Seems to me Bibi is most likely to win the next election unless forced to resign. Affordable housing for young couples is an issue no gov't has been able to solve, but other than that few serious complaints real about his performance. The Palestinians are not willing to accept a Jewish State under any conditions that the vast majority of Jews in Israel would agree to so Bibi nor anyone else woudl be able to move forward on that front.
3
I am no fan of Bibi, but those who think he is the reason there is no peace between Israelis and Palestinians have not been following the news for very long. Or very widely. Or very deeply.
5
"Old" but "true": "None of the atrocities that have happened in the Middle East since 1948 would have been foremost without the fatally-flawed partitioning by world powers that rolled over historical hatreds of more than 2,000 years. Netanyahu is just one of the autocratic and warmongering "strongmen" consequent. In any imagined "real" peace, he'd likely register barely as a cipher.
(The bully in the White House pulpit is likewise a copy-cat.)
(The bully in the White House pulpit is likewise a copy-cat.)
6
Gee, the anti-Trump Democrats must have exerted some pressure on some Israelis. It doesn't work here and it will not work there.
1
Autocrats and crooks bring the trouble to themselves, eventually exposing themselves as they escalate their cheating. lying, stealing. These two don't need any help. Both of them have gotten away with so much for so long with their dirty alliances and misuse of power that they thought they would never be caught.
Following the money yields the evidence.
Truth works to the surface eventually. Blaming the Democrats is absurd and fake, just like the weak liar-in-chief.
Following the money yields the evidence.
Truth works to the surface eventually. Blaming the Democrats is absurd and fake, just like the weak liar-in-chief.
3
Time for Bibi to leave? One can only hope.
7
@Duncan Lennox
If you are so interested in advocating for BDS against Israel to force peace, where is your call for BDS against Syria ?
Assad is responsible for the deaths of about 450k people and the displacement of about 2 million.
Where is your outrage ?
Calls for BDS are generally just disguised anti-Semitism, masquerading as nobility.
If you are so interested in advocating for BDS against Israel to force peace, where is your call for BDS against Syria ?
Assad is responsible for the deaths of about 450k people and the displacement of about 2 million.
Where is your outrage ?
Calls for BDS are generally just disguised anti-Semitism, masquerading as nobility.
7
Israel has survived unexpected Prime Minister changes before. In no particular order there was Yitzak Rabin's assassination, Ariel Sharon's stroke, and Ehud Olmert having to resign as Prime Minister followed by his being tried and convicted on corruption charges. Not that anyone noticed but Olmert was released from jail earlier this year after completing 16 months of his sentence. Life went on in Israel. America managed to survive the aftermath of four presidential assassinations.
I'd like to give Isabel Kershner a little friendly advice--you're trying too hard to have your very own Woodward and Bernstein moment in bringing down a leader you openly dislike especially an Israeli Prime Minister. Stop coming across like a hungry buzzard swooping in for the kill. Before rushing Netanyahu off to jail remember that nothing has happened yet because investigations take a while. What if someone who's an even more hardliner replaces Netanyahu in the Knesset? Think about that before you indulge in your favorite sport--trial by media.
I'd like to give Isabel Kershner a little friendly advice--you're trying too hard to have your very own Woodward and Bernstein moment in bringing down a leader you openly dislike especially an Israeli Prime Minister. Stop coming across like a hungry buzzard swooping in for the kill. Before rushing Netanyahu off to jail remember that nothing has happened yet because investigations take a while. What if someone who's an even more hardliner replaces Netanyahu in the Knesset? Think about that before you indulge in your favorite sport--trial by media.
5
Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. It is too bad it took this long.
8
Netanyahu was caught on video bragging about sabotaging the Oslo process. He has declared that there will be no Palestinian state and no Palestinian equality on his watch. This is the official policy of Israel's largest and most dominant political party, Likud(and of the many, many parties to its right.) Israel's president has echoed Netanyahu, claiming that the occupation will be permanent and that its end is not up for political debate.
At no point in this "peace process" has Israel stopped building illegal settlements or ended its apartheid regime in the Occupied Territories. The fact is that Israel profits off of the occupation, that over 75 percent of Jewish Israelis oppose a 2 state solution and that no major Israeli party has any interest in making peace.
Peace will only come from international pressure in the form of BDS, not from this farce which Israel sees as little more than a PR exercise.
The rational world sees and understands who are the foreigners , colonists , land stealers , ethnic cleansers & brutal occupiers vs who are the indigenous people of Palestine who have been forced from their land or live gasping for life & freedom under the Zionist boot. (425 villages+12 urban centers were ethnically cleansed in 1948 alone, forcing 750K Pal`s from THEIR land to become refugees.) After the 1967 war Israel expelled ~260K Palestinians from the West Bank + 80K Syrians from the Golan.
At no point in this "peace process" has Israel stopped building illegal settlements or ended its apartheid regime in the Occupied Territories. The fact is that Israel profits off of the occupation, that over 75 percent of Jewish Israelis oppose a 2 state solution and that no major Israeli party has any interest in making peace.
Peace will only come from international pressure in the form of BDS, not from this farce which Israel sees as little more than a PR exercise.
The rational world sees and understands who are the foreigners , colonists , land stealers , ethnic cleansers & brutal occupiers vs who are the indigenous people of Palestine who have been forced from their land or live gasping for life & freedom under the Zionist boot. (425 villages+12 urban centers were ethnically cleansed in 1948 alone, forcing 750K Pal`s from THEIR land to become refugees.) After the 1967 war Israel expelled ~260K Palestinians from the West Bank + 80K Syrians from the Golan.
15
For all of the complaining about Netanyahu in these comments, the fact is that Israel is doing quite well under his leadership.
The economy is booming, with hi-tech start ups being created at a phenomenal rate. Israel's known expertise in drip irrigation, weapons technology, and other high-tech have resulted in many large trade deals with other countries (India most recently). The shekel is stable.
The country's political environment remains stable, and citizens (and others) are free to criticize the government (try that in Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia....let alone Syria or Lebanon). Even relations with Russia are fairly good.
The Gay Pride parade in Tel Aviv goes on every year.
The number of African and Asian countries recognizing Israel formally has gone up dramatically over the last few years.
Yes, there are problems, and you may dislike Bibi personally.
You may blame him for lack of movement on the Palestinian issue (I don't), you may castigate him for his behavior towards Obama (I don't) or towards the Reform and Conservative movements in the Diaspora (I do).
But it very hard to argue that Israel has not moved forward tremendously under his leadership, and is in much better shape than almost all of its neighbors.
In my view, that's called success.
The economy is booming, with hi-tech start ups being created at a phenomenal rate. Israel's known expertise in drip irrigation, weapons technology, and other high-tech have resulted in many large trade deals with other countries (India most recently). The shekel is stable.
The country's political environment remains stable, and citizens (and others) are free to criticize the government (try that in Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia....let alone Syria or Lebanon). Even relations with Russia are fairly good.
The Gay Pride parade in Tel Aviv goes on every year.
The number of African and Asian countries recognizing Israel formally has gone up dramatically over the last few years.
Yes, there are problems, and you may dislike Bibi personally.
You may blame him for lack of movement on the Palestinian issue (I don't), you may castigate him for his behavior towards Obama (I don't) or towards the Reform and Conservative movements in the Diaspora (I do).
But it very hard to argue that Israel has not moved forward tremendously under his leadership, and is in much better shape than almost all of its neighbors.
In my view, that's called success.
5
"The Gay Pride parade in Tel Aviv goes on every year."
...with the marchers carefully avoiding Haredi neighborhoods for fear of their lives.
...with the marchers carefully avoiding Haredi neighborhoods for fear of their lives.
6
Dear g. I beg to differ with you. I am an American who has lived in Israel for almost forty years. According to the OECD may indicators dispute what you say about our economy. Food is woefully overpriced and apartment purchasing is out of the question for many, if not most young couples. Hundreds of thousands of people live under the poverty line, and Bibi et al have made sure that an ammonia company, just waiting for a tragic event, is not moved out of harm's way (the one in Haifa). Bibi's trying to sabotage the Agreement with the Iranians was unforgivable, and he is still trying to do so along with Donald Trump. President Obama was right. IHO Bibi Netanyahu is perhaps the most crooked Israeli leader in Israel's history AND he does NOT want peace. Period. Anyone who believes his propaganda about the Palestinians, anyone who believes his lies and excuses as to the investigations against him...nu, is incredibly naive for lack of harsher terms! There are many leaders here who could, and should, replace him. NOW!
10
If their economy is doing so well why are we sending them money?
1
Israel is a soft military dictatorship, that's why their leaders linger around for decades. A country can't spend nearly 10% of GDP on military occupation and perpetual war and not be a militant state by definition.
Not to mention the Israeli people live in a perpetual state of martial law that has never been lifted since the 1948. There are no real civil liberties for anyone, Jews, Muslims, Arabs or the Jewish descendants of Europeans. This state of affairs certainly benefits one group over the other in the short term, but in the long run, it won't benefit anyone. Even left wing Jewish radio stations are routinely shut down by the military with almost no mention in American news.
The reality and the portrayal of life in Israel couldn't be more different.
Not to mention the Israeli people live in a perpetual state of martial law that has never been lifted since the 1948. There are no real civil liberties for anyone, Jews, Muslims, Arabs or the Jewish descendants of Europeans. This state of affairs certainly benefits one group over the other in the short term, but in the long run, it won't benefit anyone. Even left wing Jewish radio stations are routinely shut down by the military with almost no mention in American news.
The reality and the portrayal of life in Israel couldn't be more different.
7
Bibi should retire to Washington and become a lobbyist. There has never been a foreign leader as popular in the Senate in this century. The politics of fear are alive and well in both our country and our client state
4
When world leaders openly call him a liar,
when he and his wife are under 3 legal investigations Israel,
when he and his generals are under investigation for war crimes,
and when his Kushner family friends are under legal investigation in the USA,
it is time to say "enough already"
when he and his wife are under 3 legal investigations Israel,
when he and his generals are under investigation for war crimes,
and when his Kushner family friends are under legal investigation in the USA,
it is time to say "enough already"
12
Oy! Bibileh has been around too long. I thought he was smart. When you want to supposedly smaltz (grease you pocket), you do it quietly. Oy, he's looking to be in trouble. And his friend, turning against him to testify- that friend is such a mumzer (bastard). I told Bibeleh to choose his friends more carefully! Oy, Vay, Zmir (Oh woe is upon me!), the tsorus (troubles) Bibeleh must be having! Maybe he can smaltz the lawyers to help him out!
7
The article doesn't mention another tragic aspect of Mr. Netanyahu's legacy. He increasingly based the relationship between Israel and the US on partisan right-wing political alignment, repeatedly demeaning President Obama, publicly disrepecting him, and engaging in petty slights and nasty attempts to undermine his authority. The result of that repugnant tantrum was alienating moderate and liberal Americans and many Democrats at a time when the Divestment and Sanctions movement worldwide is gaining strength while international support for Israel's continued occupation is diminishing.
This was a needless own error, and will outlast him, sadly. Stupid and self-defeating may well prove his greatest legacy.
This was a needless own error, and will outlast him, sadly. Stupid and self-defeating may well prove his greatest legacy.
38
This is important. Even Jewish people who disapprove of Netanyahu are accused of anti-Semitism by the Christian right wing.
It's like Kafka crossed with Dr. Seuss.
It's like Kafka crossed with Dr. Seuss.
2
Totally agree with Main Street. My own negative comments re a recent article were rejected by the reviewer. Surprised, pleasantly, that yours were posted. And happy to support/recommend. (Will this one get posted??? We'll see.)
4
I see now why Trump and Netanyahu are kindred spirits. Both, are fighting for their political lives because of their suspicious business dealings. The president, of course, does it on a global scale.
20
I think Bibi is as bad for Israel as trump is for the US. I hope he goes to jail and loses some of his riches. Then mid-east peace could be worked on (without donnie's little son in law at the table),
19
Sooner or later the Teflon wears off. It happens all the time.
15
Ah, he was such a great friend of Jared! How will a Netanyahu corruption trial effect Jared's plans for peace in the Middle East? At least Jared and Trump have given Bibi good advice on defense, it sounds like his lashing out at the media is straight out of Trump's playbook.
At least he hides behind a black curtain, wish Don the Con would do the same.
At least he hides behind a black curtain, wish Don the Con would do the same.
10
"....A peak — or nadir, depending on the perspective — of his leadership..." Shame on the Times! Your bias is showing through. A more appropriate and neutral phrase would have been ...a highlight of his leadership...
4
Is it a new Israeli tradition that their leaders go to jail?!
5
Netanyahu, like other right-wingers around the world, has always appealed to the worst fears and lowest instincts of the populace. Never able to articulate a positive vision, he -- like Trump, Duterte, Putin, Cheney, and many others -- presents a terrifying image of an apocalyptic future in which enemies, real and imagined, are always ready to destroy "everything we have worked so hard to create."
True leaders envision and articulate a vision of hope, and work with their allies as well as opponents to find a path forward together, if not in harmony at least in parallel tension. Neither Netanyahu nor Trump nor any of the other would-be dictators will ever do so.
Another common factor among such men is how frequently they figure out ways to line their own pockets while indulging their paranoid vision. The profit motive seems as great as any other in propelling such people to power. I, for one, cannot wait until Israel rids itself of this self-serving, dishonest, corrupt man -- and until the U.S. does the same with our counterpart, DJT.
True leaders envision and articulate a vision of hope, and work with their allies as well as opponents to find a path forward together, if not in harmony at least in parallel tension. Neither Netanyahu nor Trump nor any of the other would-be dictators will ever do so.
Another common factor among such men is how frequently they figure out ways to line their own pockets while indulging their paranoid vision. The profit motive seems as great as any other in propelling such people to power. I, for one, cannot wait until Israel rids itself of this self-serving, dishonest, corrupt man -- and until the U.S. does the same with our counterpart, DJT.
31
Imagine if all Politicians could go to jail for telling lies. How wonderful that would be.
11
Conservatives around the world are the same, I, Me, Mine! Afraid of the other, they preach hate and violence, to preserve that which they currently possess.
15
The prospect of an "about-face" in Israel would be most welcome around the world........an Israel that reverts to the original ideals of a liberal democracy ..... an Israel that protects the rights of all it's citizens .......an Israel that respects human rights and international law ...... and Israeli leaders that are respected for their honesty.
16
Bibi is the product of his father. So he can't be made fully responsible for his political style. Ben-Zion Netanyahu, ex-Mileikovsky, was an Arab hater par excellence, who camouflaged himself as a historian. I remember that after WWII he tried to run in the doors of the American State Department in order to garner favors and political aid for the coming state of Israel. Luckily Georg Marshall barred him.
8
On the scale of things, bribery seems so trite these days. Sailing on the Good Ship Lollipop forever seems so out of touch with reality. It's like with Trump, it's not that his being unfit is enough, they've got to catch him on some technicality in order to do what's right. Not that anyone knows what that is, those that know how to play the system use it at their discretion and to their liking.
4
Peace will come after Bibi leaves. He is the one and only obstacle for Middle East peace between two cousins.
4
As of today, indictments do not seem to be coming anytime soon.
This will give the NYT and Ms. Kershner a chance to repeat the same article every few days for probably the next few months. See the August 6 version. What has changed? Nothing.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/06/world/middleeast/benjamin-netanyahu-i...®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=collection
I predict the next one will appear on Sunday August 13, unless, God forbid, there is real new news to write about.
This will give the NYT and Ms. Kershner a chance to repeat the same article every few days for probably the next few months. See the August 6 version. What has changed? Nothing.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/06/world/middleeast/benjamin-netanyahu-i...®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=collection
I predict the next one will appear on Sunday August 13, unless, God forbid, there is real new news to write about.
7
Oops, wrong already. An article by Ms. Kershner appears today (she seems to be the only NYT reporter here) informing us that 3,000 party activists attended a staged demonstration of support in which Mr. Netanyahu accused the left-wing media of trying to take him down. How unexpected.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/09/world/middleeast/israel-netanyahu-inv...
After the summer it is time to put an end to this farce.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/09/world/middleeast/israel-netanyahu-inv...
After the summer it is time to put an end to this farce.
3
Bibi is for Bibi. He's taken America to the cleaners.
14
Netanyahu has declared this investigation is a witch hunt. He has said certain members of the media are out to get him. He believes he has tremendous support in Israel and this made up scandal will not turn him, a duly elected Prime Minister, from office. I am sure the pro Netanyahu demonstrations will turn people out in historic and record numbers. All he needs to do now is start using a twitter account to get out his message out.
6
In March 2015, when Benjamin Netanyahu secured his fourth term in office, he looked set to become Israel's longest serving leader.
If David Ben Gurion were still alive, he would most unlikely approve of what Netanyahu is doing, because he argued against holding on to Arab territory beyond Jerusalem.
He might be turning in his grave now, begrudging Netanyahu to become Israel's longest serving leader after him.
If David Ben Gurion were still alive, he would most unlikely approve of what Netanyahu is doing, because he argued against holding on to Arab territory beyond Jerusalem.
He might be turning in his grave now, begrudging Netanyahu to become Israel's longest serving leader after him.
7
Netanyahu is a thug. His downfall was inevitable.
Too bad that he'll be in a different prison than Trump. Otherwise they could hang out.
Too bad that he'll be in a different prison than Trump. Otherwise they could hang out.
36
Netanyahu has gone through nine lives and then some. Time is up. Here's hoping that Bibi finally faces justice and that a less destructive and alienating PM will replace him.
19
Our most trusted and cherished ally ....
5
Meanwhile, Netanyahu and his government more broadly have launched a frontal attack on the freedom of speech, moving to silence Al Jazeera, the only mainstream news source aside from The Guardian that regularly and fully reports upon the violence—from airstrikes to the reduction of electricity to two hours a day (an action in which Abbas played a crucial, instigating role) to the consistent denial of medical care in Israel upon the Occupied territories, particularly Gaza. Interestingly, the Times has somehow neglected to report this, deeming Bill Murray's viewing of Groundhog Day more newsworthy, more deserving of a place on the front page, than the imposition of censorship within what claims to be "the only democracy" within the Middle East.
37
I read your list over and over, but don't think you mentioned the regular demolition of Palestinian homes.
2
Because for a while every Middle East NYT story featured Al Jazeera as a source. Then when it became clear Al Jazeera America was not allowing its reporters freedom to report but forcing them into an agenda, NYT ceased quoting Al Jazeera and even did some features on how it was a Qatari mouthpiece. This was just Al Jazeera English, not even the Arabic one which incites day and night.
I don't think Al Jazeera should be shut down. Or The National Inquirer which is not true news, once was are on the subject. But Al Jazeera is objective in the same way as RT - a government controlled propagandist whose staff is severely restrained.
I don't think Al Jazeera should be shut down. Or The National Inquirer which is not true news, once was are on the subject. But Al Jazeera is objective in the same way as RT - a government controlled propagandist whose staff is severely restrained.
2
It's called Karma, Bibi....
27
As obnoxious as he is you want a guy like Netanyahu negotiating on your behalf, not someone who will give away the store at the inception of negotiations.
9
Criminals have no business negotiating anything. I, for one, would not want a criminal negotiating on my behalf.
7
If the corruption accusations are true, one might say that there is little chance of Netanyahu giving away the store because he would no longer be able to steal from it.
4
Without 'Bibi' peace in the region would be more likely.
21
It would be wonderful if he was gone. The prospect of peace in the region could really have a chance.
49
These scandals are quaint by our new standards. In the good old days, we Americans could take heart that scandals such as gifts and favorable media coverage could cause real problems. Now the possibility of treason could just ... go away. And certainly we don't expect our public servants to stand up for honor, ethics, or even laws anymore. How far we have fallen.
43
“There are no two ways about it,” Mr. Gabbay wrote... “There is only being for or against the corruption and the rot.”
Kinda like some feel about the current White House administration.
Kinda like some feel about the current White House administration.
41
Good riddance. Bibi has been antagonistic to peace in the region. Imagine Israel not on a war footing. Imagine as lasting peace.
69
Tell that to the Hamas terrorist group on its border. Israel needs to be on a war footing, always.
17
If you think that Netanayahu is what is standing in the way of peace than you are delusional. The one time that Israel had somewhat of a peace partner in the Arab world was when the "Palestinians'" reputation were severely weakened in the international community by their support for Saddam Hussein in Iraq War I in the early 90s. Peace begins and ends with the ability of Abu Mazen and other "Palestinian" leaders to affirm support of a Jewish state in any form and to give up on the "Two Stage" solution and on "Palestine" being 'free from the river to the sea' with all of explicit genoice in that phrase.
13
Palestinians: Stop teaching and preaching evil to your children, learn how to run a civilized, functioning state if given the chance ever again, stop paying your terrorists pensions, recognize Israel.
9