IntenseDebate - Koshiro

14 years ago @ Tikun Olam-תקון ע... - Martin Van Creveld Vic... · 1 reply · +1 points

That's him quoting Dayan, though. Not his own words.
Creveld is delusional, though. Israel's armed forces are nowhere near being the 2nd or 3rd in the world. Even its land-based forces are not, though they are quality-wise up to the standards of major NATO countries, and Israel's tiny navy is barely worth mentioning.
Israel, having no credible second-strike capability, would also be well advised not to publicly advance the idea that they might nuke other nuclear powers. I wrote this before, I think: If they get the impression that the 'mad dog' is going to run amok soon, other nations will likely put him down (= first-strike Israel out of existence) rather than take the chance he's going to calm down.

14 years ago @ Tikun Olam-תקון ע... - Abbas and Arab League ... · 0 replies · +1 points

No, I realize the above won't happen. I merely voiced what *should* happen.
I never said I thought Biden was upset, though he might have been. But certainly not upset about Palestinians being pushed from their land, neither about Israel torpedoing the chances for a two-state solution. Upset about how he might look like a sucker - at best.

14 years ago @ Tikun Olam-תקון ע... - Abbas and Arab League ... · 2 replies · +2 points

On the one hand, staying away from the negotiations after such an obviously intentional provocation would probably be the dignified thing to do. On the other hand, it's of course exactly that reaction which Netanyahu (who most definitely knew about this and likely approved of the timing personally) tries to provoke. Essentially it's the "giving terrorists what they want" dilemma.

What Abbas should do in my opinion, instead of just cancelling the talks: Denounce Netanyahu as the liar he is. Openly, viciously ridicule Biden for his toadying up to Israel. Make it absolutely clear that the US is about as far from being a mediator as it is from the Ile St Paul - as far as possible on this planet. Don't be shy on insulting, biting sarcasm and condescension. And then, after you're done, announce your continued willingness to engage in proximity talks.

Play Netanyahu's game. Slap them in the face, then insist you're ready for negotiations. The worst thing that can happen is that *they* cancel the talks.

14 years ago @ Tikun Olam-תקון ע... - Israel Deigns to Allow... · 0 replies · +1 points

Egypt has only limited control over the situation, and only limited sovereignty on the Sinai. And still, yes we do 'bash' Egypt for playing accomplice to Israel.

14 years ago @ Tikun Olam-תקון ע... - Israel Deigns to Allow... · 0 replies · +1 points

"If Israel doesn’t control Gaza then how do you explain the fact that it refuses to allow free access to it?"
I controls it if Israel's rights are concerned and doesn't control it if its obligations are concerned. Even if both applies at exactly the same time and place. No problem, if you're good enough at doublethink.

14 years ago @ Mondoweiss - While the US and Israe... · 1 reply · +1 points

"What is so perplexing and enraging is that by continually implanting Jewish neighborhoods in the midst of Palestinian communities, Israel is sabotaging its own determination to be a permanent, Jewish-majority, internationally accepted, democratic state with defined borders."

Well, maybe the powers that be in Israel just have a determination to be a permanent, Jewish-*rule*, internationally accepted, *colonial apartheid* state with defined borders. That would actually explain a lot, now wouldn't it?

14 years ago @ Mondoweiss - Feeling the hate in Te... · 1 reply · +1 points

Well, all "common understandings" of the word race are unscientific bullonium, so...
But there is simply no better word to describe these attitudes. "Group-based exclusionist discrimination" is a little awkward.

14 years ago @ Mondoweiss - Goooaaaal: 'Washington... · 0 replies · +2 points

No there wasn't. When I saw the ad, I immediately knew how it failed in that respect ("failed" is maybe the wrong word...it's not like they tried.)
There are no Palestinians. They are not heard and not seen. They're just not there. If the ad had shown people on both sides of the wall, participating in a football match, maybe they could have shown a different message. This way, the Palestinians are just blanked out.

14 years ago @ Mondoweiss - Goooaaaal: 'Washington... · 3 replies · +1 points

Me too.
(Also, I'm wondering: What's with the constant comparison to animals? Animals don't do that kind of stuff.)

14 years ago @ Mondoweiss - Israel lobby group say... · 0 replies · +1 points

Yeah, sorta like the ethnic cleansing of Algeria in 1962 or the ethnic cleansing of Korea in 1945. Those are, of course, only two of the largest examples. Almost all of Africa and Asia experienced horrible ethnic cleansings in the post-WW2 period.

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