

Israel is at a crossroads of sorts.
The two state solution clearly will never happen.
No other real solution is being put on the table and there seems to be a limbo of sorts.
Those in limbo are the Arab residents of Judea and Samaria who are not citizens of any real state.
Not clear what still needs to happen for another solution to be discussed.
The Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria are also in limbo and want at least some parts of the " West Bank" to be officially Israel.
The Israel prime minister is doing nothing in this regard and seems to be just waiting it out.
A leader needs to take action when action is needed and clearly the leadership of Israel is not ready to do this.
The latest terrorist war seems to be slowly grinding to a halt and now is the time to change things for everybody's betterment.
The annexation of area C would be a good start to all this.
Bibi may have to retire before this happens.
The time has come.