Netanyahu considers not himself to attend the United Nations' yearly session where the Palestinian statehood-bid will be voted, but to send Shimon Peres instead.
Addressing the representives of the nations of the world, Peres would possibly say:
Ladies and Gentleman
It is a great honour for me to represent my country at this historic moment.
As the architect of the Oslo Agreement, which earned me the Nobel Peace Prize, I am moved to appear before you now at this General Assembly of the world's nations.
Since those golden years which even made me for a short while Prime Minister, I started a whole new career. Not able to win elections I hired myself to Prime Ministers who needed a Certificate of Good Conduct.
That is my role also today.
As for the question of Palestinian statehood:
Don't expect me to vote in favour.
After all, what do I need another Nobel Peace Prize for?
Friday, September 2, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Not a real paradox - perhaps.
One would expect that those who need the people as cannon fodder would not also starve them.
Indeed, I have been wondering for some time how Netanyahu combines being a rightwinger Israeli style (expansion, militarism oriented) and binding the Likud voters, many of them among the needy, in spite of his Friedman free-market economics.
But maybe I had it all wrong: the "we are invincible" arrogance towards the Palestinians, and towards world opinion, that was exactly what for a long time was sweetening the pill of his austerity policies. But, now that the tent protest has broken the spell we may have reached the moment that the sweetener will start losing its taste.
The push of the hundreds of thousands is in the first place for Social Justice. But there are good reasons to hope, and believe, that the flood will in the end also bury the garrison state model, and invent an Israel which would cease to behave as the regional bully and - maybe it won't yet be too late - will be able to take root in its environment as an excepted neighbor.
Israel - push restart, said one of the slogans...
Indeed, I have been wondering for some time how Netanyahu combines being a rightwinger Israeli style (expansion, militarism oriented) and binding the Likud voters, many of them among the needy, in spite of his Friedman free-market economics.
But maybe I had it all wrong: the "we are invincible" arrogance towards the Palestinians, and towards world opinion, that was exactly what for a long time was sweetening the pill of his austerity policies. But, now that the tent protest has broken the spell we may have reached the moment that the sweetener will start losing its taste.
The push of the hundreds of thousands is in the first place for Social Justice. But there are good reasons to hope, and believe, that the flood will in the end also bury the garrison state model, and invent an Israel which would cease to behave as the regional bully and - maybe it won't yet be too late - will be able to take root in its environment as an excepted neighbor.
Israel - push restart, said one of the slogans...
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
The falafel seller's dilemma
Each cafetaria has these days a television screen. The evening news starts with the national uprising against the prices of housing - and shows how the striking doctors are joining forces with the tent protesters.
"The whole state is breaking to pieces" complains the always friendly and goodmooded falafel seller.
"This rebellion may still repair it" I try.
"If we are no longer united, the Arabs will get the state for free" says he.
The Israeli mindset in a nutshell.
"The whole state is breaking to pieces" complains the always friendly and goodmooded falafel seller.
"This rebellion may still repair it" I try.
"If we are no longer united, the Arabs will get the state for free" says he.
The Israeli mindset in a nutshell.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
One day of democracy
Very nice, the movement which tries to "preserve Israel's democracy", but did that not already cease to exist long ago? How can one call it a democracy when decisions affecting the lives of some 10 million people are taken by a government for the election of which several million are excluded?
That is because of a "temporary occupation", they say. "We didn't annex the occupied territories, so the Palestinians should not be counted."
But the occupation already lasts more than 44 years. Even considering that Israel existed as a democracy during its first 19 years, still it was most of the time an occupier, more than two thirds of the time, denying millions of people fundamental civil rights for many decades
Democracy, what democracy? Look what you would get if there would be one day of real democracy between the river and the sea - only one day in which was held a referendum: there would be an overwhelming majority for ending the occupation.
That is because of a "temporary occupation", they say. "We didn't annex the occupied territories, so the Palestinians should not be counted."
But the occupation already lasts more than 44 years. Even considering that Israel existed as a democracy during its first 19 years, still it was most of the time an occupier, more than two thirds of the time, denying millions of people fundamental civil rights for many decades
Democracy, what democracy? Look what you would get if there would be one day of real democracy between the river and the sea - only one day in which was held a referendum: there would be an overwhelming majority for ending the occupation.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Massada II
Once upon a time the magic formula "if you will it, it's no fairy tale" made a collective dream come true. At least so it seemed.
The idea had been to recreate a Jewish State in the supposedly-empty historical homeland. Gradually the years of exile would shrink and become "an intermezzo".
The "Dream Come True" turned out to be a Fata Morgana which lasted no more than one generation's lifetime. Two thousand years had passed, and from generation to generation Jerusalem was not forgotten. But neither was the Massada mentality.
Many saw it coming: "We are heading towards a Tsunami" they cried out on the streets, in Facebook and where not - but it didn't lead to the needed change of direction. "Criticism = antisemitism" turned out to be a powerful defense mechanism. Petty self-interest of ratings-addicted politicians did the rest. The privileges of the holy cows (the settlers) remained untouched (actually increased), and when the irresistible flood came, all drowned together: Jews and Arabs, the cows as well as the ones who had cried out in vain.
Massada II will never become a touristic attraction. When from Dimona a mushroom came up, the whole country was swallowed, leaving nothing but a deep hole in the earth.
The idea had been to recreate a Jewish State in the supposedly-empty historical homeland. Gradually the years of exile would shrink and become "an intermezzo".
The "Dream Come True" turned out to be a Fata Morgana which lasted no more than one generation's lifetime. Two thousand years had passed, and from generation to generation Jerusalem was not forgotten. But neither was the Massada mentality.
Many saw it coming: "We are heading towards a Tsunami" they cried out on the streets, in Facebook and where not - but it didn't lead to the needed change of direction. "Criticism = antisemitism" turned out to be a powerful defense mechanism. Petty self-interest of ratings-addicted politicians did the rest. The privileges of the holy cows (the settlers) remained untouched (actually increased), and when the irresistible flood came, all drowned together: Jews and Arabs, the cows as well as the ones who had cried out in vain.
Massada II will never become a touristic attraction. When from Dimona a mushroom came up, the whole country was swallowed, leaving nothing but a deep hole in the earth.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Peace seekers whose audacity inspires hope
In Athens a boat is preparing to sail to Gaza. On this boat are a lot of American friends with whom I corresponded through the years, as they supported the struggle of the Israeli peace camp against the occupation and were eager for every bit of information. Now they have become themselves center stage, and I am the one following from Tel Aviv their action to break the siege of Gaza.
That they felt they have to do this makes me aware of our failure. True, we protested the collective punishment of the siege and made efforts to get truckloads of food and medicines into Gaza. Gush Shalom at one occasion even succeeded to get the materials actually through. And there are the good people of 'Other Voice', living in the Qassam's reach - in Sderot and the kibbutzim surrounding the Gaza Strip - but nevertheless open to how much more the Palestinians of Gaza suffer and maintaining contact by phone.
With that all we didn't succeed to change the policy of siege and though the polls point out that we succeeded to convince our fellow Israelis of the two-state solution, this did not at all translate into their voting for political parties which would implement it.
So, now I read in Haaretz that the "celebrated poet and novelist Alice Walker" will be on the boat and wrote a piece for CNN. Alice Walker! I know that name. I remember how a few years ago she was among those who sent money to buy olive saplings when we made a campaign of replanting uprooted trees. I didn't know that she is well-known.
An email which came today contains all the 36 passengers, and there are many more whose name is very familiar; some I met in person. The majority of them are decades-long peace seekers. In their press release they express disappointment with their own government. The State department issued this week a "travel advisory" urging Americans not to participate in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, reminding that previous attempts to enter Gaza by sea "have been stopped by Israeli naval vessels and resulted in the injury, death, arrest, and deportation of U.S. citizens."
"Apparently, the State Department subscribes to the view that Israel's anticipated violence against unarmed protesters is an immutable act of nature," complains Hagit Borer, a professor of Linguistics at the University of Southern California and, yes, a passenger on the boat. It is indeed strange, such a "don't travel" advise and warning for the violence expected of a US ally, the one of the special relationship. Or perhaps it isn't so strange. After all, these American activists dare to confront this ally, something which their government doesn't.
The boat is not a very big one, and has a very fitting name: "Audacity of Hope".
That they felt they have to do this makes me aware of our failure. True, we protested the collective punishment of the siege and made efforts to get truckloads of food and medicines into Gaza. Gush Shalom at one occasion even succeeded to get the materials actually through. And there are the good people of 'Other Voice', living in the Qassam's reach - in Sderot and the kibbutzim surrounding the Gaza Strip - but nevertheless open to how much more the Palestinians of Gaza suffer and maintaining contact by phone.
With that all we didn't succeed to change the policy of siege and though the polls point out that we succeeded to convince our fellow Israelis of the two-state solution, this did not at all translate into their voting for political parties which would implement it.
So, now I read in Haaretz that the "celebrated poet and novelist Alice Walker" will be on the boat and wrote a piece for CNN. Alice Walker! I know that name. I remember how a few years ago she was among those who sent money to buy olive saplings when we made a campaign of replanting uprooted trees. I didn't know that she is well-known.
An email which came today contains all the 36 passengers, and there are many more whose name is very familiar; some I met in person. The majority of them are decades-long peace seekers. In their press release they express disappointment with their own government. The State department issued this week a "travel advisory" urging Americans not to participate in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, reminding that previous attempts to enter Gaza by sea "have been stopped by Israeli naval vessels and resulted in the injury, death, arrest, and deportation of U.S. citizens."
"Apparently, the State Department subscribes to the view that Israel's anticipated violence against unarmed protesters is an immutable act of nature," complains Hagit Borer, a professor of Linguistics at the University of Southern California and, yes, a passenger on the boat. It is indeed strange, such a "don't travel" advise and warning for the violence expected of a US ally, the one of the special relationship. Or perhaps it isn't so strange. After all, these American activists dare to confront this ally, something which their government doesn't.
The boat is not a very big one, and has a very fitting name: "Audacity of Hope".
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Thoughts about a nearly lost dream
If, in some time in the future Israel will exist in more or less the '67 borders, flourishing and in peace with its also flourishing neighbors, it may not be because of those who advocate it right now, but more as a result of blind and contradicting forces, each of them opposed to the two-state solution for different reasons, but nevertheless contributing to it.
-Netanyahu - for his NOs, thus playing into the hands of the Palestinian drive for UN statehood recognition.
-The refugees, by challenging in big numbers the borders - forcing Israel to withdraw to internationally recognized borders.
-The Knesset members proposing ever more racist bills - for alienating American Jews from AIPAC.
-The One Staters - for waking up the sleepy two-staters
-Netanyahu - for his NOs, thus playing into the hands of the Palestinian drive for UN statehood recognition.
-The refugees, by challenging in big numbers the borders - forcing Israel to withdraw to internationally recognized borders.
-The Knesset members proposing ever more racist bills - for alienating American Jews from AIPAC.
-The One Staters - for waking up the sleepy two-staters
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The President Scores Big At AIPAC By Sticking To His Guns
An unusually upbeat MJ Rosenberg - but it is also how I saw the speach to AIPAC
at http://politicalcorrection.org/fpmatters/201105220001
at http://politicalcorrection.org/fpmatters/201105220001
Friday, May 20, 2011
The speech of Obama, spoken and unspoken words of the morning after
The speech: a lot of beautiful intentions and educative declarations but what was missing: the confidence of "Yes, we can/Yes, we will".
About Israel-Palestine Obama said all the things the two sides wanted to hear but inevitably both sides also heard some things which they would have preferred not to.
Netanyahu immediately complained about the mentioning of the '67 borders: "Bush has promised that the settlement blocs could stay", ignoring that also in Obama's vision there could be land swaps, correcting the border. Hamas also expressed dissatisfaction, not pleased to get from Obama lessons in democracy.
There was one complaint which was remarkably not uttered: the PA could have protested that their UN nations statehood campaign was attacked and belittled. Maybe it was wise not to relate to it. If Obama fails to follow up his own words by action - and he gave no hint that he is planning any active peace brokering - and if September will come close without any progress, then the undermining by the United States of what would then be "the only action in town" would be so self-defeating, so much alienating the very same people Obama in yesterday's speech tried to reach, that there is no need for the PA to make that point now.
The result of Netanyahu's loudness and the PA's silence is that the morning after one could nearly think that Obama had taken a firm stance against Netanyahu.
If only it were true.
About Israel-Palestine Obama said all the things the two sides wanted to hear but inevitably both sides also heard some things which they would have preferred not to.
Netanyahu immediately complained about the mentioning of the '67 borders: "Bush has promised that the settlement blocs could stay", ignoring that also in Obama's vision there could be land swaps, correcting the border. Hamas also expressed dissatisfaction, not pleased to get from Obama lessons in democracy.
There was one complaint which was remarkably not uttered: the PA could have protested that their UN nations statehood campaign was attacked and belittled. Maybe it was wise not to relate to it. If Obama fails to follow up his own words by action - and he gave no hint that he is planning any active peace brokering - and if September will come close without any progress, then the undermining by the United States of what would then be "the only action in town" would be so self-defeating, so much alienating the very same people Obama in yesterday's speech tried to reach, that there is no need for the PA to make that point now.
The result of Netanyahu's loudness and the PA's silence is that the morning after one could nearly think that Obama had taken a firm stance against Netanyahu.
If only it were true.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)