We absolutely should guarantee Israels right to exist, and promote every opportunity for peaceful settlement. But the radical zealots who insist on occupying, confiscating, and intimidating peoples in the , yes, 'occupied territories', should never receive American cash. And an Irael that openly disses our President, and openly abuses peoples right to exist in their own land, should not be supported blindly. Netanyahu has always made clear that he believes these territories are part of Israel, because 2500 years ago they were. That is not, to me, an argument that holds water. Dealing with the present, and the future is far more important.
75
Pundits like Friedman, engaging in distortion and lies, are facilitating the rise of people like Donald Trump, who manipulates people with the same techniques.
BDS, i.e. Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions, is not "a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique." It is a peaceful political movement whose goals are to pressure the government of Israel to end the occupation of the West Bank, end the embargo of the Gaza Strip, grant equal rights to Arab-Israeli citizens, and to promote the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194.
You can disparage this as a campus movement, but it is supported by organizations such as Jewish Voice for Peace, of which I am a member. I am not a gullible college student as you seem to be suggesting all supporters of BDS are, nor am I out to “destroy Israel.” My goal is to support human rights in a country which we are supporting to the tune of 30 billion dollars a year.
BDS, i.e. Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions, is not "a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique." It is a peaceful political movement whose goals are to pressure the government of Israel to end the occupation of the West Bank, end the embargo of the Gaza Strip, grant equal rights to Arab-Israeli citizens, and to promote the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194.
You can disparage this as a campus movement, but it is supported by organizations such as Jewish Voice for Peace, of which I am a member. I am not a gullible college student as you seem to be suggesting all supporters of BDS are, nor am I out to “destroy Israel.” My goal is to support human rights in a country which we are supporting to the tune of 30 billion dollars a year.
76
Another Friedman conspiracy theory.
Personally - I think Bibi is an ... Whatever. This had nothing to do with future plans or world outlook. Bibi was simply being squeezed by his coalition partners. His coalition is 61 out of a total of 120 members of the Israeli Parliament. He invited Leiberman to join in order to survive and to avoid no-confidence votes.
The Labor Party had its own internal problems joining and in any event - having Labor and Bibi in the same coalition would be like getting Gingrich and Sanders in the same coalition. Doomed to failure.
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar Tom.
You are becoming like Putin - a conspiracy plot behind every tree.
Personally - I think Bibi is an ... Whatever. This had nothing to do with future plans or world outlook. Bibi was simply being squeezed by his coalition partners. His coalition is 61 out of a total of 120 members of the Israeli Parliament. He invited Leiberman to join in order to survive and to avoid no-confidence votes.
The Labor Party had its own internal problems joining and in any event - having Labor and Bibi in the same coalition would be like getting Gingrich and Sanders in the same coalition. Doomed to failure.
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar Tom.
You are becoming like Putin - a conspiracy plot behind every tree.
15
Not only the shortsighted policy moves and humiliatingly provocative actions of Netanyahu against the military leadership are fraught with serious consequences but don't augur well for the healthy civil-military balance, an imperative for Israel's stability and progress.
10
The whole western world, the State of Israel included, is reacting defensively, within the context of politics, against those who attempt to bring about the demise of the western (Judeo-Christian) civilization.
This is the case in European countries. This is the case in the US. And, this is the case in the liberal-democratic and sovereign nation-state of the Jewish people, the State of Israel.
Bot Jews and Christians have had it with those who, in the name of "enlightment" and "progress" usher Muslim-Arabism upon western society; thus ushering those who call to bring about the demise of western (Judeo-Christian) civilization. Mr. Friedman has been at the forefront of this act.
This is the case in European countries. This is the case in the US. And, this is the case in the liberal-democratic and sovereign nation-state of the Jewish people, the State of Israel.
Bot Jews and Christians have had it with those who, in the name of "enlightment" and "progress" usher Muslim-Arabism upon western society; thus ushering those who call to bring about the demise of western (Judeo-Christian) civilization. Mr. Friedman has been at the forefront of this act.
11
Bibi really does not know what is in the best interest of Israel in the mid- to long-term. He has shown this time and again by cow-towing to the ultra-right wing settler movement. The best thing that could happen would be for an American president to abstain from vetoing a resolution in the UN for Palestinian statehood. The result would be a lot of whining and complaining from some or even many Israelis, but in a few months, serious negotiations with the Palestinians would occur. Israel would have no choice. A two-state solution would be implemented quickly. And, one of the longest festering problems in the Middle East, and the world for that matter, would be solved. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that an American president would take such action. If Bibi had half a brain, he'd realize that Palestinian statehood is in the best interest of Israel and the only way to return Israel to the secular, liberal democracy it once was. Those settlers are not real Zionists in the tradition of the founders of Israel. They aren't even Zionists at all. They are Messianic and could easily end up destroying Israel, once a beacon of democracy in the Middle East. If one of them had not murdered Rabin, a two-state solution would have been found long ago. Rabin was one of the greatest Israelis. So far, Bibi Netanyahu simply is not. He is a short-sighted egomaniac who cares more about maintaining his power than any policies that are in the best interest of his country.
109
Coalition politics therefore emplaces its infamous hawk of hawks into a military boss responsibility that harms Israel's moral status if not its existence.
Hamas et al seem (to me) to have another public relations gain.
Hamas et al seem (to me) to have another public relations gain.
8
in other words, bibi's party is acting like right wing governments all over the world....demonizing, violent and taking of a fanatical base that thinks anybody who disagrees with them are traitors subverting god's will.
29
This is so complicated, that I always feel like a freshman in this arena. My quick reaction, is to vote that we discontinue our $3-4 Billion annual subsidy to Israel. Could the NYT explain the old and the new rationale for continuing this gigantic subsidy, when the the Netanyahu continually thumbs their noses at our President, and the advice of our military. I remember thinking, the illegal and brutal land grabs in Palestinian lands by Israeli setters is immoral. How can supporting Israel, in turning Palestine and the Palestinians into a perpetual gulag and killing field, help US interests? Have the Palestinians refused every and all reasonable offers for reconciliation? The Reverend Robert Cromey reported that the mistreatment of the Palestinians by the Israeli government was unconscionable. Is this true? If it is, why are we supporting it? If our support is misguided, doesn't it fuel our enemies in Al Qaeda, ISIS and the angry, unemployed, Muslim world. If so, it is costing us a lot more than the cost of the subsidy?
45
A democratic Israel/Palestine with constitutional rights for both Jews and Palestinians to live freely where they want is a dream worth considering. A two State solution, with one disarmed and lacking full sovereignty is a fantasy. A gerrymandered border with walls bifurcating Palestinian neighborhoods is no solution.
If South Africa could resolve centuries of hatred and mistrust between blacks and whites with a new constitutional democracy, then Jews and Muslims can do it as well. Another 50 years of military occupation is not the road to peace. It is a dead end for both peoples.
The BDS movement is not a movement to destroy Israel. It is a movement for change, for a new direction, and Americans, including American Jews, can help.
If South Africa could resolve centuries of hatred and mistrust between blacks and whites with a new constitutional democracy, then Jews and Muslims can do it as well. Another 50 years of military occupation is not the road to peace. It is a dead end for both peoples.
The BDS movement is not a movement to destroy Israel. It is a movement for change, for a new direction, and Americans, including American Jews, can help.
36
The solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is well-known, is acceptable to the West and the to rest of the world, is consistent with official US foreign policy, is consistent with UN Resolutions and international law, is consistent with the principles laid out by the Quartet, and is consistent with the proposal put forward by the Arab League.
It is what the world demands and what Israel refuses to accept:
2 viable states; 1967 boundaries with mutually agreed land swaps, right of return negotiated using both (limited) property and (fair) compensation.
It comes down to what Netanyahu & Co. wants vs what the rest of the world needs.
It is what the world demands and what Israel refuses to accept:
2 viable states; 1967 boundaries with mutually agreed land swaps, right of return negotiated using both (limited) property and (fair) compensation.
It comes down to what Netanyahu & Co. wants vs what the rest of the world needs.
30
As the world is further repelled by the extremism of Israel, it appears that the government of Israel thinks the answer to to become ever more extreme. Netanyahu thinks he can pander to the fundamentalists forces in his own government because the rest of the world will do nothing about it - and he's right. It's come now to the point where his army and generals are becoming a voice of restraint, but these voices are getting trampled on. Of course the people on the front line, Israeli and especially Palestinian, will pay the price.
16
Question: To have a two state solution don't you need two viable states?
35
Wonderfully written article. However, I would like to point out that BDS is not an evil movement with ulterior motives to "destroy" Israel. Boycotting Sabra, Sodastream and other companies that establish production facilities in occupied territories is a completely legal and conscientious way regular folks can stand up to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and chokehold of Gaza.
The employment of occupied peoples is an economically sound decision, after all the Palestinians can't unionize or ask for comparable pay that an Israeli would receive. However, to build factories on occupied lands and employ occupied people who are payed meager wages for excruciating work conditions is morally bankrupt. Boycotting worked in South Africa and boycotting is working in Israel. Orange pulled out of Israel, Sodastream shut down one of it's production plants, etc.
Until Israel begins to play by the rules everyone else adheres to, until Israel stops it's colonization of Palestinian land and until the companies implicit in enduring the occupation of the West Bank pull out; please do not lambaste a movement that's only aim is to simply boycott.
The employment of occupied peoples is an economically sound decision, after all the Palestinians can't unionize or ask for comparable pay that an Israeli would receive. However, to build factories on occupied lands and employ occupied people who are payed meager wages for excruciating work conditions is morally bankrupt. Boycotting worked in South Africa and boycotting is working in Israel. Orange pulled out of Israel, Sodastream shut down one of it's production plants, etc.
Until Israel begins to play by the rules everyone else adheres to, until Israel stops it's colonization of Palestinian land and until the companies implicit in enduring the occupation of the West Bank pull out; please do not lambaste a movement that's only aim is to simply boycott.
119
And who is to blame for this exhibition of utter inhumanity? The US of A of course! This is what 60 years of unconditional support and protection of the Israeli atrocities will end up like. And the show is still going on! The people of Israel will pay a heavy price for their arrogance and hubris since the present situation is not sustainable. Have no fear Trump is coming!!
22
Unfortunately, the dynamics of the Likud Party in Israel are playing themselves out within the Republican Party in this country. How else to explain the political theater of the GOP making foreign policy on their own with Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK) issuing diktats about Iran and the House Republicans treating Netanyahu more respectfully than they do their own President.
24
Gotta love it. Friedman dismisses B.D.S. as some kind of conspiracy, and then list a multitude of reason why it's a good idea.
25
I'm so tired of the state of Israel -- hearing about it, stewing over it, knowing it will never change its ways. This week we learned that its "extremist youth" not only want the West Bank, but also want Jordan, which it considers "temporary." The UN gave Jews Palestinian land for a nation. Now it should declare Palestine a sovereign nation and supply troops to protect it from Israel. The US should support what France wants to do to move in that direction.
28
Netanyahu will not last more than a day in power if the Palestinian fulfill two simple conditions:
1. Unite for peace.
2. Cease the hatred and incitement.
Israel is still a democracy by any measure.
1. Unite for peace.
2. Cease the hatred and incitement.
Israel is still a democracy by any measure.
13
Criticism is not assault.
10
Wonderful column by the Middle East expert who lauded the Arab Spring and condemned Nethanyahu for not doing the same.
9
Sounds like something Trump will do.
2
Stick to your guns, Tom Friedman! You have long been a voice of reason and honesty when it comes to Israel's efforts to achieve true security. All the attacks on you come from a place of deep denial on the part of true stakeholders (but, probably more so from "couch stakeholders"). It is not surprising that Israel's top defense experts are with you on this. Netanyahu is a scourge and Israelis are at the mercy of their political system that favors far right hatred, at this point. In a difficult election season here in this country, we can at least be glad that we have two strong parties that (hopefully) can continue to balance each other. Israel used to have something like that, too. Those days are long gone. Out with Netanyahu as a first step!
5
Bibi, and Israel as a whole, would act far more rationally, if they have to fend for themselves. We should end all military aid to Israel, Egypt, and others. Not only does the aid corrupt the judgment of the leaders of these countries, it enriches the wrong people here in the US and abroad.
23
Where is Mr. Friedman's column about Abbas's cabinet? About the state of the military or the health of democracy in the Palestinian Authority? Or the other Palestinian quasi-state in Gaza? Lots of hand-wringing about Israel but no column about their theoretical peace partner? That's the column I want to read.
29
Outside a small circle of admirers, few in Israel like Lieberman. Netanyahu is forced to grow his coalition. He tried with Herzog; Herzog's party refused. What choices does he have? We are all concerned about how the army will fare. It's assumed the power behind the defense ministry will be Bibi, anyway.
Yes, Netanyahu has many faults. The biggest one being he squashes anyone who has the potential for leadership, without seeing that sooner or later he will be too old to be in charge. It's time to nurture others in that role, not eliminate them.
Still, the biggest obstacle to lack of peace is a dysfunctional, corrupt, and utterly anti-Semitic Palestinian leadership who still dream of taking over all of Israel. Which is precisely why Israelis are shifting rightward. While understanding the contempt for the Netanyahu-Yaalon spat, the worst enemies of peace (and themselves) are the Palestinian "leaders" along with a majority of their people.
Yes, Netanyahu has many faults. The biggest one being he squashes anyone who has the potential for leadership, without seeing that sooner or later he will be too old to be in charge. It's time to nurture others in that role, not eliminate them.
Still, the biggest obstacle to lack of peace is a dysfunctional, corrupt, and utterly anti-Semitic Palestinian leadership who still dream of taking over all of Israel. Which is precisely why Israelis are shifting rightward. While understanding the contempt for the Netanyahu-Yaalon spat, the worst enemies of peace (and themselves) are the Palestinian "leaders" along with a majority of their people.
19
As much as I detest Netanyahu and (even more) Lieberman, let us not get carried away and blame the State of Israel for this. The fault lies with the present Israeli government, not with the State. Remember that Netanyahu pulled this obscene stunt because his coalition led by only a single vote in the Knesset. Similar inappropriate actions occurred in our own country when it was led by Presidents like Johnson, Nixon and George W Bush. We blame these administrations and not the United States as a whole for things like Viet Nam, Watergate and Iraq. But to a large degree, we recovered from these actions. Let us hope that the Israeli population will come to its senses during its next election and vote for peace and reconciliation.
38
I find Mr. Friedman's line, "BDS campaign is a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique" a really lame way to begin his piece. While a few of those involved in the BDS movement may harbor intense anti Zionist philosophy, many believe that their position is similar to those who supported the BDS campaign against the South African government's apartheid policies, which they believe are similar to the policies that the Israeli government has enacted in the occupied territories. To suggest that the whole movement is out to destroy Israel feels like Mr. Friedman is trying to get cover with conservatives so that he can write something critical of the Netanyahu government.
96
BDS is not "a campus movement to destroy Israel". It is a tactic designed to force Israel to abide by international law. It was successful in South Africa in helping to end apartheid and is obviously effective today or Mr. Friedman wouldn't be slandering it.
16
"Netanyahu plans to replace Yaalon with the far-right Avigdor Lieberman, who boasts he could not care less what American Jews think about how Israel is behaving"
Well, why would he care? All he needs to care about as it pertains to the US is what the US Congress and the American foreign policy establishment think about how Israel is behaving. And it should be clear to any sentient being that there is no action too extremist, brutal or heartless for the US Congress or the Very Serious People who dictate US foreign policy that would make them change their mind on total, unconditional support for Israel. The Israelis could inter and murder Palestinians by the thousands, and I'm sure the US Congress would continue to support them wholeheartedly. The voice of a respected American Jewish pundit isn't going to tip the scales one iota.
Well, why would he care? All he needs to care about as it pertains to the US is what the US Congress and the American foreign policy establishment think about how Israel is behaving. And it should be clear to any sentient being that there is no action too extremist, brutal or heartless for the US Congress or the Very Serious People who dictate US foreign policy that would make them change their mind on total, unconditional support for Israel. The Israelis could inter and murder Palestinians by the thousands, and I'm sure the US Congress would continue to support them wholeheartedly. The voice of a respected American Jewish pundit isn't going to tip the scales one iota.
12
As long as the US Jewish community lacks the courage to push back, Israel's moral decline will continue. As long as there are no consequences, why should he change? Irrespective of what Netanyahu does, he walks away with total support from the US, and more money.
Friedman denounced BDS, but isn't that the only way for individuals to act, when the system is broken?
Friedman denounced BDS, but isn't that the only way for individuals to act, when the system is broken?
15
"“boycott, divestment, sanctions” (B.D.S.) campaign, is a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique."
Friedman attacks the only means ordinary citizens have to protect Palestinian rights under international laws. The vast majority of those participating in the BDS movement are NOT out to destroy Israel. They are out to destroy Israeli government policy of the West Bank occupation and of the Gaza blockade. They are participating to stop the human rights abuse and other violations of the 4th Geneva Convention. They are out to prevent further war crimes. They are NOT masquerading.
When politicians are repeatedly impotent, it is essential that individuals have a means to influence outcomes.
Friedman attacks the only means ordinary citizens have to protect Palestinian rights under international laws. The vast majority of those participating in the BDS movement are NOT out to destroy Israel. They are out to destroy Israeli government policy of the West Bank occupation and of the Gaza blockade. They are participating to stop the human rights abuse and other violations of the 4th Geneva Convention. They are out to prevent further war crimes. They are NOT masquerading.
When politicians are repeatedly impotent, it is essential that individuals have a means to influence outcomes.
16
Thank you Mr Friedman, for telling the truth,
you do that quite rarely.
Now let's see how Mr Obama rewards
this government with another 30 billion for
the next 10 years.
And I look forward your comments to
justify it.
you do that quite rarely.
Now let's see how Mr Obama rewards
this government with another 30 billion for
the next 10 years.
And I look forward your comments to
justify it.
6
Mr. Friedman, you have, laudably, spoken out against the settlements for years. So Bibi's far-right politics can't be news to you. Last year, in his election, Netanyahu acknowledged the obvious - that settlement building has been his strategy. He also admitted some other obvious, previously unspoken, truths: that he will never let a Palestinian state emerge; that he sees Arabs as lesser citizens; that he won't tolerate dissent within the government. All horrific, but who's surprised?
11
I disagree with Mr. Friedman's assessment of Mr. Netanyahu. Israel is living amongst many aggressive and anti-Semitic countries. This reality, coupled with the current U.S.'s lukewarm support of Israel, makes the single-mindedness and determination of Mr. Netanyahu appear to be the safest course for Israel at this moment in history. This is not the time for Israel to be softening its approach to those who would want to destroy it, but a time to remain resolute in its commitment keeping its people safe and it country strong. Eventually (but, it may be a long time), a better political climate will develop in the region and in the U.S. Presently, this region is far too unstable and without the real visionary leaders necessary (some will obviously say that Netanyahu is not one of those visionaries) to make a true peace happen. Only when those countries that want to destroy Israel become more open to Israel, leaders like Mr. Netanyahu will be able to cede their power to other, more "diplomatic" leaders. Hopefully then, processes will move forward making true peaceful negotiations possible again.
39
I am sure Netanyahu's long term vision is aimed at the preservation of Israel on his terms. Just the same, his appointments look almost thuggish and despite the current world's attitudes and actions, there is a future to consider.
In the same way I am waiting for America to wake up and give far more serious consideration to the leaders we elect, Israel needs to do the same. Our future Presidents will have to examine closely their support of Israel.
A world-wide sea change is long overdue.
In the same way I am waiting for America to wake up and give far more serious consideration to the leaders we elect, Israel needs to do the same. Our future Presidents will have to examine closely their support of Israel.
A world-wide sea change is long overdue.
41
Given that our support is mostly military in nature, we give Netanyahu license to do as HE wishes, but for Lieberman to do with as he pleases without restraint. Sending arms to Israel for many decades with the expectations that it will promote peace is insane. Like the economic boycott of Cuba - if it has no effect other than to prolong the status quo, continuing to do the same is not smart (except for those who PROFIT from it - which I think that is the definition of conservatism).
Under Netanyahu and the current coalition government, we have a preview of what the US will look like under Trump with the support of the Radical Republican Politicians in congress.
Under Netanyahu and the current coalition government, we have a preview of what the US will look like under Trump with the support of the Radical Republican Politicians in congress.
9
The second sentence of the article makes one want to read no further. Saying that BDS "is a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique" is clearly false. It is a smear just as much as, and at the same gutter level, as saying the criticism of Israel is per se anti-semitic.
19
Can Friedman, or anyone, identify the Palestinian leader with the legitimacy to sign any peace agreement with Israel and the authority to enforce its conditions? Certainly it is not the octogenarian kleptocratic dicatator in the 11th year of his 4 year term whose rule does not extend to Gaza. And it is certainly no one from Hamas, which rules Gaza with an iron grip, as these genocidal fanatics have ruled out the very concept of living in peace with a state of the Jewish people. So, until that leader appears, Netanyahu and Obama are both correct: no movement toward an end of conflict is possible.
As to the political maneuverings within Israel, Friedman writes as if Lieberman were Netanyahu's first choice. He wasn't. Netanyahu spent weeks openly courting Herzog, the leader of the Zionist Union. But the combination of Herzog's internal challengers for leadership (Livni and Yacimovich) derailed the attempt.
Finally, Friedman conveniently forgets that it was Ya'alon who very publicly insulted Secretary Kerry by referring to his messianic tendencies and desires for a Nobel Prize behind his push for negotiations (which, in any event, Abbas threw back in Kerry's face - without any consequences, of course). It was Lieberman and Netanyahu who publicly supported Secretary Kerry.
Friedman prefers to feed the "Netanyahu is bad" storyline instead of explaining the parliamentary realities. The result: the flood of ill-informed (charitably speaking) comments that always follow his articles.
As to the political maneuverings within Israel, Friedman writes as if Lieberman were Netanyahu's first choice. He wasn't. Netanyahu spent weeks openly courting Herzog, the leader of the Zionist Union. But the combination of Herzog's internal challengers for leadership (Livni and Yacimovich) derailed the attempt.
Finally, Friedman conveniently forgets that it was Ya'alon who very publicly insulted Secretary Kerry by referring to his messianic tendencies and desires for a Nobel Prize behind his push for negotiations (which, in any event, Abbas threw back in Kerry's face - without any consequences, of course). It was Lieberman and Netanyahu who publicly supported Secretary Kerry.
Friedman prefers to feed the "Netanyahu is bad" storyline instead of explaining the parliamentary realities. The result: the flood of ill-informed (charitably speaking) comments that always follow his articles.
23
This is not Israel's 'darkest hour'. It is Israel's hour of clarity.
The world, lead by the US has anointed Iran as the de facto policeman of the Middle East. The lines have been drawn very clearly. Israel has tried for decades to find a solution whereby they could live in peace with the Palestinians. Just as generation after generation of young Arabs have been taught nothing but hate, generation after generation of Israelis have learned that there is no way to please the other side.
This problem is intractable and is in the very same mold of the Sunni Shia split. They are blind to the realities around them and will die for their beliefs. Its clear who values life and who doesn't. So don't blame the Israelis for living within an accepted moral code of protecting themselves against people who have but one mission---the destruction of Israel.
Yes the rhetoric can sometimes be bellicose, but lets not confuse the reality of the situation.
The world, lead by the US has anointed Iran as the de facto policeman of the Middle East. The lines have been drawn very clearly. Israel has tried for decades to find a solution whereby they could live in peace with the Palestinians. Just as generation after generation of young Arabs have been taught nothing but hate, generation after generation of Israelis have learned that there is no way to please the other side.
This problem is intractable and is in the very same mold of the Sunni Shia split. They are blind to the realities around them and will die for their beliefs. Its clear who values life and who doesn't. So don't blame the Israelis for living within an accepted moral code of protecting themselves against people who have but one mission---the destruction of Israel.
Yes the rhetoric can sometimes be bellicose, but lets not confuse the reality of the situation.
43
While I agree with much of your article, your characterization of the BDS movement is completely false. I compare it to the boycott movement of South Africa that helped end apartheid. Netanyahu's policies are also promoting a kind of apartheid complete with "batustans." How else would you propose that people outside Israel attempt to influence the extreme right wing movement of Israeli politics - wring our hands and bemoan what's going on?
9
The State of Israel should be relocated to a corner of Montana or New Mexico. Everybody would gain something from the move. Those great states would hardly miss the land area so used.
5
As a boy in suburban New Jersey I had found pride in Israel's determined, proud defense of itself in 1967 and 1973. Triumph, survival, and the idealism of socialism (shirtsleeves in the Knesset) and a people's army (everyone served, including women).
The trouble started in the 80s: Sharon and Lebanon, the creeping grab for the West Bank, the refusal to follow the clear path to stability and relative peace: two states.
Now it's gone. The settlers are the Japanese fishing industry: there is no stopping them.
And there is not enough pressure here in the states. I cannot discuss the matter openly with relatives, who seem to support unquestioningly every last grotesquerie of the radical right -- Israeli radical right, mind you, not Canadian. My relatives likely voted for Trudeau. But there will no breaking ranks in North America many Jews, no matter how great a betrayal to the best values and interests of Israel and world Jewry.
The jig is up. Now what?
The trouble started in the 80s: Sharon and Lebanon, the creeping grab for the West Bank, the refusal to follow the clear path to stability and relative peace: two states.
Now it's gone. The settlers are the Japanese fishing industry: there is no stopping them.
And there is not enough pressure here in the states. I cannot discuss the matter openly with relatives, who seem to support unquestioningly every last grotesquerie of the radical right -- Israeli radical right, mind you, not Canadian. My relatives likely voted for Trudeau. But there will no breaking ranks in North America many Jews, no matter how great a betrayal to the best values and interests of Israel and world Jewry.
The jig is up. Now what?
10
We are suddenly faced with leaders that will lead us to a third world war - history tells us that such an atmosphere is created by a constellation of tyranny - we have hate spewing Trump in the US, Bibi doing his worst in Israel and the narrow defeat of Hofer - the honor, fatherland German colors Austrian leader. Since Hofer was defeated we hope the rest, Trump and eventually Bibi will never be elected to power. Israel misses Rabin and soon we will miss Obama.
4
For years now, I have read Friedman for the entertainment value of watching him squirm while faithfully carrying water for Israel by pretending, against all evidence, that the two state solution was not dead and Israel was not apartheid. He now seems to be finally giving up the effort and blaming the failure on Netanyahu. But Two State has been dead for decades, its corpse rotting while people like Friedman propped it up. And Netanyahu is merely a reflection of what Israel has become, not a cause.
12
Re Generals Yaalon and Golan- Decorated US Army General Stanley Allen McChrystal was known for speaking his mind and saying what other military leaders were afraid to say.
After remarks attributed to him in Rolling Stone critical of Vice President Biden and other administration officials were published, President Obama called him in and removed him from his command in Afghanistan, i.e. sacked him. General McChrystal retired soon afterwards. One can only wonder why such a decorated officer was not allowed to speak his mind and the truth as he saw it.
Ironically, those who only recently were attacking the IDF for its heavy hand and lack of proportionality now imbue the IDF with a saintly halo as defender of the "old time" Israeli democracy. Like it or not, the system has checks and balances. The IDF serves under the command of a civilian government. Its generals and officers, while mostly university graduates are schooled in matters military and not in history or social policy etc. General Golan's views on Israeli society were out of place, regardless of those views. General Eisenkot's and General Yaalon's support represent a misunderstanding of how a government works. Mr. Biden and Mr. Obama understood just fine.
After remarks attributed to him in Rolling Stone critical of Vice President Biden and other administration officials were published, President Obama called him in and removed him from his command in Afghanistan, i.e. sacked him. General McChrystal retired soon afterwards. One can only wonder why such a decorated officer was not allowed to speak his mind and the truth as he saw it.
Ironically, those who only recently were attacking the IDF for its heavy hand and lack of proportionality now imbue the IDF with a saintly halo as defender of the "old time" Israeli democracy. Like it or not, the system has checks and balances. The IDF serves under the command of a civilian government. Its generals and officers, while mostly university graduates are schooled in matters military and not in history or social policy etc. General Golan's views on Israeli society were out of place, regardless of those views. General Eisenkot's and General Yaalon's support represent a misunderstanding of how a government works. Mr. Biden and Mr. Obama understood just fine.
10
Dismissing BDS as a movement to destroy Israel is the equivalent of saying the anti-apartheid boycott of South Africa was a movement to destroy South Africa. It can be better thought of as pressure to force Israel to change its discriminatory policies. It is true that the world does not apply the same standards to Israel's neighbors. Paradoxically it is because we expect better from Israel, whereas we don't have a particularly high opinion of its neighbors.
14
BDS = campus movement to destroy Israel?
BDS specifically takes issue with the aggression of 'God gave it to us and the people who live there are an abomination in the eyes of the Lord' settlement building. It is a spontaneous expression of being fed up with Israel's decades old 'facts on the ground' ethnic removal of Palestinians.
BDS specifically takes issue with the aggression of 'God gave it to us and the people who live there are an abomination in the eyes of the Lord' settlement building. It is a spontaneous expression of being fed up with Israel's decades old 'facts on the ground' ethnic removal of Palestinians.
22
Israelis are fortunate to be living in a country whose leaders regard their security as crucial a matter as they do. Citizens of many countries are not this lucky.
18
Palestinian leaders have repeatedly refused peace. Arafat in 2000 and Abbas in 2008 rejected peace proposals that would have given them almost 100% of the West Bank as well as Gaza, and a corridor between the two. They have conditioned their people to believe not only will they have their own state, but that state will include all of what is now the State of Israel.
A poll commissioned by the Washington Institute, conducted by Palestinian pollsters, illustrates this.
http://www.algemeiner.com/2014/07/03/60-of-palestinian-arabs-say-five-ye...
Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 with no blockade until 2007, after the Palestinians demonstrated the need for it with 1000 rockets and mortars.
Where is the peace dividend? Is this seriously supposed to be the model for a withdrawal from the West Bank, which will leave every inch of Israel within range of Palestinian rockets and tunnel attacks?
A poll commissioned by the Washington Institute, conducted by Palestinian pollsters, illustrates this.
http://www.algemeiner.com/2014/07/03/60-of-palestinian-arabs-say-five-ye...
Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 with no blockade until 2007, after the Palestinians demonstrated the need for it with 1000 rockets and mortars.
Where is the peace dividend? Is this seriously supposed to be the model for a withdrawal from the West Bank, which will leave every inch of Israel within range of Palestinian rockets and tunnel attacks?
49
I completely agree with Mr. Friedman. I (non-Jewish), had always been an ardent supporter of the state of Israel but, under Netanyahu, I simply have despaired. I don't have to say more as Mr. Friedman has said it already. Thank you, Mr. Friedman!
4
Why does Friedman and his friends at the Times keep giving the Palestinians a pass?
The Palestinians have rejected many partition plans accepted by Israel; namely, the Peel commission (1937), the U.N. Partition Plan (1947), President Clinton's proposal (2000), and Prime Minister Olmert's proposal (2008).
A permanent, peaceful resolution will happen only when there are courageous leaders on both sides who are willing to compromise for peace. Netanyahu may not be that leader, but when have the Palestinians had one?
The Palestinians have rejected many partition plans accepted by Israel; namely, the Peel commission (1937), the U.N. Partition Plan (1947), President Clinton's proposal (2000), and Prime Minister Olmert's proposal (2008).
A permanent, peaceful resolution will happen only when there are courageous leaders on both sides who are willing to compromise for peace. Netanyahu may not be that leader, but when have the Palestinians had one?
14
boycott, divestment, sanctions” (B.D.S.) campaign, is a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique.
Really, I thought the whole point was to stop enabling the Israeli government's behavior.
If constructive engagement did not stop apartheid in South Africa, why would it work here?
Really, I thought the whole point was to stop enabling the Israeli government's behavior.
If constructive engagement did not stop apartheid in South Africa, why would it work here?
12
Calling the BDS Movement "a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique" is ridiculous. Israel is a defacto racist state, and has been for half a century. BDS is a completely ethical and legitimate response to this situation.
Israel has proven that as long as the comfort of Israeli Jews is maintained there is no interest in changing the status quo. BDS strikes at this immoral arrangement, and frankly is the only lever that will force change. That’s why Israel is so desperate to derail it.
BDS is not a plot to destroy Israel - no other nation would make half the population powerless and then claim the half in control are the victims. Stop the racism, and BDS is gone.
Israel has proven that as long as the comfort of Israeli Jews is maintained there is no interest in changing the status quo. BDS strikes at this immoral arrangement, and frankly is the only lever that will force change. That’s why Israel is so desperate to derail it.
BDS is not a plot to destroy Israel - no other nation would make half the population powerless and then claim the half in control are the victims. Stop the racism, and BDS is gone.
16
This is the government that Israel voted for, even after the ugliness and divisiveness that poured out of Bibis mouth.
9
“boycott, divestment, sanctions” (B.D.S.) campaign, is a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique."
The BDS movement is an international movement fed up with aggressive, state-sponsored land stealing and settlement building.
Shame and duplicity on Friedman for conflating sound opposition to right wing Israel with antisemitism.
The BDS movement is an international movement fed up with aggressive, state-sponsored land stealing and settlement building.
Shame and duplicity on Friedman for conflating sound opposition to right wing Israel with antisemitism.
15
Mr. Friedman states that, "'boycott, divestment, sanctions' (B.D.S.) campaign, is a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique." This is incorrect. In 2005, Palestinian civil society issued a call for a campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights. The BDS campaign has no intent to destroy Israel, but rather to improve the situation there for all people. It is no different than the campaign against South Africa to end apartheid.
15
Netanyahu "dog paddling in the middle of the Rubicon"? He crossed it bombing Gaza killing some 2,000 civilians; men, women, children and babies. Children and babies. He crossed it with thousands upon thousands of demolished homes in the West Bank. He crossed it along with the Republican congress coming here and insulting our President and America messing in our politics. And Israel has crossed it by keeping him in power.
"B.D.S... a movement to destroy Israel"? How very contracted a viewpoint of a noble cause. Yes, the Israelis are destroying themselves. The Jewish Voice for Peace is their only hope.
"B.D.S... a movement to destroy Israel"? How very contracted a viewpoint of a noble cause. Yes, the Israelis are destroying themselves. The Jewish Voice for Peace is their only hope.
17
I am so glad to be reminded by Thomas Friedman that he really does care about the future of Israel. Not The Jewish State of Israel, mind you, within reasonably safe borders, but -- who knows? One thing only is for sure. Thomas Friedman doesn't have to live there, and doesn't want to live there. Not that he wouldn't find himself in good company if he did live there; that's the kicker about the people of Israel, they are much like we are, and about a third of them would probably agree with Thomas's characterization of Bibi Netanyahu.
But two thirds of them would not, based on the reality of radical Islam as it affects their daily lives, just like it is increasingly affecting the daily lives of we Americans. Like two hour security lines at the airports.
Thomas, long after you are completely forgotten Bibi Netanyahu will be remembered as one of the greatest Prime Ministers in the History of Israel, right up there with David Ben Gurion. So make your pipsqueaks while you can. When President Trump comes on board in January of 2017, may I suggest it might be a good time for you to consider taking a long vacation.
But two thirds of them would not, based on the reality of radical Islam as it affects their daily lives, just like it is increasingly affecting the daily lives of we Americans. Like two hour security lines at the airports.
Thomas, long after you are completely forgotten Bibi Netanyahu will be remembered as one of the greatest Prime Ministers in the History of Israel, right up there with David Ben Gurion. So make your pipsqueaks while you can. When President Trump comes on board in January of 2017, may I suggest it might be a good time for you to consider taking a long vacation.
11
Thomas, I find the title of your column to be misleading because Bibi doesn't rule over the Palestinian by any means nor does he intend to. As much as I don't like this man, he is the PM of Israel nevertheless. However, it doesn't matter what party the PM is or even what is dominating the Knesset, because the Palestinians have never advocated for peace even when it was offered to them back in both 2000 and 2008. I really hate hearing from those who say that Bibi is doing very little efforts for peace, because he did agree to a settlement freeze not that long ago, but he saw it was meaningless to make preconditions after he found out that Abbas didn't even want to talk to him during that said freeze. In reality, he is all for talking peace, but I doubt that the Palestinians are for that and it won't matter who gets appointed as the COS. As for the BDS, they always tend to vilify Israel while ignoring the actions done by Hamas. I remember once asking some of the members about what they felt about Hamas attacking innocent Israeli civilians, and so many of them either got defensive or tried to dodge that question, which shows how biased against Israel they really are. BTW, when an IDF soldier acts out of line, he is held accountable for his actions and taken to court yet when that's case for soldiers in the other countries in the region, almost nothing is done, they are made a martyr, or they got nothing but a slap on the wrist for doing such an act.
16
I strongly believe the United States should defend Israel's right to exist within internationally recognized borders. I believe Netanyahu was being honest in his last election campaign when he said he would never agree to a Palestinian State. There is an extremely determined minority in Israel which has set up an apartheid-like regime of growing settlements and outposts on the West Bank. The reason the Likud government does not formally annex the West Bank is that would give Arab Palestinians Israeli citizenship and voting rights, while an endless sham peace peace process gives them endless occupation and powerlessness.
While the Israeli majority does not share the ideology of the fanatic settlers, neither does it have the level of conviction needed to halt their actions. With American politicians competing for the position of who can be most pro-Israel, the U.S. does not exert much leverage. President Obama clearly detests Prime Minister Netanyahu (and vice versa) but reportedly feels obliged to prove he is pro-Israel by markedly increasing military aid. It would be fair to say the B.D.S. campaign was to destroy Israel only if it continued to call for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions after Israel agreed to a just settlement with the Palestinians. So far even when speaking vaguely of a two-state solution Netanyahu has never proposed what the Israel-Palestine borders should be, showing he is not negotiating in good faith.
While the Israeli majority does not share the ideology of the fanatic settlers, neither does it have the level of conviction needed to halt their actions. With American politicians competing for the position of who can be most pro-Israel, the U.S. does not exert much leverage. President Obama clearly detests Prime Minister Netanyahu (and vice versa) but reportedly feels obliged to prove he is pro-Israel by markedly increasing military aid. It would be fair to say the B.D.S. campaign was to destroy Israel only if it continued to call for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions after Israel agreed to a just settlement with the Palestinians. So far even when speaking vaguely of a two-state solution Netanyahu has never proposed what the Israel-Palestine borders should be, showing he is not negotiating in good faith.
8
Save the hysteria Tom, I live in Israel and everything is shalom. BN "balancing between all rivals" demonstrates his steady, balanced, nuanced supremacy of his government. The Arabs have rejected every peace initiative offered by Israel so what is the rush into another endless round of faux" negotiations" when the PA issues its demands and Hamas continues with its tunnels.
Ya'alon deserved to be fired as does Gen Golan The military must know its place in a democracy and desist from making political statements. Obama would not tolerate his generals or Defense Secretaries openly criticizing his policies as CIC.
Slashed budgets, plummeting standards, and political radicalization have turned Israel’s most respected newspaper into a case study in the collapse of modern journalism.Haaretz’s circulation is as low as a 6.1% market share of Israeli print media, has a radicalized political agenda and is unrepresentative of the Israeli public.
Israelis are not concerned with presenting a "moderate government to the world" nor do we care about world opinion, yours or the NYT. We pursue policies which strengthen our national self interests.
Far from going from "bad to worse" Israel grows stronger while the PA/Gaza and surrounding states grow weaker. Israel is an economic, military, technological superpower with a per capita GDP greater than that of France or Japan.
BDS is a Hamas front posing as a 'human rights organization" but rest assured Israel has no desire to destroy itself.
Ya'alon deserved to be fired as does Gen Golan The military must know its place in a democracy and desist from making political statements. Obama would not tolerate his generals or Defense Secretaries openly criticizing his policies as CIC.
Slashed budgets, plummeting standards, and political radicalization have turned Israel’s most respected newspaper into a case study in the collapse of modern journalism.Haaretz’s circulation is as low as a 6.1% market share of Israeli print media, has a radicalized political agenda and is unrepresentative of the Israeli public.
Israelis are not concerned with presenting a "moderate government to the world" nor do we care about world opinion, yours or the NYT. We pursue policies which strengthen our national self interests.
Far from going from "bad to worse" Israel grows stronger while the PA/Gaza and surrounding states grow weaker. Israel is an economic, military, technological superpower with a per capita GDP greater than that of France or Japan.
BDS is a Hamas front posing as a 'human rights organization" but rest assured Israel has no desire to destroy itself.
15
The United States need to stop giving Israel $3 billion a year in aid. Israel is a developed country and it does not need our money. Netanyahu praises Lieberman because Lieberman doesn't care what the U.S. thinks?
Fine, let's show Lieberman and Netanyahu we don't care that they don't care what we think. No more money for Israel.
I am an American Jew who has belonged to a synagogue for over 25 years, and I approved this message. I'll bet a lot of other American Jews agree with me. In Israel, the desert is blooming with hatred and I want no part of it.
Fine, let's show Lieberman and Netanyahu we don't care that they don't care what we think. No more money for Israel.
I am an American Jew who has belonged to a synagogue for over 25 years, and I approved this message. I'll bet a lot of other American Jews agree with me. In Israel, the desert is blooming with hatred and I want no part of it.
201
Netanyahu and the far right are doing more to harm the long-term interests of Israel than any of its external enemies. It is absurd to think that the rest of the world, including the U.S., will continue to support Israel if it continues on its current trajectory. Netanyahu and the far right seem to believe Israel has a future as an isolated country. Perhaps in the short term---but not in the long term.
5
Why should Netanyahau worry? He has the USA Congress in his pocket and Hillary is far more likely to support Israel in every way no matter what than Obama is.
Her main concern is what the Jewish donors here want.
Her main concern is what the Jewish donors here want.
9
From a pragmatic -as opposed to ideological - point of view, I am afraid that Israel has everything to gain and nothing to lose by preventing the formation of a Palestinian state. The optimum Israeli strategy is to play out the clock. Except in this case there is no clock. Israeli success is for things to remain as they are for the next century.
37
Netanyahu is single-handedly destroying the future of Israel. The once liberal democratic state is becoming a fascist theocracy. Sad.
7
"boycott, divestment, sanctions” (B.D.S.) campaign, is a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique.”
Without a further word to substantiate this slander, Friedman dismisses the only force inside or outside Israel that currently stands a chance of starting to right the deplorable state of affairs in Israel that he goes on to decry.
Without a further word to substantiate this slander, Friedman dismisses the only force inside or outside Israel that currently stands a chance of starting to right the deplorable state of affairs in Israel that he goes on to decry.
11
I am pleased that TF had the guts to take this stance publicly, especially in what certainly hostile NYT waters. Two caveats though, one minor and one major.
First the minor one: Friedman tosses a bit of meat to those who would attack him as insufficiently loving Israel: "Some of it, like the “boycott, divestment, sanctions” (B.D.S.) campaign, is a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique." This is such nonsense that I only just draw it to your attention.
The other is really major: the article implicitly assumes that Israel's governmental position regarding things Palestinian would be quite different if only nasty Bibi weren't in control. In fact, the whole of Israeli society has shifted right and towards positions on Palestinians that range between complete instransigence to complete lack of concern. Bibi is pretty much a cartoon face on mainstream Israeli opinion. It is all very sad.
First the minor one: Friedman tosses a bit of meat to those who would attack him as insufficiently loving Israel: "Some of it, like the “boycott, divestment, sanctions” (B.D.S.) campaign, is a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique." This is such nonsense that I only just draw it to your attention.
The other is really major: the article implicitly assumes that Israel's governmental position regarding things Palestinian would be quite different if only nasty Bibi weren't in control. In fact, the whole of Israeli society has shifted right and towards positions on Palestinians that range between complete instransigence to complete lack of concern. Bibi is pretty much a cartoon face on mainstream Israeli opinion. It is all very sad.
8
As I wrote to my relatives living in Israel, my late father, a German born, use to say about stuff like this; "Eine schande und ein spot". A shame and a stain.
A very well written note, good for you Mr.Friedman.
A very well written note, good for you Mr.Friedman.
1
Israel's Peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan were both negotiated and signed by the right wing. If a legitimate Palestinian peace partner is around, is willing (read not Hamas) AND able (read not Abbas), the Israeli government will once again sign.
13
US $3.5B aid to Israel is now aid to religious right wing extremist Avigdor Lieberman.
6
Why is Obama begging Israeli to accept an additional 1.5 billion in aid a year for the next ten years? Why did Obama veto the U.N. resolution condemning Israeli settlement building? That was the most shameful move of his presidency.
7
It's always hard to figure out how real all of this stuff is in Israel. Their politics is like watching NJ, but with nuclear weapons and armed forces. The real question is: what is the solution for long term Israeli security? Netanyahu isn't teasing people - he's made his strategy clear: do nothing with serious negotiations and continue to play out with the facts on the ground. Facts on the ground = increasing settlements and waiting for actions to take place on the other side that might make negotiations favorable. The risk is that external players won't cooperate: e.g. another intifada or an outright war with Hamas or Hezbollah with more videos of children being killed as they are used as shields.
3
Lets balance this government against the Palestinian Authority, which uses foreign aid to pay the families of terrorists, whose leaders steal literally hundreds of millions of those dollars to pad their foreign bank accounts, whose nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize and potential next leader is a convicted murderer with the blood of innocents on his hands and is now serving a number of life sentences. If people like Mr. Friedman spent half as much time telling the true story of Palestinian intentions, Israels actions would be much more understandable to Americans. As it is people like Mr. Friedman, and the racist propaganda master James Zogby (who was chosen by Bernie Sanders to be on the Democratic party platform) focus exclusively on Israel and its shortcomings nothing, I mean NOTHING will happen on the peace front. Peace will be achieved when the Palestinians realize that the deal they get today will be better than the one they get tomorrow which will be better than the one they get the next day. They have already rejected a number of generous peace offers. Where is the hand wringing about them?
15
Why does Tom Friedman's characterization of Netanyahu remind me of the Republican party's presumptive nominee for the American presidency?
3
"It's scary to see horrifying developments that took place in Europe begin to unfold here." Netanyahu, like Sharon before him, is providing the greatest service to the cause of Palestine. The broader world has long been against Israel's appartheid system. European "friends" have lost patience. Now the United States, Israel's strongest and most staunch ally, is weary of the troubles. Suppression and violence, collective punishment, the destruction of homes, orchards, farmland, walls, illegal settlements, lopsided wars of 10's of casualties to thousands, like a great storm surge is undermining the foundations of the ideal of a Jewish state. Nice to see a Minnesota boy like Friedman nail it on the head. Sad it took so long for a voice that can't be accused of being anti-Semitic clearly accessing the grim logical progression of a rapidly deteriorating situation. Netanyahu is what you get when fear votes!
3
Re: BDS, a pressure group that brings economic pressure on Isreal to do the right thing is the only approach that will work. This is how apartheid was dismantled in South Africa.
7
Netanyahu is a destructive right wing demagogue. It is no wonder he has been embraced by our GOP leaders. He has shown disrespect for President Obama- a president elected twice by the American people, and thereby , disrespecting the American people.
I am not surprised when they state they do not care about the opinions of the American Jews or anyone else. They are putting fuel on the fire.
I hope this is a lesson for potential Trump supporters. No good can come of a radical right leader. I doubt however, the Trump supporters know much about world politics.
I am not surprised when they state they do not care about the opinions of the American Jews or anyone else. They are putting fuel on the fire.
I hope this is a lesson for potential Trump supporters. No good can come of a radical right leader. I doubt however, the Trump supporters know much about world politics.
2
As long as Bibi the partisan take care of myself over all else politician is in charge, there is no hope for any kind of settlement or peace. Yes, Hamas and others are terrorist organizations and Bibi is an elected terrorist.
5
Whenever anyone sounds the alarm bells on settlements in Israel causing a permanent occupation, the supporters of settlements start screetching about every other ill in the world. There may be plenty of other ills in the world, which does not excuse this one. And the horrible irony is, the permenancy of the occupation, and the ugliness of the movement justifying the occupation are terrible for the long term viability of Israel.
5
The only recourse is for the US is to get serious and stop financing the Israeli state occupation of Palestine. We are now supporting a reactionary nationalist government that is in violation of international law. This make the US a hypocrite and degrades our standing in the world.
6
This "dark hour" has been going on for a long time. The willingness of The diaspora to accept the propaganda put out by Israel is appalling. I have met Palestinians brutally displaced, who as children watched their relatives murdered in 1948. I did not believe them because as a child I was told what a wonderful thing Zionism and the Kibbutzim were doing. Over the years, the reality is becoming manifest. Overt genocide is the goal, in order to appropriate resources. Like an abused child grown, Isreal reverts to the philosophy of the Shoah.
7
Please tell me what national interest the United States has that informs us to give this country another pile of our money? I prefer infrastructure repair at home rather then sending our funds to Israel.
8
More wily but uncritical Zionism from Mr Friedman. The situation that he describes was not an inevitable outcome of the creation of Israel, but neither is it a totally unexpected one. Mr Friedman's analysis would be more robust if he acknowledged this reality and incorporated it into that analysis.
1
Netanyahu and Lieberman are merely symptoms of Israel's move towards the conservative right wing. The furtherance of this change is the Orthodox religion. As with the extreme types of all religions it cannot compromise its tenants because of god. The secular tolerance enjoyed by this group not only strengthens it, it also speaks volumes of the larger society within which it exists. Israel is becoming more conservative and its kibbutz loving liberal beliefs are receding. But it is not irreversible.
1
So often, when the United States acts in ways some dislike, many will comment here with statements such as “I am ashamed for my country.” Such expressions are to be decried; the dissenters may be right to be unhappy with an action – but that action is one of the current administration. Administrations change, but the bedrock of what our country stands for remains, unshaken. Defend it, don’t defame it.
The Knesset is not a Jewish monolith. The Israeli constitution specifically allocates representation in the Knesset in proportion to each political party’s proportion of Israel’s population. Fully 20% of Israelis are Arabs, and they are so represented there. That does not vary with changes in administration.
Whatever disagreements one may have with Israel’s current administration, that does not justify condemnation of the country – the only true democracy in the Mid East. In that sense: It is an outpost of America, of American values, American tolerance. Indeed it frequently applies those principals better than we do here – and does so under all administrations. Even under what many here consider a far Right administration, for example, the rights of its Arab citizens remain unchallenged, undamaged.
It is in America’s interest that Israel – our one true ally in the area – remain strong. That holds true independent of Israel’s administration. Administrations change, there and here, but the principles do not.
The Knesset is not a Jewish monolith. The Israeli constitution specifically allocates representation in the Knesset in proportion to each political party’s proportion of Israel’s population. Fully 20% of Israelis are Arabs, and they are so represented there. That does not vary with changes in administration.
Whatever disagreements one may have with Israel’s current administration, that does not justify condemnation of the country – the only true democracy in the Mid East. In that sense: It is an outpost of America, of American values, American tolerance. Indeed it frequently applies those principals better than we do here – and does so under all administrations. Even under what many here consider a far Right administration, for example, the rights of its Arab citizens remain unchallenged, undamaged.
It is in America’s interest that Israel – our one true ally in the area – remain strong. That holds true independent of Israel’s administration. Administrations change, there and here, but the principles do not.
12
It is within Israel's power to change things for the good of Israel by the policies and actions it takes in the West Bank and Gaza with the Palestinians.
The blaming of the Palestinians for the actions taken and the opportunities not offered them are Israels decisions alone. Whether justified or not, how can peace or mutual consent exist when one party decides everything to be whilst the other never gets what it should have but cannot because another decides whether or not.
As long as this relationship exists of one power controlling the fate of another, no agreements can be made nor met.
The result is desperation for which the answer is justification and so it continues forever.
Neither people benefit and neither have the peace that BOTH logic and each surely desire unless some basic tenets change.
The blaming of the Palestinians for the actions taken and the opportunities not offered them are Israels decisions alone. Whether justified or not, how can peace or mutual consent exist when one party decides everything to be whilst the other never gets what it should have but cannot because another decides whether or not.
As long as this relationship exists of one power controlling the fate of another, no agreements can be made nor met.
The result is desperation for which the answer is justification and so it continues forever.
Neither people benefit and neither have the peace that BOTH logic and each surely desire unless some basic tenets change.
3
Friedman may be underestimating what's to come. Let's us remember Lieberman's proposals to deport the arabs from the lands of Israel. Remember those scenes from the 1940's, the cattle cars being loaded.
5
See the video of the soldier killing a Palestinian who had stabbed another soldier while the Palestinian lies on the ground prone and injured from being shot previously presumably during the stabbing attack. You can disagree the initial stabbing (I think Palestinians should use non-violent protest - both more moral and effective in the long run), but you cannot call it terrorism - someone living under military occupation deemed illegal under international law attacks a uniformed soldier (not a civilian) is NOT terrorism. Palestinians have clearly committed terrorism - killing innocent men, women and children in Occupied Territories and within Israel, but that alleged stabbing was not terrorism. But soldiers also have the right to defend themselves. What is chilling is not just how calmly and routinely the soldier shoots an injured man (the threat of further knife attack or suicide vest are clearly lies - you don't shoot at suicide vest and risk a miss that might set off bomb when the threat is clearly contained), but just how routinely all the other soldiers react - as if nothing unusual happened. It looks very much like an extrajudicial revenge killing (a court should decide) - what apparently happens all the time and what a clear majority of Israelis want more not less of - what IDF leadership wants to contain, but politicians like Netyanahu want to inflame.
5
I am old now and have watched Israel for many years, with full confidence at first in its rightness, its basic decency, the decency of its people in Israel and around the world, the decency of the Jews throughout history, both in their faith and their living. Confident that its decency would prevail, must surely prevail, no matter how long it might take, and it would make peace and security for itself and the region.
For a long time now my hope has been faltering. Yes, the Palestinians have missed opportunities to succeed, but Israel has for long been pursuing policies that finally have become what inevitably must fail. My faltering hope now feels like it is dying a long slow death of starving. I feel I understand enough [partly from reading Friedman's writings for years] about the makings of the failure to see where this is going. My loss of hope is a loss of hope that Israel will ever go back to trying to succeed.
When you get to a point where your only strategy is to dig in and never change, you eventually bury yourself.
I can only weep.
For a long time now my hope has been faltering. Yes, the Palestinians have missed opportunities to succeed, but Israel has for long been pursuing policies that finally have become what inevitably must fail. My faltering hope now feels like it is dying a long slow death of starving. I feel I understand enough [partly from reading Friedman's writings for years] about the makings of the failure to see where this is going. My loss of hope is a loss of hope that Israel will ever go back to trying to succeed.
When you get to a point where your only strategy is to dig in and never change, you eventually bury yourself.
I can only weep.
122
As in many other instants the facts presented in the opinion piece are all correct, but omit much important context. Mr Lieberman's appointment comes on the heels of about a year long on-off negotiations with the opposition labor party lead, Mr Herzog. Apparently Mr. Netanyahu's first choice was to add the center-left labor party to his coalition government. This was most likely foiled by Mr Herzog's inability to unite his own party behind himself and to lead his party into Mr Netanyahu's present coalition government. Mr Netanyahu's ruling coalition party relies on a majority of one. It is therefore understandable that Mr. Netanyhu seeks to widen his coalition in order to achieve a stable majority, that could possibly negotiate with the Palestinians.
While it is also true that there was friction between Mr Netanyahu and Mr. Yaalon over Maj. Gen. Yair Golan's remarks during Holocaust Remembrance Day, the desire to widen Mr. Netanyahu's coalition government definitely played a part. Mr. Lieberman wanted to be appointed defense minister in exchange for joining the coalition. Mr. Netanyahu offered Mr Yaalon the post of foreign minister, but the later did not accept the offer.
It is also instructive to recall former ambassador Indyk's comments on Mr Lieberman's appointment: Mr. Lieberman is a pragmatist, and is not an obstacle to peace.
While it is also true that there was friction between Mr Netanyahu and Mr. Yaalon over Maj. Gen. Yair Golan's remarks during Holocaust Remembrance Day, the desire to widen Mr. Netanyahu's coalition government definitely played a part. Mr. Lieberman wanted to be appointed defense minister in exchange for joining the coalition. Mr. Netanyahu offered Mr Yaalon the post of foreign minister, but the later did not accept the offer.
It is also instructive to recall former ambassador Indyk's comments on Mr Lieberman's appointment: Mr. Lieberman is a pragmatist, and is not an obstacle to peace.
4
Wait this can't be the same guy the Republicans were giving standing ovations to in Congress, offering him blank checks in military aid, and heaping criticism and contempt for Obama's sour relationship with. In a recent documentary where the Heads of Israel security forces over the last several decades were interviewed, they all agreed Netanyahu was a petty politician only concerned about his own political career. Given the history of the Jewish people, that they would turn to such a man is one of the most disillusioning facts in the Mid East among many.
1
BDS is not an attempt to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique any more than a similar campaign was an attempt to destroy South Africa. BDS is an effort to light a fire under the intransigent Likudniks and force Israel to take a stiff dose of reality.
All politics aside, Israel has a serious geographic and demographic problem. They have seriously limited resources and are vastly outnumbered by neighbors who have vastly larger numbers. At some point Israel is going to have to come to terms with it's place in the world- quite literally.
Many Americans are more than through with the lip service Israel has been giving successive US Presidents all the while doing exactly what will not bring a just and reasonable solution to the problems of the Levant. We are frustrated at he outsized impact and influence that the US policy toward Israel has over so much of our foreign policy and national security policy. This is not something driven by hatred or ignorance- it is driven by a desire to see justice and peace for all peoples in the region.
There is a space on the political spectrum for people of good will who do not blindly follow Likud policy but do not hate people based upon their race, ethnicity or faith. Unfortunately, many accuse anyone not willing to blindly support Israel as being anti-Semitic. No reasonable person disputes that there are some anti-Semitic people who use BDS for cover, but that is not the purpose or intent of the majority who support it.
All politics aside, Israel has a serious geographic and demographic problem. They have seriously limited resources and are vastly outnumbered by neighbors who have vastly larger numbers. At some point Israel is going to have to come to terms with it's place in the world- quite literally.
Many Americans are more than through with the lip service Israel has been giving successive US Presidents all the while doing exactly what will not bring a just and reasonable solution to the problems of the Levant. We are frustrated at he outsized impact and influence that the US policy toward Israel has over so much of our foreign policy and national security policy. This is not something driven by hatred or ignorance- it is driven by a desire to see justice and peace for all peoples in the region.
There is a space on the political spectrum for people of good will who do not blindly follow Likud policy but do not hate people based upon their race, ethnicity or faith. Unfortunately, many accuse anyone not willing to blindly support Israel as being anti-Semitic. No reasonable person disputes that there are some anti-Semitic people who use BDS for cover, but that is not the purpose or intent of the majority who support it.
116
The current political alignment in Israel has been in the making for years. There is no peace process and the media should stop reporting statements from politicians claiming that there is one.
The Netanyahu policy has been slow annexation and steady ethnic cleansing of Palestine. For Gaza the policy has been maintain it as the worlds largest minimum security open air prison and occasional conduct raids to surpass any inmate insurrections. The entire world knows this, but in the US members of congress and candidates for the presidency are allowed to simply "proclaim support for Israel" as if they are choosing to root for their favorite baseball team.
The lives of 4 million Palestinians under the worlds longest military occupation have been written off. International law has been completely discarded and human rights has become qualified by one's ethnicity.
These practices are unlikely to change in the short run. But we can at least demand that our media actually function like a free press. Don't let politicians get away with the "I support" nonsense anymore. Ask do you support the annexation of Palestine into Israel? Do you support full citizenship for Palestinians? Do you support the embargo and impoverishment of Gaza? Palestinians are currently a stateless people with no rights, what should the US policy toward them be? In other words ask about the real facts and demand real answers. The US remains deeply enmeshed in the region. We should know how and why?
The Netanyahu policy has been slow annexation and steady ethnic cleansing of Palestine. For Gaza the policy has been maintain it as the worlds largest minimum security open air prison and occasional conduct raids to surpass any inmate insurrections. The entire world knows this, but in the US members of congress and candidates for the presidency are allowed to simply "proclaim support for Israel" as if they are choosing to root for their favorite baseball team.
The lives of 4 million Palestinians under the worlds longest military occupation have been written off. International law has been completely discarded and human rights has become qualified by one's ethnicity.
These practices are unlikely to change in the short run. But we can at least demand that our media actually function like a free press. Don't let politicians get away with the "I support" nonsense anymore. Ask do you support the annexation of Palestine into Israel? Do you support full citizenship for Palestinians? Do you support the embargo and impoverishment of Gaza? Palestinians are currently a stateless people with no rights, what should the US policy toward them be? In other words ask about the real facts and demand real answers. The US remains deeply enmeshed in the region. We should know how and why?
130
I haven't publicly supported "boycott, divestment, and sanctions," but to say that they are a move to "destroy Israel" is like saying that similar efforts in the 1970s were an effort to "destroy South Africa." They were not and are not. They were efforts to replace apartheid South Africa with a free South Africa, and are an effort to replace the apartheid "State of Israel-Palestine" in Friedman's terms with a free one.
8
This is why Mitch McConnell and Netanyahu get along so well. Both sacrifice effective governing on the altar of winning elections. Staying in office and maintaining power are the only goals.
4
Almost 50 years of occupation of the West Bank has I believe poisoned the soul of the Jewish people of Israel. The future will not be kind to this nation as it veers toward a totalitarian state.
Hopefully this series of events will startle the population into reality and common sense will prevail.
Hopefully this series of events will startle the population into reality and common sense will prevail.
5
While I don't necessarily disagree with the author's analysis of the prime minister here, his description of the killing of the wounded terrorist is completely one sided. It does account for the soldier's explanation and his fears at the moment. The author seems to imply that all supporters of the soldier must support extra-judicial killing of terrorists. This is disingenuous and dangerous, feeding into the lie pushed by the Palestinians to distract from the fact that many among them support terror against innocent civilians. While there are extremists in Israel who hold such views, they are a very small fraction of society and have been wholly rejected by the government and the vast majority of the people of Israel.
5
Israel is a sovereign nation. They have every right to put any Trump like appointment they wish. This move does not hurt the Two state solution battle. That ended a very long time ago. It does remove any false belief that if the right situation were to appear and the US and the international community provides enough incentives they would begin to talk about talking about talking about a Two-state solution. Netanyahu has removed the veil. Their solution has never been two states. They have been moving, with the development of E1 that there solution is to isolate the Palestinians to tiny surrounded Bantu like islands. Palestinian movement from island to island would be controlled by IDF forces. I only hope that Obama decides to not act on the raise in Israel's US allowance. They are now talking about becoming friendly with Russia. Great, pretty sure they are not going to give them an allowance of 4 Billion a year. It should be asked why are we still providing that much to their budget every year. Israel has no national strategic interest for us. When we started giving them a yearly allowance they gave us a post in the middle east during the cold war. Now they are talking about talking with the Russians. At some point the kids have to grow up and stand on their own two feet. Time for Obama to get rid of Israel's allowance. Even your own kids have to do some chores to get their allowance.
3
The BDS movement is indeed a policy critique. Where does this accusation of sinister motives come from?
2
Just finishing watching the documentary of interviews with all the past heads of Israel's secret service and was surprised that every leader repeated the same theme: the army/secret service cannot solve the Palestinian situation---it must be a political solution and it must involve some form of compromise. Each, also, expressed concern about being used as a political tool by whoever was Prime Minister---which they all resented. I wish the generals in our country came across as this thoughtful.
2
The last time I checked, a full two-thirds of Israeli citizens wished that they had a second passport from another country, preferably the United States. I am sure that this statistic reflects the constant fear present in a country where occupation and conflict are a daily fact of life.
With such a metric for its future, what is Israel doing today that will change the vector that it has established for its political future? What will happen today that will make tomorrow any different than yesterday? Without a concrete path towards peace in the future, Israel will become little more than a military outpost surrounded by a sea of hostility.
Good luck with that plan; it has been tried before throughout history with little success.
With such a metric for its future, what is Israel doing today that will change the vector that it has established for its political future? What will happen today that will make tomorrow any different than yesterday? Without a concrete path towards peace in the future, Israel will become little more than a military outpost surrounded by a sea of hostility.
Good luck with that plan; it has been tried before throughout history with little success.
2
Nobody with power wants this tragedy to end.
Ultranationalists in Israel want as much territory as they can take and hold on to, and their actions prove their understanding that there is no historical right of return.
Meanwhile, the opposition enjoys having an easy bad guy to point fingers at and shore up their base, because it is always easier to ask questions than to be held to answer them.
A moderate Israel would be a death knell for Hamas, as their survival depends on a spiteful and suicidal denouncement of Israel's right to exist as a nation-state. It is a lot harder to convince your supporters to run head first into the vastly superior firepower of the IDF when the other side just wants to talk. Israel also aids Islamic extremists by existing as a perpetual boogeyman to blame for everything.
American Republicans savor any chance to undermine President Obama, and in Netanyahu they have a means to criticize our sitting President that does not force us to look at the Republicans' own bankrupt domestic and foreign policies.
The State Department knows better than to undermine the strength of our closest ally in the Middle East. Israel is vital to the US armed forces as a staging ground and ally in the fight against regional extremism.
If this status quo is to change significantly, at least one of the players listed above will have to lose, big time. They do not want to lose, and so they will fight. And it will be messy for everyone.
Ultranationalists in Israel want as much territory as they can take and hold on to, and their actions prove their understanding that there is no historical right of return.
Meanwhile, the opposition enjoys having an easy bad guy to point fingers at and shore up their base, because it is always easier to ask questions than to be held to answer them.
A moderate Israel would be a death knell for Hamas, as their survival depends on a spiteful and suicidal denouncement of Israel's right to exist as a nation-state. It is a lot harder to convince your supporters to run head first into the vastly superior firepower of the IDF when the other side just wants to talk. Israel also aids Islamic extremists by existing as a perpetual boogeyman to blame for everything.
American Republicans savor any chance to undermine President Obama, and in Netanyahu they have a means to criticize our sitting President that does not force us to look at the Republicans' own bankrupt domestic and foreign policies.
The State Department knows better than to undermine the strength of our closest ally in the Middle East. Israel is vital to the US armed forces as a staging ground and ally in the fight against regional extremism.
If this status quo is to change significantly, at least one of the players listed above will have to lose, big time. They do not want to lose, and so they will fight. And it will be messy for everyone.
1
It's been a long dark hour for me. I have practically turned away from Israel as a place that I can care about anymore or even want to visit. And I don't say this lightly coming from a religious family, today many living in Israel, a strong Jewish background. I am morally offended by the behavior of my people.
Ultimately it is up to the Israeli's: to be complicit ( as they are seen by some now) or to change this. The words "two state solution" mean nothing or worse. It's a way to appease that we are supposed to believe. The US needs to stop enabling Israel. There should be no multibillion dollar deal that is unconditional for starters.
With Hillary Clinton or (God help us) Donald Trump as president I have absolutely no hope that things will change here. And the Democratic platform committee, whatever they come up with, I have no hope will matter at all.
It's time for Israel to change dramatically or suffer the consequences without at least my lost sympathy.
Ultimately it is up to the Israeli's: to be complicit ( as they are seen by some now) or to change this. The words "two state solution" mean nothing or worse. It's a way to appease that we are supposed to believe. The US needs to stop enabling Israel. There should be no multibillion dollar deal that is unconditional for starters.
With Hillary Clinton or (God help us) Donald Trump as president I have absolutely no hope that things will change here. And the Democratic platform committee, whatever they come up with, I have no hope will matter at all.
It's time for Israel to change dramatically or suffer the consequences without at least my lost sympathy.
4
It's to their shame that the Palestinians rejected Olmert's reasonable offer of a compromise-based peace. This rejection may justify a perception that a temporary Israeli occupation of the West Bank is necessary as a hedge against suicide bombers until an eventual compromise is reached. But how does this rejection justify the land seizure for settlements, which precludes the possibility of there ever being peace? In fact, it doesn't, but for the Netanyahu government, land, not peace, was always the desideratum.
2
And at this moment we are arranging for the largest 10 year military aide package ever created, all to benefit Isreal.
I can't stand how my tax dollars are buying bulldozers so the Isrealis can demolish the houses of family members of murdered Palestinians. Our taxes are directly supporting a fascist state. That needs to end now.
I can't stand how my tax dollars are buying bulldozers so the Isrealis can demolish the houses of family members of murdered Palestinians. Our taxes are directly supporting a fascist state. That needs to end now.
8
BDS is the only solution to this problem. Only when the money stops flowing do people come to their senses. It worked in South Africa and it will work in Israel if given half a chance.
9
Another sadly disingenuous column from Mr. Friedman. The idea of Israel as a "Democratic Jewish" state (A land for a people for a people without land, as the saying goes.) has been problematic from the very beginning. First, it required belief in the obvious falsehood that the land was devoid of people and wide open for colonization. Second, as many of these supposedly non-existent people within Israel's borders were Muslims or Christians where did they fit in in the polity of of the "Democratic Jewish" state? Not surprisingly, given the Jewish qualifier of what kind of state it would be, they haven't "fit in." Rather, for nearly 70 years they have been treated as second class citizens, as would any North American, European, or Asian who happened to land there and didn't meet the strict definition of who were the privileged class in that nation. Their's is not a definition of democracy that most people would recognize. The bullet to the head administered by Elor Azaria to the immobilized Palestinian was done with a casual arrogance and, while an extreme example in the present, speaks to the power structure in that country and the daily abuses that are heaped on the 2nd class citizens of that country with impunity. So stop peddling the nonsense of a two state solution, Mr. Friedman. It is dead because it was never alive. Bringing it up is a dodge to distract while more settlements are built in the occupied West Bank. And those settlers are never leaving.
5
The appointment of Avigdor Lieberman is yet another guarantee of increased IDF and Israeli security forces escalating state sponsored violence against the Palestinians. Netanyahu is seen by the rest of the west as a war criminal while the US remains silent on how Israel manages its occupation of the territories lead by the ultra right wing Likud.
4
Friedman accurately describes the B.D.S. movement based on its unrealistic goals that would indeed destroy Israel. A return to pre '67 borders and right of return of all Palestinians are clearly non starters and naive goals in light of the complexity of the '67 defensive war and related discussions involving land swaps. This is hardly a black and white situation, but B.D.S. supporters view it this way and frankly are either misguided, or don't give a whit about the reason for Israel's existence, a sanctuary for Jews in an increasingly hostile world.
9
An Israel-Palestine state? No, don’t sugar coat what's going on in Israel with neologisms like that. Israel and Netanyahu are in the process of turning Israel into Jewish theocracy, a state run by and for orthodox Jewry where Palestinians are treated as second class citizens with limited, if any, rights.
The ironic part about it is that, unless Israel plans on expelling the Palestinians from the West Bank of the Jordan River, what they are doing can't work. Besides the fact that Israel's demographics doom this strategy to failure, the strategy depends on Israel's enemies continuing to be disunited fools more interested in killing each other than destroying Israel. However, one of history’s lessons is that no people continues to play the fool forever. Fortune’s wheel always turns, and, if Israel continues on its present course, when it turns again in favor of the Arabs Israel will be destroyed by the fallout of its own theocratic hubris.
The ironic part about it is that, unless Israel plans on expelling the Palestinians from the West Bank of the Jordan River, what they are doing can't work. Besides the fact that Israel's demographics doom this strategy to failure, the strategy depends on Israel's enemies continuing to be disunited fools more interested in killing each other than destroying Israel. However, one of history’s lessons is that no people continues to play the fool forever. Fortune’s wheel always turns, and, if Israel continues on its present course, when it turns again in favor of the Arabs Israel will be destroyed by the fallout of its own theocratic hubris.
6
Until the American Congress takes these changes in Israel seriously read: cut funding there will be no check on Netanyahu.
4
Thank you Thomas for dragging Avigdor Lieberman out of the shadows. Mr. Lieberman was pointed out some time ago in Haraatz as being the go between concerning Israel and the Jewish Oligarchs involved in the Ukrainian coup. It was Lieberman who had the secret meeting with Poroschenko in Israel days before his annointing as "President" of Ukraine. We are playing with fire here, our support of the coup is widely accepted and universally loathed, by allowing a few power crazed oligarchs to toss out a countries duly elected President(on corruption charges as if everyone in the region isn't)and carve it up into their personal fiefdoms, adding to this the chutzpah of asking American and European taxpayers to pay for it is beyond the pale. Russia is not Palestine, to allow Israel and A.I.P.A.C. to suck us into a military confrontation with Putin is insane(and supported by Clinton). There was a falling out among thieves when Kolomoisky got into it with Poroschenko, so there's hope, destroying each other would be the best outcome. To continue to support A.I.P.A.C. and their shill Hillary is deadly, we must cut Bibis right wing government loose, under the Likud leadership Israel has become everything they were fleeing when the nascent state of Israel was created on May 14th 1948. The take away from Mr. Friedmans change of heart should be that the situation is dire and we need a President to extricate us from this mess, the only canidate not pandering to A.I.P.A.C. is Bernie Sanders.
7
The US needs to grow a backbone and tell Israel that either you stop building settlements and work on the two state solution or we cut off the close to 4 billion $ in aid every year.
10
Does it really matter what Mr. Friedman and his readers think about BDS or about Mr. Netanyahu? Regardless of its surrender to right-wing extremism, the Likud Party and the state of Israel will nevertheless be rewarded with a treasure trove of US dollars. This from Defense News:
"TEL AVIV — To facilitate Israel’s long-term planning and spending needs, US President Barack Obama's administration is offering Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a consolidated aid package that essentially guarantees expanded top-line funding from State Department and Pentagon accounts each year for the next decade, starting in 2018. ... An Israeli cabinet minister told Defense News that the Obama administration’s proposed package would start at $3.8 billion for the first two or three years and grow incrementally until it reached a combined 10-year total of “more than $40 billion.”"
"TEL AVIV — To facilitate Israel’s long-term planning and spending needs, US President Barack Obama's administration is offering Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a consolidated aid package that essentially guarantees expanded top-line funding from State Department and Pentagon accounts each year for the next decade, starting in 2018. ... An Israeli cabinet minister told Defense News that the Obama administration’s proposed package would start at $3.8 billion for the first two or three years and grow incrementally until it reached a combined 10-year total of “more than $40 billion.”"
As long as US politicians continue to be bought off to provide no questions asked taxpayer provide support, nothing should change with our relationship with Israel.
What US voters think is irrelevant
Unlimited campaign contributions can buy anyone happiness, no matter what the price, or the damage
It is that simple...Netanyahu know this and is taking advantage of it...and getting away with it to boot
What US voters think is irrelevant
Unlimited campaign contributions can buy anyone happiness, no matter what the price, or the damage
It is that simple...Netanyahu know this and is taking advantage of it...and getting away with it to boot
9
Putin. Netanyahu. Trump. Self-serving, dangerous, opportunistic bullies. This will not turn out well. As for Israel, I wish Obama were taking a tougher stance on just how many American tax payers' dollars are being shoveled towards an ungrateful ally like Netanyahu. We just keep doling out the money -- which never seems enough for the Prime Minister -- and Netanyahu continues to thumb his nose.
9
The IDF is a people's army. It is more representative of the Israeli population than Netanyahu and Lieberman, who are in fact widely despised in Israel. The IDF will not give an inch to Lieberman, because he is utterly incompetent in the serious business of defending the country and its internal stability. This is political theatrics in Netanyahu's signature style: bad taste.
6
It looks to me as if Netanyahu is engaged in slow-motion ethnic cleansing, taking over the "occupied territories / Palestine." It might take a century and Bibi will never live to see it but this seems to be where Israel is heading. Push the Palestinians out, all the way until there is only Eretz Israel. The United States will bring shame on itself if it continues to support Israeli governments that pursue such a policy.
10
Both Clinton and Trump have given Israel a blank check to do what it wants. This blank check won't be good forever. It's understandable that Netanyahu would consolidate Israel's position while this political window lasts.
2
"...he could not care less what American Jews think about how Israel is behaving". To be fair, why should he care? Should a country run their affairs entirely based on how others outside the country believe they should run it, even if they share the same religion? Do we look to Christians outside of our country to tell us how to run it? Since American Jews do not live under the constant threat of Palestinian terrorism, we cannot tell Israeli Jews how to best respond to it. Put up or shut up - if you aren't going to move to Israel, maybe you should trust them to use their best judgment in dealing with their own problems.
1
The only "Democracy" in the Middle East is finally showing its true color.
You can hide truth for so long but eventually it will surface. It is bleak future for everyone in this region.
You can hide truth for so long but eventually it will surface. It is bleak future for everyone in this region.
2
Israel's behavior is probably better than most other middle east states, but that is hardly the standard that most people have for it. For people of conscience it is getting essentially impossible to have the sort of fellow feeling for it that we did, say, in the latter part of the 20th century.
Of course the moral qualms of Americans are nothing if our legislators are purchased. And they are. In fact, our foreign policy in the middle east is so thoroughly bought off by Israeli and, to a lesser extent, Saudi backers that it constitutes the single biggest argument for campaign finance reform. Forget the energy lobby, the NRA, and even banking interests: the fecklessness of our legislators with respect to bad behavior in this part of the world is the gold standard of proof that corruption reigns in Washington.
Of course the moral qualms of Americans are nothing if our legislators are purchased. And they are. In fact, our foreign policy in the middle east is so thoroughly bought off by Israeli and, to a lesser extent, Saudi backers that it constitutes the single biggest argument for campaign finance reform. Forget the energy lobby, the NRA, and even banking interests: the fecklessness of our legislators with respect to bad behavior in this part of the world is the gold standard of proof that corruption reigns in Washington.
4
It is time for this country to reconsider whether it is in America's interest to support an old testament theocracy in the Middle East.
8
The situation, as it applies to the U.S. presidential race, begs for the wisdom of Jimmy Carter, exemplified today by Bernie Sanders. The other candidates offer more of the same failed policies
4
Maybe this is the first spark toward a great war involving the Anglo-Saxon nations in the next 5 to 8 years, Our last great war was World War II, 80 to 84 years and 4 generations later. See the book 'The 4th Turning' for our cyclical history reaching back to 1689, when we were an English colony.
Why are we about to reward this country with an unprecedented 10-year military aid package, at a time when our infrastructure and services are chronically underfunded. You want my vote in November? Negotiate this drastically downwards.
5
So now we need to prepare ourselves for the "good cop / bad cop" routine, to mask the continued theft of land and resources.
5
This cannot be true. It was our Republicans in congress who invited him to speak and lecture our President.
3
Reason and humanity are rapidly disappearing. Anger and hate are the new norm - fueled by Twitter and instant messaging. Extremist politicians appeal to a few. The future? Who knows - the decline and fall of civilization - lost to a virtual world.
There is a moment in every drama where the main character, suffering intensely from the central struggle of the story, confronts the choice of transformation: do I become that which I hate or do I transcend it and become something new?
One wonders if Israel is approaching that climax, facing an existential choice of whether it becomes like its own abusive aggressor of the 1930s or whether it transcends its fear and hatred and becomes something else.
Will Israel make Anakin's choice, or Luke's?
One wonders if Israel is approaching that climax, facing an existential choice of whether it becomes like its own abusive aggressor of the 1930s or whether it transcends its fear and hatred and becomes something else.
Will Israel make Anakin's choice, or Luke's?
2
Netanyahu, Trump, etc do not work in isolation or do not assume power without a strong base that supports their ideology or philosophy. Democratically elected candidates, even when supported by a large group of people, do not have the best interest of whole community in mind
Tolerance of wrongs done by any party. group of people, or a large community in real time will lead to bold and aggressive presentation of narrow self centered or ethno centric perspectives in future. This is not unique to Israel. just look around in US and Europe.
People who care for Israel should be very worried about where the country is going. I wonder if it is too late now as the horse has left the barn already! You cant prevent a fire, when the building is already burning. You can only control the damage if you act decisively and rapidly. Otherwise, there will be plenty of time to look at the ruins and wonder when and where did it start, how could it have been stopped. why did not we see the smoke and react to it etc. Too little too late! sad.
Tolerance of wrongs done by any party. group of people, or a large community in real time will lead to bold and aggressive presentation of narrow self centered or ethno centric perspectives in future. This is not unique to Israel. just look around in US and Europe.
People who care for Israel should be very worried about where the country is going. I wonder if it is too late now as the horse has left the barn already! You cant prevent a fire, when the building is already burning. You can only control the damage if you act decisively and rapidly. Otherwise, there will be plenty of time to look at the ruins and wonder when and where did it start, how could it have been stopped. why did not we see the smoke and react to it etc. Too little too late! sad.
2
If Mr. Friedman has not yet noticed, nothing the US has done to coax or cajole leaders in the middle east has been good for the region. Our military escapades in the middle east are an extreme example of just how much damage we can do when claiming to be "helping." It is long past time to recognize that we are never going to make things better by providing money, troops, guns, fighter jets, bombs or anything other than food and medical supplies, which are arguably the only things that might actually do some good for the people of the middle east.
2
Thomas Friedman's in congruous statement about the BDS movement may have turned out to be a strategic error. Perhaps its widespread condemnation in these comments was not anticipated.
When governments fail to act in a moral manner, the people will.
When governments fail to act in a moral manner, the people will.
7
I believe Isreal, as it is now, is evil. I support the Palestinians, even though they also have major problems.
The biggest problem here, however, is religion. For the ten millionth time in history, two magical religions are killing each other in the name of God's that either don't care or don't exist. Religion is the most evil thing human beings ever invented. The Jews have always had a pass because of historical repression, but I think they have finally lost that pass after killing so many Palestinians.
Why does God seem to always equal intolerance, hatred, and death? If God does exist, he is surely out to destroy humanity, not help it.
The biggest problem here, however, is religion. For the ten millionth time in history, two magical religions are killing each other in the name of God's that either don't care or don't exist. Religion is the most evil thing human beings ever invented. The Jews have always had a pass because of historical repression, but I think they have finally lost that pass after killing so many Palestinians.
Why does God seem to always equal intolerance, hatred, and death? If God does exist, he is surely out to destroy humanity, not help it.
2
Netanyahu's appointment of Lieberman was a god-send for the BDS movement. So Thomas Friedman feels it necessary to counteract by attempting to demonize the movement. In doing so, he has become a Hasbara suspect.
8
I am refraining from stating the obvious about life in this combustible century and the need for restraint, negotiation and realistic solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems in the middle east. No doubt if Trump is elected president, he and Netanyahu will get along swimmingly. Frightening!
2
Boycott, divestment, sanctions is a movement to destroy apartheid, precisely as it was with South Africa.
10
So: Yaalon: “Extremist and dangerous forces have taken over Israel and the Likud movement and are destabilizing our home and threatening to harm its inhabitants.”
Ehud Barak: “What has happened is a hostile takeover of the Israeli government by dangerous elements.”
Yet, even still, the US State Department announces that nothing will affect negotiations (negotiations for a handout!! And what does THAT tell you???) for Israel's latest multi-billion-dollar aid package, the European Union will no doubt do nothing too, and Friedman says 'the “boycott, divestment, sanctions” (B.D.S.) campaign, is a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique.'
Not making too much sense, Tom. Isn't there some line somewhere -- as a matter of fact, it's one Jewish groups repeat endlessly -- that says the only thing needed for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing?
How is that not BDS in action?
Ehud Barak: “What has happened is a hostile takeover of the Israeli government by dangerous elements.”
Yet, even still, the US State Department announces that nothing will affect negotiations (negotiations for a handout!! And what does THAT tell you???) for Israel's latest multi-billion-dollar aid package, the European Union will no doubt do nothing too, and Friedman says 'the “boycott, divestment, sanctions” (B.D.S.) campaign, is a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique.'
Not making too much sense, Tom. Isn't there some line somewhere -- as a matter of fact, it's one Jewish groups repeat endlessly -- that says the only thing needed for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing?
How is that not BDS in action?
7
The no. 1 myth is the labeling of “settlements” as the primary obstacle to peace. The true barrier is the same one it has always been : the so-called “right of return” – and the Palestinian’s refusal to recognize Israel’s right to exist as the nation-state of the Jewish people. The Arabs waged war on Israel DECADES BEFORE there was a single “settlement”.
For almost all of Israel's existence before 2001, the left dominated the government. Why did it change? The leftist government offered Arafat virtually EVERYTHING the Palestinian Authority demanded. Arafat's response was to launch the worst wave of terrorism in Israel's history. That destroyed the left. Olmert went even further in 2008. Abbas simply walked away.
Until the "moderate" Palestinians stop glorifying "martyrs" of terror and mass murder, and stop their media, schools, and mosques from educating their people to hate, the people of Israel will continue to believe there is no true partner for peace.
The “moderate” PA does not even include the state of Israel on their maps, for heaven's sake!
There is no Palestinian partner for peace and there never was one. When a Palestinian Sadat emerges, an Israeli government, be it under Netanyahu or another PM, will negotiate a peace based on the principle of two states for two peoples.
For almost all of Israel's existence before 2001, the left dominated the government. Why did it change? The leftist government offered Arafat virtually EVERYTHING the Palestinian Authority demanded. Arafat's response was to launch the worst wave of terrorism in Israel's history. That destroyed the left. Olmert went even further in 2008. Abbas simply walked away.
Until the "moderate" Palestinians stop glorifying "martyrs" of terror and mass murder, and stop their media, schools, and mosques from educating their people to hate, the people of Israel will continue to believe there is no true partner for peace.
The “moderate” PA does not even include the state of Israel on their maps, for heaven's sake!
There is no Palestinian partner for peace and there never was one. When a Palestinian Sadat emerges, an Israeli government, be it under Netanyahu or another PM, will negotiate a peace based on the principle of two states for two peoples.
5
So why are we about to reward this government with a 10-year aid package unprecedented in its generosity, at a time when our infrastructure and services are seriously underfunded. Any candidate who commits to renegotiating this drastically downward will get my consideration in November.
8
Bibi has crossed the Rubicon many times. He crossed it, for example, when he campaigned agaist the reelection of a sitting president in 2012, and he crossed it again when he spoke before the US Congress in 2015 and challenged President Obama's diplomacy despite the US Constitution 1) granting that power to the President, and 2) forbidding foreign leaders from meddling in our affairs.
Executing a prisoner is a war crime and blowing up the Aswan Dam would be an act of terrorism without precedent. But I really don't care what Bibi has to say about anything at this point.
Executing a prisoner is a war crime and blowing up the Aswan Dam would be an act of terrorism without precedent. But I really don't care what Bibi has to say about anything at this point.
9
With Netanyahu there is more at issue then political power. The only logical explanation is that him and his Likud party cronies are involving with corruption with the developers that build the apartments in the West Bank settlements. To lose power would expose the crime. The irrational and destructive political policies must continue, so as to hide the truth and keep the funds flowing.
4
Sometimes you make sense and write clearly with very little ambiguity. The dangers presented in this commentary will have serious medium and long term impact and consequences.
WWII didn't happen overnight, it was a slow inexorable journey to a Eurpean catastrophe. Now the major change is that events and unreasonable decisions in one part of the world will/ can have global impact with unforeseen and unintended consequences.
Mr. Netanyahu has always pandered to a megalomaniacal worldview and his
actions may have a direct correlation to the global instability we all wish to avoid.
WWII didn't happen overnight, it was a slow inexorable journey to a Eurpean catastrophe. Now the major change is that events and unreasonable decisions in one part of the world will/ can have global impact with unforeseen and unintended consequences.
Mr. Netanyahu has always pandered to a megalomaniacal worldview and his
actions may have a direct correlation to the global instability we all wish to avoid.
2
The notion of a religious state and a Deocratic state is at odds; it is a house divided against itself. Additionally, due to its position among a myriad of Arab states, it's minute size and asymmetrical shape, security is a major concern of daily life. Extremists on both sides have been an effective roadblock to a moderate solution. And the passage of time has brought these contradictions to a critical point. There are paths forward, but none that do not involve finally reckoning with the fundamental problems that lay the predicate of the discord. As an American Jew, I am supporting moderation in the process, realizing that hard choices must be made. I can guarantee, American Jews will not tolerate genocide in any form. And despite all the downplaying about what American Jews think, their support has been and continues to be a major buttress of the Jewish state. So tread carefully gentlemen, and remember, we are anointed to be the light to the world.
The problem with 'my way or the highway' thinking is that the highway doesn't always necessarily lead away.
The dilemma of the Middle East is that it represents both a clash of Middle Eastern conservative societies against the progressive forces of the modern world, and at the same time, it is a 'mano-a-mano' clash of Jewish conservatives versus Islamic conservatives.
In essence, their "conservative values" are the same. The problem is in the interpretation of the details, and in who gets to define the basis of control and certainty that's necessary to calm the poltergeists of conservative angst.
The dilemma of the Middle East is that it represents both a clash of Middle Eastern conservative societies against the progressive forces of the modern world, and at the same time, it is a 'mano-a-mano' clash of Jewish conservatives versus Islamic conservatives.
In essence, their "conservative values" are the same. The problem is in the interpretation of the details, and in who gets to define the basis of control and certainty that's necessary to calm the poltergeists of conservative angst.
2
It's a story so old it barely has the strength to be told again.
When those that have been oppressed, when those that never had finally get, the tendency is not to be thankful and thoughtful, but to be rigid and hoarding, to think "I me mine", and, of course, to recycle the worst practices of the oppressors upon any who are thought of as threat.
The Israelis of the right fringe who support Netanyahu's practices come from a place of fear (as well as from a damaging fundamentalist religious perspective); they fear that this thing of theirs, this land and life and power they never had before, is under constant threat and can be taken away any second, so they respond to anyone thought to be takers with boorish, repressive, even genocidal behavior, conveniently forgetting how they were on the other end of that not long ago.
This is almost a psychological inevitability. It can only be countered by contemplative, reasoned government. But there is little appetite for that in Jerusalem, even among moderates, who are always listening for the next explosion.
I can almost guarantee that if the Palestinians woke up tomorrow with their own state, they too would find some threatening scapegoat to repress for a while. Being oppressed teaches the tools of oppression.
The only way out is exhaustion--coupled with a desire for the liberty secularism promotes. And exhaustion takes time--especially if religion is constantly re-energizing you.
When those that have been oppressed, when those that never had finally get, the tendency is not to be thankful and thoughtful, but to be rigid and hoarding, to think "I me mine", and, of course, to recycle the worst practices of the oppressors upon any who are thought of as threat.
The Israelis of the right fringe who support Netanyahu's practices come from a place of fear (as well as from a damaging fundamentalist religious perspective); they fear that this thing of theirs, this land and life and power they never had before, is under constant threat and can be taken away any second, so they respond to anyone thought to be takers with boorish, repressive, even genocidal behavior, conveniently forgetting how they were on the other end of that not long ago.
This is almost a psychological inevitability. It can only be countered by contemplative, reasoned government. But there is little appetite for that in Jerusalem, even among moderates, who are always listening for the next explosion.
I can almost guarantee that if the Palestinians woke up tomorrow with their own state, they too would find some threatening scapegoat to repress for a while. Being oppressed teaches the tools of oppression.
The only way out is exhaustion--coupled with a desire for the liberty secularism promotes. And exhaustion takes time--especially if religion is constantly re-energizing you.
1
Follow the arc of Netanyahu's career and this is where you end up. Take an intelligent, amoral opportunist, provide him with thousands of vocal, emotionally charged supporters for whom fear and hatred trump facts and critical thinking, put this man in a political system that is designed for the kinds of calculating, self-interested political machinations that have defined his career, and this is what you get. The only question is whether the world's patience with Israel runs out before the oil in the ME does - either way Bibi is riding a whirlwind that is not sustainable over the long term
11
Not only the shortsighted policy moves and humiliatingly provocative actions of Netanyahu against the military leadership have serious implications for the country but don't augur well for the healthy civil-military balance- an imperative for the Israeli state which is at its crical moment of its history today.
7
Thank you for so articulately describing Israel's dangerous path. The USA needs to make clear that we do not support what Israel is becoming.
16
Not only the shortsighted policy moves and humiliatingly provocative actions of Netanyahu against the military leadership have serious implications for the country but don't augur well for the healthy civil-military balance, which is essential to safeguard the unity and integrity of the Israeli nation at this crucial moment of its history when it finds itself virtually isolated in the region and beyond.
6
We get it, Mr. Friedman. You hate Netanyahu. Think about this. On July 4, 1976, the U.S. was celebrating its bicentennial. That same day, Yonatan Netanyahu, Bibi's older brother, was killed by Palestinian terrorists while rescuing Jewish travelers. How personal is that? Yet how restrained Bibi is from evicting, eliminating, destroying the former Jordanian citizens who terrorize Jews in Israel. Would you be so restrained or would you lust for revenge? Just askin'.
11
Netanyahu not only has given Israel a bad name with all his convoluted ups-and-downs of non-stop stealing land from the Palestinians and accelerating anti-Israel hatred throughout the Middle East but also, and equally costly, the dislike here in the US and Western Europe of anything Jewish. When Israel was founded in 1947 the World acknowledged that Jewish Societies needed to be rebuilt, supported and fully integrated by us all - and the World did. Now Netanyahu is tearing it all apart. Not a very smart man.
20
Benjamin Netanyahu is the embodiment of the nationalist viewpoint: the Us vs. Them, the inviolate border, the purist in a purest theocracy masquerading as a democracy. We have someone like that running for President, too - and #HeWhoMustNotBeNamed has nearly as outsized an ego as Bibi.
It's not about the survival of The Country anymore; it's about the survival of the human race. The sooner we understand that Earth belongs to us ALL, the more quickly we can reach that "income equality" we keep hearing about. The sooner we understand that borders promote Us vs. Them mentalities, the more quickly we can become a United Earth. The sooner we understand that everything on Earth has an equal right to exist, the more quickly we can start finding solutions that serve us all.
#WeAreOne
It's not about the survival of The Country anymore; it's about the survival of the human race. The sooner we understand that Earth belongs to us ALL, the more quickly we can reach that "income equality" we keep hearing about. The sooner we understand that borders promote Us vs. Them mentalities, the more quickly we can become a United Earth. The sooner we understand that everything on Earth has an equal right to exist, the more quickly we can start finding solutions that serve us all.
#WeAreOne
15
"Israel has recently been under intense criticism on the world stage. Some of it, like the “boycott, divestment, sanctions” (B.D.S.) campaign, is a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique."???
This does not fit with the body of Friedman's piece. But I suppose he needs the disclaimer for his "credibility".
This does not fit with the body of Friedman's piece. But I suppose he needs the disclaimer for his "credibility".
28
We need a U.S. government brave enough to buck U.S. evangelicals and the Jewish community and cut Israel off financially until they start acting in a humane, civilized way towards Palestinians.
45
The "Jewish community" is not a monolith. Please do not generalize about "The Jewish community"
Many, many American Jews are horrified by the treatment of and attitudes toward the Palestinians and disgusted by Netanyahu. This number is increasing steadily.
AIPAC has been having difficulty recruiting enough Jews and is reliant upon Christian evangelicals to remain viable.
Many, many American Jews are horrified by the treatment of and attitudes toward the Palestinians and disgusted by Netanyahu. This number is increasing steadily.
AIPAC has been having difficulty recruiting enough Jews and is reliant upon Christian evangelicals to remain viable.
3
jstevend Actually, the U.S. military needs Israel as much as Israel needs U.S. advanced armaments. They are tested under combat conditions for the U.S. (Ditto for intelligence). Most of this money is used for Israeli purchases in the U.S. - so the money comes back here. Regarding your comments, " cut Israel off financially until they start acting in a humane, civilized way towards Palestinians", I take it that you offer the same advice regarding all the Muslim-majority countries, such as Afghanistan, etc? Or does your advice apply only to Jews?
5
Correctl. The B.D.S. movement, which has many Jewish and Israeli supporters, is following the successful model of the South African anti-apartheid movement.
They have the courage and political will to criticize Israel and engage in effective, non-violent action, which our current political leadership (except for Bernie Sanders) does not.
Times columnists like Thomas Friedman and Roger Cohen attack the B.D.S. movement, and accuse them of being anti-Israel, without bothering to follow the old journalistic convention of giving someone a right to reply when you attack them.
If they did talk to, for example, Jewish Voice for Peace, they would find that their accusations are false, and the B.D.S. advocates have arguments that are difficult for them to dismiss.
They have the courage and political will to criticize Israel and engage in effective, non-violent action, which our current political leadership (except for Bernie Sanders) does not.
Times columnists like Thomas Friedman and Roger Cohen attack the B.D.S. movement, and accuse them of being anti-Israel, without bothering to follow the old journalistic convention of giving someone a right to reply when you attack them.
If they did talk to, for example, Jewish Voice for Peace, they would find that their accusations are false, and the B.D.S. advocates have arguments that are difficult for them to dismiss.
41
BDS is a non-violent protest. Would its opponents prefer violence?
3
No, BDS is not "a campus movement to destroy Israel." One of your fellow NYT columnists, as well as writers for Haaretz, have said, with obvious pain, that Israel will only correct its wrongs in respond to serious economic pressure. And, for example, Jewish Voice for Peace endorses BDS not at all as a means of destroying Israel but of reforming it.
You are correct that Netanyahu is a weathervane. But that also means he is not the main problem (though he is a problem). We have to face the fact that public sentiment among Israeli Jews has, on average, reached alarming levels of intolerance and denial, and is moving still further in that direction.
You are correct that Netanyahu is a weathervane. But that also means he is not the main problem (though he is a problem). We have to face the fact that public sentiment among Israeli Jews has, on average, reached alarming levels of intolerance and denial, and is moving still further in that direction.
30
Netanyahu was never fit to lead Israel.
"Prime Minister of the State of Israel-Palestine"?
The notion is absurd.
More fitting would be "Prime Minister of settlers, fanatics, and of their lapdogs in the US Congress, forever ignored by the New York Times"
"Prime Minister of the State of Israel-Palestine"?
The notion is absurd.
More fitting would be "Prime Minister of settlers, fanatics, and of their lapdogs in the US Congress, forever ignored by the New York Times"
28
"...the “boycott, divestment, sanctions” (B.D.S.) campaign, is a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique."
Once again efforts to pressure Israel's government is conflated with anti-semitism. Shame on you, Mr. Friedman. What would you have us do? Write our congressman? Seems to me Bibi has better access than we do.
Once again efforts to pressure Israel's government is conflated with anti-semitism. Shame on you, Mr. Friedman. What would you have us do? Write our congressman? Seems to me Bibi has better access than we do.
44
Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people. Therefore, attempts to destroy Israel are anti-Semitic.
BDS is an attempt to destroy Israel, largely paid for enemies who state their intentions much more openly in Arabic and Persian.
BDS is an attempt to destroy Israel, largely paid for enemies who state their intentions much more openly in Arabic and Persian.
3
There is only one means to stop the Israeli movement toward fascism -- cut off military aid to Israel. With the renewal of the preposterously generous multi-billion 10-year US military assistance agreement for Israel now being negotiated, what better opportunity exists for the US to apply pressure to the Netanyahu government than to cease US funding for the Israeli military machine. America should not be held hostage to the religious extremists in Jerusalem.
To paraphrase the words of Robert Goodloe Harper in response to the blackmail demands of the Barbary pirate states, "Millions for America's defense, but not one cent for Israeli tribute."
To paraphrase the words of Robert Goodloe Harper in response to the blackmail demands of the Barbary pirate states, "Millions for America's defense, but not one cent for Israeli tribute."
24
You want a more moderate Israeli leadership?
Then the Palestinians should get rid of the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist groups.
Then we can talk.
Then the Palestinians should get rid of the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist groups.
Then we can talk.
16
You want to get rid of Hamas and Hezbollah? Talk to the moderate leadership, which has worked pretty hard, and pretty thanklessly, to counter Hamas and Hezbollah.
10
Blame the victim.
5
What moderate leadership? Abbas, the leader of the "moderate" Palestinian terrorists, the man who heaps praises on murderers of civilians? And have you looked at the membership of the Fatah Central Committee, poised to succeed him which he finally resigns his presidency, whose term of office ended 7 years ago? Hard-liners all, all sworn to never let a single Jew live in Palestine, all sworn never to accept the legitimacy of the Jewish state.
You find me the name of actual moderate, and I'll show you a man with no political power among the Palestinians.
There will be no peace as long as the Palestinians feel protected to continue jihad. You can't offer them a state as a bribe; they don't want it. They want dead Jews. The have proved it over and over.
You find me the name of actual moderate, and I'll show you a man with no political power among the Palestinians.
There will be no peace as long as the Palestinians feel protected to continue jihad. You can't offer them a state as a bribe; they don't want it. They want dead Jews. The have proved it over and over.
3
Moshe Ya’alon is a “very decent man,” Mr. Friedman? Was he decent when he proposed to segregate Palestinians and Israeli Jews on buses? When he supported the extension of Israeli colonialism by further settlement building? When he referred to Palestinians as a cancer in need of chemotherapy? When he proposed assassinating Ahmadinejad, and treating Iran like Hiroshima and Nagasaki? When he advocated destroying civilian neighborhoods in Gaza? When he said “we are going to hurt Lebanese civilians to include kids of the family. We went through a very long deep discussion … we did it then, we did it in [the] Gaza Strip, we are going to do it in any round of hostilities in the future”?
Are you saying that ironically, Mr. Friedman, as when Mark Antony said “Brutus is an honorable man”? Or are you falling, yet once more, for the Israeli good cop/bad cop scam?
Yes, with any luck, BDS will destroy an Israel that shoots wounded indigenes in the head (Lieberman), and that destroys indigenous neighborhoods (Ya’alon), leaving a state of all its people, indigenous and immigrants, with equal rights.
Are you saying that ironically, Mr. Friedman, as when Mark Antony said “Brutus is an honorable man”? Or are you falling, yet once more, for the Israeli good cop/bad cop scam?
Yes, with any luck, BDS will destroy an Israel that shoots wounded indigenes in the head (Lieberman), and that destroys indigenous neighborhoods (Ya’alon), leaving a state of all its people, indigenous and immigrants, with equal rights.
26
Yaalon, decorated General and former Chief of Staff of IDF, was a highly qualified and respected Defense Minister. But we should also remember that he was strongly opposed to a 2-state solution to resolve Israeli-Palestinian conflict - he did not believe that Palestinians were interested in living peacefully next to a Jewish majority State of Israel - a view shared by an increasing and now majority of Israelis. He was removed from is Chief of Staff of IDF position by then PM Sharon because of Yaalon's public opposition to Sharon's then plan to withdraw IDF from Gaza (Israel withdrew, but soon placed Gaza back under occupation as defined by international law; Israel said its control of Gaza's air and sea and border was in reponse to Palestinian terrorist actions; whether Sharon was ever sincere in his Gaza withdrawal is questionable, but Yaalon opposed since he wanted Israel to retain military control of Gaza along with West Bank). After his military career, Yaalon, who grew up in a Labor/Mapai family, joined Likud, whose charter still calls for Eretz Israel - that is the West Bank, Judea and Samaria for them is and always will be integral to Israel. That Sharon and Yaalon are now viewed as moderates tells you just how extremist right-wing Israel has become.
12
"Israel has recently been under intense criticism on the world stage. Some of it, like the "boycott, divestment, sanctions" (B.D.S.) campaign, is a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique."
Actually, I don't think you have to worry about BDS destroying Israel, Israel is doing an excellent job on her own.
Ronen Bergman, in his May 21 NYT article, "Israel’s Army Goes to War With Its Politicians," cited Israel's Major General Yair Golan who said, "Israel today in some ways resembles Germany in the 1930s."
Think about that.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/22/opinion/sunday/israels-army-goes-to-wa...
Actually, I don't think you have to worry about BDS destroying Israel, Israel is doing an excellent job on her own.
Ronen Bergman, in his May 21 NYT article, "Israel’s Army Goes to War With Its Politicians," cited Israel's Major General Yair Golan who said, "Israel today in some ways resembles Germany in the 1930s."
Think about that.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/22/opinion/sunday/israels-army-goes-to-wa...
20
Some of us have been thinking about it for years.
2
"Former Labor Defense Minister Ehud Barak" - Are we forgetting that his highest office was PRIME minister?
10
"For those of us who care about Israel’s future, this is a dark hour."
An hour ,yeah right; It had been a dark 30 years. This shift to the dark side has been in the making for some time now.
An hour ,yeah right; It had been a dark 30 years. This shift to the dark side has been in the making for some time now.
26
Netanyahu has to go. The courageous thing for Obama to do would be to announce the immediate cessation of negotiations for the 10-year multi-$Billion defense package until such time as the US finds that Israel's government is "stable".
Such a shocking step, bound to be profoundly unpopular among the hard-right in the US and Israel, would likely prevent Israel from "destroying itself". Yes, we do know better ... at least for the few more months while we have a rationale (and truly Israel-supporting) President here.
Such a shocking step, bound to be profoundly unpopular among the hard-right in the US and Israel, would likely prevent Israel from "destroying itself". Yes, we do know better ... at least for the few more months while we have a rationale (and truly Israel-supporting) President here.
22
"...the “boycott, divestment, sanctions” (B.D.S.) campaign, is a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique."
The B.D.S. campaign seems more likely to have an impact on Israel than all the timid diplomacy to date by the United States (and hand-wringing by NYT columnists). America is badly out of step with the rest of the world, in part because American politicians are so beholding to pro-Israel donors. Mr. Friedman incorrectly dismisses the B.D.S. movement as anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli, without recognizing the frustration that has resulted in growing support for B.D.S.
The B.D.S. campaign seems more likely to have an impact on Israel than all the timid diplomacy to date by the United States (and hand-wringing by NYT columnists). America is badly out of step with the rest of the world, in part because American politicians are so beholding to pro-Israel donors. Mr. Friedman incorrectly dismisses the B.D.S. movement as anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli, without recognizing the frustration that has resulted in growing support for B.D.S.
32
Regardless of how supporters of Israel feel about Bibi, Israelis should not suffer from the BDS thugs that seeks to destroy Israel.
I regularly go to the BDS website and buy from Israeli businesses that are on the boycott list.
I regularly go to the BDS website and buy from Israeli businesses that are on the boycott list.
15
As a young Jewish man, who was an ardent supporter of Israel if it did not conflict with American interests, I find it to be extremely disheartening to watch Netanyahu lead Israel down the current path of destruction. Our government should not feel beholden to THIS Israel. For it is this Israel that is every day looking more and more like the country it frequently chooses to denounce - Iran.
15
You insult Iran.
2
It is amazing just how noone at the NYT ever holds the Palestinian leadership to any sense of responsibility whatsoever. Just yesterday Abbas called for the dismantling of the State of Israel and vowed again to never recognize it as the Jewish State. He also refused to meet for face-to-face negotiations. Why does the NYT think its all in Bibi's court? Bibi's job is to keep Israelis safe, not to appease those who live on the upper west side of Manhattan or who inhabit Bernie Sanders delusional campaign halls.
Israel found out what happened with their unilateral withdrawal in Gaza and from southern Lebanon...an Islamist terror state right on their boarder. Why would Israel acquiesce to the creation of such a state only 9 miles from its most populace area?
Israel found out what happened with their unilateral withdrawal in Gaza and from southern Lebanon...an Islamist terror state right on their boarder. Why would Israel acquiesce to the creation of such a state only 9 miles from its most populace area?
17
Elise-I don't see in the news anywhere that Abbas has said this. What I found was a very biased interpretation of his meaning and words, a mischaracterization to keep the blame and fear mongering game going.
Quite the contrary. Abbas said he wants justice for his people. But maybe you ca give me a link to support what you are saying: Abbas actual words.
As well- the thought that Abbas had any power to destroy Israel anymore than Israel is destroying itself is absurd.
5/25/16 12:30 PM
Quite the contrary. Abbas said he wants justice for his people. But maybe you ca give me a link to support what you are saying: Abbas actual words.
As well- the thought that Abbas had any power to destroy Israel anymore than Israel is destroying itself is absurd.
5/25/16 12:30 PM
3
Friedman is right that Yaalon - a decorated General and a former Chief of Staff of IDF, who was widely respected by IDF and Defense Ministers and Secretaries from other countries including U.S. - was an infinitely better qualified Defense Minister, the second most important government job in Israel after Prime Minister, than the right-wing extremist Lieberman, who has actually called for the beheading of Arab Israeli citizens he deems disloyal (he would reward those he deemed loyal) http://www.newsweek.com/lieberman-jewish-isis-says-israeli-politician-af... , and who has been appointed by Netyanahu (the 2 men have shown nothing but hatred for each other over the last year) to shore up his extremist right-wing base and to take on and deligitmize the last popular institution, the IDF (he and his Likudnicks have already attacked and tried to muzzle or control the courts, the press, academics - anyone that does not share their Eretz Israel vision) - it's Netyanahu's Game of Thrones, which will not end until he is crowned King of the Jews.
2
Is this the same Netanyahu recently invited to address the US Congress by the erstwhile Speaker of the House? The same Netanyahu whose government the US lavishly gives weapons? THAT Netanyahu?
16
Having power is addictive, you can’t get enough of it.Netanyahu must have the support of the West Bank Settlers to remain in power, Lieberman is one of the settlers.I support a two state solution, but it’s getting more difficult to accomplish, & the Palestinians are equally to blame.From the beginning when the UN voted to establish a Jewish State of Israel, their Palestinian neighbors along with Egypt, Jordon ,& Syria declared war on the tiny State, & it still continues to this day.To the victor goes the spoils, the Palestinians want to turn this around & want all the spoils back, plus more. Like the Old City of Jerusalem, & the return of 2 million Palestinian reforges to the homes in Israel, that they left during their war against Israel.This would change the entire complexion of the Jewish State,Iif you take away the city of David , you take away the soul of Judaism.This has resulted in extreme elements taking control of Israel & the Palestinians.There has to be people of good will who are willing to compromise to create peace, presently they do not exist.
7
“Some of it, like the “boycott, divestment, sanctions” (B.D.S.) campaign, is a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique.”
I’m curious, Tom. Did you think that the “Boycott South Africa” movement, which also began on college campuses, was trying to destroy South Africa? Or, did you think its goal was to help destroy apartheid? The goal of “Boycott, Divest, Sanctions” worldwide movement, also begun on college campuses, can more accurately be described as attempting to destroy the Israeli occupation – the apartheid policies, if you will – of the Palestinian people. Did you overplay your journalistic hand and fall into the “no criticisms” of Israel’s grisly enslavement of a people camp?
I’m curious, Tom. Did you think that the “Boycott South Africa” movement, which also began on college campuses, was trying to destroy South Africa? Or, did you think its goal was to help destroy apartheid? The goal of “Boycott, Divest, Sanctions” worldwide movement, also begun on college campuses, can more accurately be described as attempting to destroy the Israeli occupation – the apartheid policies, if you will – of the Palestinian people. Did you overplay your journalistic hand and fall into the “no criticisms” of Israel’s grisly enslavement of a people camp?
34
Well said. It seems there is an organized campaign to demonize the BDS movement ..... and Thomas Friedman has been chosen to do his part.
2
Sad....that for my generation of BabyBoomers Israel is no longer the central core of proud identity....the flag bearer for a sometimes oppressed minority in societies not always tolerant of our membership. This necessary Safe Haven was not only a port-in-the-storm...but a source of pride to carry in our hearts AND a cause to which we could contribute. Much of Israel was built by those in the Diaspora....support which is deteriorating mostly in the left-of-extreme Right. Israel has rebuilt the mighty Judean nation, but modern day might requires tending powerful alliances which Israel might find increasingly difficult with Bibi's megalomaniacal helming. Now the 'War Within' is building....with BDS, anti-Israeli/anti-Semetism & Justice at the gates of the Wall Israel has built apparently to isolate herself. After being as connected there as anyone, I feel myself dis-identifying. It is impossible for me to effect much from the outside due to Israel's draconian measures to control dissent....and the old Aliyah spirit (immigration) is dying. Will the Temple be rebuilt for the third time and then forever destroyed?
4
Ten years ago, Professors John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt, of Chicago and Harvard respectively, published a paper, followed by a book, titled "The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy," that pointed out how the U.S. enabled Israel to behave precisely as Netanyahu and Likud continue to behave, with predictable results.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Israel_Lobby_and_U.S._Foreign_Policy
Virtually every "pro-Israel" politician and pundit either ignored Mearsheimer and Walt, or excoriated them as "virulent anti-Semites," and did everything they could to discredit Mearsheimer and Walt.
Where were you on this issue ten years ago, Mr. Friedman? As much in the vanguard of intelligence and reasoning as you were regarding Iraq? Israel, with plenty of help form "pro-Israel" U.S.-based enablers, has been moving along the arc predicted by Mearsheimer and Walt in their work of ten years ago and subsequent work, while people like you, Mr. Friedman, continued to ignore and discredit that work. Yet you still think you have to distance yourself from BDS and smear it to prove that you are a "friend of Israel." You're not a friend of Israel, Mr. Friedman. You're still an enabler of Israel's self-destruction.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Israel_Lobby_and_U.S._Foreign_Policy
Virtually every "pro-Israel" politician and pundit either ignored Mearsheimer and Walt, or excoriated them as "virulent anti-Semites," and did everything they could to discredit Mearsheimer and Walt.
Where were you on this issue ten years ago, Mr. Friedman? As much in the vanguard of intelligence and reasoning as you were regarding Iraq? Israel, with plenty of help form "pro-Israel" U.S.-based enablers, has been moving along the arc predicted by Mearsheimer and Walt in their work of ten years ago and subsequent work, while people like you, Mr. Friedman, continued to ignore and discredit that work. Yet you still think you have to distance yourself from BDS and smear it to prove that you are a "friend of Israel." You're not a friend of Israel, Mr. Friedman. You're still an enabler of Israel's self-destruction.
27
Sadly, Tom, what you have written is true , but missing a major point. The support bestowed consciously, by an overwhelming majority of the population to Netanyahu is the cause for his actions. The current unabridged version of the PUBLIC narrative focused on vociferous racism, xenophobia and fascism feeds the politicians insatiable appetite for more and more power disregarding ethical and moral Zionist core values. The Israeli people are getting what they "cook"......The democratic system has metastasized into a Combinatoric ( making short sighted political decisions based upon maintaining power ) system which is destroying the healthy fabric of governing and society................real sad......when I hear the "Hatikva", the national anthem, the phrase - " Still haven't forsaken our hope" , I feel deep down, that that hope is rapidly diminishing...........a despairing Cliff...
2
I often defend Friedman to friends who are critical of him, but his statement that "the 'boycott, divestment, sanctions' (B.D.S.) campaign, is a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique" is beyond the pale. The B.D.S. campaign is not just a campus movement, but, more important, the aim of many if not most of those supporting it is not to destroy Israel but to put an end to the injustices being perpetrated by Israel such as the West Bank settlements. Ending such injustices could protect Israel against its self-destructive tendencies also noted by Mr. Friedman. The B.D.S campaign isn't an effort to destroy Israel any more than the B.D.S campaign against apartheid South Africa was an effort to destroy that country.
It's too bad that Mr. Friedman has chosen to taint an otherwise commendable article with this gratuitous and outrageous accusation.
It's too bad that Mr. Friedman has chosen to taint an otherwise commendable article with this gratuitous and outrageous accusation.
41
It is not the first time that Thomas Friedman sneaks in pro-Israel propaganda into an otherwise astute critique of Israel. If you step back from the op-ed, the comments on BDS simply do not belong.
3
Bibi is fulfilling his dream of shtetl Israel -- a Jewish state surrounded by Trump-like walls that is separated from the rest of the world and commanded by a messianic vision. When asked how Israel can survive under those circumstances the response is that it is what God wants and God will protect the nation. This crosses the line on sanity, considering we are not far removed by the Holocaust.
9
What ever happened to the era of leadership of David Ben Gurion, and his long mane of white hair, or Golda Meir, or Moshe Dayan? The Palestinians have been screwed by their own leadership, and now by Israel. Does anyone really believe there is a God in heaven?
Mr. Friedman's column falls under the category of "nothing actually good and nothing actually bad is ever reported about Israel". Liberman is Defense Minister in name only. For sure, Netanyahu is the actual Defense Minister of Israel. What is really going on in Israel is that on a personal level not only do Jews and Arabs get along, they like each other. I lived in Israel for 5 years and I never met a soldier who had done serious time on the West Bank who did not end up liking the Arabs living there. The IDF knows that they suffer few casualties due to the good relations with the local Arabs. Ergo, gratuitous murder of an Arab in custody is an anathema to them. On the other hand, the Israeli public wants to lose no one to terrorism and is rather insensitive to Arab loses. So, they don't care if a soldier over reacts. This split between the IDF and the public in Israel is exacerbated by the fact that many of the Right Wing supporters of Netanyahu have exemptions from military service and never lose their fear of the Arabs because they remain isolated from them since they do not serve in the IDF. Netanyahu is siding with his base. He has a minority government. As far as the West Bank is concerned, Israel must hold onto it for a very long time because of the military situation in the Middle East. The demographic threat to Israel posed by the Arabs is a secondary concern and can be simply addressed by the Israeli Jews acting like Jews rather than American secularists.
3
Meant to say my paternal great-grandmother was Jewish.
1
Netanyahu is not a likeable figure. He has been opposed by liberals throughout his career. He was chosen in free elections to be Prime Minister. He is charged with leading Israel in a state of siege, surrounded on all sides by openly militant terrorist groups. I am certain that he favors a Jewish one state solution. However that is as untenable as the proposed two state solution which neither the Palestinians nor Israelis want and is a non starter for overwhelming political, economic, ethnic and geographic reasons. No one, and least of all the Americans, has offered a viable alternative. In his efforts to protect Israel’s survival, Netanyahu has made numerous errors, but his motives should not be doubted. His first order of priority is the defense of Israel. He believes his premiership is vital to that effort, and he may be right. None of his rivals promise to be better.
As Prime Minister, he is entitled to the unlimited loyalty of the military. Regardless of their personal opinions, soldiers must follow the lead of their commander without public debate. The media criticism by senior members of the Army and the Defense Minister’s condolence is a dangerous precedent, and inexcusable.
As Prime Minister, he is entitled to the unlimited loyalty of the military. Regardless of their personal opinions, soldiers must follow the lead of their commander without public debate. The media criticism by senior members of the Army and the Defense Minister’s condolence is a dangerous precedent, and inexcusable.
34
To repeat a courageous man, "It's scary to see horrifying developments that took place in Europe begin to unfold here."
How can you boycott and divest from what was absolutely nothing 68 years ago.. Our media needs to tell the Mark Twain stories of his visits to the region in the late 1800's ( surprise,no entity of any Palestinian govt) and of Winston Churchill on individual Arabs/Muslims and their worthiness without the "most retrograde force on earth"
8
Absolutely nothing? No cities, towns, villages & farms? No families that had been living there for generations? Twain visited when the Ottoman Empire was running things, so obviously there wasn't a Palestinian Government; and you may want to check Churchill's statements on anyone who wasn't white & Protestant before citing him as an authority on Arabs or Islam.
1
The NY Times and its columnists seem to be suddenly waking up to the fact that Israel is a far-right, extreme nationalistic state intent on perpetually dominating what they see as inferior indigenous people. Yet, you continue to take swipes at BDS. Economic boycotts make sense, and they have for a long time. The NY Times and others who have supported Israel right or wrong are Israel's true enemies. Friends don't let friends self-destruct. Yet, as the Times said yesterday, it is "baffled." Where have you been?
18
I visited Israel and the West Bank in 1969, two years after the Six Day War. Israel had successfully defended itself against neighbors who were bent on its destruction, and its citizens were justifiably proud in 1967. Two years later when I visited, what I heard were endless anti-Arab jokes and the beginnings of the "This land is mine, God gave this land to me" attitude that has grown like a cancer ever since, propelled by settlers (many of them from New York--my hometown) who thought of themselves as the rightful heirs to Palestinian land, even though few of them went to fight in the 1967 war or even the Yom Kippur War in 1973. These people have no resemblance to the urban Israeli left, who would have welcomed integration of the Palestinians decades ago. They are exactly like the South African white "Volk,' and they have duplicated apartheid perfectly.
This is not what David Ben-Gurion had in mind.
This is not what David Ben-Gurion had in mind.
19
Apartheid? Where are the separate water fountains & bathrooms?
Why are there Arabs in the Israeli parliament & on the Israeli Supreme Court?
Why are there Arabs in the Israeli parliament & on the Israeli Supreme Court?
12
Image if we lived beween 7 countries, all of whom have sworn to wipe us off the face of the earth! Imagine, we have attempted to negotiate peace time and time again, year after year, president after president, have said we will give up california, Texas, New Jersey, Illinios, Ohio, half of New York City, all to be rebuffed. Imagine, Mexico and Canada building tunnels into our country and stealing (yes stealing) soldiers, and children or just killing them! Imagine having missiles shot at us on a regular basis which could reach Chicago, NYC, Miami, LA, San Fran, Houston, New Orleans and are only saved by an allies' Iron Dome defense system. Imagine all the countries adound us, who hate us and our religion, support a ultra conservative terrorist killing group and teach their children and grandchildren to hate us and kill us and our citizens, and collect money to pay for and support that ultra conservative killing terrorist group. Can you? Israel has wanted peace from Arafat, from Abas, from Saudi Arabia, from Jordan, yet they never were able to get it from them. THe arabs are not interested in the palastinians or their plight! How does any one live in this environment of war hatred and the world's second guessing about their circumstances? The irony is only now with ISIS threatening SA, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, are the Arabs looking for military cooperation with Israel! Only when they face their own existential threat against their own survival!
13
I am not sure that Netanyahu is an outlier as much as a reflection of new zeitgeist we live in now. We live in the age of fear. Right-wing ideologies and ultra-conservative religious orthodoxies rule or on the rise from the middle-east to middle America. This age does not bode well for us. We need to confront the fear and not hide from it or it will do us all in.
129
As South Africa learned, you can do whatever you want, but the world is watching, and there are consequences. Bibi is bad for Israel's interests, maybe he is good for himself...The execution of a wounded Palestinian is a symbol, that shows that the Country is losing the high moral ground, doesn't that remind us of something terrible that happened in the past? The difference is not what you went through, but what you do when it is your turn.
302
"The execution of a wounded Palestinian is a symbol, that shows that the Country is losing the high moral ground"
And what does 1000 Palestinian attacks on Jews in the last 8 months show?
Business as usual with the Palestinians
And what does 1000 Palestinian attacks on Jews in the last 8 months show?
Business as usual with the Palestinians
4
Now prepare for the onslaught of anti-Israel comments.
I travel to Israel several times a year, mainly to visit family. From my experience, the Israelis I know are desperate to come to some kind of agreement with the Palestinians.
But when they are constantly under attack, politically and militarily, through delegitimization movements like BDS, by threats from Iran to wipe them out, by Hamas tunnels from Gaza with the intent to kill civilians, through knifings on the street, with Hezbollah missiles aimed at them from Lebanon - all of this has the effect of freaking them out.
And when they're freaked out and terrified for their very existence, they turn to demagogues like Netanyahu and Lieberman. If they felt that their situation was understood by the western governments, on the campuses, in the left-wing think tanks; if they felt that their existence - physically and politically - was not constantly questioned: they would throw out politicians like Netanyahu on their ear. The constant fulminating about Israel has the effect of making them jump right into his arms. So keep it up - Bibi loves it.
I travel to Israel several times a year, mainly to visit family. From my experience, the Israelis I know are desperate to come to some kind of agreement with the Palestinians.
But when they are constantly under attack, politically and militarily, through delegitimization movements like BDS, by threats from Iran to wipe them out, by Hamas tunnels from Gaza with the intent to kill civilians, through knifings on the street, with Hezbollah missiles aimed at them from Lebanon - all of this has the effect of freaking them out.
And when they're freaked out and terrified for their very existence, they turn to demagogues like Netanyahu and Lieberman. If they felt that their situation was understood by the western governments, on the campuses, in the left-wing think tanks; if they felt that their existence - physically and politically - was not constantly questioned: they would throw out politicians like Netanyahu on their ear. The constant fulminating about Israel has the effect of making them jump right into his arms. So keep it up - Bibi loves it.
83
I have said this many times and continue Bibi has made more people Anti-Israel, not Anti-Semitic than any human alive. The United States should definitely NOT sign any 10 years agreement for $40 Billion so this lunatic can then crow about how the USA bends to his will. He is pox on Israel and will destroy any chance of ever having any chance at, forget peace, even a cease of hostilities in the whole Middle East. USA do not reward this person with American capital. He will misuse it.
14
Under Netanyahu and Lieberman, Israel becomes a pariah state at war with the world, and now with itself. There is no good outcome for Israelis and Palestinians under Netanyahu. Will the army knuckle under to the proto-fascist Lieberman? Is it possible that the Israeli military will stage a coup to save the state? It would be an extraordinary act, but it may be necessary to prevent the disaster Netanyahu/Lierberman seem determined to bring about.
5
"Israel under Netanyahu has gone from bad to worse"...really Tom? Israel is flourishing! It has a more robust economic growth rate than the USA. It has the highest innovation per capita scientific workforce in the world. It is on the cutting edge of 21st century technological breakthroughs. It is a world leader in medical research. It is the most liberal, open and egalitarian state in the entire middle east..... and maybe all of Europe, Asia and north Africa. Sure, there is that small problem of the crazy evil nasty terrorists who seek to destroy her in her own backyard.... but you can ignore the last 65 years of their incessant drumbeat to destroy the Jewish state. Bibi is doing what is necessary to keep his people from capitulating to the worlds biggest liars since Goebells. If he has to dog paddle in the Rubicon to do it, the world should at least not be praying for him to drown.
64
So you agree that it is long past due that economically flourishing Israel - higher growth rate than us - should not get a single more penny of US tax dollars. No more free-riding. No more $3 billion/year - that Netanyahu is trying to renegotiate to $5 billion/year since Obama's $4 billion/year was not good enough. No more $2 billion/year to Egypt and $1 billion/year to Jordan to in large part pay them off to maintain peace treaties with Israel (their citizens don't want the peace treaties) - surely flourishing Israel could pick up the tab? Wonder just how flourishing that Israeli economy would be without being on the dole of US tax payers and actually paid for its own defense. Perhaps we should use that money to help pay for universal healthcare and low-cost college education like Israel has (while taking money from other countries) for our own country.
BTW. I actually believe we should have either a bilateral defense treaty with Israel and formally guarantee Israel's security, or Israel should be part of NATO with Article 5 security guarantee, or we should form a Middle East regional security alliance modeled after NATO to take on Iran and Russia (actually and stunningly an Israeli ally - Israel sold Russia drones developed with US taxes; Lieberman loves Putin) and global Wahhabi terrorist threat (have to reform Saudi Arabia, another shocking Israeli ally, source of toxic Wahhabism in a major way) and also guarantee Israel's security. But no more free-riding on US.
BTW. I actually believe we should have either a bilateral defense treaty with Israel and formally guarantee Israel's security, or Israel should be part of NATO with Article 5 security guarantee, or we should form a Middle East regional security alliance modeled after NATO to take on Iran and Russia (actually and stunningly an Israeli ally - Israel sold Russia drones developed with US taxes; Lieberman loves Putin) and global Wahhabi terrorist threat (have to reform Saudi Arabia, another shocking Israeli ally, source of toxic Wahhabism in a major way) and also guarantee Israel's security. But no more free-riding on US.
1
This is really great news.
No need for any more American arms nor diplomatic cover and support for this tiny troublesome tyrannical bigoted evil cynical hypocritical poor excuse for a civilized nation.
Let Hillary, Joe, Charles, Sheldon, Haim, AIPAC and Israel Lobby take care of their favorite "foreign" nation.
Let America and Americans take care of Flint, Detroit, Ferguson, St. Louis, Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Puerto Rico.
No need for any more American arms nor diplomatic cover and support for this tiny troublesome tyrannical bigoted evil cynical hypocritical poor excuse for a civilized nation.
Let Hillary, Joe, Charles, Sheldon, Haim, AIPAC and Israel Lobby take care of their favorite "foreign" nation.
Let America and Americans take care of Flint, Detroit, Ferguson, St. Louis, Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Puerto Rico.
1
Yair Golan described Israel as resembling Nazi Germany before he was forced to retract his comments after a right wing backlash. The appointment of Avigdor Leiberman as Defence Minister further justifies Golan’s view.
A partnership of Netanyahu and Leiberman only reinforces the madness and extremism that Netanyahu has created; a dystopian nightmare which has increased the oppression, censured freedom of expression. When books are banned, journalists arrested, death threats made and the use of FB can be a jail able offence, the endgame is approaching.
To give Leiberman this sensitive post with his views already known, will be throwing oil on a fire. His stance on the death penalty is aimed at Palestinians but not at the likes of Meir Ettinger, the instigator of the Dawabshe murders. Netanyahu, in his desperation to keep his coalition alive has actually weakened his own position and is boldly announcing to the world that Israel is controlled by extremists.
For too long Israel has used the holocaust card and slurs to squash dissent. This will no longer work when every other country has to bear criticism without the use of such a moniker and outside vested interests. It's threat comes from within and threatens to take down non Zionist Jews in the diaspora.
A partnership of Netanyahu and Leiberman only reinforces the madness and extremism that Netanyahu has created; a dystopian nightmare which has increased the oppression, censured freedom of expression. When books are banned, journalists arrested, death threats made and the use of FB can be a jail able offence, the endgame is approaching.
To give Leiberman this sensitive post with his views already known, will be throwing oil on a fire. His stance on the death penalty is aimed at Palestinians but not at the likes of Meir Ettinger, the instigator of the Dawabshe murders. Netanyahu, in his desperation to keep his coalition alive has actually weakened his own position and is boldly announcing to the world that Israel is controlled by extremists.
For too long Israel has used the holocaust card and slurs to squash dissent. This will no longer work when every other country has to bear criticism without the use of such a moniker and outside vested interests. It's threat comes from within and threatens to take down non Zionist Jews in the diaspora.
233
The moderates have been drowned by immigrant Jews who have brought revenge and hubris with them to defeat the dream of Zion. Utter rejection of the humanity of Palestinians enables them to trample on Israeli ideals. Lunatics in the Republican Party and fear of AIPAC prevent Israel's only ally from unseating the Netanyahu cabal. Now this?
The calculus of our Presidential election has only stalled what changes are essential to ending the dominance of ridiculous extremist settlers and their champion, Netanyahu. Time, the election, and the demographic growth of Palestinians will sweep them away. But what will remain of Israel?
The calculus of our Presidential election has only stalled what changes are essential to ending the dominance of ridiculous extremist settlers and their champion, Netanyahu. Time, the election, and the demographic growth of Palestinians will sweep them away. But what will remain of Israel?
10
NETANYAHU as dog paddling in the midst of the river, has a scorpion riding on his back, outraged that he can't paddle faster. So the scorpion stings him. With his dying breath, Bibi asks, Why did you do that? Now we'll both die! And the scorpion's answer, What do you mean? This is the Middle East. What distinguishes Bibi in the worst possible way from his predecessors is his determination to dismantle the only democracy in the Mideast. He is pushing the Israeli nation toward the vicious oppression for all its citizens, becoming more and more like the despots that surround him. For, tragically, it is not a just the scorpion riding on his back. It's the future of the State of Israel, whose integrity is being sullied with great relish by Bibi. While I reject the anti Jewish actions of boycott, divestment and sanctions, I also see that those who pile atop Israel's adversaries are seeking to reject the vicious, extralegal actions by the man who would be the last Prime Minister of the Jewish homeland. That the Mideast's silicon valley should face an existential threat from Bibi worse than those from Iran and its proxies is profoundly destructive to all humanity, but first and foremost to the Jewish Zionist residents of Israel. They and the entire region--the entire world--deserve some integrity and dignity from the Israeli leader, who seems bent upon dragging the Children of Israel back into the wilderness for an eternity.
11
There may yet be another reason for Israel's shift to the right. Many anti-israel activists have created a situation in which any action by israel is thunderously denounced, while any positive action they take or mitigating action they take is either brushed off or used as a fresh accusation of bad faith. The examples are legion. Look at the accusations of 'pink washing', the newly updated blood libel that accuse Israel of harvesting Palestinian organs, the way the UNHRC condemns Israel more than a dozen times more frequently than the Sudan, where they still practice slavery and rape as combat. The result of this is that any action is justified precisely because none are justified. When you vilify a group for anything they do then the only logical choice for them is to conduct their affairs without any thought toward what others might want, since no matter what they do they can expect to be criticised
19
The policy seems to be to frustrate and provoke the Palestinians to violence in order to have the perfect excuse to annihilate them once and for all. Bibi doesn't want peace, he never wanted peace. He and the right wing extremists want all Palestinians gone. As for the Palestinians foolishly turning away previous peace plans--it is a rare conquered people that takes being forced out of their land peacefully without some form of constant retaliation on their part and near genocide on the part of the conqueror. The Oslo accords were the closest thing to it and then the right wing fanatics on Israel's part destroyed it with the assassination of Rabin. Israel doesn't really want peace at least not its leaders. They want to clean house.
263
"The policy seems to be to frustrate and provoke the Palestinians to violence in order to have the perfect excuse to annihilate them once and for all"
if they act in a civilized fashion and accepted their role in Israel this would not be a problem.
if they act in a civilized fashion and accepted their role in Israel this would not be a problem.
2
Stop whining about the Palestinians Mary. They've turned down three generous offers to make peace. The last one gave them nearly all of the West Bank and part of Jerusalem. They are and have been violating the Oslo Accords with Initiative 194 and their efforts to subvert the Jewish state at the U.N. They incite small children to commit murder. They glorify terrorists who murder women and children. They had no land before Israel complied with the Oslo Accords and allowed them self rule in parts of the West Bank in 1993. They have never been recognized as a nation or a people even by their fellow Arabs. Do I need to recount for you how badly they've been treated in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Egypt. Confined to refugee camps, denied employment opportunities, denied aid, denied political support except when other Arab governments find it useful to do so. Do they retaliate for that kind of treatment. No! And you know the reason. They would be slaughtered in the thousands and terns of thousands if they did even a fraction of what they do in so-called retaliation. to the Israelis. So double standards aside, your attempt to justify the actions of the Palestinians either for their unprovoked murder of Israelis or their refusal to even consider open negotiations only underscores the nonsense contained in your remarks.
3
Israel needs LAND for both population growth and for "security".
The underlying dilemma is that, in spirit, at least, the world has moved past the idea of nation-states, and geographic boundaries precisely because these ideas ultimately constrain the human drive to build bigger, better things.
The history of human conflagration is the history of unbending pride in tribe.
The underlying dilemma is that, in spirit, at least, the world has moved past the idea of nation-states, and geographic boundaries precisely because these ideas ultimately constrain the human drive to build bigger, better things.
The history of human conflagration is the history of unbending pride in tribe.
1
This shift to the right is Israel's only recourse.
The Palestinians had golden opportunities for peace
which they fumbled and botched through poor diplomacy.
They sealed their own fate and their is no longer any chance
for a second state.
We are not happy about it, but there is no alternative and it is
going to take hard liners to enforce the status quo.
The Palestinians had golden opportunities for peace
which they fumbled and botched through poor diplomacy.
They sealed their own fate and their is no longer any chance
for a second state.
We are not happy about it, but there is no alternative and it is
going to take hard liners to enforce the status quo.
15
"The Palestinians had golden opportunities for peace
which they fumbled and botched through poor diplomacy."
the most the Palestinians were every offered were only about a third of the occupied lands and little of this was even connected, never mind being viable as a state. What were they to do? Accept de facto Israel occupation with no viable state?
which they fumbled and botched through poor diplomacy."
the most the Palestinians were every offered were only about a third of the occupied lands and little of this was even connected, never mind being viable as a state. What were they to do? Accept de facto Israel occupation with no viable state?
5
Only recourse to what? Israel has near total power, and only has to wait for a partner, and explore any opportunity. This may take patience, but it's better than Israel's becoming a brutal dictatorship. But the right doesn't want a partner: it wants complete power in a binational state. I despair.
3
Blame the victims.
3
Cut their funding, stop taking their calls. They want to go their own way, then let them.
137
Or maybe there's something else going on. With unprecedented cooperation between Israel and the Sunni nations over their shared concerns of Iran and radical Islam, the opportunity for a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel/Palestine and the other major Arab nations has never been greater.
Lieberman, for all his bluster, has become far more the international diplomat that Yaalon. And, to make peace, it sometimes takes a hard liner to lead his skeptical followers over the finish line.
Stay tuned...
Lieberman, for all his bluster, has become far more the international diplomat that Yaalon. And, to make peace, it sometimes takes a hard liner to lead his skeptical followers over the finish line.
Stay tuned...
9
It is a perception in the Muslim world that ISIS is a creation and/or supported by Israel and Saudi Arabia. Now Saudi Arabia is getting closer to Israel. It is totally confusing.
2
Want to lay some money on this?
I guess to justify the enormous amount of money we again plan to give to Israel, which Netanyahu churlishly complains is not enough, we have to continue to lie to ourselves about Israel. Netanyahu is not as much of an aberration as we pretend he is. Remember the last election?
66
Netanyahu got 25% of the vote.
2
Tom Friedman has it all wrong.
1. He forgets that the Arabs have launched tens of thousands of rockets (yes, that is the number) against Israeli civilians and have carried out hundreds of terrorists attacks on the streets of Israel. The perpetrators are heroes acclaimed even by Abu Mazen. Single-digit acts of violence by Israelis have been carried out by fringe groups and unanimously denounced. If the Arabs would give up violence and terror the road to peace would be wide open.
2. The Israeli public voted overwhelmingly right wing. Netanyahu tried to maintain a centrist coalition but couldn't do so, so he brought in Lieberman, the natural partner whom the voters wanted.
3. How can you or anyone comment on the story of the Israeli soldier? There is a court proceeding going on. We will see what happened. As many soldiers have said: If a terrorist is on the ground, we are all deathly scared he has a bomb and is about to push a button to blow us all to hell. I can imagine what Tom Friedman, Obama or their pals would do in this situation. Send Tom Friedman to the front line. Let's see what he does.
4. Israel has acted over and over again with restraint. Remember what the USA did in Guantanamo, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. Why is the criticism only levelled against Israel.
5. There is a growing problem in the Israeli army. The politicians are frightening the soldiers at all levels. Before the Israeli army responds to terrorist attacks it must take legal advice ! This is absurd.
1. He forgets that the Arabs have launched tens of thousands of rockets (yes, that is the number) against Israeli civilians and have carried out hundreds of terrorists attacks on the streets of Israel. The perpetrators are heroes acclaimed even by Abu Mazen. Single-digit acts of violence by Israelis have been carried out by fringe groups and unanimously denounced. If the Arabs would give up violence and terror the road to peace would be wide open.
2. The Israeli public voted overwhelmingly right wing. Netanyahu tried to maintain a centrist coalition but couldn't do so, so he brought in Lieberman, the natural partner whom the voters wanted.
3. How can you or anyone comment on the story of the Israeli soldier? There is a court proceeding going on. We will see what happened. As many soldiers have said: If a terrorist is on the ground, we are all deathly scared he has a bomb and is about to push a button to blow us all to hell. I can imagine what Tom Friedman, Obama or their pals would do in this situation. Send Tom Friedman to the front line. Let's see what he does.
4. Israel has acted over and over again with restraint. Remember what the USA did in Guantanamo, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. Why is the criticism only levelled against Israel.
5. There is a growing problem in the Israeli army. The politicians are frightening the soldiers at all levels. Before the Israeli army responds to terrorist attacks it must take legal advice ! This is absurd.
24
Mmm -- he decided to attack a soldier with a knife, the plan being that when he got shot he'd lie there wounded for a while and then detonate it. Soldiers should always kill the wounded, just in case, right?
2
"4. Israel has acted over and over again with restraint"
This is the point at which you lose all credibility.
This is the point at which you lose all credibility.
5
I'm not sure that I share your opinion. I think that Netanyahu has been reacting to the way the Obama administration has treated Israel. Reading the recent information as to how the white House deliberately misled the American public on the Iran "deal" and sought to characterize Netanyahu as someone who we couldn't trust; just how do you expect Israel to react?
They are under siege from Hamas in Gaza, which they gave up years ago. They are being stabbed, run over and shot in their homes, buses, and on the street by the Palestinians who are supported by Obama.
BDS is attempting to destabilize their economy and de-legitimize the state of Israel. Rampant antisemitism has overcome Europe once again. Our new "friend" Iran threatens to destroy Israel with their arsenal and we have opened up the floodlights for funds to pour into that country to pursue even more weaponry.
All of this and Israel has to only appoint officials that you approve of? Preferably those who will toe the line set by Obama? I give Netanyahu credit for standing up to Obama, the current administration and all who who destroy Israel.
They are under siege from Hamas in Gaza, which they gave up years ago. They are being stabbed, run over and shot in their homes, buses, and on the street by the Palestinians who are supported by Obama.
BDS is attempting to destabilize their economy and de-legitimize the state of Israel. Rampant antisemitism has overcome Europe once again. Our new "friend" Iran threatens to destroy Israel with their arsenal and we have opened up the floodlights for funds to pour into that country to pursue even more weaponry.
All of this and Israel has to only appoint officials that you approve of? Preferably those who will toe the line set by Obama? I give Netanyahu credit for standing up to Obama, the current administration and all who who destroy Israel.
20
It is Netanyahu & Co. that is de-legitimizing the State of Israel, not the BDS movement. If you fail to see this, then you are part of Israel's problem.
9
Netanyahu tried to interfere in a U.S. election. President Obama has nonetheless continued financial and military support. Your ranting about Iran is a non-starter. Israel has nukes although they are loathe to admit it.
6
It isnt a peaceful and legitimate movement for human rights that is "destroying the state of Israel" - It is an increasingly extremist and bigoted hardline government who cares not a jot for human rights or even public opinion in attempts to further their aims- who is destroying both their state and all people - Palestinian and Israeli with it. And yet people still blindly give them their support and excuse their activities. WHY?
53
WHY?
Because the State of Israel has bought the US Congress.
Because the State of Israel has bought the US Congress.
5
Perhaps we also need to look in a mirror. What is happening in our own country? Are we not also becoming entranced by a demagogue? Someone who inflames the hatred of the other? Perhaps Netanyahu is the Israeli version of the Republican Party in the United States.
3
If I had to choose upon who to be my commander in chief it would not be Donald Trump and I don't think many Israelites would disagree with me. But it is their choice on who they want as their leader. They voted and still Benjamin Netanyahu won again. Behind closed doors I would say. But first let's see who will be our next U.S. President because that will make all the difference in the world. Figuratively speaking. My fraternal great-grandmother was Jewish and my mother was Catholic. The Jews are the chosen people as the Bible says. But the Pope still can bring peace as did Jesus. No matter if Prime Minister of Israel thinks different.
1
Meant to say my paternal great-grandmother was Jewish.
Netanyahu personifies failure of the imagination to envision a solution in his corner of the world. He represents the very opposite of diplomacy, the art of the possible. The world will have to wait him out until he disappears. That will be his only positive contribution to the peace process.
20
Good article. Only disagreement is with the comment that Netanyahu "only acts the way the wind blows…" Netanyahu is the one doing the blowing, pushing Israel far to the right, against the desire of many, many every educated Israelis. He plays on, and exacerbates, the fears of a people traumatized by years of terrorism, with a vision of no hope and only himself as the person standing in the way of threats, both real and imagined.
One bit of good news: Lieberman may turn out to be a pleasant surprise. He is ambitious, knows nobody can outflank Netanyahu from the right (Bennett is only the latest to try, unsuccessfully), and Lieberman may well take a centrist position of peace through compromise. Let's hope, because with Netanyahu, there is no hope.
One bit of good news: Lieberman may turn out to be a pleasant surprise. He is ambitious, knows nobody can outflank Netanyahu from the right (Bennett is only the latest to try, unsuccessfully), and Lieberman may well take a centrist position of peace through compromise. Let's hope, because with Netanyahu, there is no hope.
6
This is like pouring amonia on a gaping wound. Bibi cares about his political power first, and by allowing the ultra nationalists control, he is laying the groundwork for an all out war within the region. He has been aching , since day one, for this to occur so he could emerge as some kind of messianic saviour of Israel. Now , the profoundly negative move of appointing Avigdor Lieberman is on par with appointments by the third Reich. Cheering the shooting death of a man lying on the ground unmoving waiting for medical attention. He has no shame. He is a volatile and dangerous stain, of dangerous poison on the vast majority of reasonable Israeli's . The recent article about young zionist settlers who consider even this dangerous government to be anathema, is a further sign, things are going very very poorly for the Jewish state. All of my Jewish friends are aghast. Iran, and other countries in the region are sharpening their arrows, this could spiral out of control in an instant with Lieberman.
13
Elections have consequences. As misbegotten any elected regime may appear from afar, the citizens must own up to their responsibilities.
7
Its a shame Dick Cheney wasn't eligible.
7
And btw BDS is not "a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique", it's a legitimate tactic to bring about change, when all other avenues have failed and we can now see that the 'peace process' has been a fig leaf for Israel to continue the colonization and oppression.
121
More than 575,000 Iraqi children died from sanctions.
Do you want more than 575,000 Israeli children dying from BDS?
BDS is demanding that Israel end the occupation.
If Israel ends the occupation of the West Bank,
Palestinians will launch thousands of rockets & mortars from the West Bank against Israelis.
So Israelis will die.
If Israel doesn't end the occupation,
BDS will cut Israel's source of income.
If they have no money, they can't buy food.
If they can't buy food, they will starve to death.
Do you want more than 575,000 Israeli children dying from BDS?
BDS is demanding that Israel end the occupation.
If Israel ends the occupation of the West Bank,
Palestinians will launch thousands of rockets & mortars from the West Bank against Israelis.
So Israelis will die.
If Israel doesn't end the occupation,
BDS will cut Israel's source of income.
If they have no money, they can't buy food.
If they can't buy food, they will starve to death.
8
The world has treated Israel as a pariah state since its formation in 1948; the Jewish people have been treated as scum for thousands of years. We should not act shocked when Israel's leader reacts dramatically when it's own leaders say reprehensible things and takes action. For the Israeli chief of staff ( Eisenkot) and with the support of the defense minister (Yaalon) to compare Israeli actions to those of Nazis in the 1930s demands immediate dismissal. No other action would have been acceptable. The world too must remember that it too reaps what it sows.
13
Yaalon was right and courageous to say what he did. He is a true patriot, trying to save Israel from self-destruction.
4
This is one of the rare times - if ever - that I can totally agree with a Friedman piece about Israel.
(For the record: Labelling Moshe Halbertal a religious philosopher is misleading. He is a professor in the Department of Jewish Thought at Hebrew University. He may be "religious" and he may be a "philosopher," but were he to hang out a shingle I doubt that he'd write on it "religious philosopher.")
(For the record: Labelling Moshe Halbertal a religious philosopher is misleading. He is a professor in the Department of Jewish Thought at Hebrew University. He may be "religious" and he may be a "philosopher," but were he to hang out a shingle I doubt that he'd write on it "religious philosopher.")
9
Well, he does work, a lot, on Talmud, on Maimonides, and on the idea of idolatry. Religious ideas. That's not all he does, but he does do it a lot.
1
whatever the causes or reasons may be (and everyone has his), one thing is clear, the failure of Israeli governments to find a solution to a situation that only gets worse. And I don't consider offers that make a Palestinian state look like Swiss cheese, nor the lame and untrue excuse that they don't have anyone to negotiate with, acceptable. If you consider the degree of education, knowledge of everything from technology to diplomacy to international experience that Israelis have vs. the basic level of most of the Palestinians, there comes the realization that Israeli leaders have failed in solving what they keep on calling their existential threat. So, they are moving further down the road to increasing inflexibility. The trouble is that Netanyahu now wants 10 billion dollars from the US to continue his perilous policies, something we should not be a part of.
95
How can there be an answer when most Palestinians are against the 2-state solution? Most Palestinians want Palestine from the river to the sea.
4
As long as America chooses to coddle them, the spoiled children leading Israel will not change. Why should they?
122
If the current trajectory persists, there is a good chance that history will show Netanyahu ruin Israel as much as Palestine ethically and otherwise
16
Unfortunately opportunism and power hunger are the two base instincts, that are deeply ingrained in Benjamin Netanyahu's psyche. He wants to outdo Ben-Gurion and go down in Israel's history as its longest serving prime minister, if he completes his entire term, that ends on July 4, 2019. It shouldn't come as a surprise if he wanted to candidate again.
Hence it is important for Netanyahu to remain in office till July 2019. By appointing Avigdor Lieberman, it will shore up his one-seat majority in parliament, as Lieberman brings his Yisrael Beitenu party into the governing coalition, which is desperate for an enlargement. Netanyahu previously had 61 seats, which made it difficult to pass legislation. Now the coalition controls 67 of the 120 seats in the Knesset.
It is sad to see decent politicians like Moshe Yaalon driven out of the cabinet. As former defence minister, Yaalon wanted to ensure that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), remained one of the most revered institutions in the society. There is a risk that his successor, Lieberman might turn the IDF into a death squad.
Hence it is important for Netanyahu to remain in office till July 2019. By appointing Avigdor Lieberman, it will shore up his one-seat majority in parliament, as Lieberman brings his Yisrael Beitenu party into the governing coalition, which is desperate for an enlargement. Netanyahu previously had 61 seats, which made it difficult to pass legislation. Now the coalition controls 67 of the 120 seats in the Knesset.
It is sad to see decent politicians like Moshe Yaalon driven out of the cabinet. As former defence minister, Yaalon wanted to ensure that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), remained one of the most revered institutions in the society. There is a risk that his successor, Lieberman might turn the IDF into a death squad.
112
Israel is becoming a typical Middle Eastern country, with a government based on lies and self-deceptions. Giving up democracy based on open discussion makes Israel much safer, because Israel will no longer embody an idea that threatens its neighboring dictatorships and oligopolies. It will be just another corrupt and repressive state that can work with the other corrupt and repressive states to eliminate threats to the existing order.
229
WOW "typical middle east country" what kind of comment is that? Do you mean typical in the sense that its been blown apart and looted and destroyed by Imperialist USA?
4
This comment is just slightly extreme. Changing one minister in a cabinet does not by any stretch come come close to a "corrupt and repressive regime".
Can we tone down the inflammatory rhetoric please?
Can we tone down the inflammatory rhetoric please?
4
We live in Trumpish times.
Now, what does that mean? Well, in a political stew in which all sides are frozen in place ideologically, and unwilling to give an inch even to move forward as a people or, in the case of Israel and the Palestinians, as two peoples whose most honorable exponents wish to find some middle-ground on which both can establish and live decent lives … it means that sometimes you must say and do outrageous things to break the logjam.
Since adolescence I’ve watched these ponderous, ineffective moves by big, burly bears cautiously circling one another to talk it out; and Israel, under some of its most conservative politicians, has offered peace for land on more than one occasion. It’s never worked out. Peace for land didn’t work because Yasser Arafat feared assassination by Hamas if he agreed to ANYTHING with Israel, and may have found that end anyway. At regular intervals, violence explodes out of Gaza and there come tunnels, missiles, killers in the dark and terrible retribution from Israel that simply hardens both positions with congealed blood.
Liebermans come and Liebermans can go. But while Netanyahu’s moves may be those of a leader too cute for his own good in trying to balance extreme forces, sometimes in order to break apart a logjam you need to use explosives. If the alternative to FINALLY talking real mutual compromise with teeth is Lieberman, then this move might start such talks.
We live in Trumpish times.
Now, what does that mean? Well, in a political stew in which all sides are frozen in place ideologically, and unwilling to give an inch even to move forward as a people or, in the case of Israel and the Palestinians, as two peoples whose most honorable exponents wish to find some middle-ground on which both can establish and live decent lives … it means that sometimes you must say and do outrageous things to break the logjam.
Since adolescence I’ve watched these ponderous, ineffective moves by big, burly bears cautiously circling one another to talk it out; and Israel, under some of its most conservative politicians, has offered peace for land on more than one occasion. It’s never worked out. Peace for land didn’t work because Yasser Arafat feared assassination by Hamas if he agreed to ANYTHING with Israel, and may have found that end anyway. At regular intervals, violence explodes out of Gaza and there come tunnels, missiles, killers in the dark and terrible retribution from Israel that simply hardens both positions with congealed blood.
Liebermans come and Liebermans can go. But while Netanyahu’s moves may be those of a leader too cute for his own good in trying to balance extreme forces, sometimes in order to break apart a logjam you need to use explosives. If the alternative to FINALLY talking real mutual compromise with teeth is Lieberman, then this move might start such talks.
We live in Trumpish times.
13
The only side which is frozen ideologically is yours.
45
Richard writes: "If the alternative to FINALLY talking real mutual compromise with teeth is Lieberman, then this move might start such talks."
And what is a 'mutual' compromise with TEETH, I wonder? The goal of Netanyahu of Power Ueber Alles? One that is closer to the fascism of the 1930s as the deputy chief of the IDF, Golan, said on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance day of all times? Or Make America great again with the very same fascist tools?
You are obviously thrilled by the Trumpish times in both Israel and the supposedly greatest country in the world, times that would destroy both of these nations.
And what is a 'mutual' compromise with TEETH, I wonder? The goal of Netanyahu of Power Ueber Alles? One that is closer to the fascism of the 1930s as the deputy chief of the IDF, Golan, said on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance day of all times? Or Make America great again with the very same fascist tools?
You are obviously thrilled by the Trumpish times in both Israel and the supposedly greatest country in the world, times that would destroy both of these nations.
4
One indeed has to be permeated by an almost unshakeable pro-Israel bias not to have seen the utter unwillingness of Israel to get out of the occupied territories. Continuous talk of evenhandedness between the Palestinians and the Israelis has tried to obscure the fundamental reality of oppressors and oppressed, the reality of the military might of the state against the personal violence of its victims, the disparity between the sheer numbers of casualties caused by Israel and the the number of casualties caused by Paestinian violence. The US had ample chance to put real pressure on Israel, many, many times through the years, but at every instance it chose not to, and instead supported Israel. At which point does support become complicity? If this were a struggle of a surpressed black people against white oppressors, would we still have such a hands-off or, worse, supporting attitude?
152
A two state solution is the goal, but is it realistic now? The commenters who chastise Israel say it should get out of the occupied territories, but Abbas and other spokespeople for the Palestinians continue to refer to all of Israel as the occupied territory. They teach their children to kill Jews. Israel left Gaza and instead of working to create a state, Hamas took over and vows to destroy Israel. ISIS and other radicals are trying to make inroads in the West Bank. If Israel vacates the West Bank and East Jerusalem tomorrow, or next month, or next year, the Palestinians will use that area to continue to attack Israel. All of Israel will then be in range of mortars, as to which iron dome is not a defense. Israel twice offered to vacate these territories, but Arafat and then Abbas said no. The truth is that they do not want to live in peace with a Jewish state among the 22 Arab countries.
7
"At what point does support become complicity?" The question is, At what point did support become complicity? That point was reached and passed decades ago.
3
Israel used to be regarded as a nation of brave, ethical souls, an example to the world, but no longer. Israel seems to have become what it has most feared and hated.
301
By providing billions of dollars in defense to Israel we are in effect supporting their policies which are both undemocratic and racist. It's time for the US to reassess our commitments.
541
If the US is only friends with the pure, it would have a very small foreign service and international outreach. The US has deep roots with many 'impure' allies and friends where we provide enormous assistance: Egypt, Vietnam, Uganda, etc. Support for Israel in the US runs deep, not just in the Jewish community, either, and for good reasons. We don't have to support the occupation to support Israel too.
2
Israel is not Undemocratic yet; they still have elections. Ideally Israel would adopt the German system of 5% of total ballots cast in elections for a party to have seats in their parliment. That might prevent situations like the current one & bring some stability instead of rotating, ustable coalitions, which encouage the war against all.
1
Why is the US government supporting this behavior with the increase in military aid? doesn't this the US "safety net" only encourage them to this extreme positions? If they had to deal directly with the consequences without the US behind them, would they do this?
244
Are you aware of what that military aid entails? First: 80% it is loan guarantees. That's a process by which the US promises to take on for essentially zero interests Israeli loans so long as those funds are spent in this country. So basically the increase will go one place and that is here. Second: the increase is supposed to go for ballistic missile defense systems. Hamas launched 7000 rockets at Israel between 2005 and 2014. I think we can agree a defense system might seem appropriate. Finally, Israel serves several vital military roles simply by being where it is, many of which would be crucial to the West in the event of a conventional regional war which are too complicated to develop here. Military aid to Israel is simply a prudent and moral bet on the part of the president
9
Abelson for one, give big bucks to the Republican Congress & presidentiial candidates He encourages others to do the same. That money pays for lots of ads for political races, especially in off years when the great mass of people fail to vote; witness 2010 & 2014 elections.
3
The events in Israel of the past few days underscore a wide diversion of opinion into two camps.
On the one hand, essentially the entire world sees Benjamin Netanyahu as a thug, a petty politician beholden to a radical religious group which is tearing Israel apart in a foolish land grab at the expense of the Palestinians. Thinking people are aghast at how far Netanyahu and the extremists in his power base have departed from civilized norms of behavior to build their mini-empire.
On the other hand, Republicans controlling both houses of the United States Congress adore Netanyahu. They invited him to make a special trip to America for the purpose of lecturing Congress and President Obama about how to conduct our foreign policy. If it were up to the Republicans, they would do anything Benjamin Netanyahu instructed them to do.
On the one hand, essentially the entire world sees Benjamin Netanyahu as a thug, a petty politician beholden to a radical religious group which is tearing Israel apart in a foolish land grab at the expense of the Palestinians. Thinking people are aghast at how far Netanyahu and the extremists in his power base have departed from civilized norms of behavior to build their mini-empire.
On the other hand, Republicans controlling both houses of the United States Congress adore Netanyahu. They invited him to make a special trip to America for the purpose of lecturing Congress and President Obama about how to conduct our foreign policy. If it were up to the Republicans, they would do anything Benjamin Netanyahu instructed them to do.
309
It is not just Republicans who grovel for Netanyahu's approval. Most Democrats also do anything Netanyahu instructs them to do. This endangers the U.S., is not in America's strategic interest, but, hey, it fills politicians' coffers with AIPAC money and influence, and ensures election wins. Little by little, as people seek alternatives to mainstream media, the mantra of who loves Israel most is losing its appeal.
2
What Israel needs is term limits for it's prime ministers. Had there been one in its constitution, it would have reduced the amount of damage Netanyahu has inflicted on Israel. Israel is loosing its moral high ground because of the likes of Netanyahu and Lieberman.
104
"Had there been one in its constitution".
Israel has no constitution; it has "basic laws" in addition to the regular kind. The Prime Minister is not elected directly but is the head of the party chosen by the President to form a government, usually a coalition. The heads of parties are chosen by the party.
Israel experimented with the direct election of Prime Ministers (1996) but rescinded the practice.
Countries that nominate Donald Trump for presidential candidate should be careful about casting aspersions on others. Mr. Trump today for the first time passed Mrs. Clinton in some survey or another.
Israel has no constitution; it has "basic laws" in addition to the regular kind. The Prime Minister is not elected directly but is the head of the party chosen by the President to form a government, usually a coalition. The heads of parties are chosen by the party.
Israel experimented with the direct election of Prime Ministers (1996) but rescinded the practice.
Countries that nominate Donald Trump for presidential candidate should be careful about casting aspersions on others. Mr. Trump today for the first time passed Mrs. Clinton in some survey or another.
6
Alexander: You need to read up on the differences among government constructs. One cannot limit the term of a "prime minister'; that position is always filled by the party in power, or a coalition of parties that agree on who is to hold the position. That's why the name.
2
I stand corrected; nevertheless term limits are a good thing. It's time for fresh blood and new ideas. The same policies are not working! As Vartan Gregorian once told Charlie Rose when he was asked why he was leaving as the head of the New York Public Library, he said he had done all he could, and whatever he was not able to accomplish in 7 years he would not be able accomplish if stayed longer. Wise words...
1
Benjamin Netanyahu's mission is to lead Israel. Tom Friedman is unhappy
with Netanyahu's decisions but he does not have to answer to an electorate.
One column in the NYTIMES is not the basis for a foreign policy.
with Netanyahu's decisions but he does not have to answer to an electorate.
One column in the NYTIMES is not the basis for a foreign policy.
24
Netanyahu's mission is to lead Israel. Yes, but when he leads the country down the dead end path to self-destruction it becomes vital for people like Thomas Friedman to speak out ....as should everyone who really cares about the future of the State of Israel.
5
But where is he leading them? Israeli Religious Extremists know the history of Israel-Follow God's rule and prosper; become arrogant against God's rule and be destroyed. Which path is Israel on now?
2
I think Friedman is arguing that part of the basis for foreign policy should be recognizing that the Defense Minister, Moshe Yaalon, was just fired basically because his moderate views didn't chime with the ultra conservatives. Bibi sided with the ultra right and indeed has just set the tone for more foreign policies decisions to come. Israel had better have a collective awakening soon less it be destroyed by their own ultra extremes within.
1
Interestingly, it seems to be Israel's military that brings pragmatic, sensible, and centrist leadership. It's a sign of Israel's strength as a democracy committed to the rule of law that it is our civilians, not our soldiers, who threaten us from the far right. Many of us would like to see Yaalon team up with the likes of Amos Yadlin, Ehud Barak, Shaul Mofaz and others form an inclusive common-sense party that will take the K'nesset by storm and bring us responsible leadership.
95
Friedman is spot on in his column. Of course, he will be denounced by Netanyahu apologists as a "self hating Jew" or even worse, as anti-Semitic. Lieberman and Netanyahu better be concerned as to how American Jews feel about this. Not only does the United States have the world's largest Jewish population, but U.S. aid is what keeps Israel viable.
The existential threat to Israel does not come Iran or Syria or Iraq. It comes from within the leadership of the Israeli government. Not only is the Occupation morally and legal WRONG--but within the next 15 to 20 years---under a single state solution---"Greater Israel"--Muslims will outnumber Jews. This means that Israel will not survive as both a Jewish and democratic state. One or the other, but not both.
The existential threat to Israel does not come Iran or Syria or Iraq. It comes from within the leadership of the Israeli government. Not only is the Occupation morally and legal WRONG--but within the next 15 to 20 years---under a single state solution---"Greater Israel"--Muslims will outnumber Jews. This means that Israel will not survive as both a Jewish and democratic state. One or the other, but not both.
380
Friedman's claim that the purpose of BDS is to destroy Israel (rather than to curtail it's apartheid behavior and expansionist ambitions) is shoddy Holocaust-mongering, not worthy of a serious attempt at a column.
I want to see Israel secure behind recognized borders (ask the Likudniks where those borders lie, though, and you will get fogged in reply), but until Israel leaves the West Bank to the people who were living there when it took in over 1967 I will avoid, to the maximum practical extent, buying anything made in Israel, as well as anything made by Israelis in the West Bank.
I want to see Israel secure behind recognized borders (ask the Likudniks where those borders lie, though, and you will get fogged in reply), but until Israel leaves the West Bank to the people who were living there when it took in over 1967 I will avoid, to the maximum practical extent, buying anything made in Israel, as well as anything made by Israelis in the West Bank.
1
Nuts. The Occupation is a military necessity and the Arabs so occupied
have a very special right. The right to live. Just ask the Arabs in Syria and Iraq.
have a very special right. The right to live. Just ask the Arabs in Syria and Iraq.
3
“boycott, divestment, sanctions” (B.D.S.) campaign, is a campus movement to destroy Israel masquerading as a political critique.”
INCORRECT – BDS is an effective worldwide movement determined to counteract the USA pretence of pursuing a two state solution to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict
“the State of Israel-Palestine”
CORRECT – there is only one solution and that is the One state solution. Israeli’s who wish to preserve their homes must now accommodate themselves to living on terms of equal political, economic and human rights with their Palestinian neighbours.
INCORRECT – BDS is an effective worldwide movement determined to counteract the USA pretence of pursuing a two state solution to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict
“the State of Israel-Palestine”
CORRECT – there is only one solution and that is the One state solution. Israeli’s who wish to preserve their homes must now accommodate themselves to living on terms of equal political, economic and human rights with their Palestinian neighbours.
188
Incorrect.
I've attended two BDS "rallies"
BDS is an anti-Jew movement masquerading as an anti-Israel movement. What I saw, and what I heard was not ambiguous and net even veiled. It was plain Jew-hatred. Please - don't try to dress it up as being some sort of altruistic ground-swell.
I've attended two BDS "rallies"
BDS is an anti-Jew movement masquerading as an anti-Israel movement. What I saw, and what I heard was not ambiguous and net even veiled. It was plain Jew-hatred. Please - don't try to dress it up as being some sort of altruistic ground-swell.
12
And if (sorry, when) whatever government the Palestinians elect decides to drive the Jews out with death and fire,which is a foregone conclusion since it's a chapter in many Palestinian founding charters, what then? Do you say "they had it coming?" will you extend an open hand and allow eight million jews the opportunity to flee to the US? That worked well with Syria. Will you suggest they go to Europe, where antisemitism is at an all time high? or perhaps to the many Arab League nation that have codified into law a rejection of equal rights for Jews? Do you tell the descendents of the 850,000 Misrahi jews, a group with a continuous presence in the mideast for 3000 years who were ejected from their homes by the Arab league in 1948, tough luck guys try again somewhere else?
9
Been there, done that..Kinda didnt work
.. oh, I guess you think the world started in 1967. Dupe!
.. oh, I guess you think the world started in 1967. Dupe!
3
Bibi has always had a single, defining aim, i.e., living up to his brother Yonathan.
15
Can't diagnose him but have never liked him. He resembles so many of our own politicians. They believe they have the answer. They are fools.
41
However appalling Netanyahu's maneuvering is, do not overlook the role that Obama's hostility has played in shifting the balance of politics and opinion in the Middle East. In Israel that shift permits Netanyahu's behavior. Israelis have realized that the U.S. cannot be trusted, just as the Saudis have. Meanwhile, Iran, Putin, Assad and ISIS capitalize on the situation.
22
Obama is not hostile to Israel merely because he puts the interests of the US ahead of those of Israel. Obama is the President of the United States of America, not Prime Minister of Israel.
17
On the contrary-- the US is now correctly rebalancing the relationships in the Middle East.
What you call "lack of trust" in the US by our allies, is the US finally realizing that so called allies (Saudi Arabia, Israel) have used that label to advance their own agendas, not the US's.
This view is supported by the facts such as the deal with Iran, despite objections raised by these so called allies. The Iran deal allows the US to pressure both countries, something that could not be done previously (as they were the only game in town).
What you call "lack of trust" in the US by our allies, is the US finally realizing that so called allies (Saudi Arabia, Israel) have used that label to advance their own agendas, not the US's.
This view is supported by the facts such as the deal with Iran, despite objections raised by these so called allies. The Iran deal allows the US to pressure both countries, something that could not be done previously (as they were the only game in town).
2
Obama's hostility? Really? Are Israel and Bibi so insecure that they can't take honest criticism? Or is it your view that any criticism is hostile?
4
Now that the initial shock of Donald Trump becoming the presumptive Republican presidential nominee has begun to subside means it's open season on the Times favorite international villain--Bibi Netanyahu. We have Donald Trump to thank for taking the hyper intensive scrutiny reserved for Israel and Netanyahu off the Times editorial pages for the better part of 6 months. However, the novelty of Donald Trump has probably worn thin and the Times has to concentrate its wrath on someone. Who better than Benjamin Netanyahu? Bibi Netanyahu has Donald Trump beat by a mile when it comes to being the #1 target of the Times elitist columnists.
Friedman starts off by declaring that Israel has recently been under intense criticism for--well--simply existing. Israel has been under intense criticism since 1948. Sorry, but this is hardly news. BDS simply takes page right out of Mein Kampf--hit the Jews right in the wallet with boycotts and they'll go out of business soon enough.
To the bloggers--can you please come up with something more original than suggesting that Israel would behave itself if only America, its primary benefactor, would cut off the $3 billion dollar umbilical cord. It's getting old.
Friedman starts off by declaring that Israel has recently been under intense criticism for--well--simply existing. Israel has been under intense criticism since 1948. Sorry, but this is hardly news. BDS simply takes page right out of Mein Kampf--hit the Jews right in the wallet with boycotts and they'll go out of business soon enough.
To the bloggers--can you please come up with something more original than suggesting that Israel would behave itself if only America, its primary benefactor, would cut off the $3 billion dollar umbilical cord. It's getting old.
29
Excellent post!!!!
6
Now this is one really good deflection of the entire point of the article. Lots of word salad but not one single word about the odious Lieberman nor the amoral opportunism that led Netanyahu to make that choice. Yup, the Likud is alive and well in Rockaway Beach.
7
Who cares if Israel "behaves itself"? It would be worth it just to keep our money.
2
Excellent, as usual. I hope Tom will cover the opposition to Netanyahu which must be growing, on the question of whether there is any remedial hope.
38
So true, so sad! But where is the Left? Another aspect of the problem is that no political figure on the Left is strong and impressive enough to overthrow him. Previous leaders of the Labor party didn't invest in raising a new generation of leaders, young people who would eventually take their place. And this vacuum in the Left makes life so easy for Netanyahu.
The only hope is that this extreme government would awake forces that would be substantial enough to overthrow it.
onourselvesandothers.com
The only hope is that this extreme government would awake forces that would be substantial enough to overthrow it.
onourselvesandothers.com
58
The "Left" doesn't live there anymore.
They've been clearing out for the last 40 years.
They saw this one coming long ago.
They've been clearing out for the last 40 years.
They saw this one coming long ago.
5
As a lifelong supporter of Israel I find Netanyahu's destruction of the Zionist dream heartbreaking. Thank you, Mr Friedman, for calling out this megalomaniac.
423
"Destruction of the Zionist dream"?!
Perhaps in certain parts of NY. I can assure you that it is alive and well in other quarters.
When Mr. Trump is elected president, will that signal the end of the American dream?
Perhaps in certain parts of NY. I can assure you that it is alive and well in other quarters.
When Mr. Trump is elected president, will that signal the end of the American dream?
5
Those of us who hope and pray for a peaceful and just settlement of the serious issues between Israel and the Palestinians can only look at a future that continues to deteriorate and present a picture that makes peace nearly impossible to achieve because of the continued abusive and heavy handed actions and decisions of Mr. Netanyahu. The frustration of the Palestinians will continue to grow as they face greater hardships and an increased loss of the West Bank to additional Jewish settlements. A supposedly democratic country that keeps nearly half the population in geographical territories of limited mobility and freedom will eventually pay a huge price for its poor decisions that have nearly enslaved an entire people.
299
"Enslaved an entire people?" Using such extreme language means that you don't care about persuading people.
11
The "hardships" of the Arabs living in Gaza and Judea-Samaria are inflicted by there leaders who seek to kill Jews and refuse direct talks.
8
One is not persuaded with a boot on their neck.
5
B.D.S protests seek to put economic pressure on Israel because moral arguments fail to persuade their leaders. It does not seek to destroy Israel, and once and for all stop conflating criticism with intent to destroy Israel. Economic sanctions work. It's time the US government put real pressure on Israel to end its universally recognized illegal occupation of Palestine.
615
Sorry but you are naive at best. Look into who funds BDS and you will understand that their goal is to de-legitimize Israel and eliminate it. It is NOT a movement begun and sponsored by 18 y/o college students. They are merely pawns.
14
Ray: Here is an article by Friedman so critical of Israel and yet he even has doubts of the true intent of BDS. I think you have to give that some credibility. It's more than plausible, given some of the root sources of BDS, that the movement is trying to legitimize Israel AND its occupation.
2
You are wrong. Omar Bargouti, The leader of BDS, has admitted that he does want to destroy Israel.
2
Israel has been putting peace proposals on the table since 1948 and not a single one of them has ever been seriously considered by the Palestinians.
The first serious peace proposal that is advanced by the Palestinians -- it must include acceptance of a permanent Jewish State of Israel -- will be leapt at by Mr. Netanyahu.
The first serious peace proposal that is advanced by the Palestinians -- it must include acceptance of a permanent Jewish State of Israel -- will be leapt at by Mr. Netanyahu.
35
"Netanyahu does just the opposite. For those of us who care about Israel’s future, this is a dark hour..." He's the perfect example of a self serving politician who has an uncanny sense for human stupidity.
64
After reading Mr. Friedman's column, I think John Milton is apt:
The dismal Situation waste and wild,
A Dungeon horrible, on all sides round
As one great Furnace flam'd, yet from those flames
No light, but rather darkness visible.
Paradise Lost, Book 1, lines 60-63
When will the American Political Elite allow real discussion of what Israel has become?
The dismal Situation waste and wild,
A Dungeon horrible, on all sides round
As one great Furnace flam'd, yet from those flames
No light, but rather darkness visible.
Paradise Lost, Book 1, lines 60-63
When will the American Political Elite allow real discussion of what Israel has become?
158
"When will the American Political Elite allow real discussion of what Israel has become?"
Not until the US changes it`s election campaign funding laws so that the foreign lobby (AIPAC) can no longer game the system and thereby control Congress & the WH against the interests of the nation. eg invading/destroying Iraq for Israel. Mearscheimer & Walt point out in their acclaimed book the Israel Lobby , the Iraq War was accomplished by and for AIPAC. Eg. It was Wolfowitz who set up the Office Of Special Plans in the Pentagon & staffed it with Feith , Perle, Edelman , Wurmser & 18 other AIPACers who generated the lies used to rev-up US public support to pre-emptively invade Iraq. (In previous gov`t security jobs both Feith & Perle were charged with passing US secrets to Israel.)
In 2003, this same journalist Thom Friedman wrote about members of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations saying, “if you had exiled 25 of them to a desert island a year and half ago, the Iraq war would not have happened”.
Not until the US changes it`s election campaign funding laws so that the foreign lobby (AIPAC) can no longer game the system and thereby control Congress & the WH against the interests of the nation. eg invading/destroying Iraq for Israel. Mearscheimer & Walt point out in their acclaimed book the Israel Lobby , the Iraq War was accomplished by and for AIPAC. Eg. It was Wolfowitz who set up the Office Of Special Plans in the Pentagon & staffed it with Feith , Perle, Edelman , Wurmser & 18 other AIPACers who generated the lies used to rev-up US public support to pre-emptively invade Iraq. (In previous gov`t security jobs both Feith & Perle were charged with passing US secrets to Israel.)
In 2003, this same journalist Thom Friedman wrote about members of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations saying, “if you had exiled 25 of them to a desert island a year and half ago, the Iraq war would not have happened”.
10
Netanyahu reminds me of Putin - invade, annex and suppress. When the international community voices objections they cry "The whole world is against us and conspiring against us"
Mr Netanyahu please buy a mirror and take a long hard look.
Mr Netanyahu please buy a mirror and take a long hard look.
202
Edrogan in Turkey, Modi in India, Abe in Japan, and a plethora of right wing wannabees crawling all over Europe and the U.S. and you have a New Age of Authoritarianism. The world-wide "experiment with democracy" thing does not appear to be doing very well.
3
Let me make this easier for you.
Netanyahu is most likely a diagnosable psychopath. He's also a neocon. The two are mutually compatible/related.
Psychopathy is a full spectrum condition most people have some trace levels of it, those that don't have become saints. But psychopaths are infamous for knowing right from wrong but not caring. They don't have a conscience, empathy, emotions. This makes them look confident, charismatic, attractive. They can lie persistently, unflinchingly, charsimatically. Because they see the world being like themselves, the thing they fear the most is being dominated (by someone like themselves). That fear creates the one thing they value: domination of others. That combo impels their ambition to positions of power. Netanyahu has no problem campaigning under a theme that without him in power Israel faces an existential threat, because for him, lack of power feels like an existential threat to himself. At times he has also demonstrated a fetish for humiliation of his adversaries.
As a psychopath Netanyahu doesn't care what happens to Israel as long as he can stay in power another day. I don't mean to single him out this way, we've got plenty like him here, but he's the topic of this piece. Israel will have to pick up the pieces after he's gone like we did w/ Bush & are still doing & will be for another 75 years. Psych pros tell you there's no coming out ahead in dealing w/ them; the best strategy is to avoid any contact with this ilk altogether.
Netanyahu is most likely a diagnosable psychopath. He's also a neocon. The two are mutually compatible/related.
Psychopathy is a full spectrum condition most people have some trace levels of it, those that don't have become saints. But psychopaths are infamous for knowing right from wrong but not caring. They don't have a conscience, empathy, emotions. This makes them look confident, charismatic, attractive. They can lie persistently, unflinchingly, charsimatically. Because they see the world being like themselves, the thing they fear the most is being dominated (by someone like themselves). That fear creates the one thing they value: domination of others. That combo impels their ambition to positions of power. Netanyahu has no problem campaigning under a theme that without him in power Israel faces an existential threat, because for him, lack of power feels like an existential threat to himself. At times he has also demonstrated a fetish for humiliation of his adversaries.
As a psychopath Netanyahu doesn't care what happens to Israel as long as he can stay in power another day. I don't mean to single him out this way, we've got plenty like him here, but he's the topic of this piece. Israel will have to pick up the pieces after he's gone like we did w/ Bush & are still doing & will be for another 75 years. Psych pros tell you there's no coming out ahead in dealing w/ them; the best strategy is to avoid any contact with this ilk altogether.
246
Thank you for this post. Now I understand why President Obama cannot, in all good conscience, condone Netanyahu's actions and what is happening in Israel.
It would be helpful if prominent Republicans would weigh in on the radicalization of Netanyahu's Israel - but I won't be holding my breath while the GOP dithers.
It would be helpful if prominent Republicans would weigh in on the radicalization of Netanyahu's Israel - but I won't be holding my breath while the GOP dithers.
37