The Court Jew Thomas Friedman on the latest manufactured crisis

[Yala]

I am a big Joe Biden fan. The vice president is an indefatigable defender of U.S. interests abroad. So it pains me to say that on his recent trip to Israel, when Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s government rubbed his nose in some new housing plans for contested East Jerusalem, the vice president missed a chance to send a powerful public signal: He should have snapped his notebook shut, gotten right back on Air Force Two, flown home and left the following scribbled note behind: “Message from America to the Israeli government: Friends don’t let friends drive drunk. And right now, you’re driving drunk. You think you can embarrass your only true ally in the world, to satisfy some domestic political need, with no consequences? You have lost total contact with reality. Call us when you’re serious. We need to focus on building our country.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/op...4friedman.html

Friedman only writes about Israel when he has something bad to say about it. He needs to prove that although he's Jewish, he will be tough when it comes to Israel!

Sure, the announcement to build in E. Jerusalem came at a bad time, but let's push all this nonsense aside. Obama may want all of Jerusalem to be given to the Muslims, but the reality is that these apartments are going up in a Jewish neighborhood of Jerusalem. This neighborhood was always understood by US and Israeli gov'ts as part of Israel forever. I think Israeli leaders and American leaders who support Israel should be very clear about this. The media is making it like these apartments are going up in Arab neighborhoods. It was commonly reported that Israel announced apartments will be going up in "Arab East Jerusalem." Make no mistake. He is letting his lackeys do the dirty work, but Obama is making this story into a HUGE deal to make Israel look bad and to widen the rift.

[I am David 2]

The non-importance of this incident compared to the catastrophe that it has been portrayed as is insanity, no exaggeration intended. But this is expected given Netanyahu's poor public relations management. The principle here is simple: the global community has a habit of scapegoating Israel for any detail imaginable, so if the Israeli government gives in and accepts the criticism, and doesn't offer a coherent countering argument, just because the U.S. has joined in the criticism, it loses ground and Israel is then blamed and punished for increasingly ludicrous non-issues. The solution here is to blame Netanyahu the coward, not Obama, Biden, or Clinton, who are simply cruel for punishing an ally for a complete non-issue that distracts from a meaningful peace process.

As for Friedman, he's simply stupid. A decent writer perhaps, in the purely superficial sense, but there's no depth or substance behind any of it. From Beirut to Jerusalem is just a collection of anecdotes.

[Yala]

The principle here is simple: the global community has a habit of scapegoating Israel for any detail imaginable, so if the Israeli government gives in and accepts the criticism, and doesn't offer a coherent countering argument, just because the U.S. has joined in the criticism, it loses ground and Israel is then blamed and punished for increasingly ludicrous non-issues.

Agreed. Israeli leaders should be very clear that, at the very least, Jewish areas of Jerusalem are not up for discussion. Period. They should reiterate over and over that these neighborhoods were designated to be within Israel borders in past agreements with the US.

Biden, under Obama's orders, has some chutzpah condemning Israel for building in Jewish areas of Jerusalem.

The solution here is to blame Netanyahu

Again, I really can't blame Netanyahu, because Obama was just looking to pick a fight and distance the US from Israel. He could have done it over anything really. He clearly has always hated the Likud and clearly loathes and disrespects Netanyahu every chance he gets. Do you remember that late night, closed to the media brief meeting he gave Bibi last time he was in town? Disgraceful. He would never treat another world leader in such a way.

From Beirut to Jerusalem is just a collection of anecdotes.

It's an entertaining book, but what you wrote is true. There aren't enough facts in the book. I guess that's what makes it a better read than say, The Case for Israel by Dershowitz.

[bararallu]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/op...4friedman.html
Sure, the announcement to build in E. Jerusalem came at a bad time, but let's push all this nonsense aside.

Not to discount your sentiment about Friedman, since I agree with it, but I think everyone knew about the building activity and it was a message to Obama. Namely, if you want a legacy (like Clinton) you will play by local rules and dont screw the Jews or take them for granted (like not sell them munitions and abrogate the spirit of Camp David 1- which was an imposition to begin with).

[wat0n]

I agree with Friedman, but more worrying than this insult on Obama, are the reports on the Israeli press that Yishai didn't tell Bibi anything regarding this construction announcement. Makes you wonder who runs Israel's gov't.

[bararallu]

This is a significant part of the budget, you don't think the PM knows every aspect of it? Seriously... ever hear of good cop bad cop? Plausible deniability, yet getting the message delivered?

It was intentional and I for one am impressed that my country has the balls to face down an arrogant idiot savant sitting on top of a hyper power [not to mention who's routinely abusing the mandate, a confused electorate thought put in place with his selection]. That said, Obama Regime's ratings [and apparently Court Jew whitewashing notwithstanding] are hovering around 40% and will fall still. So it was a calculated risk, worth making given that the assumptions about Jerusalem are untenable. The Left and their Islamist [and Far Rightist] cohorts will never be satisfied until the Jew is disabused of Sovereignty minimally.

Oh... I'm pretty sure that pretty much everyone in the world (leadership) would rather break bread with Bibi (not that he's a faltless human being) rather than Obama. The latter has massively harmed US interests, and this term is still just getting started.

[wat0n]

This is a significant part of the budget, you dont think the PM knows every aspect of it? Seriously...

It was intentional and I for one am impressed that my country has the balls to face down an arrogant idiot savant sitting on top of a hyper power. That said, Obama Regime's ratings [and apparently Court Jew whitewashing] are hovering around 40% and will fall still. So it was a calculated risk, worth making given that the assumptions about Jerusalem are untenable by the Left and their Islamist [and Far Rightist] cohorts.

So he basically doesn't have the balls to admit what he did and instead prefers to have the press doubting if he rules this country?

Anyway, if Obama is serious about his rage over sign of defiance, then I'd expect him to retaliate in some way.

[Womble]

Biden, under Obama's orders, has some chutzpah condemning Israel for building in Jewish areas of Jerusalem.

Can one have chutzpah while being under someone's orders?

The noise being made about these construction plans (which are meant to happen years and years in the future, well after the current construction freeze expires) concerns me much less than the absence of any condemnation of the Palestinian celebration of the Coastal Road massacre anniversary, and of naming a city square after that massacre's perpetrator. Or, for that matter, of the Qassam attack which happened during Biden's visit. One would've thought that these are far more damaging for any "peace efforts" than a few extra houses in Jerusalem.

[Yala]

Can one have chutzpah while being under someone's orders?

Why not? Should he just be excused as I have heard other die-hard Clinton fans excuse Clinton for her similar remarks, saying she was just following Obama's orders? Plus Biden himself said Israel was putting American troops in harms way, not our "moderate" Arab allies who incite, or the actual criminal terrorist murderers themselves.

The noise being made about these construction plans (which are meant to happen years and years in the future, well after the current construction freeze expires) concerns me much less than the absence of any condemnation of the Palestinian celebration of the Coastal Road massacre anniversary, and of naming a city square after that massacre's perpetrator. Or, for that matter, of the Qassam attack which happened during Biden's visit. One would've thought that these are far more damaging for any "peace efforts" than a few extra houses in Jerusalem.

The Obami administration is built around denying all reality when it comes to Palestinians. They pretend like Hamas doesn't exist and pretend that Abbas has authority over Gaza, so why not pretend that they are also peace loving and victims of Israel? It fully fits in with their nonsense ideology and false narratives.

Will the Obami pay for this attitude is what I'm wondering. Israeli leaders will not go on the offensive, but do you think the should? The attitude of the Obama administration must be addressed by someone. Only the ADL and the Republican Minority Leader's press secretary, and some congressman have spoken up so far.

[Yala]

It was intentional

Well let's talk about this in detail. Do you think the recent Gallup poll concerning Israel and Obama's low rating at home convinced Netanyahu that now was the right time to "expose" Obama and his hatred of Israel? Do you think Obama is playing into Bibi's hands with all these threats and hostile talk against an ally? Do you think Bibi expected all this hostility but did it anyway, or is the depth of it taking him by surprise?

This is an interesting theory, but one has to think if it was intentional, Bibi had to expect that Obama would go ballistic and his own credibility would be questioned. He had to think he had a lot to gain. Maybe he wanted to bring the Jerusalem question to the forefront. I'm not really sure or convinced though.

[bararallu]

So he basically doesn't have the balls to admit what he did and instead prefers to have the press doubting if he rules this country?

Anyway, if Obama is serious about his rage over sign of defiance, then I'd expect him to retaliate in some way.

You dont do that politically. You do what he does. It's called a snub. Obama is the king of snubs, he should appreciate the gesture. I'd actually escalate from our side and call for the ending of financial aid due to the Administrations pressure on Israel and unfair practices vis-a-vis proliferating American Technology and know how to Arab states. I'd appeal directly to the American people.

[bararallu]

Well let's talk about this in detail. Do you think the recent Gallup poll concerning Israel and Obama's low rating at home convinced Netanyahu that now was the right time to "expose" Obama and his hatred of Israel?

I think this was a factor in the decision, but not the primary or even secondary driver. I would not also be surprised that some Republicans have whispered things in Bibi's ear to hold out and embarrass the clown in office as often as possible. To not give him *any* victories that could be used election time.

Do you think Obama is playing into Bibi's hands with all these threats and hostile talk against an ally?

I do, and Clinton looks even worse. The NY democrats will especially feel the burn and will have to stand on the right side of history. The liberal ADL piping up helped in this as well.

Do you think Bibi expected all this hostility but did it anyway, or is the depth of it taking him by surprise?

I think they planned for the worse case scenario. The Americans are set to *not* do crap about Iran, and wont let Israel do anything either (not that I'm a proponent of an Israeli or American direct attack- I'm not). They also understand that there is immense pressure on Obama by the oil ticks... the Saudis and their gulf cohorts to strike Iran, and this is the pivotal piece of strategy at play now, not the "peace process". The Arabs, as we know, are more than good to use Israel as an excuse for internal consumption but nearly all of them are asking Obama to let the Israelis make the strike asap... that probably pisses him off more than anything... he's a naif, and he had his expectations about the world, and he now has to deal with bitter reality.

This is an interesting theory, but one has to think if it was intentional, Bibi had to expect that Obama would go ballistic and his own credibility would be questioned.

What was the downside again? Getting dressed down by Clinton, having the ambassador dressed down in DC? Where are the munitions? The Apaches? The new air superiority fighter? Where is the Camp David 1 understandings? Where is the real support on the UN kangaroo court vs the Goldstone report? Nowhere... nothing to loose.

He had to think he had a lot to gain. Maybe he wanted to bring the Jerusalem question to the forefront.

a. Not making this point now, takes Jerusalem for granted. b. This *compliments* the steps taken on our historic landmarks in Samaria and Judea. c. This works toward an immensely troubled Arab leadership... in terms of Iran. Also note that the final budget has been approved for the fence to be complete relatively soon (budget = path).

Note also Sarkozy snubbing Obama of late, and Netanyahu's quick meeting in Europe with the Christian Democrat Germans etc... *Everyone* hates Obama that is the only take away, he's an uncouth idiot savant- vacant of all geo-strategy and people in power understand how much their necks are on the line with a pissy lightweight like that in power. That Israel took a hot massive chocolate carvel on him is a huge plus in the worlds power circles. Big creds go to Bibi.... just watch the shift to more public European support. Bibi is not only sensing the disenchantment (West vs the Russians, Iranians, Chinese and soon enough revivalist fundamentalist Turks) but are now taking on a geo-strategic leadership role whilst demonstrating how reactionary and fundamentally incompetent the Obama regime really is. Rather than Bush and Clinton before him, where the peace process was understood as garbage but appearances mattered, Obama needs to be disabused of fantasy that Muslim Arabs are actually interested in Peace apparently. It will be a a thorough education I think in many ways.

I'm not really sure or convinced though.

ok, its understandable but if you look at the context, both current geopolitics, and recent moves by Bibi et al, it's hard to explain it otherwise. And again I say the fact: the construction is a very significant piece of budget for Israel, not knowing when it was going to be announced approved is virtually impossible. In that sense Obama can claim that this was in fact impossible. Bibi just needs some plausible deniability, which he has, to play the coy card and snub Obama within the limits of public expectations and especially understandings in Paris, Berlin, London, Cairo and elsewhere.

[Yala]

Well let's talk about this in detail. Do you think the recent Gallup poll concerning Israel and Obama's low rating at home convinced Netanyahu that now was the right time to "expose" Obama and his hatred of Israel? Do you think Obama is playing into Bibi's hands with all these threats and hostile talk against an ally? Do you think Bibi expected all this hostility but did it anyway, or is the depth of it taking him by surprise?

This is an interesting theory, but one has to think if it was intentional, Bibi had to expect that Obama would go ballistic and his own credibility would be questioned. He had to think he had a lot to gain. Maybe he wanted to bring the Jerusalem question to the forefront. I'm not really sure or convinced though.

Are YNET writers reading Israelforum??? From YNET:

Supporters of Israel should rejoice that Biden and Clinton have emerged from Obama's closet hatred of Israel. Their wild attack, as deadly as it seemed initially, however, did little or no damage. It clears the way for a robust Israeli response, one that will set the course of Israeli policy and the guidelines of future discussions.

And this looks like your response Bararallu!:

PM Netanyahu now has the opportunity to defend Israel's position, not only on Jerusalem, but other issues of Israeli sovereignty that have been disputed. This includes the right to decide on what Jewish heritage sites include and the right to preserve those historical and archeological sites, the right of Jews to live in Judea and Samaria, and the right of self-defense.

[bararallu]

The world is our sock puppet

[redcake]

i'm happy if our small community can spark some thoughts for appropriation in a more legit setting. it's not the first time i've noticed this. i suspect some fox pundits are also grabbing from the same thought pools in the air we are. neat.