It is incredible how many Israeli politicians and news reporters are doing anything they can do to derail the reelection of Benjamin Netanyahu.
It has become an obsession of sorts "Just not Bibi".
It seems the downfall of Bibi is more important than the even getting elected themselves.
Every day there are trumped up headlines that accuse Bibi or his wife of some kind of infraction on almost anything you can think of.
It's a constant barrage that seeks to slowly convince the public that something is wrong with Netanyahu.
It has become almost a joke all the screaming headlines that appear day after day after day.
It is safe to say that many find empathy with someone who is being constantly attacked and will vote for him because of that.
Chances are that he will be the next prime minister again despite the crazy campaign being waged.
His experience in handling crisis is extensive whereas his opponents do not have a clue what really needs to be done.
Israel is faced with formidable challenges in the weeks and months ahead.
With some of his shortcomings he is the best to lead the government in this regard.
Most people understand this.
Showing posts with label Benjamin Netanyahu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Benjamin Netanyahu. Show all posts
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Here we go again
New elections in Israel, its really a bit much.
There is so much fragmentation in the political arena in Israel that elections seem to happen all the time.
The main problem is the frustration of center left parties that Israelis seem to be continuing to go to the right wing.
This right wing move is not in one party but rather in smaller parties that end up creating a weak coalition.
Then when push comes to shove this weakness becomes acute and the government falls.
The center left will likely lose more seats in the upcoming elections making the frustration even greater.
Someone once said that the hardest job in the world must be being the prime minister of Israel.
Its even harder that that.
There is so much fragmentation in the political arena in Israel that elections seem to happen all the time.
The main problem is the frustration of center left parties that Israelis seem to be continuing to go to the right wing.
This right wing move is not in one party but rather in smaller parties that end up creating a weak coalition.
Then when push comes to shove this weakness becomes acute and the government falls.
The center left will likely lose more seats in the upcoming elections making the frustration even greater.
Someone once said that the hardest job in the world must be being the prime minister of Israel.
Its even harder that that.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Now what?
The Israeli prime minister has told the world that the of the leader of the Palestinian national movement is anti-Semite who denies the Holocaust.
It's hard to see negotiations with someone like that.
There has just been a war in the Gaza strip that does not seem to be restarting so fast.
So what now?
It has become clear that the stark reality is nothing will happen.
Not on the negotiation front at least.
There is not anyone to negotiate with and nothing to negotiate on.
Its all make believe as there never was real negotiations and never will be.
You see the Arabs of greater Israel or Palestinians do not want a state next to Israel, they want a state instead of Israel.
The fact that they demand the uprooting of 600,000 people from their homes in Judea Samaria and Jerusalem which is of course impossible shows that this is all the theater of the absurd.
Their never was a Palestine and never will be one.
Their was never a Palestinian people and never will be.
It's just a big joke.
Very bad joke.
It's hard to see negotiations with someone like that.
There has just been a war in the Gaza strip that does not seem to be restarting so fast.
So what now?
It has become clear that the stark reality is nothing will happen.
Not on the negotiation front at least.
There is not anyone to negotiate with and nothing to negotiate on.
Its all make believe as there never was real negotiations and never will be.
You see the Arabs of greater Israel or Palestinians do not want a state next to Israel, they want a state instead of Israel.
The fact that they demand the uprooting of 600,000 people from their homes in Judea Samaria and Jerusalem which is of course impossible shows that this is all the theater of the absurd.
Their never was a Palestine and never will be one.
Their was never a Palestinian people and never will be.
It's just a big joke.
Very bad joke.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Cease fire
Its as official as it gets here in the middle east.
There is a cease fire, for the mean time at least.
The Prime minister in his usual smooth public appearance explained why Israel won this war and why Hamas lost.
The Head of the army looked haggard and shell shocked.
He did not look like a winning general in a war.
He was trying to explain why Israel won this war.
When there is a decisive victory explanations are unnecessary.
Douglass Macarthur did not need to explain why the US defeated Japan in WW2 not did Israel after the six day war.
No one really believes Israel won this conflict.
The way things go here in the middle east is that when Israel does not win decisively that means she has lost.
The Arab world had grown accustomed to massive defeats at the hands of Israel and in the last few conflicts improved greatly.
The Prime minister clearly hinted that negotiations in another month on outstanding issues would go no where.
Israel may not need to wait too long for a new conflict to develop.
This ongoing conflict is like a tinderbox, ready to ignite at any time. All side are preparing for what is next.
It will only get worse.
There is no other way other than retaking the strip and reestablishing Israeli control there.
Leaving the strip unilaterally was the ultimate mistake that has fostered all the bloodshed.
Let no one be fooled by the Israeli government. This conflict is not the end.
It is not even the beginning of the end, at best it is the end of the beginning.
There is a cease fire, for the mean time at least.
The Prime minister in his usual smooth public appearance explained why Israel won this war and why Hamas lost.
The Head of the army looked haggard and shell shocked.
He did not look like a winning general in a war.
He was trying to explain why Israel won this war.
When there is a decisive victory explanations are unnecessary.
Douglass Macarthur did not need to explain why the US defeated Japan in WW2 not did Israel after the six day war.
No one really believes Israel won this conflict.
The way things go here in the middle east is that when Israel does not win decisively that means she has lost.
The Arab world had grown accustomed to massive defeats at the hands of Israel and in the last few conflicts improved greatly.
The Prime minister clearly hinted that negotiations in another month on outstanding issues would go no where.
Israel may not need to wait too long for a new conflict to develop.
This ongoing conflict is like a tinderbox, ready to ignite at any time. All side are preparing for what is next.
It will only get worse.
There is no other way other than retaking the strip and reestablishing Israeli control there.
Leaving the strip unilaterally was the ultimate mistake that has fostered all the bloodshed.
Let no one be fooled by the Israeli government. This conflict is not the end.
It is not even the beginning of the end, at best it is the end of the beginning.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
I told you so
Everybody hates it when you say to them I told you so.
But... I told you so. This can never work.
I wonder what odds Jimmy the Greek would give for the current peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians to succeed. 100 to 1, 1000 to 1. The house would win on this one. There is no chance that anything good will come out of these talks, only frustration and violence. The Arabs is being asked for very little right now just some symbolic statements that they find difficult to implement. When I say difficult I mean impossible. Israel’s Prime Minister wants a simple statement from a weak leader of part of the national Palestinian movement that recognizes Israel as the national homeland of the Jewish people.
He cannot bring himself to make this statement.
This is before discussions on the other seemingly insurmountable issues that the Arab side does not seem to budge on even one millimeter.
Benjamin Netanyahu who was elected by a constituency that is against overtures to the Arab side is being pushed to extend a building freeze that none of his voters want. Even if he does extend somewhat this freeze it won’t make any real difference in the success of the negotiations.
They will fail.
Not complicated.
Get ready for war.
But... I told you so. This can never work.
I wonder what odds Jimmy the Greek would give for the current peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians to succeed. 100 to 1, 1000 to 1. The house would win on this one. There is no chance that anything good will come out of these talks, only frustration and violence. The Arabs is being asked for very little right now just some symbolic statements that they find difficult to implement. When I say difficult I mean impossible. Israel’s Prime Minister wants a simple statement from a weak leader of part of the national Palestinian movement that recognizes Israel as the national homeland of the Jewish people.
He cannot bring himself to make this statement.
This is before discussions on the other seemingly insurmountable issues that the Arab side does not seem to budge on even one millimeter.
Benjamin Netanyahu who was elected by a constituency that is against overtures to the Arab side is being pushed to extend a building freeze that none of his voters want. Even if he does extend somewhat this freeze it won’t make any real difference in the success of the negotiations.
They will fail.
Not complicated.
Get ready for war.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Here we go again.
Theater of the absurd
Here we go again.
Peace talks are underway again between Israel and Arabs of Israel ( they call themselves Palestinians )
This has been talked about for the last 25 years and will probably be talked about in another 25 years. Is it cynical to say that there is no chance for this to happen? It might be but does that change the reality? It does not. They are talking peace or so they say. Benjiman Netanyahu is demanding a recognition of Israel as the nation State of the Jewish people. They have steadfastly refused to do this or even compromise on one inch of territory that they claim. Why will he change now? The answer is that he won’t change. The most extreme concessions thinkable by any Israeli is far less than the minimal concessions the Arab side is ready to accept.
Some simple examples.
The Demand a complete withdrawal of Israel form all territories captured in 1967 including east Jerusalem. Israel is ready to withdraw from some areas in the west bank and will not even talk about east Jerusalem. There are another 4 similar insurmountable issues that just do not have a solution. No matter how you slice it.
As these talks crumble as they most certainly will things will get worse before they get better.
It won’t be pretty.
Here we go again.
Peace talks are underway again between Israel and Arabs of Israel ( they call themselves Palestinians )
This has been talked about for the last 25 years and will probably be talked about in another 25 years. Is it cynical to say that there is no chance for this to happen? It might be but does that change the reality? It does not. They are talking peace or so they say. Benjiman Netanyahu is demanding a recognition of Israel as the nation State of the Jewish people. They have steadfastly refused to do this or even compromise on one inch of territory that they claim. Why will he change now? The answer is that he won’t change. The most extreme concessions thinkable by any Israeli is far less than the minimal concessions the Arab side is ready to accept.
Some simple examples.
The Demand a complete withdrawal of Israel form all territories captured in 1967 including east Jerusalem. Israel is ready to withdraw from some areas in the west bank and will not even talk about east Jerusalem. There are another 4 similar insurmountable issues that just do not have a solution. No matter how you slice it.
As these talks crumble as they most certainly will things will get worse before they get better.
It won’t be pretty.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Building freeze in Jerusalem
Has he or hasn’t he
Has the prime minister of Israel frozen defacto building in east Jerusalem? That my friends is the 64 thousand dollar question. The prime minister says of course not , the major news sites are sure that it is so. What does the mayor of Jerusalem say? That there is a slow down but not a complete stoppage of building.
Go figure it out. The prime minister came to power on a very clear platform of continuing to build in all parts of Jerusalem. Even labor governments always refused to budge on any building freeze in Jerusalem. How then could a right wing Conservative prime minister put on a freeze. Great question.
Difficult answer.
The plain truth is that the mechanism to approve new building has been stopped. There has not been an official freeze just a defacto freeze that President Obama and Netanyahu have agreed upon. To prove this point no new approved building plans will be put forth in the coming months. A defacto freeze.
Apparently Mitchell has whispered in Avbu Mazens ears that there an a unofficial freeze and hopes that will bring him back to the negotiating table. It hasn’t yet. But who knows?
It is unlikely or rather impossible that all this will get anyone anywhere.
It will in all likelihood get us another war
Has the prime minister of Israel frozen defacto building in east Jerusalem? That my friends is the 64 thousand dollar question. The prime minister says of course not , the major news sites are sure that it is so. What does the mayor of Jerusalem say? That there is a slow down but not a complete stoppage of building.
Go figure it out. The prime minister came to power on a very clear platform of continuing to build in all parts of Jerusalem. Even labor governments always refused to budge on any building freeze in Jerusalem. How then could a right wing Conservative prime minister put on a freeze. Great question.
Difficult answer.
The plain truth is that the mechanism to approve new building has been stopped. There has not been an official freeze just a defacto freeze that President Obama and Netanyahu have agreed upon. To prove this point no new approved building plans will be put forth in the coming months. A defacto freeze.
Apparently Mitchell has whispered in Avbu Mazens ears that there an a unofficial freeze and hopes that will bring him back to the negotiating table. It hasn’t yet. But who knows?
It is unlikely or rather impossible that all this will get anyone anywhere.
It will in all likelihood get us another war
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Benjamin Netanyu speaks at Herzilya conference
The Israeli prime minister spoke at the most important political conference of the year. His main topic was surprisingly education. His claim was that a strong army and strong economy will not be enough to keep Israel strong going forward. If the Jews who live here do not really believe we belong here Israel will not survive. The promised land as written in the old testament needs to be studied intensively and used as the real roadmap for Israel’s survival.
It was a speech that many of Bebe’s opponents will abhor . Why ? It was too Jewish and had too much nationalistic undertones. He even told a famous story of Napoleon and Tisha bav. That after discovering that Jews essentially mourn something that happened close to 2,000 years ago proclaimed that some day you will return to Israel and rebuild your destroyed temple. Netanyahu did not mention theemple part but relayed the general message.
As his own son was pictured winning a bible contest with a KIPA on his head and the latest news out about the dramatic rise in religious soldiers in secret commando units Bibi semi-religious speech wil make many leftists here very uncomfortable.
It was a speech that many of Bebe’s opponents will abhor . Why ? It was too Jewish and had too much nationalistic undertones. He even told a famous story of Napoleon and Tisha bav. That after discovering that Jews essentially mourn something that happened close to 2,000 years ago proclaimed that some day you will return to Israel and rebuild your destroyed temple. Netanyahu did not mention theemple part but relayed the general message.
As his own son was pictured winning a bible contest with a KIPA on his head and the latest news out about the dramatic rise in religious soldiers in secret commando units Bibi semi-religious speech wil make many leftists here very uncomfortable.
Monday, December 21, 2009
What is Bibi doing?
The average Israeli right wing voter must be feeling very dumb around now. He voted for a very right wing party with a very right wing prime minister and has received left wing policy.
Benjamin Netanyahu has gone against campaign promises and announced about two months ago his agreement on a two state solution. He has now upped the ante and announced a temporary freeze of settlement activity for ten months. This ploy which nobody really likes except maybe for Obama and Hillary Clinton is bizarre at best.
The right wing Israelis don’t like this freeze for obvious reasons as it is completely against their political goals and beliefs. The Palestinian authority does not like it as they say continued building in east Jerusalem ( which allegedly Is not included in the freeze ) makes any other freeze meaningless. This freeze will not bring them back to the negotiating table. The minority left wing in Israel says that a temporary freeze of ten months is ridiculous and that the promise of continued settlement expansion after that makes a temporary freeze pointless. The Arab workers who are the laborers of new housing in Judea and Samaria will be left with little work and hungry children.
No one seems to make sense out of this new twist in the land grab fight of the West Bank or Judea and Samaria. I will try nonetheless.
This is what Obama must of said to Netanyau.
“I will not attack Iran if you give me nothing to help start negotiations “
“I will make sure Israel will not receive military aid or an US okay to attack Iran itself “
Netanyahu then went back to his government and said the following .
“the Palestinians will not come back to the negotiating table anyway and I want to put them on the defensive and not Israel. There is mass building going on everywhere in Judea and Samaria ( public building and projects already started ). This freeze is a public relations ploy, it will have minimal real effect. I need to get Obama off my back, this will do the trick.
So his ministers agreed and the Freeze started.
The bottom line remains that negotiations have not started because of this freeze and will not.
The Palestinians do not agree to differentiate the west bank from Jerusalem as Israel does.
The dead end remains freeze or no freeze.
The right wing voter still feels dumb though.
Benjamin Netanyahu has gone against campaign promises and announced about two months ago his agreement on a two state solution. He has now upped the ante and announced a temporary freeze of settlement activity for ten months. This ploy which nobody really likes except maybe for Obama and Hillary Clinton is bizarre at best.
The right wing Israelis don’t like this freeze for obvious reasons as it is completely against their political goals and beliefs. The Palestinian authority does not like it as they say continued building in east Jerusalem ( which allegedly Is not included in the freeze ) makes any other freeze meaningless. This freeze will not bring them back to the negotiating table. The minority left wing in Israel says that a temporary freeze of ten months is ridiculous and that the promise of continued settlement expansion after that makes a temporary freeze pointless. The Arab workers who are the laborers of new housing in Judea and Samaria will be left with little work and hungry children.
No one seems to make sense out of this new twist in the land grab fight of the West Bank or Judea and Samaria. I will try nonetheless.
This is what Obama must of said to Netanyau.
“I will not attack Iran if you give me nothing to help start negotiations “
“I will make sure Israel will not receive military aid or an US okay to attack Iran itself “
Netanyahu then went back to his government and said the following .
“the Palestinians will not come back to the negotiating table anyway and I want to put them on the defensive and not Israel. There is mass building going on everywhere in Judea and Samaria ( public building and projects already started ). This freeze is a public relations ploy, it will have minimal real effect. I need to get Obama off my back, this will do the trick.
So his ministers agreed and the Freeze started.
The bottom line remains that negotiations have not started because of this freeze and will not.
The Palestinians do not agree to differentiate the west bank from Jerusalem as Israel does.
The dead end remains freeze or no freeze.
The right wing voter still feels dumb though.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
The Peace Process
Mitchell is back again.
It is getting quite boring to read and listen to Mitchell once again trying to talk to all sides and for the millionth time attempt to restart peace negotiations. Someone should tell him its just not working. We are told peace was achieved in northern Ireland and in every other hot spot in the world ( lately turkey and Armenia ) it will be achieved in the middle east as well. It is just time and perseverance.
The stark truth needs to be said. There is no chance for real progress in peace negotiations any time soon for the following reasons.
1. The Palestinian Arab side is completely divided making any agreement not binding on all
2. The core issues of Jerusalem and refugees seems as unsolvable as ever
3. The Palestinain Arab side refuses to recognize Israel
There are other reasons of course but these suffice for making Mitchells visits here pointless. The American taxpayer is paying for pointless fruitless meetings that continue to go nowhere.
Even Mitchell should be bored already.
It is getting quite boring to read and listen to Mitchell once again trying to talk to all sides and for the millionth time attempt to restart peace negotiations. Someone should tell him its just not working. We are told peace was achieved in northern Ireland and in every other hot spot in the world ( lately turkey and Armenia ) it will be achieved in the middle east as well. It is just time and perseverance.
The stark truth needs to be said. There is no chance for real progress in peace negotiations any time soon for the following reasons.
1. The Palestinian Arab side is completely divided making any agreement not binding on all
2. The core issues of Jerusalem and refugees seems as unsolvable as ever
3. The Palestinain Arab side refuses to recognize Israel
There are other reasons of course but these suffice for making Mitchells visits here pointless. The American taxpayer is paying for pointless fruitless meetings that continue to go nowhere.
Even Mitchell should be bored already.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
The Peace Process
Obama says no and Bibi says yes, now what?
In the latest spat between Presiden Obama and the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu Jerusalem has become the point of contention. Netanyahu says that building and buying houses in Jerusalem will continue as Jerusalem is under the jurisdiction of the Jewish state and will continue to be so. Obama thinks differently and looks at east Jerusalem as he looks at west bank settlements. Obama wants the building to stop and Bibi refuses. Now what?
Even before negotiations have started on a permanent status solution there is a cardinal disagreement on a core issue. That is Jerusalem. Neither side is willing to budge one inch on this issue. How then can there be negotiation on something no one wants to negotiate on? No one is sure but all sides want to continue the peace process. That process is at a dead end and has been for some time. This reality doesn’t seem to bother the parties involved as they continue to talk meet and haggle.
The stark truth is that there is no real solution to this problem and there never really was. The Jews are not wanted in their historical homeland and that’s it. Everything else is meaningless time wasting hogwash.
Well at least there is a peace process.
In the latest spat between Presiden Obama and the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu Jerusalem has become the point of contention. Netanyahu says that building and buying houses in Jerusalem will continue as Jerusalem is under the jurisdiction of the Jewish state and will continue to be so. Obama thinks differently and looks at east Jerusalem as he looks at west bank settlements. Obama wants the building to stop and Bibi refuses. Now what?
Even before negotiations have started on a permanent status solution there is a cardinal disagreement on a core issue. That is Jerusalem. Neither side is willing to budge one inch on this issue. How then can there be negotiation on something no one wants to negotiate on? No one is sure but all sides want to continue the peace process. That process is at a dead end and has been for some time. This reality doesn’t seem to bother the parties involved as they continue to talk meet and haggle.
The stark truth is that there is no real solution to this problem and there never really was. The Jews are not wanted in their historical homeland and that’s it. Everything else is meaningless time wasting hogwash.
Well at least there is a peace process.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The peace process
George Mitchell is mad at Bibi
Isn’t that upsetting that George Mitchell is refusing to meet the Israeli prime minister. Most Israelis are laughing and not upset at all. That’s what the Israeli press has reported. The reason for the cancellation of the meeting is Netanyahu’s refusal to agree to a complete freeze on settlement activity. Mitchell and the Obama administration are living in a bit of a dream world. There are additions to houses going on all over Judea and Samaria in almost every town. Bibi has gone against all of his campaign promises and agreed to a Palestinian State. He has even agreed to completely cease new building or new settlements. What exactly do they want?
Mr Mitchell is acting like a schoolboy that is mad when everyone doesn’t do exactly what they want. Israel sadly seems to be doing almost everything the United States says and that still is not good enough. What Mitchell maybe does not understand is that Israel is a democracy and has some independence to do things its own way.
The entire process is a lesson in futility as very few Arabs will accept Israel’s conditions for their state and it’s hard to imagine any solution to the status of Jerusalem and refugees.
George would be better off fishing.
Isn’t that upsetting that George Mitchell is refusing to meet the Israeli prime minister. Most Israelis are laughing and not upset at all. That’s what the Israeli press has reported. The reason for the cancellation of the meeting is Netanyahu’s refusal to agree to a complete freeze on settlement activity. Mitchell and the Obama administration are living in a bit of a dream world. There are additions to houses going on all over Judea and Samaria in almost every town. Bibi has gone against all of his campaign promises and agreed to a Palestinian State. He has even agreed to completely cease new building or new settlements. What exactly do they want?
Mr Mitchell is acting like a schoolboy that is mad when everyone doesn’t do exactly what they want. Israel sadly seems to be doing almost everything the United States says and that still is not good enough. What Mitchell maybe does not understand is that Israel is a democracy and has some independence to do things its own way.
The entire process is a lesson in futility as very few Arabs will accept Israel’s conditions for their state and it’s hard to imagine any solution to the status of Jerusalem and refugees.
George would be better off fishing.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Israel, Under pressure again
The State of Israel- under pressure
Barack Obama is trying to link territorial compromise to action against Iran. That’s what Obama is more than hinting to Benjamin Netanyahu and the State of Israel. This bizarre linkage says in simple terms that the United States will not act by force if necessary if Israel does not do what the United States wants. This linkage has clear logical flaws as no one can really see any real progress on a peace solution between Israel and those that seek Palestinian statehood. It’s not something that can happen in the next few years or decades. The problem will not dissolve if Israel decides to pull down some settlements that might make the problem worse. ( remember the Gaza Pullback ).
On the other hand Iranian nuclear capabilities are increasing slowly but surely and it will shortly become a nuclear threat that Israel cannot live with. It is a immediate threat whereas the conflict of Israel and the so called Palestinians is old and as said a solution is far away. The linking of the two is foolish and dangerous.
It is quite clear that Israel is preparing its worst case scenario possibility, striking Iran’s nuclear facilities. It is the last thing it wants to do but will be forced to act alone if Washington does not force Iran to give up on its nuclear capabilities.
Obama looks like the wrong man at the wrong time.
Barack Obama is trying to link territorial compromise to action against Iran. That’s what Obama is more than hinting to Benjamin Netanyahu and the State of Israel. This bizarre linkage says in simple terms that the United States will not act by force if necessary if Israel does not do what the United States wants. This linkage has clear logical flaws as no one can really see any real progress on a peace solution between Israel and those that seek Palestinian statehood. It’s not something that can happen in the next few years or decades. The problem will not dissolve if Israel decides to pull down some settlements that might make the problem worse. ( remember the Gaza Pullback ).
On the other hand Iranian nuclear capabilities are increasing slowly but surely and it will shortly become a nuclear threat that Israel cannot live with. It is a immediate threat whereas the conflict of Israel and the so called Palestinians is old and as said a solution is far away. The linking of the two is foolish and dangerous.
It is quite clear that Israel is preparing its worst case scenario possibility, striking Iran’s nuclear facilities. It is the last thing it wants to do but will be forced to act alone if Washington does not force Iran to give up on its nuclear capabilities.
Obama looks like the wrong man at the wrong time.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Embattled Israeli Prime Minister to cave in
to American demands, but that won't help either
Someone once said that the most difficult job in the world is to be the Prime minister of Israel. Benjamin Netanyahu is feeling this difficulty right now as almost unprecedented pressure is being put on Israel to do things against its best interests. Barack Obama is determined to solve this most difficult of conflicts no matter what the obstacles are. He is pressuring Israel to do what it simply cannot do. It cannot choke its own population by denying housing to ever expanding populations in Judea and Samaria and accepting a Palestinian state on its border.
Let’s examine what would happen if Israel acquiesced to these demands. The first demand would be impossible to implement as housing permits have been granted and money paid for hew housing. The housing shortage is acute in Judea and Samaria and completely stopping construction is a pointless impossibility. That’s not even mentioning that the livelihood of thousands of local Arabs depends on this so called “ illegal construction “. This demand reaches absurd levels as massive construction continues in a Jerusalem suburb called “ Har Choma “ . This neighborhood is legally a part of Jerusalem on the “ good side “of the green line. It is not under military rule and is as much a part of Israel as Tel-Aviv. Nonetheless the building there is considered settlement expansion. The two sides do not even agree what constitutes settlement expansion. Even if Israel agreed to completely halt settlement expansion work would continue at “ Har Choma “ That would be seen by the other side as a violation of the agreement.
As far as a Palestinian State is concerned the wording is probably less important than the essence. Netanyahu will only agree to high authority autonomy in Judea and Samaria. He cannot and will not agree to anything more. That would mean no real army or free air space for this autonomous entity. The Arab side will never agree to these conditions or that Israeli settlements remain inside its autonomous areas. Dismantling of these settlements is logistically impossible and will not happen.
Those two issues I mentioned are considered the easier issues on the table and clearly are unsolvable. The more difficult issues of Jerusalem and refugees are just completely stymied that all involved refuse to talk about them.
Obama should use his time doing other things.
He will not solve the problem. He may be adding to it
Someone once said that the most difficult job in the world is to be the Prime minister of Israel. Benjamin Netanyahu is feeling this difficulty right now as almost unprecedented pressure is being put on Israel to do things against its best interests. Barack Obama is determined to solve this most difficult of conflicts no matter what the obstacles are. He is pressuring Israel to do what it simply cannot do. It cannot choke its own population by denying housing to ever expanding populations in Judea and Samaria and accepting a Palestinian state on its border.
Let’s examine what would happen if Israel acquiesced to these demands. The first demand would be impossible to implement as housing permits have been granted and money paid for hew housing. The housing shortage is acute in Judea and Samaria and completely stopping construction is a pointless impossibility. That’s not even mentioning that the livelihood of thousands of local Arabs depends on this so called “ illegal construction “. This demand reaches absurd levels as massive construction continues in a Jerusalem suburb called “ Har Choma “ . This neighborhood is legally a part of Jerusalem on the “ good side “of the green line. It is not under military rule and is as much a part of Israel as Tel-Aviv. Nonetheless the building there is considered settlement expansion. The two sides do not even agree what constitutes settlement expansion. Even if Israel agreed to completely halt settlement expansion work would continue at “ Har Choma “ That would be seen by the other side as a violation of the agreement.
As far as a Palestinian State is concerned the wording is probably less important than the essence. Netanyahu will only agree to high authority autonomy in Judea and Samaria. He cannot and will not agree to anything more. That would mean no real army or free air space for this autonomous entity. The Arab side will never agree to these conditions or that Israeli settlements remain inside its autonomous areas. Dismantling of these settlements is logistically impossible and will not happen.
Those two issues I mentioned are considered the easier issues on the table and clearly are unsolvable. The more difficult issues of Jerusalem and refugees are just completely stymied that all involved refuse to talk about them.
Obama should use his time doing other things.
He will not solve the problem. He may be adding to it
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Israel’s new ambassador
Michael Oren has been appointed as the new ambassador of Israel to the United States. It is a bizarre appointment by the new/old Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that many are raising eyebrows about. No one seems to really know what Mr Oren really thinks about some issues and how he can properly represent Israel in Washington. Mr. Netanyahu is thought to be against any two state solution while Mr Oren was quoted not to long ago as supporting that idea. He also has publicly said that he thinks the dismantling of settlements was a necessity that Israel will need to do at some point in the future. It’s important to remember that Mr. Netanyahu resigned the last government he was in because of a unilateral withdrawal of the Israeli government from the Gaza strip. Mr Oren has also publicly said that he thought the withdrawal was necessary and correct even as many who supported it have since backtracked. It is all to bizarre that someone with clear opinions that seem to go counter to the Prime Ministers could become the leading diplomat outside of Israel. Some in Israel have said that Mr. Netanyahu is planning on going against campaign promises on territorial compromise and will use Mr. Orens position to advance those positions. This theory has its holes as any compromise on territory will likely teeter the Netanyahu government. The probable reason for Orens appointment is the attempt to slowly erode the hard line policy that got Mr. Netanyahu elected in the first place. The deputy foreign minister has also said some statements that seem to go contrary to his own party’s platform. It is evidently clear that Mr. Netanyahu will not be able to withstand pressure from the American President Obama. Something will give. Mr. Netanyahu will use Oren to advance the compromises he promised he would not make,
It’s a bad move and a bad decision.
It’s a bad move and a bad decision.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Mitchell Netanyahu and the 51st state
Presidents Obamas special envoy has come to the Middle East to restart the peace process or so he says. Mr Mitchell continues to say that the United States supports the concept of a Palestinian state. The problem with all this is that a clear majority of Israelis are against this idea. That is why a right wing government was elected. A democratic country had democratic elections that voted in representatives that were clearly against a Palestinian state.
Mr. Mitchells boss President Obama was elected in a fair election and has decided to change policies of his predecessor. People may disagree with this change but no one disagrees with the right of the new President to do things his way. A new Israeli government certainly has that right. Someone should tell that to Mr. Mitchell.
The financial dependence that Israel has on the United States is at the core of the bizarre relationship between the two. Israel receives the biggest foreign aid of any country in the world. This aid has many strings attached that often limit markets for Israeli companies.
If this aid could be lessened or completely done away with there would be a much healthier relationship. The lessening of this aid should be a major objective of the Netanyahu government.
There will never be a Palestinian state on the west bank of the Jordan. That theoretical state would pose a threat to Israel’s existence and would predicate the forcible removal of 500,000 people. That is something that is clearly impossible. What we are witnessing is the continued attempt to find a solution to an unsolvable problem.
Mr. Mitchell will fail as so many of his predecessors failed.
Hey it gives him something to do.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The Peace Process
Netanyahu Abas have warm conversation according to news reports
The president of the Palestinian authority has called the new prime minister of Israel to wish him a happy Passover. News reports were quoted as saying that the conversation was a warm one. It could have been warm if no political issues were discussed.
This very bizarre news item was intended to somehow give some hope to future negotiations between the sides.
My friendly readers and bloggers the truth needs to be said. There is no hope.
Let me tell you why.
1. Former prime minister Ehud Olmert party was ousted for among other things being to conciliatory. Mr Olmert tried his most to sign some sort of treaty with Mr. Abas while offering concessions no other prime minister could offer. Mr Netanyahu is very removed from the concessions of his predecessor. How then can an agreement be reached with a more right wing prime minister?
2. Mr Netanyahu has said on numerous occasions that he opposes a Palestinian state and will not uproot settlements. He in fact was against Israels withdrawal from the Gaza strip and northern Samaria. The Palestinians have said the only solution is a Palestinian state on every inch of land captured in the six-day war. The gaps between the two leaders are vast and not even close to being reconciliated.
As what I mentioned is not really a point of contention it is hard to say what the two leaders could have discussed that had any substance.
The future conversations should just stay away from substance and they will stay warm.
The president of the Palestinian authority has called the new prime minister of Israel to wish him a happy Passover. News reports were quoted as saying that the conversation was a warm one. It could have been warm if no political issues were discussed.
This very bizarre news item was intended to somehow give some hope to future negotiations between the sides.
My friendly readers and bloggers the truth needs to be said. There is no hope.
Let me tell you why.
1. Former prime minister Ehud Olmert party was ousted for among other things being to conciliatory. Mr Olmert tried his most to sign some sort of treaty with Mr. Abas while offering concessions no other prime minister could offer. Mr Netanyahu is very removed from the concessions of his predecessor. How then can an agreement be reached with a more right wing prime minister?
2. Mr Netanyahu has said on numerous occasions that he opposes a Palestinian state and will not uproot settlements. He in fact was against Israels withdrawal from the Gaza strip and northern Samaria. The Palestinians have said the only solution is a Palestinian state on every inch of land captured in the six-day war. The gaps between the two leaders are vast and not even close to being reconciliated.
As what I mentioned is not really a point of contention it is hard to say what the two leaders could have discussed that had any substance.
The future conversations should just stay away from substance and they will stay warm.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Iran Israel and the Bomb
As the new Israeli Government is about form many around the world have raised eyebrows over the coalition that Benjamin Netanyahu has formed. It is completely unbelievable that at the last minute the leftist Labor government decided to join a mostly hawkish right wing party. What makes this even more bizarre is that the centrist Kadimah party refused entry into the government based allegedly on Netanyahu’s extreme right wing views. Labors position should have been naturally to the left of the centrist Kadimah party but instead it sees itself in the right wing government of Netanyahu.
Why?
Under normal conditions all this would not of happened, but these are not normal conditions. By all estimates Israel is preparing for worst case scenario as far as Iran is concerned. The head of the Labor party who happens to be Israel’s defense minister is considered by some as the best candidate to plan the preemptive attack on Iran. This is the only real reason for this bizarre political marriage between the right and the left.
The decision by the Israeli government to attack Iran will be the most important decision Israel will make since the preemptive strike of the Israeli Army that started the six-day war. It may be even more important. Iran would take notice of this very clear political union that is based almost completely on the Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Israel is getting ready to strike as sanctions on Iran do not seem to be actually slowing down its nuclear program.
Iran should understand in no uncertain terms that the world or Israel will not let the Islamic republic go nuclear.
Whatever the repercussions and they may be considerable a nuclear weapon in the hands of a fundamentalist Moslem state is inconceivable.
It won’t happen.
Why?
Under normal conditions all this would not of happened, but these are not normal conditions. By all estimates Israel is preparing for worst case scenario as far as Iran is concerned. The head of the Labor party who happens to be Israel’s defense minister is considered by some as the best candidate to plan the preemptive attack on Iran. This is the only real reason for this bizarre political marriage between the right and the left.
The decision by the Israeli government to attack Iran will be the most important decision Israel will make since the preemptive strike of the Israeli Army that started the six-day war. It may be even more important. Iran would take notice of this very clear political union that is based almost completely on the Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Israel is getting ready to strike as sanctions on Iran do not seem to be actually slowing down its nuclear program.
Iran should understand in no uncertain terms that the world or Israel will not let the Islamic republic go nuclear.
Whatever the repercussions and they may be considerable a nuclear weapon in the hands of a fundamentalist Moslem state is inconceivable.
It won’t happen.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
The President and the Prime Minister
We all wanted to be a wallpaper fly to listen to the conversations between world leaders on the burning issues of the day.
The burning issues are almost unprecedented. The world financial crisis is at its worst since the great depression. A fanatical fundamentalist regime is developing weapons of mass destruction and threatening to destroy Israel and harm the West. It boggles the mind to think if Hitler had a Nuclear Bomb. Now there is a new Hitler that threatens the Jewish state and no one seems to be doing anything about it.
The United States has been at the forefront of efforts to isolate Iran with mixed results so far. Most think that military action is becoming more and more the only option. How will a young president with little or no experience in the international arena deal with his own Nuclear missile crisis? It seems he will be tested as Kennedy was.
This might be a typical conversation between The President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Israel
Netanyahu: Congratulations Mr. President , You are indeed an inspiration to many.
Obama: Thank You Mr. Prime Minister , I should also congratulate you on winning your election.
Netanyahu: yea well it wasn't exactly what I had in mind
Obama: yes I know
Netanyahu: You know as well as I do that this 2 state solution is pointless and ludicrous.
Obama: I know but will never admit saying that
Netanyahu: I have to pretend its an option as well, I think it's the worst possible scenario for all involved.
Obama: 100% of the third worls and 90% of the free world wants this 2 state madness, What can we do?
Netanyahu: its simple Mr. president, very simple. We set up a team to study the issue and come up with solutions. We continue the process and never reach a conclusion.
Obama: can this work? Are people so stupid?
Netanyahu: It has worked till now why should things change now
Obama: Please never tell anybody what I said about the 2 state solution.
Netanyahu: Don't worry Mr. President your secret is safe with me
Obama: What do we do about Iran?
Netanyahu: Simple, we nuke them.
Obama: laughing , that's crazy and you know it.
Netanyahu: okay then , just give us bunker penetrating bombs and we will do the Job.
Obama: ( four letter expletive ) I promised in my campaign to solve this problem diplomatically. I wish I was in Hawaii surfing.
Netanyahu: you don't know how to surf!
Obama: I could learn. IF you Israeli decide to beat the crap out of Iran then I will need to do something
Netanyahu: what would that be?
Obama: not sure. ( obama on his phone ) : Ram Emanuel get in here.
Ram Emanuel : Yes Mr. President
Obama : what do you think we should do with this Iran nuclear crisis?
Ram Emanuel : ( says something in Hebrew to Mr. Netanyahu ) TIKRA OTEM HAPARSEEM HAEYLO.
Obama: Woah, no Hebrew here, what the hell did you say anyway?
Emanuel: Nice tie Mr. Prime minister. Mr President we need to let the Israelis do the dirty work if necessary. We could try a blockade like Kennedy did in 63.
Obama: I am the president and I will decide! We will start a complete blockade of Iran and see if that works. If not then …
Netanyahu: We will attack Iran in 6 months if they do not halt their production of nuclear weapons. We heave no choice.
Obama: what will happen then?
Netahyahu: not sure, maybe third world war maybe nothing. Not sure
Obama: that's great, just terrific.
That might be a conversation that would take place. The free world seems a bit tired in dealing with a new tyrant and Iran is counting on this weakness. If Israel is cornered and forced to attack Iran alone this will be the most significant military operation since the End of the second World War. It is a scenario that few wish to see. It may be the only choice that remains if President Obama is hesitant. If he acts he will have passed his test of his young presidency and this may propel the economy to world to come out of its depression.
The burning issues are almost unprecedented. The world financial crisis is at its worst since the great depression. A fanatical fundamentalist regime is developing weapons of mass destruction and threatening to destroy Israel and harm the West. It boggles the mind to think if Hitler had a Nuclear Bomb. Now there is a new Hitler that threatens the Jewish state and no one seems to be doing anything about it.
The United States has been at the forefront of efforts to isolate Iran with mixed results so far. Most think that military action is becoming more and more the only option. How will a young president with little or no experience in the international arena deal with his own Nuclear missile crisis? It seems he will be tested as Kennedy was.
This might be a typical conversation between The President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Israel
Netanyahu: Congratulations Mr. President , You are indeed an inspiration to many.
Obama: Thank You Mr. Prime Minister , I should also congratulate you on winning your election.
Netanyahu: yea well it wasn't exactly what I had in mind
Obama: yes I know
Netanyahu: You know as well as I do that this 2 state solution is pointless and ludicrous.
Obama: I know but will never admit saying that
Netanyahu: I have to pretend its an option as well, I think it's the worst possible scenario for all involved.
Obama: 100% of the third worls and 90% of the free world wants this 2 state madness, What can we do?
Netanyahu: its simple Mr. president, very simple. We set up a team to study the issue and come up with solutions. We continue the process and never reach a conclusion.
Obama: can this work? Are people so stupid?
Netanyahu: It has worked till now why should things change now
Obama: Please never tell anybody what I said about the 2 state solution.
Netanyahu: Don't worry Mr. President your secret is safe with me
Obama: What do we do about Iran?
Netanyahu: Simple, we nuke them.
Obama: laughing , that's crazy and you know it.
Netanyahu: okay then , just give us bunker penetrating bombs and we will do the Job.
Obama: ( four letter expletive ) I promised in my campaign to solve this problem diplomatically. I wish I was in Hawaii surfing.
Netanyahu: you don't know how to surf!
Obama: I could learn. IF you Israeli decide to beat the crap out of Iran then I will need to do something
Netanyahu: what would that be?
Obama: not sure. ( obama on his phone ) : Ram Emanuel get in here.
Ram Emanuel : Yes Mr. President
Obama : what do you think we should do with this Iran nuclear crisis?
Ram Emanuel : ( says something in Hebrew to Mr. Netanyahu ) TIKRA OTEM HAPARSEEM HAEYLO.
Obama: Woah, no Hebrew here, what the hell did you say anyway?
Emanuel: Nice tie Mr. Prime minister. Mr President we need to let the Israelis do the dirty work if necessary. We could try a blockade like Kennedy did in 63.
Obama: I am the president and I will decide! We will start a complete blockade of Iran and see if that works. If not then …
Netanyahu: We will attack Iran in 6 months if they do not halt their production of nuclear weapons. We heave no choice.
Obama: what will happen then?
Netahyahu: not sure, maybe third world war maybe nothing. Not sure
Obama: that's great, just terrific.
That might be a conversation that would take place. The free world seems a bit tired in dealing with a new tyrant and Iran is counting on this weakness. If Israel is cornered and forced to attack Iran alone this will be the most significant military operation since the End of the second World War. It is a scenario that few wish to see. It may be the only choice that remains if President Obama is hesitant. If he acts he will have passed his test of his young presidency and this may propel the economy to world to come out of its depression.
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