–bumped–
Mr. Hiatt’s love note op-ed today trying to bolster Prime Minister Netanyahu is one for the books.
Coming just before the AIPCAC conference, it continues the drum beat from the elite right who refuse to accept that the Israeli settlement issue is a major challenge to Pres. Obama and his entire administration as he endeavors to move beyond what Pres. Clinton accomplished during his presidency. It also takes suspension from disbelief, as it contends Mr. Netanyahu is an innocent. From Hiatt’s perch:
… The dispute’s dramatic escalation since then seems to have come at the direct impetus of Mr. Obama. Officials said he outlined points for Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to make in a searing, 45-minute phone call to Mr. Netanyahu on Friday. On Sunday senior Obama adviser David Axelrod heaped on more vitriol, saying in a television appearance that the settlement announcement had been an “affront” and an “insult” that had “undermined this very fragile effort to bring peace to that region.”
Mr. Obama and his advisers appear determined to prove that they will not be pushed around by Israel. The public scoldings also send a message to Palestinian and Arab leaders who have been demanding assurances that the United States will use its leverage in the new peace negotiations. And the administration hopes to extract immediate concessions from Mr. Netanyahu: It has demanded that he reverse the Jerusalem settlement decision, release Palestinian prisoners, agree to cover sensitive “final status” issues in the indirect talks and investigate the errant settlement announcement. [...]
FP’s new Middle East Channel, to which I’ve already referred, featured a startling article over the weekend that is required reading, especially by the hard hawk AIPAC right. It is the first report of a CENTCOM commander inserting himself in a political issue in this region so directly. Gen. David Petraeus evidently mincing no words, reporting a reality that should make AIPAC’S poodles return to their dog house.
Arab leaders that the U.S. was incapable of standing up to Israel, that CENTCOM’s mostly Arab constituency was losing faith in American promises, that Israeli intransigence on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was jeopardizing U.S. standing in the region, and that Mitchell himself was (as a senior Pentagon officer later bluntly described it) “too old, too slow … and too late.” [...]
… But Petraeus wasn’t finished: two days after the Mullen briefing, Petraeus sent a paper to the White House requesting that the West Bank and Gaza (which, with Israel, is a part of the European Command — or EUCOM), be made a part of his area of operations. Petraeus’s reason was straightforward: with U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. military had to be perceived by Arab leaders as engaged in the region’s most troublesome conflict.
The author of the piece, Mark Perry, later made a correction, saying the Petraeus briefing on expanding his portfolio was given only to JCS Chairman Mullen, not the White House. Read the updates.
There is reality, then there is the AIPAC reality, which never changes. It’s the latter contingent that is endangering not only U.S. standing in the region, but also our troops, as well as laying the ground work for another war if they don’t alter course.
Petraeus is answering questions before a Senate committee today. Chairman Levin asked his questions and then it was John McCain’s turn. His first question was about Israel. Keep in mind that the hearing was called so that Petraeus could answer questions about Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran etc. The countries that are under CentComs area of responsibility. Yet the neocons and pro-Zionist members of Congress seem preoccupied with Israel these days. We should all take note of which Senators, House members and organizations come out in support of Isarel and in opposition to what Obama is trying to do on this issue. Special envoy George Mitchell has had his trip put off indefinitely. The 22 member Arab League who first supported US efforts for peace have now pulled their support. The US, UN, EU and Russia have all condemned Israel’s settlement announcement. Egypt has said that it will no longer cooperate in the process. Obama has once again called on Netanyahu to back away from last weeks settlement announcement. Saeb Erekat, the chief negotiator for the Palestinians has said that the world can now see which party “wants to obstruct peace.” Palestinian youth are staging daily running battles with Israeli troops in the West Bank. Yet, and still, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman says that halting the illegal construction is “unreasonable” and that this will all “soon blow over.” Obama and the US must stand up against the Zionist bullies if we are to have peace in anyone’s lifetime. Peace
Eric Cantor is on a tear:
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100316/D9EFDS500.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/16/us-envoy-puts-mideast-tri_n_500502.html
Mitchell’s trip has been indefinitely postponed.
I was going to say Eric Cantor was the only Republican Jewish member of Congress – but then I forgot Lieberman.
djjl, there are actually dozens. Feinstein, Levin, Kohl, Feingold, etc. and a bunch in the House Peace
I have to say that Petraeous is an interesting cat. He is more willing to be political than any other military leader I have been aware of at least in a public way.
If he decides on a Presidential run how are the neocons and pro zionists going to run against him? They all revere the military and he has pulled off some pretty effective work.
I hope the Administration will stay strong but they won’t have much help from their friends in congress.Hillary’s and Biden’s anger should sober up some people as they both have such strong histories of support of Israel.
Looks like Israel and AIPAC are finally getting an enemy that can actually give them a run for the money. At the same time it also appears that people are actually starting to question’s AIPAC’s loyalty to the United States. These are both great developments and long overdue.
Lets see how long AIPAC’s flunkies such as Joe Lieberman take to attack Petraeus. That will show us were Joe’s real loyalty lies.
mwfolsom, check out Rahm Emanuel’s bio. It might answer a few questions about why Obama has performed so poorly over the past 14 months? Peace
Ah…dual loyalties and paranoid Jewish-conspiracy theories. Go ahead, throw out some more Jewish names.
Frankly, I’m not surprised about Imhotep. He has been throwing around classical Jewish conspiracies for weeks, including one that could have been straight from the mouth of David Duke, that the Jews were responsible for their own suffering (PRE and post-the creation of Israel) over the past 2,000 years. This includes pogroms, inquisitions, and outright genocide. An unabashed right-wing bigot showing his true colors.
Last time I checked, 65% of the American public considered Israel one of America’s strongest allies.
This situation will blow over, it has to. Both sides have too much to lose. I agree with WaPo that Abbas gets put into a bind and is forced to take a harder line than he’d like when the U.S. administration comes out so insistent on settlement issues, and then is surprised that the parties won’t return to the table for negotiations without pre-conditions.
I still believe in a 2-state solution, and more importantly, I HOPE for a 2-state solution, as does the pro-Israel President Obama. I’m not sure I can say the same about those on here who seem so hell-bent against the state of Israel, no matter what it does.
Imhotep
I said Cantor was the only REPUBLICAN member who was Jewish – then through in the snark about Lieberman. All the Jewish members you mentioned are Democrats.
I still think Cantor is the only Republican Jewish member:
http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=36922
Gotta go, see you folks later.
Liberalastheycome…wrong is wrong no matter who you ultimately support and the settlements are wrong.Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.
Djjl, thank you for providing Imhotep with this information that he can use in his next anti-Jewish “Help, Jews are Controlling the World and are out to get me and my buddy, David Duke” hysterical rant.
Let’s all step back and focus on the real goal here, a 2-state solution with both Israel and Palestine living in peace as neighbors with mutually agreed upon borders and security for both peoples.
Lake Lady: I agree with you, I don’t condone the 1,600 housees built in East Jerusalem, nor the expansion of other settlements.
What I do object to, as a liberal, is on this site a lack of evenhandedness between critiques of Israel and the Palestinians. To many, Israel is at fault for all of the world’s problems and the Palestinians, Arab states, and Iran have never done anything to obstruct the peace process. This is a black and white view of the situation in the Middle East, one in which most of us deplored the Bush Administration for. There are shades of gray and the Israeli-Arab conflict is one that is grayer than most and requires better reflection and thought other than the knee-jerkreaction that “Jews are controlling U.S. policy”/Israel is always wrong.
I gotta say liberalastheycome in Imhotep’s defense (I can’t believe I’m saying this) he does like conspiracies of all kinds but I have never heard him make the rant you accuse him off.He definately does not support our policies with Israel nor any others that lead to armed conflict.He is a peacenik who uses war like language sometimes and he likes to blame all of Obama’s problems on Rahm but I really don’t believe he is anti-sementic.I think Rahm’s history with Israel is what he is talking about. It makes sense that an American who has served in the Israeli army will have a perspective on the country that Imhotep does not appreciate.
Liberal as they come..I don’t know if you are a daily reader or not, but if you are you know that Taylor is a staunch supporter of Israel. We probably get into a shorthand around here and focus our criticism on Israel precisely because we do support their right of existence. What gets criticised is policy that many see as counterproductive to their long term viability.
Because the Jewish people have had a terrible history of persecution does not give them permission to be oppressors any more than this country’s stain of slavery give our AA citizens the right to distain education. Both peoples are hurt and their progress is delayed by thinking like that.
Liberalastheycome is kindda the psycho Israel supporter version of imhopless.
Same kneejerk reaction. Same somewhat passing grasp of facts and reality.
As far as American/Israeli foriegn policy, just SHUT UP AND KEEP SENDIN THE MONEY!
Lake Lady, two things:
1) Imhotep is not a peacenik, he is a war-mongering bigot who disguises himself as a liberal.
Imhotep says:
10 March 2010 at 7:21 pm
Israel has never wanted Peace. Didn’t want it in 1948. Didn’t want it in 1998. Doesn’t want it now. Won’t want it ten years from now. Israel doesn’t do Peace. Hasn’t done it for 6000 years. Which is why, over the centuries, people keep burning them out and throwing them into captivity. Read the history.
This is pure, disgusting anti-Jewish bigotry. I’d hope you would agree with me. Imhotep’s intentions are revealed in this statement and this is why his views are not in the name of peace, but in something much darker and disturbing.
—–
Taylor indeed supports Israel’s right to exist, but this should not be the baseline of how one views the conflict. Israel is not made of angels, but the lack of peace since 1948 cannot fall squarely on Israel’s shoulders, particularly given the actions of Arafat, Ahmadinejad, Haniyeh, Mashaal, Assad, Nasrallah, etc. Sometimes it feels like FoxNews on this blog in that many posters seek to pinpoint all the blame on a particular target without stepping back and analyzing the conflict through a broader lens. Failing to put ANY blame whatsoever on the Palestinians is an insult to our intelligence and worse, patronizing to the Palestinians.
Let’s direct our energies to an honest discussion about how peace can best be attained in the Middle East and benefit the Israeli and Palestinian people.
I agree Liberalastheycome that was a bigoted statement. I missed it.
Speaking personally you are probably correct that I have an over simplistic view of the conflicts. I tend to boil in down to a religious group of people coming to my town and telling me that according to their scripture they had a prior claim to land that had been in my family for generations. I don’t think my response would be peaceful. I think the Palestinian people have had some bad leaders with their own agendas who have lead them in dangerous directions but I have a lot of sympathy for the people who just want to lead productive,secure lives..
Liberalastheycome, most readers around here are dealing with current reality, not the Arafat era. That’s what *you* must appreciate.
In the current reality we have the Operation Cast Lead, as well as the Goldstone Report, with the settlements on top.
This is what most people are objecting to with Israel.
Currently, it is NOT the Palestinians or Arabs causing the challenges.
Additionally, if Netanyahu was serious about Iran, instead of using it as a political cudgel, he wouldn’t be insulting his leading allies on getting tougher sanctions on Iran.
You need to quit living in the past and deal with Israel’s current government, which is obstructing process.
Lake Lady: I understand the urge to sympathize with the Palesetinian cause, and we could argue about history and “rights to land” until the cows come home, it doesn’t do any good. Thank you for agreeing with me about Imhotep’s horribly bigoted attitude.
Taylor: So from what you are saying, the complete lack of peace in 2010, between Israel and the Palestinians/Arab states/Iran, solely rests on Israel’s shoulders? The characters that I mentioned, other than Arafat, are all alive and well, and are completely destructive to peace.
For instance, the Palestinians refused to even come to the negotiating table for 10 months and spat in George Mitchell’s face multiple times. The Arab states embarrassed and insulted Hillary by refusing to show any gestures of normalization to Israel. The Palestinian Authority just named a square after a woman who blew up a bus of Israeli kindergarten kids in 1978. And I haven’t even gotten started on the obstacles presented by the Palestinians failing to have a national unity government, Hamas, Hezbollah, and oh yes, Iran.
Again, I will chastise Israel over the settlement issue, but it is not the “only” problem in the Middle East at this point that is preventing peace and a Two-State solution.
With feeling, for the umpteenth time. THIS IS NOT 1978.
Right now, the problem IS THE ISRAELIS.
The Saudis, which I heard first hand this time last year, BEGGED CONGRESS TO GET INVOLVED AND HELP OBAMA. Along with the Saudis came King Abdullah of Jordan, who said last year that if progress wasn’t made another war would ensue.
Arab states came forward. What you’re talking about w/ Clinton is AFTER GOLDSTONE, when the Israeli right rose up, while continuing to build settlements.
The settlement issue is the MAJOR obstacle going forward, as Israel continues to build on OCCUPIED TERRITORY in Arab East Jerusalem.
Meanwhile at “Baloon Juice” a blog not far, far away….
In response to a post by John Cole titled “They Aren’t Even Going to See It Coming” (see http://tinyurl.com/yf5rcf8) we see this amusing exchange that clarifies the situation nicely (see #34)
“Mark S.” says: “What is incredibly frustrating about this issue is that anyone who has studied it for more than five minutes (and approaches it with an open mind) will come to the conclusion that the only thing that will work is a two state solution.”
“Just Some Fuckhead” responds, clarifies, amplifies and frankly entertains:
“Or the rapture of Christians then destruction of Israel at the hands of the Anti-Christ.
I call that a win-win.”
I know its sick but yes indeed that would be a win-win situation.
heh-heh.. oh….
Taylor, you clearly did not read my post correctly.
The Palestinians LAST WEEK dedicated a square to a woman who blew up the bus of Israeli Kindergartner children in 1978. They dedicated the memorial to her LAST WEEK with senior PA officials attending; the only reason they delayed it was to not embarrass Joe Biden. Does this indicate their willingness to make peace?
Saying that the Saudis “begged” Congress to get involved and help Obama (do what?) makes no sense. I am talking about the Saudis refusal to make normalization gestures toward Israel, despite the pleas from Hillary. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iF_FxLcuwJFY61OpJkfwKDwcED1w
If ISRAEL is the ONLY problem in the Middle East, as you seem to so astonishingly believe, please do tell me what happens when Israel completely halts settlements. Do Hamas and Fatah normalize relations, renounce Hamas’ charter and unify in order to make peace as part of a 2-state solution? Does Iran stop providing weapons to Hamas and Hezbollah and throw its efforts behind peace?
You have on this blog an echo chamber that pins blame solely on one side in the conflict. No evenhandedness, just a fun parlor game where you can pin all of the troubles of the world on Israel and its supporters. This will not bring peace, and is truly sad.
From that very link Clinton “hailed” the Saudis for their moves toward Israelis.
The event last April was incredible. That you don’t even know what Congress needs to do, pressure Israelis on settlements to start, is stunning.
http://www.taylormarsh.com/2009/04/27/liveblogging-ussaudi-relations-void-equilibrium/
I have on this blog a group of progressive thinkers who reject your right-wing stance that has FAILED to move anything forward.
Right now the biggest problem is the Israelis. It’s going to bring down the Netanyahu gov., even if, as Daniel Levy says, he might be the only one to be able to move forward, if only he’d quit approving settlements.
Ms. Marsh I lovz ya, ya knowz I duz. But ya gotz ta unnerstan. We’re supposed to just STFU and keep the money and arms flowing. And don’t even THINK about mentioning Israel’s behavior, no matter HOW thugish or counterproductive or you’re just a reactionary, rightwing/Buchanenist antisemite.
There, unnerstan now?
She “hailed” the 2002 peace initiative, but expressed deep concern over the Saudis failure to normalize relations with Israel.
I hardly have a “Right-Wing” stance on Israel. If you bothered to read my previous blog posts, I am the ONLY one who keeps pushing for a 2-state solution, condemns the settlement building, and expresses sympathy toward BOTH Palestinians and Israelis.
Your “progressive” bloggers are so progressive that they are putting forward the most vile conspiracies, such as Imhotep. I am troubled, as someone who is probably far to the left of you, of the inability of you or your posters to understand that there are two sides to every story; the conflict has many faces and many problems/obstacles. You have chosen, and are well within your rights to choose, to solely focus on Israel as the ONLY problem to achieving a Two-State solution if that is indeed what you believe (I know for certain that many of your “progressive thinkers” lament the existence of Israel each and every day).
But back to you, I have seen no posts ever, ever, ever putting one hint of blame on the Palestinians/Arabs/Iranians. Never. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
What I really find astonishing is the black and white view of this conflict that you have. You claim to be a foreign policy expert, but your focus is 100% on Israel and how it is in error. This inability to present both sides reminds me of nothing less than Fox News.
“We know how hard this is, this is a very difficult, complex matter. But the Obama administration is committed to a two-state solution, we are committed to a resumption of the negotiations between the parties.” -Sec. Hillary Clinton, 3/16/10
The voice of a true progressive. Thank you, Hillary!!!
The last 2 paragraphs of a post by Andrew Sullivan on the Daily Dish about resolving this mess provides us some sad clarity – see http://tinyurl.com/yle43dj
“The terrifying prospect is that Israel’s religious fanatics join forces with America’s religious fanatics to destroy any hope of peace in the Middle East or of America’s regaining the role of an honest broker between the parties. Actually, of course, that has already happened.
But resisting the logic of this cycle of religious violence is one reason Obama was elected. Preventing the escalation will not be easy. But one humiliation over the settlements was bad enough for US power. Two humiliations would be devastating to America’s position in the Middle East. Alas, the Republican right believe in Israel’s right to do anything anywhere almost as strongly as they believe in pre-emptive war, unlimited presidential power, the fusion of religion and politics, and torture at home.”
“(I know for certain that many of your “progressive thinkers” lament the existence of Israel each and every day).”
WO! He/she/it “knows for CERTAIN” a MIND reading asswipe at THAT!
But you’re right, there ARE two sides to every story. In fact, there are ALWAYS more then just two sides. Frankly, I don’t care about ANY OF THEIR SIDES at this point. I just want MY countries money to stop funding ONE side. Then they can fight it out or make peace or make pieces of each other or do what ever the fark they want to do.
If YOU feel that stromgly about it I suggest YOU go and volunteer for the IDF, or occupy one of those new apartments the Israelis are building with OUR money. Hell, empty your bank account and take the money with you. Just STOP using OURS to fund Israeli rightwinger anf American UUUberchrition rightwingers fantasies.
I don’t like that Isreal is building new settlements in the West Bank. I am a hugh supporter of Isreal and I think everyone should do there part to bring peace in the middle east, but I don’t believe its going to happen anytime soon as much as I want it too. The religious right is on the rise in American and Isreal’s government is hard-line conserative too. There have been rumor’s that the Prime Minister of Isreal believes that President Obama is a one time president and is waiting it out until the 2012 elections. I don’t no whats going on here but even my favorite candidate Sarah Palin is for Isreal building new settlements in the West Bank, which I am against Isreal doing but more of likely Isreal is going to do what it thinks is right.
secularhumanizer, I see you being one of those “love it or leave it” types when it comes to America. Is that what you told people opposing the war in Iraq as well?
Encouraging signs today from the White House and State Department that tempers are cooling down and we can return to the pursuit of peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
” Liberalastheycome says:
16 March 2010 at 5:42 pm
secularhumanizer, I see you being one of those “love it or leave it” types when it comes to America. Is that what you told people opposing the war in Iraq as well? ”
To say you’re some Johnny come lately schmuck of a jackass around here who wouldn’t know his head from a hole between his cheeks is pretty insulting to jackasses. So why don’t you take your pitiful widdle Irgun wannabee badass self to the airport ( watch out for those full body scans in case yer packin) and go fight for the Israeli’s right to act like the gestapo. maybe since you’re apparently you’re such a gunho type they’ll let you drive a bulldozer over some American protesting Israels arparthid like policies.
“even my favorite candidate Sarah Palin”
WOW! One following another, they come in pairs!
Liberalastheycome, I sure wish you’d stop using my name in vain. To clear up a few points with you. First I’m not a Progressive, I’m a religious anarchist. Second, I don’t attack people as a group, I only attack policy. Third, you ain’t no Liberal. Since you like Hillary so much (and I must admit that since she began to call Israel out I’ve begun to warm up to the lady) she said today that Israel must back up its verbal pledges to talk peace with concrete actions. To which Netanyahu immediately replied “The government of Israel has proved its commitment to peace in the last year in words and deeds.” I’ll bet that you agree with fascist right winger Netanyahu on this issue and not Progressive Hillary, right? Which makes you a right wing zionist and not a Liberal. The reason for your identity confusion Liberalastheycome is because you have all of your definitions bass ackwards. Peace
Who woulda thunk it! me an imhopless onna same side???????
If you scroll down and read this entire posting, you will see that I am consistently in favor of peace and a 2-state solution, I just ask for fairness in analyzing the conflict; both sides have a compelling story and grievances against one another that are legitimate and must be resolved in order to be peace between Israel and the Palestinians/Arab states.
Imhotep, the fact that you, a bigot who believes that Jews are responsible for all of their ills over history, and secularhumanizer who simply wants Arabs and Israelis to blow each other up just so his tax dollars won’t be spent in the MIddle East…………….is only fitting.
For those who need a reminder of Imhotep’s racism:
Imhotep says:
10 March 2010 at 7:21 pm
Israel has never wanted Peace. Didn’t want it in 1948. Didn’t want it in 1998. Doesn’t want it now. Won’t want it ten years from now. Israel doesn’t do Peace. Hasn’t done it for 6000 years. Which is why, over the centuries, people keep burning them out and throwing them into captivity. Read the history.
Support Our Troops; Boycott the Israeli Occupation
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/03/16-4
The language of this debate:
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/03/how-the-western-press-distorts-the-mideast-part-2-israels-news-management.html
Liberalastheycome “secularhumanizer who simply wants Arabs and Israelis to blow each other up just so his tax dollars won’t be spent in the MIddle East…………….is only fitting”
Balls, your for a two state solution so long as Israel isn’t called on their aparthidesque behaviors or made to pay a price for them. And pretty typically lie about those who dare to call them on it. I don’t WANT Arabs and Israelis to blow each other up. I simply don’t CARE if they do. And yer FU*KIN A I don’t want the ISRAELIS using MY tax dollars to do it with. Learn to live in peace or go about killing each other I don’t CARE.
secularhumanizinevoluter says:
16 March 2010 at 3:36 pm
I keep forgetting.
Because of AIPAC and the other Israeli forces in the US Israel knows there are no repercussions for its acts. It essentially has a 100% guarantee that the US will back it with dollars and military might whenever it needs it. Therefore its fairly logical that it can do as it pleases. The recent slap in Joe Biden’s face is just an indication of how secure the Gov. of Israel feels.
Its pretty clear to me that until this “arrangement” stops the status quo will not change. Ergo if we break the guarantee Israel will be forced to live in the bed that it has made. My guess is that within 1 year of the death of the “guarantee” there will be peace in the middle east.
Folks:
It really is that simple – until Israel knows it has something to loose it has no incentive to negotiate. The dollars have to stop and the blanket military guarantee has to be ended before Israel will have any incentive to figure out a way to make it work. Until then don’t expect anything but more death and perhaps a 3rd intifada.
Mwfolsom; you must not read newspapers. Israel has been offering to negotiate with the PA for over a year, but the Palestinians refuse to even come to the table absent a complete settlement freeze in East Jerusalem; a new demand as of this year.
Sadly the Palestinians have learned that negotiations with Israel are simply a ploy for more time – time the Israeli Gov will use to steal more land, torment the people of Palestine and acquire more white phosphorous shells for the their next attack on Gaza or the West Bank. Essentially negotiations for Israel are a time to reload not find a just solution to the mideast mess.
If Israel actually wanted to work out a deal they would stop construction of new settlements or expansion of existing settlements then offer to negotiate but that doesn’t fit with their plans to deal with Palestinians.