The Netanyahu government is now just where it wants to be. It feels no need to take any action to accommodate the Palestinians or entertain President Obama's suggestions for restarting negotiations.
When Meir Dagan, a right-winger who just retired as head of the Mossad, warned that he was losing sleep over the dangers posed to Israel by the policies of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Ehud Barak, Bibi's backers criticized him for disloyalty. The government's mantra: We have it all under control. In other words, we intend to do nothing and hope for the best.
Unfortunately, the United States government is largely responsible for the current state of affairs. That is because we are the Israeli government's enablers.
If the United States indicated, with one voice, that we believe that Israel's policies are dangerous, pressure on Netnyahu to change course would become irresistible. More than anything, Israelis fear angering the United States.
Not only do we provide Israel with a $3.5 billion aid package that keeps its economy afloat and its military the mightiest in the region, we are also its only consistent backer at the United Nations and with the European Union. Any prime minister who seriously antagonizes the United States will not remain prime minister long, as Yitzhak Shamir discovered in 1992 when he dissed America one time too many and found himself replaced by Yitzhak Rabin.
Right now the Israeli government is terrified by the prospect that the United Nations will recognize a Palestinian state within the 1967 lines in September. U.N. recognition would not just mean that the state of Palestine's flag would wave between those of Pakistan and Panama in New York, it would also mean that Israel would be forced to deal with Palestine state-to-state rather than state-to-subject people.That is the very last thing Israel wants.
And it would happen, too, but for the United States government which has promised that it will use its veto to stop it from happening. All the United States has to do is to abstain on the vote on establishing Palestine and the state will be created. (That is, of course, what we should do: abstain.)
That is only one example of the power the United States has when it comes to Israel. Israel is not quite the independent Jewish state envisioned by Theodor Herzl and the other early Zionists. It is independent, yes, but also dependent on the United States. And both countries know it.
The "pro-Israel" lobby would argue that the relationship is about friendship more than dependency. And, to an extent, it is. But only to an extent.
After all, if the U.S.-Israel relationship were all about friendship (or were, to use AIPAC's term, an "alliance"), the Israeli government would not consistently ignore American requests to slightly modify its policies to accommodate U.S. security needs. For instance, when successive presidents ask Israel to freeze settlements to both advance negotiations and help reduce the view in the Muslim world that the United States is Israel's puppet, the Israelis refuse. Even though a settlement freeze would in no way endanger Israel but would help us, the Israeli government won't do it. So we back down.
Friendship?
Nor is it a sign of friendship when the United States Congress wildly salutes Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, whose sole accomplishment during his time in office has been to strengthen the occupation and kill negotiations. If Congress felt actual friendship for Israel it would not strengthen Netanyahu with Simple Simon-like demonstration of obedience that weaken those forces inside Israel that support U.S. efforts to advance peace. (Simple Simon says: Stand up!. Simple Simon says: Sit down!)
After all, how can opposition leader Tzipi Livni argue that Netanyahu's recalcitrance is costing Israel American support when Congress, eager to please AIPAC, treats Netanyahu as if he were Winston Churchill.
No, this isn't friendship. This is domestic campaigning.
Does Congress know better? That is hard to say. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY), just to pull a random name out of the air, is one of Netanyahu's most strident backers in Congress. As far as he is concerned, Israel can do no wrong. And anyone who disagrees with Israel is the enemy. (Weiner has called for Turkey's expulsion from NATO, despite its central role in U.S. defense, for allowing the Gaza relief flotilla to sail last year.)
Earlier this year Weiner stated, unequivocally and unambiguously, that the West Bank is not under occupation. Watch the video. He is not lying; he simply knows nothing about the Israeli-Palestinian issue except how to please the lobby. Sadly, he doesn't even know that the lobby itself would never say anything this ridiculous.
Weiner may be an extreme case, both in his devotion to the Israeli right and his ignorance about the Middle East. Most members of Congress know more (not necessarily much more) and enthuse about right-wing Israeli policies less (not necessarily much less).
All the same, it is clear that Congress cares about Israel's security only a little more than the Netanyahu government cares about the interests of the United States (or, for that matter, Israel's). Each is using the other, and neither will accept responsibility when disaster ensues.
Follow MJ Rosenberg on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mjayrosenberg
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AIPAC runs the world.
And this is an even more pathetic stretch than his usual drivel.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/iran-to-host-conference-targeting-israel-s-nuclear-program-1.367093
Now, buying, blackmailing or otherwise cajoling nearly an entire Congress can have its corollary benefits- like free money, accolades, imperial donations, and a guaranteed veto at the UN, but it has its drawbacks- such as creating a resentment and possible backlash amongst the American people, its heretofore long suffering patrons. Notwithstanding their pseudo-eschatology and end times rapturism, should another major war be fought pro honoris Israel in the region, the support could dwindle to the confines of Capitol Hill. You can fool Americans almost ad infinitum, but when their sons and daughters, in increasing numbers, fill body bags and wheelchairs, and their pocket books are on "empty", no doubt a large majority of them will chuck their pseudo-Christianity for the genuine article and realize that they have been had. Big time.
For Israel this will be a new beginning on the road to peace.
Pro Palestinians are for a Israel based on recognized borders and equality for all.
Too bad, that MJ is never up to date on anything. And he never, ever, comes up with something constructive that would actually help the Arabs, who call themselves *Palestinians*.
I am just curious how a person who refuses to acknowledge the Palestinians very existence can demand a priori the acknowledgement of Israel as a Jewish state?
Now I know you are not a member of the Israeli government, but your statement placing the word Palestinians in quotes (as if you are implying that they do not exist) is common among many members of the Israeli right.
So perhaps as you use the same tactic, perhaps you can explain the mentality because (and I am not being sarcastic here) I have a hard time understanding it.
Recognition is a MUTUAL thing. It has to go both ways. One nation cannot reasonably expect a people to formally recognize their state when they simultaneously deny the very EXISTENCE of that people.
Of course, should Netanyahu get his wish -- and the outcome is a single state, then Israelis are going to find out just how many Palestinians there ARE -- and they are going to find out that VERY soon (if not already) the Palestinians will constitute a MAJORITY (not just a plurality) of the people living in Israel and the OT -- or if you prefer "Greater Israel"
What happens THEN? A state named Israel with a Palestinian government? And what happens when that government permits the 6 million plus refugees to return home, making the demographic disparity even higher?
The *Palestinians* called Fatah/Hamas, are not representing Palestinian People. Palestinian People, again, have not voted for them. Abbas is self appointed. Hamas refused to hold elections.
Yes, recognition is a MUTUAL thing, hence when there is to be a State for Palestinians, or Palestinian State, there should be recognition that there is a state for Jes, or Jewish State. So far Palestinians are not inclined to do so. They purposely confuse the term Jewish State with Judaic State. The issue is not a Muslim State vs a Judaic State. The issue is a Jewsih State and a Palestinian State.
The September vote has been postponed, because the U.S. has made it clear that Palestinians will not get our money unless they continue the Peace Talks. Erakat has, for this reason, stated that they will not have the DUHclaration, but will continue the Peace Talks. They are interested in MONEY..
"I am just curious how a person who refuses to acknowledge the Palestinians very existence can demand a priori the acknowledgement of Israel as a Jewish state?"
The answer is religious brainwashing from childhood.
So watch out for an onslaught of the media militia in these blogs, and an international attack and media blitz to get misinformation, exaggerations and falsehood, these next few months. There will be many spokes in the wheel, you can be sure.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/haaretz-exclusive-secret-cables-show-israel-s-battle-plan-over-palestinian-un-bid-1.366852
What the Haaretz piece said was "secret cables to the Israeli embassies" and those my friend are ALWAYS secret
But please don't let me interfere with what looks like the beginnings of another Jewish conspiracy theory
But just in case you probably should know that this was in all the Israeli newspapers yesterday
"Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas wants to "climb down from the tree" and restart peace talks, but can't due to widespread pressure, the Associated Press reported Thursday, quoting Palestinian sources."
write to them. The fact that Israel was going on a propaganda campaign to derail the Palestinian bid for state hood, was expected anyway. We can also expect the Hasbara brigade in it's aggressive force, over here, as the days go by.
As for the Palestinians not coming for peace talks, perhaps you have been neglecting your reading recently, because I have seen articles saying quite the opposite.
Here are some enlightening words from Carlo Strenger:
Nothing could be further from the truth. Never mind the European media, whether British, French or German, even U.S. mainstream commentators tell a very different story than Bibi’s spin doctors. Their analyses all boil down to one point: Netanyahu has made it clear that there is no use in the Palestinians returning to the negotiating table, because there is no one to talk to. And nobody buys Bibi’s line that the Palestinians are to be faulted for the breakdown of negotiations.
Stop buying the spin.
I hope he doesn't have the ambition to pursue a career anymore, but he would make for a great bridgepartner for Helen Thomas, Noam Chomsky and Norman Finkelstein.
It would have been far more honest though I must admit, would have weakened whatever case it was you are trying to make.
Isn't it time, after Israel has made major risky gestures towards an accommodation of peaceful coexistence with its Arab neighbors - e.g. allowing for the PLO to return to the territories, allowing its leaders to set up the Palestinian Authority, allowing for them to bring in weapons - that the Arabs make a single declarative simple gesture: Accept Israel's right to be - not only the fact that it is - to exist as the nation-state of the Jewish people...??!!
After all, modern Israel is here by right: historic, ethical and legal right; recognized by the entire international community but the Muslim-Arabs who have attempted time and again to wipe this tiny national home of the Jewish people off the face of earth, and now, some of them claim they want to live in peace along side it. If so, why not state clearly, in Arabic, Hebrew and English that Israel is here by right as the nation-state of the Jewish people?
It is high time those eager to be critical of everything Israel were a bit more intellectually honest and also demanded the Arabs, local and regional alike, make this simple declarative move, one that is likely to truly bring about a positive sea-change of attitude, without which peace will never come about.
Ahem. That is actually TWO declarative statements.
Demonstrably so, because THIS statement
"Accept Israel's right to be"
was declared by the Palestinians as far back as 1988.
Arafat: "I would like to confirm the following PLO commitments: The PLO recognizes the right of the State of Israel to exist in peace and security."
While, by way of comparison, this statement
"to exist as the nation-state of the Jewish people"
has never been offered by any Palestinian.
They are TWO DIFFERENT propositions, not ONE.
And, instead of demanding of the Muslim-Arabs to make this simple gesture and state the obvious in Arabic, Hebrew and English, some attempt to skirt reality through the use of fancy wording, hiding the very core of the Arab Israeli conflict.
It is time for a change...!!
1) The PLO or Arabs recognizing the state of Israel ? That HAS been done by Arafat.
2) The PLO or Arabs recognizing Israel as the State of the Jewish people?
3) The PLO or Arabs recognizing Israel as the Jewish State?
The first option HAS already widely been accepted, by the UN, and the mere fact that foreign countries have embassies in Tel Aviv makes this a FACT, Israel IS a sovereign nation, and that is not going to change anytime soon; in other words, asking it over and over again is a decoy, meant to distract attention away from real issues.
The other options are more complex: in fact, a LOT of secular, non religious "Jews" actually feel VERY uncomfortable with this thesis as well, since they always thought Israel would be a Democracy, with separation of “Church” and State, whereas you seem to want it to turn into a Theocracy, where the Orthodox and the Haredi impose their religious laws on all other Israeli citizens, somewhat comparable to Huckabee, Pat Robertson or Rev. Terry Jones imposing their "laws" on non-religious Americans, such as gays, or youth who like to listen to rock music.
Maybe BECAUSE of your arguments, now is a good time to recognize the existance of a Palestinian State... not 15 or 16 times, but just once.
All that the Jewish people asks of the Arabs, local and regional, is accept Israel's RIGHT to be - not only the FACT that it is, and to do so as the nation-state of a people, of the Jewish people.
Obviously, it is difficult for them, as for the posters here, to come to terms with the fact that Israel is here by right, and by right it is the nation-state of the Jewish people; something they still can't accept after more than 63 years of Israel's existence.
Thus, one wonders, why...??!!
And most of it comes back home and supports the US companies that Israel buys systems from. To put it in context, this is less than half of one percent of what the US spends on the military in a year. It seems a reasonable cost to support our strongest ally in the region.
Commercial loan guarantees are just that, "guarantees". The commercial institutions providing those loans are not forgiving them. Unless Israel defaults, which it hasn't done, those guarantees don't cost the US anything. So calling it an aid package of $15BN is simply not correct.
I agree with you that having 1/3 of your deficit in cash does help. But it is not the same as 1/3 of your government budget, or 1/3 of your GDP. The Israeli annual tax revenues are over 50BN. I was commenting on the author's statement that the 3.5BN is keeping the Israeli economy afloat. Which it is not.
I think the more important comparison is how much of the Israeli BUDGET is represented by that military aid money, since that $3.5billion will be a line item in the ledger.
Remove it (and the USA could remove it at a stroke, remember) and Netanyahu will have to find some way for the Israeli government to plug that hole.
I doubt very much that it could do so without causing either a massive budget blowout or a massive cut in other (non-discretionary) spending.
Either way, the Israeli budget would be screwed, and if a government screws up its budget then the national economy is not going to stay healthy for very long.....
"And most of it comes back home and supports the US companies that Israel buys systems from."
Yeah, and if that money WASN'T handed over to Israel then what would the fiscal repercussions be?
TO THE USA: the repercussions would be zero i.e. all that will happen is that $3.5billion will be spent by the US Secretary of Defence and not by the Israel Defence Minister. Which as far as Lockheed or Rockwell or Boeing are concerned is a distinction without a difference.
TO ISRAEL: the repercussions would be massive i.e. Israel would have to spend its own money to purchase its weaponry. Money it simply does not have.
In terms of the impact on Israel, the Israeli government spends approximatly 25BN on the military each year. While I agree that a 10-15% cut in the military budget would be a big deal (which is why we provide this aid to our ally), it is not a big enough percentage to cause a "budget blowout" or to materially impair Israel's military edge in the region. According to their published budget figures, Israel actually increased their total military spending by 13BN NIS between 2009 and 2010 - approximately the same about as this US aid figure. Cutting US aid would take them back to their 2009 budget number - probably not catastrophic for them.