Editor's Note: Nadal Eyal is a senior columnist for Ma’ariv Daily and the chief editor of International News for Channel 10 TV.
By Nadav Eyal, Foreign Affairs
Along Tel Aviv’s most expensive boulevard, where apartments sell for millions of dollars, hundreds of Igloo-shaped tents line the streets. They first appeared on July 14, when a dozen or so young Israelis, responding to a Facebook invitation, set up camp to demand affordable housing. The demonstrations soon spread - tens of thousands joined in solidarity and added a whole host of social issues to the protest, from conditions in public hospitals to the cost of raising children.
Commentators and politicians disagree about the reasons behind the protest. But they agree that it represents the most powerful social unrest Israel has seen in decades. Never before have so many Israelis taken to the streets over social issues; huge demonstrations have historically been confined to security and peace debates. Now that the peace process has stalled and overall security is relatively stable, the protests have dominated the news cycle and changed the national conversation.
With over 300,000 protesters in the streets this weekend, the demonstrations seem to have no end in sight. Yet even so, the protesters’ grievances remain vague and unfocused. Some call for an end to Israel’s decades-old privatization process and an expansion of the welfare state. Others demand an end to cartels and import taxes - cornerstones of free-market philosophy. The unifying factor among them is anger toward the status quo. And as the protests widen, they could spark a massive social and political shift in Israel.
For all of their import, the protests look and feel like something between a music festival and a political commune. There is a collective kitchen and an eating tent serving three meals per day for the hundreds of demonstrators camped out in Tel Aviv. An area for “elders” - those living in the tent city for more than two weeks - features signs saying “here lives a Ph.D. graduate and a waitress,” “Revolution is done with Love, or not at all,” and “All of Israel are tents.” A compost corner gives the campsite a funny smell.
Given the carnival-like atmosphere of the protests, originally made up of young Tel Avivians, many Israeli political figures were initially dismissive. The demonstrators were and are still being called everything from ”spoiled left-wingers“ to cheap ”Che Guevaras.” Had the protests remained in Tel Aviv, Israel’s most liberal city, those labels would likely have stuck. But tent camps have risen across the country, from the border with Lebanon to the heart of the Negev Desert. According to a recent Haaretz poll, 87 percent of Israelis support the protests. A Channel 10 survey found that 85 percent of Likud voters also back the demonstrations.
The demonstrators, then, are not just ”sushi eaters” from Tel Aviv, as one Likud politician called them; they are middle-class Israelis - taxi drivers, doctors, and mothers who are angry about a variety of issues, including working hours, the rising cost of living, and the growing gap between rich and poor. Since the 1970s, Israel has experienced extensive deregulation and privatization, shifting from a welfare state with relatively controlled market prices to a free market focused on encouraging competition.
This shift has ostensibly strengthened Israel’s economy. Most recently, Israel emerged from the global economic crisis relatively unscathed, and, according to the Bank of Israel, boasts 4.8 percent growth and six percent unemployment this year. But economic success has contributed to inequality, creating unprecedented wealth for some yet failing to benefit the middle class. According to Meitav Investment House, a respected financial firm in Israel, the price of groceries has risen 16 percent since 2007 and the cost of fuel has risen 19 percent. Deregulation has allowed cartels and monopolies to stifle competition in many sectors. For example, two large manufacturers control the baby formula market in Israel. When they raised prices earlier this year, the cost for baby formula rose by 15 percent nationwide, outraging consumers. Thanks to artificial pricing set by the government, olive oil is more expensive in Israel than in the United Kingdom, despite the fact that olives are grown in Israel. And many argue that privatization has led the government to neglect social services such as public transportation, education, and health.
Housing prices, however, are the main catalyst of middle-class revolt. The majority of Israel’s land is held by the state, under the control of an administrative authority that Netanyahu himself recently described as a “cartel.” The administration sells the land to highest bidders in a convoluted process that often takes months. This difficulty with building new housing comes at a time when Israel’s population is increasing, foreigners are purchasing more homes in the country, and the government has decreased publicly funded housing.
Read: Mubarak's trial and errors.
As a result, according to the Israeli Housing Ministry, an average home in Israel costs a million shekels (roughly $250,000), the equivalent of 132 average salaries put together - before tax. That ratio is one of the worst in the world; the accounting firm BDO reported that in the United States, by comparison, the average home costs about 60 average salaries. Bank of Israel data suggest that housing prices have risen 60 percent since 2007, while employee salaries, according to Meitav Investment House, have risen only six percent.
All in all, middle-class Israelis feel that they are working harder, earning less, and paying more. They blame Israel’s so-called tycoons, who own Israel’s largest corporations and whose faces appear on posters at the demonstrations with the words “We Mean You.” And they blame Netanyahu, who, in previous stints as prime minister and finance minister, has been a major proponent of Israel’s neoliberal economic policies.
But the protest against Netanyahu is not just about contrasting economic visions; it is about the growing gap between Israel’s upwardly mobile middle class and the lethargic political system. Whereas Netanyahu, according to Israel’s Channel 2, does not text message or use a computer in his office, the protesters organized themselves through Facebook. More important, they are feeding off of regional and global activism in calling for equal economic opportunity and dignity. The demonstrators are still debating their exact demands. But it seems an agreement is slowly emerging on the need for a "New Deal" for Israeli society. This may include tax reform and reduction, an opening of markets to achieve competitive prices, greater and improved regulation of the housing market and more government subsidized housing, and more extensive state support for social services.
The protests are focused on economics, but their most significant impact may be in Israel’s political arena. The leaders of Israel’s current government - Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman - have been major figures in the country’s politics since the early 1990s, and their careers have focused on security. The protests have shifted Israel’s public discourse away from security to social issues, away from the comfort zone of the old guard. Although there is a leftist tone to the tent demonstrations, the protest leaders have maintained support from across the political spectrum and have attempted to maintain a nonpartisan line. Likud leaders understand the danger. Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s education minister and one of Likud’s major figures, warned a Likud ministers’ forum last week that “in the last 20 years, every time the elections were on economic and social issues, the Likud lost,” only winning “when the issue was security and negotiations.”
Left-wing Israelis are coming to the same realization, discovering that their salvation might come not from demanding an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but by representing the struggling middle class. Already, some in the protest movement have attacked the public funds that Israel devotes to the settlements at the expense, they say, of those living in Israel proper. The right wing realizes that should popular sentiment turn against the settlements for economic reasons, it could set the stage for a dramatic political shift and, ultimately, the resurrection of the Israeli left. That is perhaps why right-wing movements themselves have joined the protests and set up their own tents in Tel Aviv.
Read: The truth about al Qaeda.
Despite the potential of the protests, the demonstrators have yet to establish a unified leadership and clear goals. The young age and strong Tel Aviv affiliation among the protesters may alienate the more conservative middle class in Israel’s periphery. And the leaders that have emerged are inexperienced and thus remain vulnerable to Netanyahu’s political maneuvering.
But despite Netanyahu’s efforts to outflank the demonstrators - at times he attempts to dismiss the protests and at others he seems to embrace them and meet their demands - the movement has continued unabated. Netanyahu thus faces a difficult path ahead. He can surrender to the protest movement and sacrifice many of the policies that he has enacted. Or he can attempt to co-opt the Israeli center with a renewed attempt to negotiate with the Palestinians. He may also try to ride out the protests and hope that all will pass. Yet the continued momentum of the protests indicates that Israelis may take their activism beyond their tents and express their desire for change at the ballot box.
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It's irresponsible for a so-called legitimate government to leave issues sorrounding the welfare of its ppl in the hands of cash-crazy-caapitalists, very suicidal indeed! If Netanyahu realises he is dealing with a cartel, why not handle them and if not, throw in the towel. Is looking after the welfare of your ppl not more sensible than some senseless war against neighbours? Show him at the ballot!!!
What do you mean by "senseless war against neighbors"? Palestinian terrorists blowing up grocery stores, buses, and sending missiles into Israel is a big deal. I guess from your perspective it's not as big a deal as an Israeli homeowner having to spend more out of his paycheck towards his Tel Aviv apartment than he did a decade ago, but that doesn't make Netanyahu's peace agenda "senseless".
Netanyahu has no peace policy. They go on taking the west bank one house at a time! This present unrest shows a very civilized population.
Jon how do you know have you been there or are you going off of what the media tells you??
Agreed! PM Netanyahu has signed off on over 900 new apartments in Har Homa, but the problem won't be resolved immediately. He has also appointed a team to come up with answers. He's responding. The Far Left who instigated the protests and its hippie friends need to go home, go to work, and try being part of the solution! It will take much more than this to topple the PM of the Jewish State.
Nethanyahu is an opportunist! A politician, who doesn't have the people's wellbeing at heart! He grovels to the rich and represents only their interests.
The author doesn't seem to be sympathetic towards the protesters. He might be a supporter of the regime!
Last year it was another group, and the year before, another group and next year yet another group of US Congress members will get free trips for their families, will get free brainwashing by Israel propagandist teams and Israeli leaders and ever more promises of free campaign contributions so that they will be assured of voting in the best interest of Israel rather than in the best interest of the United States. Article is below.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2023681/A-fifth-Congressmen-taking-paid-holidays-Israel-summer.html
who cares about the palestinies? If the Palestinies were in charge – they would have killed all the jews just like Assad is killing anyone how cares. We Israelies have to think of our selves first. Spend money on our state
It is much easier to have a debate about FACTS. Here are the FACTS: Back in1948 the UN offered to end the conflict in Palestine by dividing the land and creating two states, one for the Arabs in areas with the Arab majority and the other for the Jews in areas with the Jewish majority. The Jews accepted the offer and declared a state. The Arabs rejected it and declared a war. Since then Israel offered them peace and a sovereign independent state time after time and the Arabs refused it every single time. As long as the Palestinians are willing the war to continue it will continue and more Palestinians will be killed. When those still alive will decide that the number of dead Palestinians is high enough they will stop violence and ask for peace negotiations. Israel will gladly agree.
Try visiting CoolCent. com
Thinker, ofcourse arabs wouldnt accept such a deal at the time, no one would...90% of the so-called israelis has just hopped off a boat coming from europe (fully armed) and claimed that the land belongs to them... "Areas with jewish majority"? There were no areas of jewish majority before the little boat trips lol
Natanyahu needs to be shot-down like the coward, pig-swill, swine that he is. Put the devil out of its misery.
Sure. He’s done his job of delaying the peace process during his tenure and adding to the building of settlements. In the tag team game of Israeli politics it’s time for him to hand off to someone else. This new leader could not, of course, continue the peace process since he is fully engaged t in getting his government up and running. This is all so lame.
Jon, Netanyahus "peace process" is anyhting but a peace process...making more illegal settlements will not bring about peace but rather violence, and if you step into the Palestinians shoe the figures actually look like for every Israeli killed 11 Palestinians are murdered, so whos the "terrorist" blowing up buses is wrong but when you put peoples back to the wall they will do everything they can to retaliate, the only way out of it is for the Palestinians to have a state and actually have Israel help them build a state that can show Israel is there to help and the Palestinians will remember it, but the other side which is happening right now of oppressing the Palestinians, demolishing their homes, keeping them locked away from the rest of the world with the Illegal wall, and high unemployment of 46% in Palestine will not bring about any kind of chnage but the same old thing thats been happening for the last 60 years, Does Israel want a change? thats the questions, if so ...Than Change!!!
@ Mark,
I've been there, lived there for 30 years. Lived the worst of it. jon is right, it's a big problem
Edmond and others: As long as the Palestinians refuse a peace deal there will be no peace. As long as they're willing the war to continue it will continue and it will be a clear indication that the Palestinians are happy with the war regardless of their complaints about it. Removing the settlements or making other 'gestures' in response to terrorism was tried in the past and resulted in INCREASE of terrorism every single time. The reason is pretty simple: 'gestures' in response to terrorism is a PROOF that terrorism works and that more terrorism will bring more 'gestures'. The ONLY way to make peace is through a peace agreement. A peace agreement can only be achieved at peace NEGOTIATIONS where BOTH sides are ABLE AND WILLING to make peace. Therefore, the ONLY way to peace is by CONVINCING the Palestinians that peace is BETTER than war (or, alternatively, that war is WORSE than peace.
Thinker23, Iam pretty sure palestinians know that "peace is better than war" as they are the ones facing the tank barrels and the bombs dropping on them from the sky. Infact your probably the one who is less likely to know that, since your sitting in you cozy home, which you might have gotten as part of a govt handout. Moreover, I already stated that this isnt a war, a war isnt fought between an army and a civilian population. Slaughter, murder, and genocide are better fitting words. Lastly, halting illegal settlements is not a "gesture", you make it sound like your doing them a favour. The illegal settlements put you in the wrong and are the reason palestinian self defence is justified as per geneva convention... but you dont know very much about international law do you?
Gid, yes we know you dont care about palestinians, nothing new there, this is why they must have an independent state, as it is unreasonable to expect people who dont care about them to tend to their affairs.
Ruth, thats nice, but the stats tell a different story... If you think your suffering is bad multiply that by a 1000, and you might start to undestand what palestinians must be going through.
Oh and 1 more thing thinker23, any logical, reasonable person would see that the fact that your expanding settlements indicates that your not satisfied with the land you already have. How can one expect you to be serious about returning land, when you cant even halt expanding?
Thinker23, i think you need to think more..
I don't want to be misunderstood and I want to be clear about the fact that throwing rockets at Israel from the Palestinian area is what I categorically denounce and we should also not make mistakes about the fats that building illegal settlement in Palestinian area is just as much preposterous and perils the complete existence of the whole Palestinians. The world community has told Israel many a times to stop he settlement building and many a times has Israel ignored the international community Settlement building in Palestinian area has up to this blessed moment not stopped. I don't understand a country that calls itself democratic and civilized society using the same instruments of ignorance to peril and terrorize the world community just like Iran and North Korea are doing. If Israel really wants peace then the settlement building must stop and Israel must return to the boundaries of 1967. Claiming the boundary of 1967 alone is a deal that is even not fair but that is always the price of a war.
Well stated, and agreed. Israel's constant attacks and assault on their neighbors have shifted the true focus away from their own people. Without doubt Palestinians have posed violence on Israel but blame can not be fully pointed to Palestinians., this is the effect from the cause. Jon willingly ignores the turmoil Israel has forced upon the people of Palestine, easily omitting the 100's of innocent lives killed by the hands of the IDF, the 100's of checkpoints these people face and the obstacles of their daily lives, using US paid for state of the art weapons! Last I read rockets which have killed 13 people in over 10 years where not the same a "missiles". Why must the victim card be played when the scenario is far more transparent in reality.
Mike, with all do respect, I don't know where you live however, I am sure that one rocket anywhere in the world would bring a harsher responce then what the state of Israel has done so far. I see people blaming Bibi Netanyahu for not having a peace plan, really? where is the Arab peace plan? why do you accuse the Israeli people for every problem in the world? Before posting these anti Israel comments here, go to Israel and see what it is all about.
Mike, please give one example of an unprovoked Israeli attack upon an innocent Palestinian. These "attacks" are similar to your murderous genocide against the innocent Germans, or perhaps the vicious oppression of IRA bombers who blew up London pubs.
Mike
What planet do you live on?
Mike: As long as the Palestinians are willing the war to continue it means that they're happy with the results. Simple, is not it?
Thinker23, Yes because we all know that its the unarmed people who choose to carry on with a "war"... This is not a war fool, a war is fought between two armies. An army vs a civilian population is either called murder, slaughter, or genocide, but certainly not war...
Wow! These sorry jewz not only steal land, but want free utilities too. In America, the stoopid jews beg our society for monies to support moving lazy jewz from nazi-poland, and germany to "isreal-isfake". On television stations jewz ask for 'donations' to support these lazyazz jewz. Then they call Black people lazy...Just WOW..
To moshem and Israel...The rockets Palestinians send actually Hamas fires toward Israel is nothing compared to what Israel fired at the Palestinins with the U.S. tax payer footing the bill for those epons fired at the innocent women and children the Israelis murder in Palestine, if you lost your whole family i think you would retaliate also like many Palestinians have, if your home was demolished by a tank you would retaliate like the Palestinians do, if you had 46% unemployment because of your neighbor and everytime some people tried to help you and Israel killed them too without being held responsible you would retaliate too, when you see there is no hope, no jobs, no point of living theres nothing else to live for than you will retaliate too, the right wing of Israel has not made the middle east a better place, it has made the "peace process" impossible with Israeli demands that they know the Palestinians can not give in to and they can blame the Palestinians at the end for it, when thers no hope and no chnace of better living, violence will continue and eventually what goes around comes around
Jason and others: I feel sorry for the Palestinians but not to the point where I would alllow them to murder my family and destroy my country. If and when the Palestinians will decide to live in peace Israel will glsdly help them. As long as they're trying to kill Israels they'll defend themselves. It is tru that Israel can easily make Palestinians history in a couple of weeks and you should ask yourself WHY less than two Palestinians were killed during an average day of their terrorist war and not 2,000 or more. Israel has a lot of patience but it is not infinite...
To moshem and thinker23, dont try to turn this into a chicken and egg situation (ie whos really attacking and whos actually just defending). YOU are the ones illegally occupying land, and therefore any palestinian attack on you is infact an act of defence, seeing your kicking them out of their homes and exapnding settlements, attempting to drive them out... Your proposing that palestinians sit back and watch you do this without responding? I know its what youd like to see, but get real...
@ Israel: If Israel really wants peace she should categorically denounce or stop the settlement buildings in Palestinian area. If Israel really wants peace she should retreat to the 1967 boundaries that for me would be a real peace negotiation. Building illegal settlement in Palestinian area is just as preposterous as throwing rockets. Building illegal settlement in Palestinian area perils the complete existence of the whole Palestinians. To my definition "Settlement building in Palestinian area" is a more effective way of diminishing the Palestinians in their own land ( in other word lynching the Palestinians in a more civilized manner because you apparently don't need rockets in dishing them or barbarically slaughtering them like the NAZI did to the Jews.) We should make no mistake and we should be clear about the facts that rocket throwing and Settlement building are the same, the one in a much more barbaric way the latter in a civilized manner but both methods unmistakingly aiming at the same target namely to perish the other. In academic terms and I do belief that many "well educated" people would agree with me that Israel is using sweet honey to poison a bear, a modernized barbaric method to kill your opponent without being the first to throwing direct rockets.
We are not fools we sure no what Israel is up to.!
The only reason the Palestinians are using the marginally effective "rockets" vs "missles" is because the Israelis have some control over the flow of material into Gaza and have built walls to protect themselves from legions of Palestinian suicide bombers that otherwise would invade their tiny country.
So your "tiny country" comment is your justification as to why its ok for israel to continue illegally confiscating land?
How do you propose palestinians halt the expansion of illegal settlements over their land and get back the land thats legally theirs? Ill be very keen to hear your answer..
@ Jon – Well said. The Israelis need to be careful and not get complacent.
They have their independence and living because of the round the clock Security that Netanyahu and those before him got by constant vigilance and ruthless retaliation to attacks from their arab neighbours.
OK suppose Netanyahu caves and reduces military spending? The Israeli's won't live long enough to enjoy the extra wealth that would provide.
Why do they think they are different to the rest of the world???? We're ALL struggling with a grossly rising cost of living. Personally I like to feel safe. I don't need a house [I rent ] – I do need security.
This century old hatred among the descendants of Abraham reminds me of typical Chinese Kung Fu sequels: ......you kill me? OK, I kill you too!
Delex,
So Israel should just ignore the bombs, rockets and missiles that are repeated targeted at them by the Palestinians?
How about Isriel stop occupying Palestinian territory? That might help just a little bit. Isriel occupying Gaza and the West Bank is no different the Hussain occupying Kuwait.
How about Arab and Persian countries give back all the land it stole from it's Jewish inhabitants? hundreds of times the size of Israel. Right of return? Give it to the Jews too – what? Oh my, Jews had land in Egypt, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Iraq, really? You're kidding? What happened to that land? Jews forced out – forced to move to tiny Israel? Israel is the camp, not the West bank or Gaza. Oh, and what about all the Jewish land in Russia, Germany and Poland? Yeah, right, Jews chose to leave. Chose to have all their land and possessions confiscated. Chose to leave their homes and their communities. Russian pogroms started the century before Israel was founded. In the mid-1800 Jews out numbered both Arabs and Christians in Jerusalem - but Jews – some how are Occupiers. I'm so sick of the racism shown towards Jews – and replacing the word Jew with Zionist somehow justifies racism?
fyi Israel has evacuated all it's settlements from Gaza years ago, the rockets kept on and still fly over their heads as a reward.
bojo Are you going to deny the fact that Israel is has forced Gaza into an open air prison? putting an illegal separation wall around Gaza? imposing collateral damage on the people of gaze through and air and sea blockade? Does Israel really expect this type of treatment is going to gain them alleys in the region.
Gamerk2, It's ISRAEL
@ lucas – The Palestinians CHOOSE to live in an 'open prison'. Israel has offered peace and land on more than one occasion. The offers were turned down because they said they would not share a land with Israel ; they want the Jews to be pushed into the sea. Please grow up and read some history.
@ Ann – Well said. Excellent post.
lucas: I'm not sure how it is on YOUR planet but on Earth it is PERFECTLY LEGAL to close the state borders with violent neighbors. It is also LEGAL to blockade and use military force against the enemy during a war. In most cases, the amount of force used (again, on planet Earth) should be high enough to convince the enemy to surrender or to make it (the enemy) history. The war between Israel and the Palestinians is, however, an exception and the Palestinians are lucky that they deal with Jews and not with other people who would end the war long ago.
LOL @ ann, where do you get your facts from?? jews numbered more in the 1800s than muslims and christians? Jews have been a minority for centuries, in the 1800s they didnt make up 5% of the population... Please quote your sources, the Jewleeard school of history? lol
Thinker23, clearly your not a thinker at all, what war? You mean the israeli military, one of the most advanced in the world, vs. palestinian civilians with home-made rockets? lol... Clearly the name does not fit the person at all here..
Dont kid yourself, Israel is ILLEGALLY occupying palestinian land (by the day), which makes it LEGAL for the palestinians to defend themselves.. Your suggesting palestinians sit idly while their homes are demolished?
voice of reason, yes thanks for the suggestion (on reading up some history), but ive read quite enough to know that israel has not made any real efforts towards peace. Two pieces of evidence are the fact that the only PM who might have even thought about peace got killed by israelis and secondly what kind of fools do you take the world for suggesting your wanting peace but expanding illegal settlements on a daily basis (even during peace talks). Thats not exactly the gesture of someone looking for peace.
bojo, you used the correct word here: "evacuated", as in withdrew/retreated. You (israelis) obviously didnt do this out of the goodness of your hearts, you calculated that your losses (financial and human) are not worth it ie the resistance is what made you withdraw. So in terms of a "reward", you dont deserve any, so get over yourself. Your still illegally occupying palestinian land which gives them the right to defend themselves, it would be unreasonably to expect them to sit there idly watching this cultural genocide unfold on them.
Edmond: No offense, but I'm not replying to you as it's pointless to use facts and logic to argue with someone like you. Have a nice life!
Thinker23, I havent seen any facts or logic in your posts, so i guess thanks for not replying.
@Ann: 2 wrongs dont make a right!
It's funny how the Israelis say never again but treat the Palestinians like the jews in the concentration camps . See nothing wrong with it and complain when someone speaks out againt the Illegal occupation. If there is a land you deserve it should be in Germany , Poland and the former USSR , This is the land of the KHAZARZ your real home land !!!
@Sam – this is simly rasist, anti-semitic and anti-Isael comment from you. Very low.
If you honestly think there is any valid comparison between the Nazi camps and Gaza, you're deluded. As for the Jews having claim on some other land, they have far better claim on the land of Israel than the "Palestinians" do. Historical and archaeological evidence puts the Jews there well before the people originally called "Palestinians" and while the non-Jewish peoples of the area have been invaded, assimilated, and slaughtered by the Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Turks, etc. there has always been a cultural tie between that land and the Jews, as well as a very significant Jewish presence in the area.
Sam: If the Jews treated the Palestinians the same way the Nazis treated the Jews during WWII (or the way the Palestinians treat Jews TODAY) there would be no Palestinians left alive. Both the Nazis and the Palestinians KILLED EVERY JEW in sight.
where is NATO and the EU countries providing support to the rebels trying to liberate their country from tyranny where is the air support and monetary support where are the military trainers to teach the rebels how to fight their government where is the weapons drops looks like a double standard for this country eh
You are right. We should arm every Israeli so he or she can defend themselves and their family against the oppression and genocidal intentions of Hamas, the PLO, and Hezbollah. After all, their violent intentions have been clearly demonstrated by acts of terror throughout the last several decades, while all Qaddafi did was make threats.
Hard to believe the Israeli military has not started a bombing campaign yet. Just look at the people in the picture – clearly, they are terrorists. Bring out the phosphorous weapons now.
The IDF is the most democratic and humane army in the history of the world.
You're unjust and dishonest to say that. There is NO other nation on this planet that , when at war, drop leaflets to the enemy so they can evacuate civilians.
Of course the Palestinians gather all the civilians in front of them as human hostages. So much for fighting "MEN."
ann
"The IDF is the most democratic and humane army in the history of the world."
This has to be the comment of the century lol... Israel has broken more UN conventions than any other country on the planet, maybe even more than all the countries on the planet combined lol.
Voice of reason
"There is NO other nation on this planet that , when at war, drop leaflets to the enemy so they can evacuate civilians."
Oh, you mean when they go bomb civilians houses as a form of collective punishment?? Ya thats the least they could do, and their still in the wrong...
"Of course the Palestinians gather all the civilians in front of them as human hostages"
This has been debunked time and time again, an example is when the UN exposed you during the lebanon war claiming that there was no basis for any such claims. To my knowledge, there has never been any footage proving any such thing. There is however footage of israelis tying palestinian little boys to the front of their tanks.
Voice of reason? lol hardly...
... And to ann: the most humane military "in the history of the world" uses white phosphorous and cluster bombs in populated areas? Get over yourself lady...
No way, Fox News will rescue Bibi.
Are the Israelis just starting to realize that it costs a lot of money to occupy those lands? Are they just starting to realize that it costs a lot of money living in a perpetual state of war? Hopefully, it won't be long before they realize that returning the lands they have occupied after the 1967 war would be a wise idea.
Give the Jews back all the land throughout Europe and the Middle East that was confiscated from them - how about just the land confiscated BEFORE the creation of Israel. That land is far in excess of all the land of the state of Israel.
Nope – you'll just take your racist opinion and stick to it. Poor poor Palestinian victims. Give me a break.
Yes, Jews were forced out of regions of Europe, the Middle East, and Russia. But the people living in the mandate of Palestine were not responsible for that. Injustice does not justify injustice against third parties. Perhaps Jews were driven out of that land by the Romans or the ancestors of those there when Jews began emigrating to the area. But injustice by distant ancestors does not justify injustice toward their descendants many centuries later. At some point, when those who perpetrated injustice are long gone, their injustice must simply be accepted by the descendants of those who suffered. Knowing that the US and many regions of Europe did not accept Jews trying to flee persecution in the years preceding and during World War II, I understand their desire to establish an area in which they could survive. The argument that those pushed out by them should not complain, since Jews were forced out of larger geographic areas by yet others, however, does not seem valid. Israel was able to establish peace with Egypt through a return of the Sinai Peninsula. Israel has good relations with Jordan. I do not know if a solution has been proposed in which Gaza is returned to Egypt and the West Bank is returned to Jordan, returning to 1967 borders endorsed by UN resolutions and norms of international law. If they were willing to accept them back, and police them to ensure Israel's security, it might solve much, though not all of the problem of "right of return" (also required by norms of international law), as the Palestinians in those regions would then be Egyptian and Jordanian citizens. Eventually, after Syria becomes a democratic nation with normal diplomatic relations with Israel, the Golan Heights could be similarly returned. I am sure the international community would help to industrialize and raise the standard of living in those areas, lessening unrest. I do not know if this has been proposed.
Well stated EffortPA., Like the US Israel will finally realize that the cost or injustice and wars, will only feed the pockets of a selected few in charge at the expense of the countries people and more overall wealth!
EffortPA: You may not know it but back in 1967, just a couple of weeks after the Six Day War of 1967, Israel offered to return ALL lands it captured back to the Arab states in exchange for peace. In response the Arab states issued the Khartoum Resolution of the Arab League which is still current: NO recognition of Israel, NO negotiations with Israel, NO peace. Ten years later the Egyptian President Anwar Sadat announced that he was willing to make peace with Israel. As a result, Egypt got peace and all the land it lost in 1967. Unfortunately, Sadat paid by his life for bringing peace to his people...
Stop all aid to Israel. That is the only way the Israelis are going to understand the true costs of having a perpetual war. There will never be peace as long as they continue to occupy those lands from the Palestinians.
Do you really believe that reducing Israeli GNP by 2% will force Israelis to allow themselves slaughtered?
Jew hater.
Disagreeing with Israeli policy does not equal anti-semitism as you have (and unfortunately many others) incessantly suggest.
People need to get over the fact that Israel has a lot of issues and problems that should be discussed, and when those discussions have a critical tone they are not racist. Its a very lazy approach to an argument.
The only thing that is ignorant and unintelligent in these arguments are people throwing out the racism and anti-semitism card every time Israel is criticized, its a very dangerous thing to do and unhealthy to public discourse. So "ann" get over your name calling and actually engage in some civil debate if you feel so strongly about peoples comments.
@ ADL – you obviously haven't read Ann's other posts; her knowledge of history is superb. Maybe she just got sick of the morons who quote false information just so they can show off.
Jew Lover!!
ADL: Disagreeing with Israeli policy does not equal anti-semitism...
This is correct as long as the same principles and criteria are being used to judge Israel and other countries and the policies criticized are REAL and EXISTING. Claiming that Israel does not have a right to exist, for example, is NOT "criticism of any policies, IT IS racism.
Ann, yes its very easy to accuse anyone who doesnt agree with you of being anti-semitic, but here you are (along with your gang) slandering palestinians and arabs, and denying not only their right to exist but the fact that they ever existed... Even the word hypocrit doesnt fit you at this point.
Voice of reason: "you obviously haven't read Ann's other posts; her knowledge of history is superb"
lmao, Oh I have read her comments as well as yours and theyre mostly BS... Scroll up and read up!!
Israel fights to survive, on a daily basis.
USA go to war [along with their allies ], anywhere, anytime for very little reason other than oil and an inflated sense of their own importance.
THAT, my friend, is the truth. How you people have the brass neck to tell other people how to run their country when you are the laughing stock of the world amazes me.
New and young leadership is needed that ic capable of facing reality. We all know that current situation is unsustainable. It is a matter of time before events overtake human endeavors and it will be too late to reverse.
No wonder U S Republicans love Netanyahu. The Israeli prime minister is impoverishing his country's middle class and enriching its plutocrats - exactly what the GOPers are trying to do here.
No, The Jesus Freak (GOP)here using him to accelerate the Rapture, they don't give damn about anybody
Israel is the only one bombing. You sheep believe everything the zionist media tells you? Mossad can only kill so many settlers in the name of "Palestine" (a people who can barely afford to eat) to prolong a fake war. Pathetic...really...well time is coming soon. The whole world is sick and finally tired of israel's lies. Just as the mossad agent who blew up Norway and killed children claimed to be a "christian," the world can now see the real face,(with alot of plastic surgery a nose job and chin implant) of the (ashken)NAZI party.
Why don't you do some homework, you racist!
It was the muftis in Palestine who fled to Nazi Germany when the British killed 5000 Arabs. Hundreds of Jews were also killed.
It was the Arab intolerance of Jews who had lived in that land as long and even longer than the "Palestinians." that has led to this endless war. Nope, you won't believe it, you a brainwashed. You probably even believe the Zions of Elder is somehow true.
I have a massive problem. My gas cooker just exploded; the parrot died of shock; my dog is hysterically barking "Yankee Doodle" and my neighbour is threatening to shoot me because of the noise. THOSE JEWS did it !!!!!
See, anyone can tell nonsensical stories.
Can you PROVE any of your nonsense?? No, thought not! – go away, Muppet.
"It was the Arab intolerance of Jews who had lived in that land as long and even longer than the "Palestinians." that has led to this endless war."
Clearly ann, your the one who needs to read up a little. Palestinians were not intolerant of jews, they did try to push them out but only when their intentions of forming a state (following mass jewish migration from europe) became clear. Infact jews had started mass migrating from europe decades before the formation of israel and mass acquistion of land was also being attempted. Prior to this jews lived in arab states as free men equal to any other citizen and you know this very well.
Palestinians are intolerant of Jews, always have been. Try learning a little history. And before you try to say that I don't know what I'm talking about, let me tell you that I lived there for thirty years. My grandmother was born in Jerusalem, so were her parents, and their parents, and their parents, and...So I know a little more about this than you do.
Jews have lived with arabs for decades, centuries even... Your complaints only popped up after the formation of israel; nice attempt at trying to justify illegal occupation though. You might have lived there for 30 years but that is not sufficient to judge how the situation was the last few decades. Oh and p.s. i dont expect your opinion to be fair on the matter, i would have been completely surprised had you or an israeli said "yes, they did treat us fairly", as i have rarely met an israelis truly persuing peace.
Your comment has as much factuality to it as ann's "jews were a majority in the 1800s" comment.
When it comes right down to it, Israelis will always support and defend their country. The cost of living has always been high in Israel and there have always been protests. But protests end abruptly whenever their country is threatened. You can take that to the bank.
There needs to be World Spring instead of an Arab Spring!
The picture looks like a bunch deadbeat California hippies from the 1960s.Probably just as high and just as mindless.
Congratulations! You've posted the only response relevant to the topic of the article.
One issue masquerading as two apparently separate issues: (1) whether Muslims will permit non-Muslims to have a majority in any state in the region, and (2) whether in that state or in any other state, the socialists will permit a man to own, control, use and dispose of the property he purchases. The one overriding issue is Man as the self-sacrificing agent of a greater cause. His imaginary religious struggle has been preached since the Bronze Age, his imaginary class struggle is the secular form of this nonsense, preached since the 19th Century by men whose bronze statues have been pulled down all over Eastern Europe. The answer to both questions is that Man is permitted by nature to defend his own life from religious mystics that hate him and from secular mystics who hate the property that sustains him. As for this week's protesters: anyone who can't afford to be someplace should simply move.
The young, hip Israelis seem to have evolved into a production of Godspell. Since when has Jesus worn tats?
Will the protests in Israel bring down Netanyahu?
One can only hope.
Probably not... But WHY are you hoping that Netanyahu will be replaced?
The picture above dose not convince me they are protesting.
time to napalm and burn down these jew parasites. when usa becomes broke and weak k1kes will be annihilate very soon. its promised
You must be Joker
IT is about time the decent Israelis standing up to this NutHeadWho.
WHO are those "decent Israelis", in your opinion, and HOW are they different from the "indecent" Israelis?
Thinker23, Your an indecent israeli for example...
Hey that guy with the tattoos looks like Jesus!
The Israeli religious right believe that God has promised all of Israel to the Jews and their goal is to expel all Palestinians out of Israel. The way the Palestinians are treated is inhumane. Zionism is contrary to Judiasm itself.
Unless Israel begins to treat the Palestinians with respect and allow them to have their own homeland, they only plant the seeds of their own destruction. It is the moral thing to do.
Couldn't we just, er, um, service Jihad until they decide to kill us? Kitties and rainbows. Mwah.
The hippie israelis are trying to confiscate more palestinian land!! They are forming hippie drum circles there!!
@JustaNormalPerson,
i agree strongly with the second part of your statement. If only principles of equality were furthered in this land, our current generation may see real peace. however, i also believe too much ethnic hate poisons this environment of debate. what jew and arab? you all breathe the same air and shall one day be buried in the same dirt.
It's part of our human nature to be attached to and identify with our own homes, streets where we live, our families and our countries. As an example of such attachment you may consider a poster who refers to himself as 'Sal-Canada' who is pontificating here about Jews and Arabs while using the name of his country as his moniker.
Yes, but he don't spew hate and vengence as is in your soul.
Your view is not at all astonishing or surprising. My reasoning suggests that your opinion and resolutions on 1. rising cost of living, 2. Israel's relations with neighbouring nations and 3. Israel's handling of the Palestinians; is self-righteously correct. As i originally suggested, in the grand scheme of things, peace in the region is the best solution. This takes courage and compromise. My moniker is nothing more than a whim in my mind created at time of posting a comment. you understand nothing of which "country" i would align myself and what my heritage is. In regards to "pontificating about jews and arabs" your comments are smugly moralistic and intolerant of the opinions and behavior of others. Also, there are many "nations" "peoples" "tribes" "ethnicities" "religions" which as your comment suggests, out of human nature are attached to and identify with the streets of Jerusalem, their homes, and families. COME OUT OF YOUR BOX.
Sal-Canada: DId you disagree with something I've said? If so WHAT WAS IT?
Well you see sal-canada, thinker23 takes offence at being equated to a "gentile" you see...
Very pleased to see that this topic has finally garnered enough attention get a full article, and everybody is talking about it. All of the nations are going through the same thing – wealthy are getting wealthier – the rest of us can eat cake! I just would like to add one thing: A while ago I posted here about this situation in Israel when the protestors were only a fraction of what they are now – someone who claimed to know better replied and said like, "Nobody got killed. CNN reported on it, and It's over." I was floored. It doesn't matter who it was, but I told them at the time that this is just getting started.
Netanyahu won't give into the protestors/citizens so easily, you already know that. Watch out! Anyway, I wish you all the best in Israel, and will keep watching the situation. Stay strong Israelis, stay strong! Shalom!
Where are the Nato jets pounding the Knesset until the demands of the demonstrators are met? Send a SEAL team to take out Bibi, before he stages a false flag attack on the U.S., as a prelude to the war he wants with Iran.
God Bless America, Israel, western civilization, and all people and places that honor freedom, justice, and peace.
islam and arabs do not fall into the category of those people who respect any of those things we respect here in western civilization.
Lets hope there is some truth in, those who curse them be cursed, and those who bless them be blessed.
Nice attempt trying to rally the "west" behind you; im afraid israel is nothing like the west however. They are land thieves engaging in genocide. If you love the west so much perhaps you should go back to the west where you came from, as that is where you truly belong... Just a suggestion.
"Bibi Netanyahu for not having a peace plan, really?"
Yes, REALLY. He don't want peace. He only wants to murder Arabs. How many he can get with American weapons.
Netanyahu is HATE. Pure and simple.
Can't we all just learn to love Allah and surrender now?
"Allah" known in arabic, referring to that same god of Abraham and Isaac etc. You perform a great misdeed not only to true muslims, but jews and christians as well with your cheap stab and vain attempt at comedy. Your tomfoolery is saddening. learn to respect others.
But I am loyal, master... loyal...!
Excellent.
This is not a protest against Netanyahu. EVERY Israeli knows that the high cost of living & housing are problems Israel has had for 20 years & the last party in power, Kadima did nothing about them. Netanyahu is addressing the problems while still keeping Israel a market economy.
Israel has a right to do whatever it wants. I stand behind the Israeli government and military. Israel forever!
I sure hope your comment contains a bit of sarcasm. let me ask you a question Dan. you say "Israel has a right to do whatever it wants" in terms of finding a solution for rising costs of living in Israel, YOU ARE TOTALLY CORRECT. In terms of geo-political endeavours and military operations, is it not fair to say then, by your logic, that ANY nation has the right to do whatever it wants? be it good or bad?
Ron Paul: January 9, 2008
M. Speaker, I strongly oppose H. Res. 34, which was rushed to the floor with almost no prior notice and without consideration by the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The resolution clearly takes one side in a conflict that has nothing to do with the United States or US interests. I am concerned that the weapons currently being used by Israel against the Palestinians in Gaza are made in America and paid for by American taxpayers. ..
What moral responsibility do we have for the violence in Israel and Gaza after having provided so much military support to one side?
was it after this statement his support percentage fell sharply?
Every time there is an article about Israel, even the most benign one, even the one that has nothing to do with the Palestinian issue... an anti-semitic bunch comes out to spew their hate at a tiny country barely visible on the map among vast riches of the Arab World. Oh, my "liberal", western pro-Palestinian friends, stop crying, pick up your si..t and go help those that can really use your help. Palestinians are not even close to being the neediest. No one, even in Gaza blockade, is dying of hunger, or any sort of epidemic by 1000's or even by 10's. But! I hear the boat to Somalia is leaving tonight.
As a pose to what ever human relief organization that has ever commented on the state of palestinians, you seem to think palestinians are not living in poverty? Or maybe your just trying to decieve people into thinking so?
BTW, anti-semitic bunch? Heres a definition of semitic from the freedictionary:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Semitic
Yes, arabs are semites too; find another word to unfairly slander people...
P.S. Infact arabs are more semitic than most modern days jews, who are in fact of european decent.
... Oh and 1 more thing, the fact that its a "tiny" country doesnt exempt it from guilt; is this how we are judging a country's deeds now, by its size?
This "tiny" country has broke more UN resolutions than any other country on the planet.
Yeah, but simply to state the premise that the US support of Israel is the direct cuase of 9/11 and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the deaths and diaability of 100's of thousands of American servicemen, $Trillions$ in the US National Debt,,and the fact a very small minority of the American People have a overwhemingly powerful voice in American politics and media to di.ctate US policy in the interest of a foreign power.. is a truth, Yes?
There is nothing such as anti-semitism. The ORIGINAL JEWS have been extracted out of Jerusalem long ago, and enslaved by the new-jewz that stole our heritage.
These new-jewz that came on the scene about 100yrs ago (caucasians from nazipoland,and nazigermany) are wicked and vile.
And you p41 is stupid and rasist. And was "extracted" out of your own as.. long ago
Behind all conflict is economic inequity. Any other distinctions between two groups of humans are purely arbitrary and needless.
I normall never post on here although I do enjoy reading the comments; they are entertaining to say the least, but I thought this one needed my 2 cents. I am all for peaceful protests and peaceful anything but having that many people in a confined area when your neighbors are bomb toting extremists is not a good thing. I see this article on CNN and I here in the states know of the unrest now as I am sure Hamas and others do too. I can only hope the people over there in power are smart enough to provide some protection for the protesters as they are 1 check point away from being the new headline and being this weeks top story. God Bless.
Netanyahu is not in trouble , Israel is not like Syria ,Eygpt, Iran, Jordon, Yeman , Somolia, Pakastan, Iraq, Afghan, libya, Bahrain , Saudi
Americans dont support the palestinians after their display on 9/11.Americans have a very low tolerance for Islam and muslims in general so I dont see America supporting a palestinian state, its just going to fall apart like all the other muslims countries.
Then i suppose its reasonable for you to see why arabs dont care much for america. What goes around comes around buddy.
I don't remember seeing hippies in Israel when I was there.....I guess there everywhere in the countries that will allow them to exist.
If Mexico launched a rocket from Tijuana into San Diego, we would give a firm warning. If they launched a second rocket, we would put troops on the border; a third rocket and tijuana would be a parking lot. A very big, flat, parking lot.
... And this is assuming san diego is occupying tijuana prior to the rockets or no?
Young people spend all their money on gadgets, and electronics, on they premise, they are "essential", and then have nothing left to live on.
It is impossible to sympathize with them, at all.
Do not let Eric Cartman see this picture...
Netanyahu needs to step down
He ruined my country
Edmond, I applaud your strong & needed stand against the mindless and stone-hearted ignorant "Isralies" as Thinker & ann & other like-minded individuals. Their hatred for the Plestinains &–muslims in general (there is a high corrolation I've observed that if one dislikes something they will dislike anything associated with that thing) runs deep... Their hatred for Palestinians is as deed as was Hitler's hatred for the Jews–there is no difference. It's sad but this truth stands as the biggest irony in history for human thought. Edmund, continue to annihilate their lies and question their mentality and God-willing someday they will grow the faculty to understand and shed their pig-headedness.
As for the quips on questiong Israeli policy equalling anti-semitism... please WHAT!???? Israeli policies are secular and have no association with the Jewish faith; similarly, the word "Israel" does not equal "Jew" and vise versa as some people wrongfully have it in their understanding. When one uses the term 'Semite' she/he (un)knowlingly will refere to entirety of Arabs, Serbs and semitic-speaking peoples not just specific Jews residing in Israel. These kind of simplistic thinking can not and are not tolerated. The lack of a balanced judgement birthed from learning and knowledge is what's causing the various problems we see in the world today: these problems are all similar in nature because it all ultimately stems from the imcompetence of human judgement from the malevolence of the mind.