Doc's Talk: "Looking OK from Here"

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

"Looking OK from Here"

Arlene Kushner

I was not pleased today with the carping from certain quarters: Well, Netanyahu hesitated at one point during the press conference. He called Obama a great leader and that was obsequious. And so on, and on.

Give this man a break! Sitting next to someone of huge power and influence who wanted him to say certain things, he never-the-less refrained from saying them. He held his own and spoke in Israel's best interest. We can live in peace with the Palestinians, he said. If they agree to end of conflict, and recognize us as a Jewish state, and permit us the means to protect ourselves, and teach their children peace (which means new textbooks). Not bad.

He also said that this is an historic moment because it's the first time that Israelis and Arabs see a common threat (i.e., Iran).

And I noticed that Obama spoke about a US commitment to Israel's security as a Jewish state, and conceded that a nuclear Iran threatened the US as well as Israel. Well, then...

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I thought these comments by Scott Lucas, writing on the website "Enduring America," with regard to the Netanyahu-Obama press conference were interesting:

"Obama didn’t get it. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made his high-profile visit and engaged in two hours of discussions with the President. And after those talks, there was no sign that Netanyahu had given any ground on the US showpiece demand: two-state negotiations with the Palestinian Authority.

"And Obama, or at least his advisors, may not get it. That very public refusal of the Israeli Prime Minister is likely to damage, if not sink, far more than the American position on Israel-Palestine. The bigger casualty may be Obama’s strategy towards the Middle East and the Islamic world.

"The outcome is the result both of flaws in the Administration’s Palestine approach, which has never been comprehensive but rests on the narrower illusion that peace rests on an agreement between the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority and — more importantly in the short term — the tactical error of announcing an Obama talk from Cairo on 4 June...
"The problem is that a lot of folks, maybe not in Middle Eastern Governments, but amongst populations in and beyond the region, are going to ask the Emperor if his clothes are real when Obama speaks in Cairo. And I can’t see where the cloth is coming from..."

Lucas is professor of American studies at Birmingham University and founder of the website. (I discovered the site when searching for video of the press conference.)

You can find that video of the Netanyahu-Obama press conference, as well as a transcript, and a link to the article above, here:

http://enduringamerica.com/2009/05/18/video-obama-netanyahu-news-conference/

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Oh! and then there's the subsequent press briefing held by Obama's press secretary Robert Gibbs. One of the reporters asked, "Didn't Netanyahu get more out of this than Obama?" (Thanks Doris M.)

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The contact information for Prime Minister Netanyahu is repeated here, so that you have the opportunity to express your satisfaction with the way he handled himself and let him know you're behind him as he stands strong. I am convinced that it's important to do this.

There might be suspicions at this point that I am numerically challenged, although, in fact, I believe I'm dealing only with typos. At any rate, one numeral was wrong in the international phone number provided yesterday and is corrected here. (Thanks, William E.)

Fax: 02-670-5369 (From the US: 011-972-2-670-5369)

Phone: 03-610-9898 (From the US: 011-972-3-610-9898)

E-mail: pm_eng2@it.pmo.gov.il (underscore between pm and eng)

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There were no leaks today regarding what was said between Netanyahu and Obama privately yesterday -- there is no further content to analyze. Obama now moves on to meetings with Abbas and then Mubarak, and we'll see what transpires as a result of these. The PA has to be sorely disappointed in Obama for not "forcing" Netanyahu to embrace a "two-state solution." They were counting on that.

After meeting with the president yesterday, Netanyahu meet with Secretary of State Clinton; Senator John Kerry, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; and House Minority Leader John Boehner.

How tiresome and irritating Clinton is when she harps on the "you can't expect help in fighting Iran unless you make peace with the Palestinians first" line. Obviously Netanyahu -- who spoke about the common threat shared by Israel and Arabs -- hasn't bought this. And it seems she didn't notice that her president had just conceded that a nuclear Iran was also a threat to the US and to Middle East stability. She'd best stop pretending that any nation that helps with Iran is simply doing Israel a favor.

Both Clinton and Kerry emphasized the need to halt settlement activity.

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Today Shin Bet head Yuval Diskin told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that there is "no chance for an effective peace process so long as Hamas rules Gaza...Hamas will never give up control of Gaza, and the PA will not concede power in Judea and Samaria."

This follows the breakdown of one final meeting yesterday between Fatah and Hamas regarding the formation of a unity government. This is no more than was expected.

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Hamas had rejected a proposal by Fatah that they form a joint security force. And the mere fact that this is being discussed illustrates the total insanity of the entire situation. For the Fatah security forces, at least in theory, are supposed to be trained (with help from US General Dayton) to combat terrorism (or, as a Hamas spokesman put it, "uproot resistance"). Talk about schizoid.

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Today Abbas swore in a new PA government, compromised mainly of Fatah people and headed by Salam Fayyad (an independent) as prime minister. Hamas calls it not legitimate.

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When Defense Minister Ehud Barak ruled recently that Zion Road in Hebron would be opened to Arab traffic soon, it caused a furor in the Hebron Jewish community and adjacent Kiryat Arba. This road, which runs from Kiryat Arba to the Cave of Machpelah (Tomb of the Patriarchs), is traversed by thousands of Jews annually. (Jews walk from Kiryat Arba to the Machpelah to pray on Shabbat and holidays.)

It had been closed to Arabs for some time because of a series of terror attacks, and there was real fear that this decision would result in the loss of life.

Earlier, Interior Minister Eli Yishai (Shas) had voiced opposition to the opening of the road. Yesterday, the four MKs of Ichud Leumi (National Union party) -- chair Ya'akov (Ketzelah) Katz, Aryeh Eldad, Uri Ariel, and Michal Ben Ari -- toured the area under heavy guard, seeking a better understanding of the situation.

Today the community of Hebron released an announcement:

"Israel's security chief...Yuval Diskin opposes opening of the road. As a result of his position, the road will (for now) remain closed.

"The decision to reopen the road, beginning with Defense Minister Ehud Barak...was not security-related. Israeli lives were not taken into account when [the] decision was made. Rather, the decision was politically motivated, in keeping with the idea that 'easing Palestinian lives' is more important than protecting Jewish lives.

"Hebron's Jewish Community calls on the Defense Minister to admit his error, to accept the opinion of ... Yuval Diskin, and officially end attempts to reopen Zion Road. It's time that Ehud Barak stop playing politics with Israeli lives!"

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"The Good News Corner"

In the course of recent City of David excavations being done by the Israel Antiquities Authority, a seal was found engraved with Hebrew letters. Made of bone, this seal dates to First Temple times (8th century BCE) and clearly bears the name of its owner, Shaul. When examined in conjunction with another seal and three bullae (stamped pieces of clay), all previously discovered in the area, it has considerable significance for the study of the development of the use of seals in ancient times.

Today the Knesset presidium headed by Knesset speaker Ruby Rivlin visited the National Park at the City of David in anticipation of the celebration of Yom Yerushalayim, which begins tomorrow night.

The seal was displayed for the first time for this visit, a reminder of our ancient roots in the city.

The City of David (Ir David) was the original Jerusalem, on a hillside outside of today's Old City walls. When David's son, Solomon, built the Temple, he moved up to the high spot above the city.

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see my website www.ArlenefromIsrael.info

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The IDF’s Minorities in Numbers and Pictures

In honor of IDF Diversity Week, we present diversity through numbers and pictures. Each year, more and more Muslims, Christians, Druze, Bedouin and immigrants from around the world take on the responsibility of defending Israel.

MUSLIMS:

Muslim Arab Israelis are not required to draft in the IDF, but there are many who volunteer. In 2013, there were over 200 Muslims serving in the IDF and over 300 in the reserves.

Bedouins:

Bedouins are nomadic Muslims who were in Israel when modern borders were set in place and are now considered Israeli citizens. They are not required to draft but a growing number choose to enlist. In 2012, there were over 1,400 Bedouin Muslim soldiers doing regular IDF service and almost 1,500 in the reserves.

Read more:http://www.idfblog.com/2014/02/27/truth-idf-numbers-pictures/#more-34027

Are you aware that in 2013, Middle class taxes go up-significantly?

In January of next year, the federal income tax rate for middle-class taxpayers is scheduled to rise from 25 percent to 28 percent, and the payroll tax is scheduled to rise from 13.3 percent to 15.3 percent… This drives the marginal tax rate based on the aforementioned three taxes to 48.12 percent. Add in state and local property, corporate, excise, and other state and local taxes, and the percentage of each additional dollar that is taxed hovers around 50 percent… When half of each additional dollar earned is taxed away, taxpayers experience a disincentive to start businesses or expand existing ones. This leads to fewer jobs being created.

Why is HAMAS Inside Tampa Schools?

Clare Lopez

Kelly Miliziano, who teaches history classes at Steinbrenner High School in the Tampa, Florida area apparently thinks it’s perfectly OK to invite a senior official of a HAMAS-affiliated organization into her classroom to discuss Islam with her students. According to local media reports, not only has this been going on for years, but in spite of the civil and criminal proceedings that could result from such reckless negligence, the Hillsborough County school superintendent, Mary Ellen Elia, and the chairman of the school board, Candy Olson, also expressed approval for students under their responsibility to be exposed repeatedly to guest speaker, Hassan Shibly, who is the Executive Director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in the Tampa area.
More...

Did You Know... Ignoring the Call to Islam will Bring Jihad

‘Conquest through Da’wa [proselytizing] that is what we hope for. We will conquer Europe, we will conquer America! Not through sword but through Da’wa.’
-- Yousef al-Qaradawi , Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader The Arabic word ‘Da’wa’ means the “call to Islam.” But do not think that Da’wa is the same thing as an invitation to an optional holiday event. The classical Islamic doctrine of jihad mandates that enemies must be given the opportunity to convert to Islam or pay the jizya tax before it is permissible to attack them.
Clare M. Lopez

Who is being discriminated-facts tell the truth

Religious bias

Hate crimes motivated by religious bias accounted for 1,409 offenses reported by law enforcement. A breakdown of the bias motivation of religious-bias offenses showed:

65.4 percent were anti-Jewish.
13.2 percent were anti-Islamic.
9.5 percent were anti-other religion, i.e., those not specified.
4.3 percent were anti-Catholic.
3.8 percent were anti-multiple religions, group.
3.3 percent were anti-Protestant.
0.5 percent were anti-Atheism/Agnosticism/etc.

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/hate-crime/2010/narratives/hate-crime-2010-incidents-and-offenses.

On March 31, 1977, the Dutch newspaper Trouw published an interview

with PLO executive committee member Zahir Muhsein. Here's what he said:

"The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct "Palestinian people" to oppose Zionism.

For tactical reasons, Jordan, which is a sovereign state with defined borders, cannot raise claims to Haifa and Jaffa, while as a Palestinian, I can undoubtedly demand Haifa, Jaffa, Beer-Sheva and Jerusalem. However, the moment we reclaim our right to all of Palestine, we will not wait even a minute to unite Palestine and Jordan."

In March 1977, Zahir Muhsein, a PLO executive, said:

"The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct Palestinian people to oppose Zionism."

"For tactical reasons, Jordan, which is a sovereign state with defined borders, cannot raise claims to Haifa and Jaffa, while as a Palestinian, I can undoubtedly demand Haifa, Jaffa, Beer-Sheva and Jerusalem. However, the moment we reclaim our right to all of Palestine, we will not wait even a minute to unite Palestine and Jordan."

The Arab Apartheid

Ben-Dror Yemini
In 1948, the Arab countries refused to accept the UN partition proposal and they launched a war of annihilation against the State of Israel which had barely been established. All precedents in this matter showed that the party that starts the war - and with a declaration of annihilation, yet - pays a price for it. Between 550,000 and 710,000 Arabs fled because of the war and a larger number of 850,000 Jews were expelled or fled from Arab countries (the "Jewish nakba").
Population exchanges and expulsions were the norm at that time, occurring in dozens of other conflict points and affecting about 52 million people. In all the population exchange precedents that occurred during or at the end of an armed conflict, there was no return of refugees to the previous region, which had turned into a new national state.
Only the Arab states acted completely differently from the rest of the world. Instead of assimilating the refugees, they crushed them despite the fact that they were their coreligionists and members of the Arab nation - instituting a regime of apartheid. So the "nakba" was not caused by the actual dispossession, which had also been experienced by tens of millions of others. The "nakba" is the story of the apartheid, oppression, abuse and denial of rights suffered by the Arab refugees at the hands of the Arab countries. (Maariv)

International Law and Military Operations in Practice - Col. Richard Kemp

"Islamist fighting groups study the international laws of armed conflict carefully and they understand it well. They know that a British or Israeli commander and his men are bound by international law and the rules of engagement that flow from it. They then do their utmost to exploit what they view as one of their enemy's main weaknesses. Their very modus operandi is built on the correct assumption that Western armies will normally abide by the rules, while these insurgents employ a deliberate policy of operating consistently outside international law. "

Lost Historical Moments

What Rabin’s last Knesset speech really said:repudiation of a Palestinian state

Rabin ruled out a fully sovereign Palestinian state :

“We view the permanent solution in the framework of State of Israel which will include most of the area of the Land of Israel as it was under the rule of the British Mandate, and alongside it a Palestinian entity which will be a home to most of the Palestinian residents living in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. We would like this to be an entity which is less than a state, and which will independently run the lives of the Palestinians under its authority.”

Rabin ruled out a total withdrawal from Judea and Samaria and thus a return to the pre-June 1967 borders :

“The borders of the State of Israel, during the permanent solution, will be beyond the lines which existed before the Six Day War. We will not return to the 4 June 1967 lines.”

Rabin ruled out withdrawing form the Jordan Valley:

“The security border of the State of Israel will be located in the Jordan Valley, in the broadest meaning of that term.”

Rabin ruled out uprooting settlement blocs, like the Gush Katif bloc in Gaza (which was subsequently uprooted by former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon):

“The establishment of blocs of settlements in Judea and Samaria, like the one in Gush Katif.

AND

Rabin ruled out removing any settlement before coming to a full peace agreement with the Palestinians:

“I want to remind you: we committed ourselves, that is, we came to an agreement, and committed ourselves before the Knesset, not to uproot a single settlement in the framework of the interim agreement, and not to hinder building for natural growth.”

Rabin insisted on Israel retaining full security control of the borders with Egypt and Jordan, contrary to Israel’s relinquishment of the Philadelphia Corridor on the border with Egypt:

“The responsibility for external security along the borders with Egypt and Jordan, as well as control over the airspace above all of the territories and Gaza Strip maritime zone, remains in our hands.”

Correcting Oslo Myths-Part 2

3) Kuttab laments that the post-1993 Oslo process resulted in a Palestinian Authority "whose ministers and legislators are not guaranteed passage between Gaza and the West Bank ...."

Before free passage or other perquisites, PA leaders were obligated, among other things, to eliminate the terrorist infrastructure in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, end anti-Israeli, antisemitic incitement in schools, mosques, and communications media, and resolve all outstanding issues through peaceful negotiations. They met none of these commitments, sometimes bolstering terrorism and greatly increasing incitement.

4) Kuttab complains that under Oslo the PA got "lightly armed police ---- but no real sovereignty over the land or contiguity between our communities in Gaza and the West Bank."

Oslo agreements repeatedly were revised, regardless of Palestinian non-compliance, until the authorized number of police grew from 8,000 to 40,000. Though they were to be the only armed forces in the territories, Israeli estimates early in the second intifada put the number of gunmen - police, "security services," terrorists, and armed gangs - at 85,000. Their armament reportedly included not only heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, but also anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles.

Sovereignty was to be negotiated in the envisioned 1998 "final status" talks - after a five-year period of confidence-building. Palestinian leadership chronically undermined the process. Palestinian terrorism made the 1993 - 1998 Oslo period more deadly for Israelis than the 15 years preceding it.

The United States doesn't have contiguity between the lower 48 states and Alaska and Hawaii; territorial contiguity between the West Bank and Gaza Strip - that is, through the 20 miles of Israeli territory between them - was never promised and would destroy Israeli contiguity.

5) "Palestinians have been made to endure hundreds of checkpoints in the West Bank, an eight-foot wall deep in our territories, and tight Israeli control over borders."

The security barrier is not "deep in Palestinian territories," but rather encompasses less than 8 percent of Judea and Samaria, and is mostly a fence, rarely a wall; the land in question is not "our [Palestinian] territories" but disputed territory to which, according to the authors of U.N. Security Council Resolution 242, Jews as well as Arabs have claims; and there are no international borders, only the 1949 armistice lines with Jordan. Under 242, borders remain to be negotiated. As for checkpoints - like the security barrier and "tight Israeli control" - Palestinian Arabs precipitated these measures themselves. No terrorism and there would be no fence or tight Israeli control and few checkpoints - like before the first intifada.

Correcting Some Oslo Myths

1) In Oslo "Israeli, Palestinian and other world leaders promised that ... Palestinian sovereignty would be solidified."

No, they didn't. The 1993 Declaration of Principles and subsequent Oslo agreements outlined a process by which final status negotiations about the West Bank and Gaza Strip would be reached. The process required an end to anti-Israel terrorism and incitement and a commitment to peaceful negotiations. The PA, Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and other terrorist groups, sabotaged the process from the start.

2) "The reality is that, in defiance of U.N. Security Council Resolution 242, which states that it is inadmissible to occupy land by force, Palestinian territories are still under foreign military occupation."
Wrong again. Resolution 242 (1967) does note "the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war." It also affirms the right of every state in the area "to live in peace with secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force." There were no "Palestinian territories." Jordan occupied the West Bank, Egypt controlled Gaza. Israel did not have "secure and recognized boundaries," so retention of some of those territories was possible under 242. Israel is not a "foreign" military occupier in the West Bank but, pending final negotiations, the lawful military administrator as a result of a successful war of self-defense.

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