Hands off of Israel
Barack Obama, only several days into his presidency, has already announced that it will be one of his commitments to "actively and aggressively" advance negotiations and talks between Israel and the Arabs. Obama's new Middle East envoy will arrive in Israel next week to begin to push the process. In his first call to a foreign head of state, Obama called Mahmoud Abbas, arch-terrorist leader of Fatah, to symbolize his dedication to "a two-state solution". In his words, he doesn't want a future "in which these is no hope for the Palestinians".
It is mind-boggling that, in light of the monumental challenges facing the United States and its new president, he should be meddling so much in the affairs of a sovereign country. Given the full-blown recession, approaching the levels of a depression, in the US, along with a host of other serious problems facing the decaying American super-power, Obama has chosen to concentrate his energy on the conflict in the Middle-East. Despite the almost-deified status that the media has given him, it is quite hubristic for him to believe that he will solve a close-to 100 year-old conflict within a few months of his reign.
Israel's relationship with the United States has often been a double-edged sword. George Mitchell, the new envoy to the Mid-East, will not even wait until after the Israeli elections to begin his work. This represents a great amount of arrogance and disrespect on the part of Obama. He clearly disregards the choice of the Israeli people in the coming elections. The political winds are changing in Israel and a new administration may not be as likely as Olmert to continue along the same path of concessions and surrender. Evidently, what Israelis choose for their future is irrelevant to Barack Obama.
Israel is a sovereign nation- not an American colony or a 51st state. The close relationship between the two countries is based on shared values and strategic interests. Yet, in the end, Israel must do what is best for itself. Obama has no right to force concession or make demands on Israel. It is not the place of the United States to meddle in the business or politics of another country. The new administration has many extreme challenges facing it, and it would do well to concentrate on solving those before committing itself to carving up Israel.
Regardless of whichever side in the conflict is right, this is just one case of a disagreement between two religious/ethnic groups among thousands. All around the world, various tribes, peoples, ethnic groups and nations are fighting over different land claims. The US has its own problems and should not interfere on these tribal squabbles. Unless there is a case of genocide or severe human rights abuses, the US should mind its own business. In Darfur, close to a million blacks have been murdered by Arab janjaweed militia. The humanitarian situation is dire and could use international intervention. Why doesn't Obama send his ambassador there? Why doesn't he exert the same pressure on the leader of Sudan responsible for this genocide as he plans to exert on Israel to commit suicide? Besides cases such as this, it is the height of arrogance for the American president to interfere with the politics of another country. Israel's leaders much decide what to do for the security and welfare of Israel.
Only a few days in power, Obama has shown himself to be incredible naive in terms of foreign policy. He is committed to advancing the same deadly and ultimately fruitless road as Bush and Clinton. Despite all of the various agreements and summits between Israel and the Arabs at American behest, Israel and the Arabs are no closer to peace today that they were in 1948. No amount of documents signed negates the generations of Arabs raised on anti-semitic and anti-Israel hatred. The Arab world today remains virulently opposed to Israel existence and any concession on Israel's part only encourages and increases terror. Israel cannot afford another disastrous Oslo, or a Road Map to oblivion, G-d forbid. Obama would do wise to butt out of Israel's politics and concentrate on the problems on the home front. Hopefully, in the coming elections, Israelis will elect leaders with the courage to tell Obama respectfully but firmly: "Hands off of Israel".
Cross-posted to Goat's Barnyard and Stop Raping Israel
7 comments:
Shaalom BK:
Many of us in the US would love nothing more than for the US to butt out of Israel's affairs. No one except the American Jews and the Evangelical Christians want the US to be involved there. After all, we spend millions of dollars supporting the Israeli military and the Israeli people. You are right: we have many of our own problems here and we could use our tax dollars right here in America!
Could the Israeli economy stand up without US dollars?
You said:
"Darfur, close to a million blacks have been murdered by Arab janjaweed militia. The humanitarian situation is dire and could use international intervention. Why doesn't Obama send his ambassador there?"
Ameen. We in the US also ask this question of our government.
The whole world turns its back to human suffering everywhere unless there's something in it for them.
The US and Israel are two peas in a pod - each using each other.
On another note, BK, would you write a post about the Orthodox Jewish position that "Zionism is not Judaism". If you have, please direct me to the link in case I missed it.
Peace
Safiyyah
Hopefully, you do not construe my comment as Israeli-bashing. It is not meant to be that way; just a response to your post.
I would like to think that Bibi will stand up to outsiders that pressure him to pursue a path that is harmful to Israeli security interests, but I don't think so. Also unfortunate is the unlikelihood that Moshe Feiglin will be elected PM.
Safiyyah, the US and Israel are both allies with shared values and interests. They both face the threat of Islamic terror and expansion. But the US must treat Israel as an equal, and not a pawn.
Israel is not dependent on US handouts. Israel did not receive a cent from the US before the Six Day's War, in which Israel obliterated 6 invading Arab armies. For every dollar that Israel receives, Egypt and other Arabs states receive 6 dollars. Sadly, US money has created a sense of dependance and reliance when in reality, Israel has one of the world's most advanced. modern and vibrant economies.
The world's silence, especially on the part of the Arabs, to the genocide in Darfur is glaring. If they had invested even a fraction of the energy with which they defamed Israel to rally for Darfur, there would be no genocide. As Dan Gillerman, former Israel ambassador to the UN said: "When Christians kill Muslims, its the Crusades. When Jews kill Muslims, its a massacre. When Muslims kill Muslims, nobody talks about it- its like the weather."
Safiyyah, what do you mean by "the Orthodox position that Zionism is not Judaism"? You will find the most fervent supporters of Israel to be Orthodox Jews. I am squarely in that camp. If you are referring to the anti-Zionist groups, then they are a minority opinion, and even their opinions are misunderstood and abused by Israel's foes.
I would direct you to these articles:
http://masada1234.blogspot.com/2008/05/reclaiming-zionism-part-i.html
http://masada1234.blogspot.com/2008/06/reclaiming-zionism-part-ii.html
Hear, hear, BK. America has no right to intervene lest Israel request intervention or assistance.
That being said, however, it's not only Obama who is willing to propose deals that will call for Israel to give up more soil. I have a new position on Tzipi Livni and the prospect of her being elected as PM: whoa. I admired her in the recent conflict with Hamas, but last night I heard her say in an interview that a two-state solution is a must and it begins with the removal of Israelis from their settlements. Why there are still leaders in Israel that think they will gain peace by giving away Israel's soil is absolutely beyond me to reconcile given the history.
Tzipi supported the defensive strategy in Gaza recently, but it WAS a settlement from which Israelis had been removed... and her own troops had to go back into Gaza to squash Hamas' offensive position against Israeli civilians. Pulling Israelis out of settlements will only produce more of the same.
I pray. Do you know anything about AIPAC? Do you know if it is a worthy group to join in being supportive of Israel? I want to do more than just blog in support of Israel, but sometimes these lobbyist groups can be more harmful than helpful to the cause you believe in. I am providing morale support for IDF troops, but what more can I do besides pray and support IDF troops?
Thanks!
How about this Richard Silverstein POTZ? his Tikkun Olam blog is anti-Israel, filled with lies and hate.
I found this on another blog, very funny.
The Little Dickie Silverstein Marching Song
I am a little kapo,
It makes my mommy mad,
Cause when I am a kapo,
Those Zionists get sad!
I celebrate the jihad,
and terror all the while,
I fill my blog and web page,
With loud salutes of Sieg Heil!
I want to see them Zraelis,
All dumped out in the sea,
My swastika a waving,
Cause everything’s bout me.
Post a Comment