tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post7109936525416595178..comments2024-03-27T01:43:07.992+02:00Comments on Random Thoughts: Reports of the demise of democratic Israel are. . .Alan Edelsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291102902419614285noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-45074088250609876862022-11-15T16:07:42.411+02:002022-11-15T16:07:42.411+02:00"make peace" not "piece" - sor..."make peace" not "piece" - sorryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-2178841394033269622022-11-15T16:04:21.296+02:002022-11-15T16:04:21.296+02:00My only objection to this would be to the idea tha...My only objection to this would be to the idea that Netanyahu might destroy “whatever small slimmer of possibility that is left for reconciliation with our Palestinian neighbors”. No Jewish Israeli leader could do that. The “Palestinian” Arabs have already done that for themselves 10x over. Until the day comes when an Arab leader of substance and influence stands up and says, “I condemn the murder of Jews done in the name of our cause,” there will be no reconciliation – because until that day comes, there ARE no “Palestinian” neighbors (just Arabs waiting for a chance to finish what they tried to do to us in the years leading up to 1948). <br />The article also states, correctly I think, that Netanyahu “withstood pressure from the right that would have embroiled Israel in Gaza and other wars … [and] pushed back at pressure that would have had him take steps in (probably futile) efforts to make peace.” Criticizing these two things by saying that Netanyahu is “risk averse” is patently stupid. Are you suggesting that it would have been GOOD for Israel to have invaded and reoccupied Gaza?! That it would have been GOOD for Israel to cede East Jerusalem to the PA to “make piece”?! Probably not, I would think. Netanyahu has always been astute in his calculus of doing what is best for Israel in these affairs (in other words, taking the actions that would lead to the fewest Israelis being murdered). I respect and admire him for that. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-52582643870270312912022-11-10T19:49:45.258+02:002022-11-10T19:49:45.258+02:00good piece
well done
good piece<br />well done<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-26038301670247797592022-11-10T16:42:01.029+02:002022-11-10T16:42:01.029+02:00One thing we can be sure of: When it comes down t...One thing we can be sure of: When it comes down to a choice between what is best for the country and what will ensure his political survival, Netanyahu will choose the latter.<br /><br />well said. sad state of the profession Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-69236343231003765872022-11-09T01:02:08.654+02:002022-11-09T01:02:08.654+02:00This made me feel a bit better about Israel!This made me feel a bit better about Israel!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-55856218154962651352022-11-09T00:59:13.244+02:002022-11-09T00:59:13.244+02:00I appreciate your thoughts and writings on the sta...I appreciate your thoughts and writings on the state of democracy generally, and specially here in the states. <br /><br />These are very concerning times we are living in. When I see these rallies, with people failing to speak or accept the truth, it really concerns me. The state of our democracy is precarious, and the efforts to undermine the rule of law and our elections is dangerous and reckless. The internal and external efforts by those who wish to see the demise of our country is real and a real danger. <br /><br /> Herschel Walker?? Really?? <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-50327436581866666672022-11-09T00:56:21.593+02:002022-11-09T00:56:21.593+02:00Oy Alan! I loved your commentary about Friedman...Oy Alan! I loved your commentary about Friedman's OpEd and the results of the Israel election. On the other hand, this overplay by liberals and the Democratic party elites concerning the supposed threat to democracy by the Republicans is disingenuous. There is no comparison to the mess that will be Israel as a result of this election vs the upcoming election in the US. Let's face it - the parliamentary system in Israel is fatally flawed and will forever be and makes the strangest of bedfellows.<br />The whole January 6th debacle is clearly due to Trump's encouragement, directly or indirectly, but I can understand why people were upset that late election eve, it looked pretty certain that Trump was going to be reelected and then it turned 180 overnight in the other direction. For the most advanced country in the world, why can't we get our results out in a timely fashion? As far as election deniers, as you know, there is no shortage of them from the Democrats - Hillary Clinton and Stacey Abrams to name a few. This entire narrative that the Democratic party has been pushing this last week, i.e that if the Republicans take control, this will be the end of democracy, is just a last minute attempt to gin up fear among the voters. On the other hand the Democrats refuse to acknowledge that crime and the non existent southern border are the real threats to democracy. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-71128712335088236392022-11-09T00:42:25.977+02:002022-11-09T00:42:25.977+02:00I read Friedman's editorial. You make excell...I read Friedman's editorial. You make excellent points and maybe I can breathe a little easier. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-58757349618924425582022-11-09T00:39:55.628+02:002022-11-09T00:39:55.628+02:00I read every word of your comments and find them i...I read every word of your comments and find them insightful, basically filling gaps in my own understanding of the political situation in Israel. With Netanyahu, trying to predict his actions is sort of like trying to dribble a football (to use another sports analogy), at least in some areas. I know what he will not do: resolve the Kotel situation or enter into serious peace negotiations with the Palestinians. Of course, the last part assumes that he even gets a serious offer or reason to negotiate, but the problem with this guy is that his ascension to the PM job will ensure that there is no serious, viable reason to try and hammer out a deal. On the other stuff, if I could be dispassionate, it would be interesting to watch him dance around the demands of the Religious Zionists and other Haredi parties that will put him in power. Problem is that their approach to religion and the state is anathema to the majority of Israelis (I think) and certainly most of diaspora Judaism, which may not have (or deserve) a vote, but clearly has a voice. <br /><br />As to American politics, what can you say about "Feckless" McCarthy? A Republican congressman once called him "Boehner 2.0" and I'm not sure that is derogative enough. Feckless has completely abandoned any principles except the goal of getting and staying in power and may well turn out to be the worst speaker in my lifetime- especially if Bluto returns to the presidency. It is hard not to be pessimistic about the outcome tomorrow. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-50782166096062868072022-11-07T23:43:40.616+02:002022-11-07T23:43:40.616+02:00Very insightful-and somewhat reassuring-commentary...Very insightful-and somewhat reassuring-commentary from an astute observer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com