When it comes to Gaza, Biden is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. He’s made the right move, however. Now the Israeli people need to do the same and get rid of Netanyahu and seek a peace plan that includes a Palestinian state.
When it comes to Gaza, Biden is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. He’s made the right move, however. Now the Israeli people need to do the same and get rid of Netanyahu and seek a peace plan that includes a Palestinian state.
The most effective way to control, or even remove Netanyahu is to elevate Benny Ganz. Even if the primary motivation of the protests may not be antisemitism, antisemites took advantage of the situation. MSM does not mention Ganz, who leads in the polls in Israel, would displace Netanyahu, supports a two state solution, which is US policy, is at 85 %. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benny_Gantz
From onset, the Knesset had the ability to do a deal in principle on the table. There was a pause, but Hamas would not deal. Qatar, Egypt etc are not principals and are not honest brokers. Qatar is NOT a mediator. Qatar grants amnesty to murderers, rapists. Egypt and Jordan, only a few miles from the action refuse to accept innocent Gazans.
To me, card carrying Semite, the acid test is whether the leaders of the protests would support Ganz. to achieve removal of Netanyahu?
Congress makes appropriations. Besides Gaza, we were close to war with Iran, and some of the hostages in Gaza are US citizens. US ships have been attacked by Yemen, who says they did it to support Hamas. Hamas is a proxy of Iran and maybe Russia.
Meanwhile the Trump blueprint is laid out in Heritage foundation Project 2025. Reinstate Muslim bans. Concentration camps. Mass deportations. Trump allies want a country where only "Christians" have full citizenship.
MSM misrepresents the nature of Israel, which has an Arab Party, Arab members in the Knesset, and Arab Druze voluntarily serving in the army. I do not know this as a fact but I bet the Arab Party supports Ganz. What about the mayor of Dearborn? The leaders of the Columbia protests? What about the Republicans?
Nobody is protesting the hundreds of thousands of Arabs killed by their brethren in Syria and Yemen.
Daniel S., re. “Hamas is a proxy of Iran and maybe Russia.” I was thinking Netanyahu is a proxy for Russia. What do you think?
If Netanyahu had had a more measured and more strategic response to Oct. 7th, we’d be a lot more focused on Ukraine these days. Netanyahu’s response benefits Putin.
(Netanyahu’s actions to wipe out the enemy — Hamas— has created far more enemies. His is a bad strategy for Jews in Israel and everywhere — as well as horribly inhumane towards Palestinian civilians.)
I think of Netanyahu as being a proxy for Russia too. I look at who has most benefitted from this war between Hamas and Israel, and I see Russia getting to get rid of Biden, sending Bots to rile up the youth (not saying they cannot be on their own, but who of them is not influenced by social media these days), and then we have the distraction from Ukraine.
Linda, I have wondered the same thing and sent a question to "Beau of the Fifth Column" youtube which he did not answer. (He gets hundreds of questions a week, so it was a chance he'd answer.
I wondered WHY students are protesting this particular issue. I totally am a pacifist and sickened by war, and have donated to World Food Kitchen. Beau did have a clip where a young protestor wrote in, upset by the her perceived actions of some of her fellow students. He addressed this, and also mentioned that in the US, there is a ready-build audience for the issues in Gaza.
Ok, I get the audience thing, but I still wonder why this conflict? The horrors of war in the Ukraine did not send US students into the street. I don't recall any students in the past decades protesting genocide in Africa. (in the Trump labeled "shit countries") I am sure that there are students with family ties to victims in Gaza, and I am very sure that anti-Semitism is on the rise, but unlike the 60s where young men were drafted to fight in a foreign war, or BLM protests where people protested against the murder of fellow Americans, I haven't seen this type of anger. I haven't seen this type of protest against the separation of families at the border, or the way asylum seekers are treated.
It is causing some young people to seemingly turn against Biden. I admire that young people care about humanity halfway across the globe, but I wonder if they believe Trump would be a better option? I wonder if they realize what they--the US youth--would lose if Project 2025 in put in place?
I wonder how many of those protesting cared about foreign policy before they, as you put it, saw it on social media? How many of them truly care about this foreign conflict, and how many of them are there to click a selfie to post?
I know that this sounds cynical, but I have wondered WHO benefits the most from these protests? At the risk of sounding as though I am donning a tin-foil hat, is there some effort to gin up opposition to Biden through this?
Miselle, I have been wondering about the same things. Certainly could be upset about wars all over the planet that have US involvement, but the press is not covering that so openly. The story that has been made of this is very interesting. I still think Russian bots are stirring up more people. I do understand that the protest is the injustice of our tax dollars going to support a government that the students see as undeserving. It also means that they have an idea that our allies must be perfect or else. I know that for a lot of Black students, and non-White students it looks in the press like the White people (Israel, which is multicolored and diverse as far as I know), and suppressing the Brown people (Gazans). I assume that Russian bots are stirring things up, because if they were not they would be being less competent than we know they are. This is what Putin does, from his KGB days, he stirs up trouble, and manipulates people. Social media is easy for Putin to exploit. For anyone for that matter. Again, Hitler was carefully crafting his image and using media in new and different ways to get his campaign message across. Tiktok is coopted in this way too. The protests seem to have made Biden shift his Israel policy so in that they are seeming to have an effect. Also, places like Northwestern made an agreement with students that they would be open about their investments and have a student advisory committee. They also will fund 5 Palestinian students. How that will help most of the people starving in the streets I don't know. People need to be more clear on how ugly war is. I am not promoting war, but I think we should stand by our allies. Palestine has not really had a chance to be an ally because they have not been an official state. It is a troubled region for sure. There are many others that could draw student ire and support too, but do not. I would say coverage of them makes all the difference.
No, Putin is just making lemonade. Too complicated for Putin. When there is a war situation made, you cannot predict. The protests here are mostly real I believe... they don't need the riling up. I am not a fan of conspiracy in this situation.
I don't say it is definitely so, but when my suspicions rise, I listen to them. There is a lot that is unknowable. In the Stasi Files, I see the discussion of Putin along with his East German ID from when he lived in Dresden. What is written sounds really like he was playing the KGB against the Stasi, to get his own way. So, just looking at the long history of who he is, I believe he is involved in some way, even if it is indirectly with Bots.
Yes, and Netanyahu was rumored to have had a meeting with Putin shortly before Oct.7. I think the tactics N has used are similar to the relentless bombings of Ukraine's civilians. What's in it for Putin? There was a massive distraction from Ukraine by the US' delayed funding, world condemnation of the US and Israel, and chaos everywhere.
What do we know about Ganz, other that he is an ambitious politician and sees an opportunity to replace Netanyahu. I see Ganz giving lots of hugs and mixing in the crowds when he has an opportunity.
Good and decent leaders are hard to come by. President Joe Biden's character and experience and genuine love and respect for our country and all that we are supposed to represent is a rare and precious gift.
Israel deserves better than it has, yet Netanyahu was elected????!!!!!
It is alot easier to foment hatred of our fellowman/woman than to work for peace.
YET...how wonderful and productive to live in peace.
When we say "Arabs"...when we say "Iranians", do we fill our hearts with negative images from the news? And YES, there is plenty of evil going on.....but often this dehumanizes people and we begin to see this group...this country as an enemy.
We need to see more families getting up in the morning , having a meal ....maybe morning prayers together....dispersing to walk, drive, bike, etc to work. We need to understand that there are moms, dads, grandparents just like us trying to survive....to care for their families with hope that their children will have a better world in which to live.
Daniel, as a Christian, it has personally become difficult for me to find a place of worship. Look at the bunch Jesus chose. Only one remained at the cross with His mother, Mary, when Jesus was crucified. They were there for the miracles but they couldn't understand "the cross". The others scattered. Jesus came to redeem the lost and broken and those whom His love and grace and steadfast presence will not abandon though, belonging to such a great salvation does not eliminate pain and suffering or poverty ,etc.
I find it difficult when those who have been "saved from hell" want to send everyone who doesn't fit in "their Christian box" there????
Thanks for the peacemakers...of all faiths...or those who choose not to belong to a faith.
Check out Combatants for Peace: https://cfpeace.org/. It's "a grassroots movement of Israelis and Palestinians, working together to end the occupation and bring peace, equality and freedom to our homeland." They've got two events coming up, both of which will be livestreamed: the 19th Israeli-Palestinian Joint Memorial Day Ceremony this Sunday, May 12, and the Joint Nakba Remembrance Ceremony next Wednesday, May 15. There's also an U.S. support group called American Friends of Combatants for Peace: https://www.afcfp.org/.
Hamas and others like Islamic Jihad are murderers. They've murdered not only Jews but their own people. Christians are next. B'hai. All infidels. Israeli Arabs are the only Moslems in the entire region that have due process.
We don't get to vote in Israeli elections. They have an Arab party. Arab members of the Knesset. About a million Israeli Jews speak Arabic as their first language, because their families were expelled to Israel in 1948. More than 100,000 speak Farsi. 99% of the Arab Christians fear Islamists more than Jews. Arab Druze serve voluntarily in the Israeli army. I keep waiting for them to stand up.
Some cities like Haifa are diverse, Jews and Arabs living together since the crusades. Jerusalem was like that until 1948, when the Arab Legion/Jordan attacked. Restored in 1967.
Start with the proposition that Ganz is not Netanyahu. Do not look a gift horse in the mouth.
Great post, Daniel, Gantz sounds like a good route to peace. Iran must be brought under control. The Ayatollah is NOT Allah, in fact he's not even good to his own people, he has more in common with the southern fundamentalist so-called Christians than he does with other Muslims.
I'm right with you. I had such a surge of hope until Netanyahu managed to weasel his way back in around Gantz. His undercover support system has the same feedlines as that of Trump.
Yes. I tell people who don’t “get” Putin, “once a KGB, always a KGB.” If that doesn’t hit home I mention his time in East Germany as Stasi. But KGB training isn’t clear to most Americans. Actually, Trump with the oilmen sounds as close to KGB as anything I’ve ever heard by an American. The oilmen whose companies knew about climate change even before 1988 (Hansen of NASA’s infamous 15 minutes to explain climate change to an uncomprehending Congress—excepting Al Gore who had already written a book with the information, which, as a farmer he could understand the implications) are even more guilty than Childe Trump.
A kitchen sink analysis- you got it all in Daniel S. I did not know that semites carry cards. I had better get mine. I disagree with your rant dragging in all that is disreputable about every country involved. Those, regardless, are needed to make a peace or at least ceasefire happen, including Hamas. Hamas is needed for peace.
The protests "acid test"? Here our support especially the weapons, precipitates the protests. Protests here and elsewhere are the result of photos and reports that Israelis hardly see in their MSM unless they go looking. They don't want to see the damage and know Gazan suffering, the numbers, nor know of their plight; many reason they are guilty for supporting Hamas. So is Netanyahu. Protests in Israel, are reported as being for hostages return. Maybe some want to end the war. Many Israelis have died - over 600 soldiers.
The Arabs( Palestinians) in Israel are not allowed to have much influence regardless. But many identify with the plight of Gazans and must have to keeps their heads down in an increasingly repressive Israel.
Anti-Semitism is ever present. Jewish people have cried anti-Semitism at every opportunity. This is ultra-sensitivity to a point of cancelling concern when people have to be so careful about what they say or what group they support because it criticizes Israel. The conflation of Israel with Judaism is objectionable to many Jews who are not Zionists, or not what Zionism has become politically, two separate feelings about Israel.
That you bring up blood libel is telling. The REAL anti-Semites want to engage you and are happy to have the Israel critics to attach themselves to.
Do me a favor and don't send me cherry picked links about the bad things that Hamas did in the past as part of this ongoing war between Israel and Hamas ( and all Palestinians) UNLESS you are going to balance this.. which you are not going to I gather.
Where do I apply for my semite card? What do I need paper/record-wise?
As my father said some 50 years ago, "stay out of the middle east and they will all kill each other." May he rest in peace. But the Trump situation surely has him turning over in his grave. He knew that the most important thing about America was the peaceful transistion of power. Where have all the flowers gone?
Unfortunately, you are not speaking to Reich and his newsletter subscribers, who have done as much damage to Israel's standing in the world as MSM. It's a coordinated effort to eliminate the only democratic state in the Middle East.
A brilliant response, Daniel. Truth in packaging #1: there are points of disagreement. Truth in packaging #2: said points are utterly marginal.
Daniel. the tragedy too many of us take for granted is that of 07oct23. The subsequent tragedy of what is occurring now dates back to 08oct23. As a philo-Semite and one who reveres Judaism as the one large Western faith that makes sense to me except Unitarianism (i.e., my faith, a safe harbor for 'slackadaisical' agnostics like me), my blood ran hot on 08oct23. Vengeance flowed through me and I wanted hamas to be crushed and did not think about those Gazans, some of whom, after all, cheered in the streets as gangsters paraded hostages and bodies by them.
Since my feelings are inconsequential in the world beyond a five foot radius around me, they did not matter. The Israelis -- all Israelis -- did not enjoy the luxuries of insignificance, detachment, and leisure on 08oct23. They knew that hamas practices -- has even stated openly -- an eliminationist ant-Semitism, as catalogued by Dr Goldhagen in "hitler's willing executioners".
When the spectre of a repeat Holocaust looms first and foremost, impulse control likely fades, especially in the case of Netanyahu who has an interest in retaining leadership through a potential long-war. Add to that the near certainty of a permissive Gazan populace -- by affiliation or resignation -- necessary for an attack on the scale of that blood-drunk orgy of 07oct23 to proceed, concerns for the Gazan street fade also, at least temporarily.
Looking back now, what I believe the world witnessed on 07oct23 was a six-to-twelve month intifada compressed into a day through careful planning and technology. The result of a longer intifada would be no less atrocious, yet the response that the situation itself would elicit would be different. A perverse affirmation of timing being everything. That is to say: instead of pursuing a contentious counter-insurgency in an urban environment, Netanyahu has replicated something like a total war on miniature scale. Sadly, until now, the U.S. has become complicit, at least by shipping bunker-busting bombs for use in a densely populated area.
A counter-insurgency in an urban environment requires working with the population in a manner consistent with principles of community policing. It also requires changing the treatment of Palestineans with the concomitant respect entitled to fellows, not felons. The locals must understand that they have a better future with the Jewish state than with a Palestinean gangster régime. My sense is that there were enough Gazans willing to work with the I.D.F. to hunt down the worst of hamas and to seal the tunnels, at least the key ones. My conviction remains that there are far more than enough Israeli Jews willing to welcome such a change.
What we have seen, sadly and instead, is Israël, perhaps the far-right coalition, lapsing into war crimes. As I learned in Iraq, good people can do bad things; it is what they do afterward in making amends and what lessons they learn that counts more going-forward. I am beginning wonder if I passed judgement too hastily about the war crimes; after all, lsraël must complete the mission of eliminating hamas. What a horrid dilemma for our democratic kin.
Another reason why I must pause about accusing Israël of war crimeis that I have assumed that the thirty-five thousand slain Gazans are all innocents, albeit tainted and killed in addition to hamas fighters. BIG ERROR on my part. Additionally I have accepted that thirty-five thousand number though it might be biassed by hamas-influence in the counting.
While my first reaction to your number 17,500 hamas fighters killed (versus the fourteen thousand I have read) is one of skepticism, if I am willing to accept the total number of people killed at thirty-five thousand, I am willing to accept that half are comabattants. Either way, however, by the reckoning of most urban warfare scenarios, the percentage of civilians killed is not higher, likely lower, than those witnessed in recent conflicts.
One can argue that Israël is showing restraint, at least kinetically. So, the dilemma continues. Israël will survive, though Netanyahu is likely doing more to jeopardize her long-term security than to aid it by alienating peace-minded Palestineans and likely proving to be the best recruiter hamas ever had. For peace to triumph and for the Jewish state to prosper in righteousness will require deep cultural changes toward Palestineans. More than my faith, history tells me that, if there is a people out there with the capacity for justice, resilience, and charity to make that change, it is my Jewish brethren.
As an oldster who has faith in your faith, Daniel, I close with these two verses from the Tanakh brought to me through Episcopal schooling: "And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." --Leviticus 33-34.
The quality of the team (and appointments to the SCOTUS/ federal judges) is what is so crucial for any presidential election and administration. As HCR has noted a number of times, the group Biden has brilliantly put together is top shelf. When it comes to walking the international gauntlet, the team led by Blinken is the best! I shudder to think of the chaos and perhaps nuclear holocaust that would be with trump occupying the WH. We barely survived (and many did not!) the last round.
Agree, Janet. I am happy with the team Biden has put together in foreign affairs, but other cabinet posts and agencies as well. For a while, we had people here in Salem who label themselves progressives regularly dissing Biden. Always I would point out the diversity and ability of his cabinet. As for the protests, the one at Portland State has a small number of students and a large percentage of Portland's small group of people who love vandalism and destruction. Many of the students there have voiced their unhappiness about this because it is still getting in the way of their education because the library is a mess and closed and it will take some time and considerable money to fix it. Even people who should know better sometimes have tunnel vision. We have a friend who is veery knowledgable politically and yet she recommended a vote in the 6th district primary for McLeod Skinner who cannot win in the general here in Marion County over Bynum who has beaten the incumbent R twice in other elections. I want a D house and it will deal with different problems than local land use. And death star....why would decent patriotic real Christian chose this dangerous criminal who is showing signs of dementia over a decent and savvy pol like Biden.
Up until last week, I would have entirely agreed. But it has become clear that Blinken is ignoring State Department analyses of past and current IDF violations of US and international
law. And instead, accepting as credible Netanyahu regime assurances that they are in compliance. It seems Blinken may be at odds with Biden's policy - the pause in delivery of offensive military aid was announced by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austen.
As part of Pres. Biden's National Security Memorandum 20 (issued in February at the urging of Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris VanHollen, and which expands the Leahy Laws) the State Department was to give Congress a report on Israeli compliance with US and international law. State has asked for an extension.
The Biden memorandum requires nations in line for support to provide, in writing, credible evidence that they are in compliance with the laws of war and humanitarian law. Among others, there are serious questions about whether Israel is violating these laws by blocking the delivery of food to Gaza. Blinken is expected to say, as with the earlier events that Israel is in compliance. That currently, while there are suspected violations Israel is not misusing weapons or blocking aid.****
I understand that evidentiary requirements of the law are different than what seems apparent to other observation and investigation. But in this dispute within the State Department, I am inclined to agree with the analysts. But I may be biased - it is hard for me to imagine that the Netanyahu regime could/would provide credible assurances.
*"Blinken Says Israeli Units Accused of Serious Violations Have Done Enough to Avoid Sanctions. Experts and Insiders Disagree. The secretary of state told Congress that Israel had adequately punished a soldier who got community service for killing an unarmed Palestinian. Government officials call it a “mockery” and inconsistent with the law."
**"It is part of a new policy instituted by US President Joe Biden in February requiring foreign aid recipients to provide written assurances that they are using that aid in compliance with international law and not obstructing the provision of humanitarian aid."
*** "The overdue filing, which could be sent as early as Friday, will use critical language to describe suspected violations, but won't find Israel misusing arms or blocking aid, Axios says"
**** "Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to submit to Congress as soon as Friday a highly critical report about Israel's conduct in Gaza that stops short of concluding it has violated the terms for its use of U.S. weapons, three U.S. officials said."
Both the State Department and the Department of Defense provide US funded assistance to foreign security force units. Both departments have Leahy Laws. Both departments gather/analyze evidence of violations. Determinations of whether corrective measures are sufficient is done in consultation between the departments.
Thank you. So the executive (Biden) must have decided that this is the case where the Leahy Law applies to the DOD and not the DOS. That alone must be sending a signal to Israel.
I have not been able to work out all the pathways by which military aid can be delivered. And by which it can be paused.
By law the funds go to American suppliers of equipment and expertise. Sometimes through collaborative US and Israeli research entities. The assistance is provided to individual national security units. And it is the behavior of the units which can result in a pause in aid.
But how the president, the agencies, and Congress come into the logistics of who gets (or doesn't get) what and when. I have not figured it out.
The Leahy Laws and Biden's National Security Memorandum 20 only apply to offensive military aid. All those screaming about Biden compromising Israel's ability to defend itself are mistaken. 1) Aid for Iron Dome, David's Sling (who makes up these names?) et al is not affected. 2) Israel has stock piles munitions.
Biden has criticized Israel's settlement policies for decades. This has long put him at odds with Netanyahu. Netanyahu's characteristic truculence has been compounded by decades of unconditional support from AIPAC and the Evangelicals - and cemented by the Trump administration's outrageous policies (moving the US embassy to contested Jerusalem, the Abrahamic Accords which pretend Palestinians do not exist.)
Thank you. I had worried about the very subtleties that you are writing about. But hoping that Congress and the president will guide Blinken where he needs it successfully.
He's a diplomat. Subtlety is a major qualification for the job. The French term for the equivalent of the American Secretary of State is "chef de la diplomatie".
what amazes me is after two massive anti Netanyahu demonstrations that they have not booted him The man is a fascist. And in NYC the police are brutally cracking down on peaceful protesters. While the fossil fuel companies are pumping money into Congress like never before. They know the end zone for them is in sight! I did the research for a Climate report for the Italian govt. in the 80s.. and it was obvious what would happen. Still, it's hard to watch as it continues to unfold.
Since the Likud party has basically been in power in Israel since 1977, it is not super likely that the majority population is voting in some other party. Gantz has started a new political party, the Resistance Party. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benny-Gantz
Does Gantz have a chance now. Will propping him up look like US interference, something we are infamous for.
Netanyahu has been a disaster. His need to stay out of prison (sound familiar) has made him subservient to the ultra-orthodox. They don't even have to be in the army. The sooner N is gone, the sooner a real workable solution can begin to be discussed.
I agree that Biden has no good solutions for how to be an appropriate ally to Israel. I also believe strongly in being loyal to one's allies. Israel has been dogged by right-wing leaders for a long time. The Likud party came to power in 1977 and Netanyahu is emblematic of what the party represents. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Likud
I don't think Israelis can so easily get rid of Netanyahu and if they do, won't he just be replaced with some other right wing leader? I also wonder what happens in Gaza. Under Hamas things have not been good, not all of that is attributable to Israeli oppression. I am thinking for women Hamas was never good, but regionally women are second class citizens. Is this self determination, or systems of patriarchy that we can not overcome if we cater to their leaders? I support not killing civilians (in this case mainly women and children). Things are volatile, and a lot of mediation needs to happen to hash out a peaceful co-existence between Palestinians and Israelis. I am skeptical wether it can happen. History has preceded us to make that very unlikely as long as Jews have to worry about their very existence dying out. Palestinians are also looking at their country being made very unlivable, but the reality is this is not a good time in the world to immigrate somewhere else. The hostility to foreigners is growing around the world. A right wing agenda coming to fruition. I would like to know if the youth protesting Biden supporting our ally Israel has some ideas of how to solve the problems in addition to stopping weapons from going to Israel? Will Biden just defunding the Israeli military solve the problems in the region to make both Israelis and Palestinians safe? Israel has been a haven for about 7 mil of the 15.3 mil Jews in the world, and it does not seem like they will feel safe in Israel. A big concern is that they are dying out with so much intermarriage of Jews to non-Jews as more and more are secular. Palestinians also have about 15 mil in the world, with 7 mil in Palestine. They have the same worry of dying out or losing their culture as they disperse in the world. I respect the right for both groups to feel safe. Still, neither country is helped by not voting for Biden.
Good points. I was wondering why the Israelis don't trust our system of separation of church and state and freedom of religion since Jewish people have done well in the US? I know the Holocaust really happened although I can't imagine how they and their descendants feel.
There is amongst jews, especially in Israel a second and third generation trauma, passed on from the Holocaust. The reaction and attendant feeling causing trauma to the Palestinians who have their Nakba trauma, living it every day.
I would say the US has been an enabler( weak) for years as well as an ally, and helped get Israel and us, in this election year, into this mess. Israel has turned majority right and unfortunatey they have and will suffer for that agenda's impunity.
Hamas can moderate. I think they would want to and have shown they can. IF Palestinians do not have their freedom and independence to fight for they will want to survive. They will survive as a fighting force otherwise. Again, they will have to moderate to survive. They have indicated they accept Israel. And they can control their militants. But of course this is ignored and it is accepted in Israel that they will "win". Israelis, many of them, believe they should have "river to the sea".
I know that Israel has had a right wing government for a while. However, Hamas is not a liberal government either, or a democratic one. In any case, we are involved in negotiating and trying to see what happens after. That seems super murky to me. Should we decide this or let the Israel and Palestinians decide? Also, who decides that Palestine is a state and what will that change for them? That is what I think should be discussed. Today the UN says. Palestine gots to be a non voting member. https://apnews.com/article/un-resolution-palestinians-membership-rights-us-assembly-875560e897f27d6600090420f36404e4
Palestinians will declare they are a state when there is agreement w Israel, perhaps guaranteed by others. Back to negotiating and this time reasonably and sincerely. People have lost faith because of the process's past.
I don’t judge Hamas as being illegitimate because they are not liberal. I think that is for Palestinians to decide. Right now they are fighting for liberation. They are governing; they exist tolerated or/and because of repression or support as a resistance group that has taken charge. This is also w Israel’s tolerance. We have a lot of complicity in this having helped Israel to dominate the situation to no good result. This is what I think the protests are about. Either Israel allows Palestinians self determination in a state or we must retreat from our unconditional support including military aid. Israel has to change internally to survive. In the meantime political opposition on the right here could win and indulge Israel even more postponing the inevitable or helping Israel destroy itself. This is what I believe.
I think Biden likely waited til the Ukraine aid got through the House before selectively withholding Isaeli aid, esp given the vitriolic Republican response. Pressure negotiations have not worked with Netanyahu's government.
Right on. Except every peace plan before was broken by Hamas. They are not interested in peace or protecting Palestinians as though they were not Palestinians. They planned that Israel's counter-attack after the Oct massacre would take many lives, they could not care less. Using civilians as human shields? All to garner anti-Israel sentiment. A big win for Hamas. If there are demonstrations they should be against Hamas. It is Hamas that has stood in the way of peace.
It's always better to do the right thing than calculate politically. I am voting for Biden. But Biden, though this (and Stormy) might save him politically, came late after all the unbelievable destruction using our bombs. And who is going to fix and pay for Gaza in time to help the people IF Israel ends the occupation. Big if. Nothing will bring back the 34,000 + or minus (plus plus probably) plus the trauma it leaves especially with no state of their own to compensate... something to live for. Netanyahu is saying he can go it alone without our help. Well good! Then do! We'll see how that goes.
When it comes to Gaza, Biden is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. He’s made the right move, however. Now the Israeli people need to do the same and get rid of Netanyahu and seek a peace plan that includes a Palestinian state.
So glad he's got Blinken there.
The most effective way to control, or even remove Netanyahu is to elevate Benny Ganz. Even if the primary motivation of the protests may not be antisemitism, antisemites took advantage of the situation. MSM does not mention Ganz, who leads in the polls in Israel, would displace Netanyahu, supports a two state solution, which is US policy, is at 85 %. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benny_Gantz
From onset, the Knesset had the ability to do a deal in principle on the table. There was a pause, but Hamas would not deal. Qatar, Egypt etc are not principals and are not honest brokers. Qatar is NOT a mediator. Qatar grants amnesty to murderers, rapists. Egypt and Jordan, only a few miles from the action refuse to accept innocent Gazans.
Both the US and Israel say half of the numbers of dead are Hamas. And Hamas has a history of killing its own people and blaming Israel. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/05/gaza-palestinians-tortured-summarily-killed-by-hamas-forces-during-2014-conflict/
To me, card carrying Semite, the acid test is whether the leaders of the protests would support Ganz. to achieve removal of Netanyahu?
Congress makes appropriations. Besides Gaza, we were close to war with Iran, and some of the hostages in Gaza are US citizens. US ships have been attacked by Yemen, who says they did it to support Hamas. Hamas is a proxy of Iran and maybe Russia.
Meanwhile the Trump blueprint is laid out in Heritage foundation Project 2025. Reinstate Muslim bans. Concentration camps. Mass deportations. Trump allies want a country where only "Christians" have full citizenship.
MSM misrepresents the nature of Israel, which has an Arab Party, Arab members in the Knesset, and Arab Druze voluntarily serving in the army. I do not know this as a fact but I bet the Arab Party supports Ganz. What about the mayor of Dearborn? The leaders of the Columbia protests? What about the Republicans?
Nobody is protesting the hundreds of thousands of Arabs killed by their brethren in Syria and Yemen.
Daniel S., re. “Hamas is a proxy of Iran and maybe Russia.” I was thinking Netanyahu is a proxy for Russia. What do you think?
If Netanyahu had had a more measured and more strategic response to Oct. 7th, we’d be a lot more focused on Ukraine these days. Netanyahu’s response benefits Putin.
(Netanyahu’s actions to wipe out the enemy — Hamas— has created far more enemies. His is a bad strategy for Jews in Israel and everywhere — as well as horribly inhumane towards Palestinian civilians.)
I think of Netanyahu as being a proxy for Russia too. I look at who has most benefitted from this war between Hamas and Israel, and I see Russia getting to get rid of Biden, sending Bots to rile up the youth (not saying they cannot be on their own, but who of them is not influenced by social media these days), and then we have the distraction from Ukraine.
Linda, I have wondered the same thing and sent a question to "Beau of the Fifth Column" youtube which he did not answer. (He gets hundreds of questions a week, so it was a chance he'd answer.
I wondered WHY students are protesting this particular issue. I totally am a pacifist and sickened by war, and have donated to World Food Kitchen. Beau did have a clip where a young protestor wrote in, upset by the her perceived actions of some of her fellow students. He addressed this, and also mentioned that in the US, there is a ready-build audience for the issues in Gaza.
Ok, I get the audience thing, but I still wonder why this conflict? The horrors of war in the Ukraine did not send US students into the street. I don't recall any students in the past decades protesting genocide in Africa. (in the Trump labeled "shit countries") I am sure that there are students with family ties to victims in Gaza, and I am very sure that anti-Semitism is on the rise, but unlike the 60s where young men were drafted to fight in a foreign war, or BLM protests where people protested against the murder of fellow Americans, I haven't seen this type of anger. I haven't seen this type of protest against the separation of families at the border, or the way asylum seekers are treated.
It is causing some young people to seemingly turn against Biden. I admire that young people care about humanity halfway across the globe, but I wonder if they believe Trump would be a better option? I wonder if they realize what they--the US youth--would lose if Project 2025 in put in place?
I wonder how many of those protesting cared about foreign policy before they, as you put it, saw it on social media? How many of them truly care about this foreign conflict, and how many of them are there to click a selfie to post?
I know that this sounds cynical, but I have wondered WHO benefits the most from these protests? At the risk of sounding as though I am donning a tin-foil hat, is there some effort to gin up opposition to Biden through this?
I add a worthy read from Dan Rather's Substack:
https://steady.substack.com/p/bidens-big-dream-for-the-middle-east?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=247881&post_id=144487224&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=ithz2&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
Miselle, I have been wondering about the same things. Certainly could be upset about wars all over the planet that have US involvement, but the press is not covering that so openly. The story that has been made of this is very interesting. I still think Russian bots are stirring up more people. I do understand that the protest is the injustice of our tax dollars going to support a government that the students see as undeserving. It also means that they have an idea that our allies must be perfect or else. I know that for a lot of Black students, and non-White students it looks in the press like the White people (Israel, which is multicolored and diverse as far as I know), and suppressing the Brown people (Gazans). I assume that Russian bots are stirring things up, because if they were not they would be being less competent than we know they are. This is what Putin does, from his KGB days, he stirs up trouble, and manipulates people. Social media is easy for Putin to exploit. For anyone for that matter. Again, Hitler was carefully crafting his image and using media in new and different ways to get his campaign message across. Tiktok is coopted in this way too. The protests seem to have made Biden shift his Israel policy so in that they are seeming to have an effect. Also, places like Northwestern made an agreement with students that they would be open about their investments and have a student advisory committee. They also will fund 5 Palestinian students. How that will help most of the people starving in the streets I don't know. People need to be more clear on how ugly war is. I am not promoting war, but I think we should stand by our allies. Palestine has not really had a chance to be an ally because they have not been an official state. It is a troubled region for sure. There are many others that could draw student ire and support too, but do not. I would say coverage of them makes all the difference.
I have been wondering right along who is ginning up these protests. Miselle, you are far more clear-eyed than I on asking this question.
That's what I meant by the same feedlines.
No, Putin is just making lemonade. Too complicated for Putin. When there is a war situation made, you cannot predict. The protests here are mostly real I believe... they don't need the riling up. I am not a fan of conspiracy in this situation.
I don't say it is definitely so, but when my suspicions rise, I listen to them. There is a lot that is unknowable. In the Stasi Files, I see the discussion of Putin along with his East German ID from when he lived in Dresden. What is written sounds really like he was playing the KGB against the Stasi, to get his own way. So, just looking at the long history of who he is, I believe he is involved in some way, even if it is indirectly with Bots.
You underestimnate Putin.
I have said from the beginning that Russian secret services are involved through Iran.
Netanyahu's only conern is what is best for him. If Putin benefits so what, Putiin, Netanyahu and Trump are all cut from the same cloth.
Yes, and Netanyahu was rumored to have had a meeting with Putin shortly before Oct.7. I think the tactics N has used are similar to the relentless bombings of Ukraine's civilians. What's in it for Putin? There was a massive distraction from Ukraine by the US' delayed funding, world condemnation of the US and Israel, and chaos everywhere.
Daniel Solomon,
What do we know about Ganz, other that he is an ambitious politician and sees an opportunity to replace Netanyahu. I see Ganz giving lots of hugs and mixing in the crowds when he has an opportunity.
Good and decent leaders are hard to come by. President Joe Biden's character and experience and genuine love and respect for our country and all that we are supposed to represent is a rare and precious gift.
Israel deserves better than it has, yet Netanyahu was elected????!!!!!
It is alot easier to foment hatred of our fellowman/woman than to work for peace.
YET...how wonderful and productive to live in peace.
When we say "Arabs"...when we say "Iranians", do we fill our hearts with negative images from the news? And YES, there is plenty of evil going on.....but often this dehumanizes people and we begin to see this group...this country as an enemy.
We need to see more families getting up in the morning , having a meal ....maybe morning prayers together....dispersing to walk, drive, bike, etc to work. We need to understand that there are moms, dads, grandparents just like us trying to survive....to care for their families with hope that their children will have a better world in which to live.
Daniel, as a Christian, it has personally become difficult for me to find a place of worship. Look at the bunch Jesus chose. Only one remained at the cross with His mother, Mary, when Jesus was crucified. They were there for the miracles but they couldn't understand "the cross". The others scattered. Jesus came to redeem the lost and broken and those whom His love and grace and steadfast presence will not abandon though, belonging to such a great salvation does not eliminate pain and suffering or poverty ,etc.
I find it difficult when those who have been "saved from hell" want to send everyone who doesn't fit in "their Christian box" there????
Thanks for the peacemakers...of all faiths...or those who choose not to belong to a faith.
Check out Combatants for Peace: https://cfpeace.org/. It's "a grassroots movement of Israelis and Palestinians, working together to end the occupation and bring peace, equality and freedom to our homeland." They've got two events coming up, both of which will be livestreamed: the 19th Israeli-Palestinian Joint Memorial Day Ceremony this Sunday, May 12, and the Joint Nakba Remembrance Ceremony next Wednesday, May 15. There's also an U.S. support group called American Friends of Combatants for Peace: https://www.afcfp.org/.
@ Emily Pfaff. Susanna Sturgis.
Hamas and others like Islamic Jihad are murderers. They've murdered not only Jews but their own people. Christians are next. B'hai. All infidels. Israeli Arabs are the only Moslems in the entire region that have due process.
We don't get to vote in Israeli elections. They have an Arab party. Arab members of the Knesset. About a million Israeli Jews speak Arabic as their first language, because their families were expelled to Israel in 1948. More than 100,000 speak Farsi. 99% of the Arab Christians fear Islamists more than Jews. Arab Druze serve voluntarily in the Israeli army. I keep waiting for them to stand up.
Some cities like Haifa are diverse, Jews and Arabs living together since the crusades. Jerusalem was like that until 1948, when the Arab Legion/Jordan attacked. Restored in 1967.
Start with the proposition that Ganz is not Netanyahu. Do not look a gift horse in the mouth.
Thanks for the info.
"Israel deserves better than it has, yet Netanyahu was elected????!!!!!" So was Trump.????!!!!!
In similar circumstances.
Great post, Daniel, Gantz sounds like a good route to peace. Iran must be brought under control. The Ayatollah is NOT Allah, in fact he's not even good to his own people, he has more in common with the southern fundamentalist so-called Christians than he does with other Muslims.
I'm right with you. I had such a surge of hope until Netanyahu managed to weasel his way back in around Gantz. His undercover support system has the same feedlines as that of Trump.
Russia/Putin.
Exactly. NKVD, KGB - very stringent training, lasts a lifetime.
Yes. I tell people who don’t “get” Putin, “once a KGB, always a KGB.” If that doesn’t hit home I mention his time in East Germany as Stasi. But KGB training isn’t clear to most Americans. Actually, Trump with the oilmen sounds as close to KGB as anything I’ve ever heard by an American. The oilmen whose companies knew about climate change even before 1988 (Hansen of NASA’s infamous 15 minutes to explain climate change to an uncomprehending Congress—excepting Al Gore who had already written a book with the information, which, as a farmer he could understand the implications) are even more guilty than Childe Trump.
A kitchen sink analysis- you got it all in Daniel S. I did not know that semites carry cards. I had better get mine. I disagree with your rant dragging in all that is disreputable about every country involved. Those, regardless, are needed to make a peace or at least ceasefire happen, including Hamas. Hamas is needed for peace.
The protests "acid test"? Here our support especially the weapons, precipitates the protests. Protests here and elsewhere are the result of photos and reports that Israelis hardly see in their MSM unless they go looking. They don't want to see the damage and know Gazan suffering, the numbers, nor know of their plight; many reason they are guilty for supporting Hamas. So is Netanyahu. Protests in Israel, are reported as being for hostages return. Maybe some want to end the war. Many Israelis have died - over 600 soldiers.
The Arabs( Palestinians) in Israel are not allowed to have much influence regardless. But many identify with the plight of Gazans and must have to keeps their heads down in an increasingly repressive Israel.
Dozens of Zionists are among the protestors who have been arrested. As if you speak for the Israeli Arabs who happen to serve in the Israeli army.
2 choices in Israel. Ganz or Netanyahu.
70% of US Jews are Democrats, and most opposed Likud, and especially Netanyahu. This is a replay of 2014. Here's a little history. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/05/gaza-palestinians-tortured-summarily-killed-by-hamas-forces-during-2014-conflict/
Here, this has been a window of opportunity for antisemites to take advantage of the situation. Shades of blood libel.
Anti-Semitism is ever present. Jewish people have cried anti-Semitism at every opportunity. This is ultra-sensitivity to a point of cancelling concern when people have to be so careful about what they say or what group they support because it criticizes Israel. The conflation of Israel with Judaism is objectionable to many Jews who are not Zionists, or not what Zionism has become politically, two separate feelings about Israel.
That you bring up blood libel is telling. The REAL anti-Semites want to engage you and are happy to have the Israel critics to attach themselves to.
Do me a favor and don't send me cherry picked links about the bad things that Hamas did in the past as part of this ongoing war between Israel and Hamas ( and all Palestinians) UNLESS you are going to balance this.. which you are not going to I gather.
Where do I apply for my semite card? What do I need paper/record-wise?
A lot to consider, Daniel! Thanks.
As my father said some 50 years ago, "stay out of the middle east and they will all kill each other." May he rest in peace. But the Trump situation surely has him turning over in his grave. He knew that the most important thing about America was the peaceful transistion of power. Where have all the flowers gone?
Why in the world should anti-occupation protesters support Benny Ganz? Netanyahu is a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself.
If they want to save lives, the immediate solution.
"Occupation" applies to the West Bank. Our policy is still the Oslo Accords. Land for peace. UN Resolution 242.
Unfortunately, you are not speaking to Reich and his newsletter subscribers, who have done as much damage to Israel's standing in the world as MSM. It's a coordinated effort to eliminate the only democratic state in the Middle East.
A brilliant response, Daniel. Truth in packaging #1: there are points of disagreement. Truth in packaging #2: said points are utterly marginal.
Daniel. the tragedy too many of us take for granted is that of 07oct23. The subsequent tragedy of what is occurring now dates back to 08oct23. As a philo-Semite and one who reveres Judaism as the one large Western faith that makes sense to me except Unitarianism (i.e., my faith, a safe harbor for 'slackadaisical' agnostics like me), my blood ran hot on 08oct23. Vengeance flowed through me and I wanted hamas to be crushed and did not think about those Gazans, some of whom, after all, cheered in the streets as gangsters paraded hostages and bodies by them.
Since my feelings are inconsequential in the world beyond a five foot radius around me, they did not matter. The Israelis -- all Israelis -- did not enjoy the luxuries of insignificance, detachment, and leisure on 08oct23. They knew that hamas practices -- has even stated openly -- an eliminationist ant-Semitism, as catalogued by Dr Goldhagen in "hitler's willing executioners".
When the spectre of a repeat Holocaust looms first and foremost, impulse control likely fades, especially in the case of Netanyahu who has an interest in retaining leadership through a potential long-war. Add to that the near certainty of a permissive Gazan populace -- by affiliation or resignation -- necessary for an attack on the scale of that blood-drunk orgy of 07oct23 to proceed, concerns for the Gazan street fade also, at least temporarily.
Looking back now, what I believe the world witnessed on 07oct23 was a six-to-twelve month intifada compressed into a day through careful planning and technology. The result of a longer intifada would be no less atrocious, yet the response that the situation itself would elicit would be different. A perverse affirmation of timing being everything. That is to say: instead of pursuing a contentious counter-insurgency in an urban environment, Netanyahu has replicated something like a total war on miniature scale. Sadly, until now, the U.S. has become complicit, at least by shipping bunker-busting bombs for use in a densely populated area.
A counter-insurgency in an urban environment requires working with the population in a manner consistent with principles of community policing. It also requires changing the treatment of Palestineans with the concomitant respect entitled to fellows, not felons. The locals must understand that they have a better future with the Jewish state than with a Palestinean gangster régime. My sense is that there were enough Gazans willing to work with the I.D.F. to hunt down the worst of hamas and to seal the tunnels, at least the key ones. My conviction remains that there are far more than enough Israeli Jews willing to welcome such a change.
What we have seen, sadly and instead, is Israël, perhaps the far-right coalition, lapsing into war crimes. As I learned in Iraq, good people can do bad things; it is what they do afterward in making amends and what lessons they learn that counts more going-forward. I am beginning wonder if I passed judgement too hastily about the war crimes; after all, lsraël must complete the mission of eliminating hamas. What a horrid dilemma for our democratic kin.
Another reason why I must pause about accusing Israël of war crimeis that I have assumed that the thirty-five thousand slain Gazans are all innocents, albeit tainted and killed in addition to hamas fighters. BIG ERROR on my part. Additionally I have accepted that thirty-five thousand number though it might be biassed by hamas-influence in the counting.
While my first reaction to your number 17,500 hamas fighters killed (versus the fourteen thousand I have read) is one of skepticism, if I am willing to accept the total number of people killed at thirty-five thousand, I am willing to accept that half are comabattants. Either way, however, by the reckoning of most urban warfare scenarios, the percentage of civilians killed is not higher, likely lower, than those witnessed in recent conflicts.
One can argue that Israël is showing restraint, at least kinetically. So, the dilemma continues. Israël will survive, though Netanyahu is likely doing more to jeopardize her long-term security than to aid it by alienating peace-minded Palestineans and likely proving to be the best recruiter hamas ever had. For peace to triumph and for the Jewish state to prosper in righteousness will require deep cultural changes toward Palestineans. More than my faith, history tells me that, if there is a people out there with the capacity for justice, resilience, and charity to make that change, it is my Jewish brethren.
As an oldster who has faith in your faith, Daniel, I close with these two verses from the Tanakh brought to me through Episcopal schooling: "And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." --Leviticus 33-34.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+19%3A33-34&version=KJV
Where do I get a card as a Semite?
Buy a tree.
The quality of the team (and appointments to the SCOTUS/ federal judges) is what is so crucial for any presidential election and administration. As HCR has noted a number of times, the group Biden has brilliantly put together is top shelf. When it comes to walking the international gauntlet, the team led by Blinken is the best! I shudder to think of the chaos and perhaps nuclear holocaust that would be with trump occupying the WH. We barely survived (and many did not!) the last round.
Janet, if we all use "compare and contrast" logic to determine whom to vote for, the answer is simple: Joe Biden and any other D on any ballot.
Agree, Janet. I am happy with the team Biden has put together in foreign affairs, but other cabinet posts and agencies as well. For a while, we had people here in Salem who label themselves progressives regularly dissing Biden. Always I would point out the diversity and ability of his cabinet. As for the protests, the one at Portland State has a small number of students and a large percentage of Portland's small group of people who love vandalism and destruction. Many of the students there have voiced their unhappiness about this because it is still getting in the way of their education because the library is a mess and closed and it will take some time and considerable money to fix it. Even people who should know better sometimes have tunnel vision. We have a friend who is veery knowledgable politically and yet she recommended a vote in the 6th district primary for McLeod Skinner who cannot win in the general here in Marion County over Bynum who has beaten the incumbent R twice in other elections. I want a D house and it will deal with different problems than local land use. And death star....why would decent patriotic real Christian chose this dangerous criminal who is showing signs of dementia over a decent and savvy pol like Biden.
"So glad he's got Blinken there."
Up until last week, I would have entirely agreed. But it has become clear that Blinken is ignoring State Department analyses of past and current IDF violations of US and international
law. And instead, accepting as credible Netanyahu regime assurances that they are in compliance. It seems Blinken may be at odds with Biden's policy - the pause in delivery of offensive military aid was announced by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austen.
As part of Pres. Biden's National Security Memorandum 20 (issued in February at the urging of Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris VanHollen, and which expands the Leahy Laws) the State Department was to give Congress a report on Israeli compliance with US and international law. State has asked for an extension.
The Biden memorandum requires nations in line for support to provide, in writing, credible evidence that they are in compliance with the laws of war and humanitarian law. Among others, there are serious questions about whether Israel is violating these laws by blocking the delivery of food to Gaza. Blinken is expected to say, as with the earlier events that Israel is in compliance. That currently, while there are suspected violations Israel is not misusing weapons or blocking aid.****
I understand that evidentiary requirements of the law are different than what seems apparent to other observation and investigation. But in this dispute within the State Department, I am inclined to agree with the analysts. But I may be biased - it is hard for me to imagine that the Netanyahu regime could/would provide credible assurances.
*"Blinken Says Israeli Units Accused of Serious Violations Have Done Enough to Avoid Sanctions. Experts and Insiders Disagree. The secretary of state told Congress that Israel had adequately punished a soldier who got community service for killing an unarmed Palestinian. Government officials call it a “mockery” and inconsistent with the law."
https://www.propublica.org/article/blinken-israel-military-aid-human-rights-violations-leahy-law
**"It is part of a new policy instituted by US President Joe Biden in February requiring foreign aid recipients to provide written assurances that they are using that aid in compliance with international law and not obstructing the provision of humanitarian aid."
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/blinkens-report-expected-to-criticize-israel-but-confirm-its-using-us-weapons-in-line-with-international-law/
*** "The overdue filing, which could be sent as early as Friday, will use critical language to describe suspected violations, but won't find Israel misusing arms or blocking aid, Axios says"
https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-state-department-set-to-confirm-israel-not-breaking-international-law-in-gaza/
**** "Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to submit to Congress as soon as Friday a highly critical report about Israel's conduct in Gaza that stops short of concluding it has violated the terms for its use of U.S. weapons, three U.S. officials said."
https://www.axios.com/2024/05/10/israel-gaza-us-weapons-congress-report-blinken
Military pause is appropriately announced by Austen Defense Sect'y not the Sect'y of State.
Both the State Department and the Department of Defense provide US funded assistance to foreign security force units. Both departments have Leahy Laws. Both departments gather/analyze evidence of violations. Determinations of whether corrective measures are sufficient is done in consultation between the departments.
https://www.state.gov/key-topics-bureau-of-democracy-human-rights-and-labor/human-rights/leahy-law-fact-sheet/
Thank you. So the executive (Biden) must have decided that this is the case where the Leahy Law applies to the DOD and not the DOS. That alone must be sending a signal to Israel.
I have not been able to work out all the pathways by which military aid can be delivered. And by which it can be paused.
By law the funds go to American suppliers of equipment and expertise. Sometimes through collaborative US and Israeli research entities. The assistance is provided to individual national security units. And it is the behavior of the units which can result in a pause in aid.
But how the president, the agencies, and Congress come into the logistics of who gets (or doesn't get) what and when. I have not figured it out.
The Leahy Laws and Biden's National Security Memorandum 20 only apply to offensive military aid. All those screaming about Biden compromising Israel's ability to defend itself are mistaken. 1) Aid for Iron Dome, David's Sling (who makes up these names?) et al is not affected. 2) Israel has stock piles munitions.
Biden has criticized Israel's settlement policies for decades. This has long put him at odds with Netanyahu. Netanyahu's characteristic truculence has been compounded by decades of unconditional support from AIPAC and the Evangelicals - and cemented by the Trump administration's outrageous policies (moving the US embassy to contested Jerusalem, the Abrahamic Accords which pretend Palestinians do not exist.)
Thank you. I had worried about the very subtleties that you are writing about. But hoping that Congress and the president will guide Blinken where he needs it successfully.
He's a diplomat. Subtlety is a major qualification for the job. The French term for the equivalent of the American Secretary of State is "chef de la diplomatie".
Blinken is excellent.. of course not perfect.
what amazes me is after two massive anti Netanyahu demonstrations that they have not booted him The man is a fascist. And in NYC the police are brutally cracking down on peaceful protesters. While the fossil fuel companies are pumping money into Congress like never before. They know the end zone for them is in sight! I did the research for a Climate report for the Italian govt. in the 80s.. and it was obvious what would happen. Still, it's hard to watch as it continues to unfold.
Since the Likud party has basically been in power in Israel since 1977, it is not super likely that the majority population is voting in some other party. Gantz has started a new political party, the Resistance Party. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benny-Gantz
Does Gantz have a chance now. Will propping him up look like US interference, something we are infamous for.
Netanyahu has been a disaster. His need to stay out of prison (sound familiar) has made him subservient to the ultra-orthodox. They don't even have to be in the army. The sooner N is gone, the sooner a real workable solution can begin to be discussed.
I agree that Biden has no good solutions for how to be an appropriate ally to Israel. I also believe strongly in being loyal to one's allies. Israel has been dogged by right-wing leaders for a long time. The Likud party came to power in 1977 and Netanyahu is emblematic of what the party represents. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Likud
I don't think Israelis can so easily get rid of Netanyahu and if they do, won't he just be replaced with some other right wing leader? I also wonder what happens in Gaza. Under Hamas things have not been good, not all of that is attributable to Israeli oppression. I am thinking for women Hamas was never good, but regionally women are second class citizens. Is this self determination, or systems of patriarchy that we can not overcome if we cater to their leaders? I support not killing civilians (in this case mainly women and children). Things are volatile, and a lot of mediation needs to happen to hash out a peaceful co-existence between Palestinians and Israelis. I am skeptical wether it can happen. History has preceded us to make that very unlikely as long as Jews have to worry about their very existence dying out. Palestinians are also looking at their country being made very unlivable, but the reality is this is not a good time in the world to immigrate somewhere else. The hostility to foreigners is growing around the world. A right wing agenda coming to fruition. I would like to know if the youth protesting Biden supporting our ally Israel has some ideas of how to solve the problems in addition to stopping weapons from going to Israel? Will Biden just defunding the Israeli military solve the problems in the region to make both Israelis and Palestinians safe? Israel has been a haven for about 7 mil of the 15.3 mil Jews in the world, and it does not seem like they will feel safe in Israel. A big concern is that they are dying out with so much intermarriage of Jews to non-Jews as more and more are secular. Palestinians also have about 15 mil in the world, with 7 mil in Palestine. They have the same worry of dying out or losing their culture as they disperse in the world. I respect the right for both groups to feel safe. Still, neither country is helped by not voting for Biden.
Good points. I was wondering why the Israelis don't trust our system of separation of church and state and freedom of religion since Jewish people have done well in the US? I know the Holocaust really happened although I can't imagine how they and their descendants feel.
There is amongst jews, especially in Israel a second and third generation trauma, passed on from the Holocaust. The reaction and attendant feeling causing trauma to the Palestinians who have their Nakba trauma, living it every day.
I would say the US has been an enabler( weak) for years as well as an ally, and helped get Israel and us, in this election year, into this mess. Israel has turned majority right and unfortunatey they have and will suffer for that agenda's impunity.
Hamas can moderate. I think they would want to and have shown they can. IF Palestinians do not have their freedom and independence to fight for they will want to survive. They will survive as a fighting force otherwise. Again, they will have to moderate to survive. They have indicated they accept Israel. And they can control their militants. But of course this is ignored and it is accepted in Israel that they will "win". Israelis, many of them, believe they should have "river to the sea".
I know that Israel has had a right wing government for a while. However, Hamas is not a liberal government either, or a democratic one. In any case, we are involved in negotiating and trying to see what happens after. That seems super murky to me. Should we decide this or let the Israel and Palestinians decide? Also, who decides that Palestine is a state and what will that change for them? That is what I think should be discussed. Today the UN says. Palestine gots to be a non voting member. https://apnews.com/article/un-resolution-palestinians-membership-rights-us-assembly-875560e897f27d6600090420f36404e4
Palestinians will declare they are a state when there is agreement w Israel, perhaps guaranteed by others. Back to negotiating and this time reasonably and sincerely. People have lost faith because of the process's past.
Then a UN vote.
I don’t judge Hamas as being illegitimate because they are not liberal. I think that is for Palestinians to decide. Right now they are fighting for liberation. They are governing; they exist tolerated or/and because of repression or support as a resistance group that has taken charge. This is also w Israel’s tolerance. We have a lot of complicity in this having helped Israel to dominate the situation to no good result. This is what I think the protests are about. Either Israel allows Palestinians self determination in a state or we must retreat from our unconditional support including military aid. Israel has to change internally to survive. In the meantime political opposition on the right here could win and indulge Israel even more postponing the inevitable or helping Israel destroy itself. This is what I believe.
So when is the earliest Netanyahu can be ousted?
Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. Virtually everything he was left by 45 is the same.
I think Biden likely waited til the Ukraine aid got through the House before selectively withholding Isaeli aid, esp given the vitriolic Republican response. Pressure negotiations have not worked with Netanyahu's government.
Right on. Except every peace plan before was broken by Hamas. They are not interested in peace or protecting Palestinians as though they were not Palestinians. They planned that Israel's counter-attack after the Oct massacre would take many lives, they could not care less. Using civilians as human shields? All to garner anti-Israel sentiment. A big win for Hamas. If there are demonstrations they should be against Hamas. It is Hamas that has stood in the way of peace.
It's always better to do the right thing than calculate politically. I am voting for Biden. But Biden, though this (and Stormy) might save him politically, came late after all the unbelievable destruction using our bombs. And who is going to fix and pay for Gaza in time to help the people IF Israel ends the occupation. Big if. Nothing will bring back the 34,000 + or minus (plus plus probably) plus the trauma it leaves especially with no state of their own to compensate... something to live for. Netanyahu is saying he can go it alone without our help. Well good! Then do! We'll see how that goes.
Sadly, it seems that a substantial majority of Israelis will need to travel some distance before they will accept a Palestinian state.
Sounds so simple doesn't it?
Bales: YES!!!
Why did the US just vote against a Palestinian state at the UN? That's just a television headline. I need some facts on that.