By Jane Harman, Special to CNN
Editor’s note: Jane Harman is director, president and chief executive officer of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. She was a nine-term congresswoman from California and the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee from 2002 to 2006. The views expressed are her own.
Israel’s surprising election result gives its wing-clipped prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, an opportunity to shift to the center. This option was available to him four years ago when he outmaneuvered Tzipi Livni to form a majority in the Knesset. But he chose instead to move to the right.
Now comes a reset moment. Israel’s economy is fragile, with housing prices soaring and the middle class squeezed. A majority of the mostly secular Jewish population also resents special deals cut with the ultra-Orthodox to shield them from compulsory service in the military and to provide them with benefits not available to others.
The candidates that focused on those issues – the centrist Yesh Atid’s Yair Lapid and the pro-settlement Jewish Home’s Naftali Bennett – received the enthusiastic support of the public. Indeed, the mandate was clear: share the burden.
But it’s not just the economy, stupid. This is in fact a double reset opportunity. Although the Israeli-Palestinian peace process wasn’t the focal point of this campaign (only 18 percent of voters cited negotiations with the Palestinians as the most important issue), most Israelis do still favor a two-state solution. Indeed, a poll last month found that 67 percent of Israelis would support an agreement based on the 1967 borders, including a divided Jerusalem between the two states, with only 21 percent opposed. Even 57 percent of supporters of the Likud and Jewish Home parties said they would support such a deal.
More from GPS: Six things to watch in 2013
Unfortunately, many Israelis no longer believe peace is achievable – at least in the immediate future. But help may be on the way if Israel’s new coalition includes parties open to a deal.
That help comes in two forms. First, the expected confirmation of Senator John Kerry as secretary of state provides an experienced hand with deep personal connections in the Middle East. He has known Netanyahu for 25 years, and their relationship is solid. He also knows and regularly visits Israel’s Arab neighbors. A trip to the region by him shortly after his confirmation could rekindle the focus on negotiations. It could also set up an overdue follow-on trip by President Obama to Israel and her neighbors.
A second source of help is the reported efforts by Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy to reconcile Hamas and Fatah. Notwithstanding muscular street demonstrations by the Hamas leadership in Gaza recently, Hamas is weakened by the loss of its safe haven in Syria. Egypt wants to reassert leadership in the region and got serious respect for brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza late last year. Bringing a unified Palestinian delegation to the peace table would be a major achievement – and a blunt prod to Israel, which worries that Egypt could abandon their peace treaty.
Without a two state solution, both sides lose. Israel loses its legitimacy as a Jewish democracy once the youth bulge in the Palestinian population within its borders becomes a majority. And Palestinians – who have made bad leadership choices but have also been pawns in a local and regional power game – lose out, once again, on the opportunity for peace and prosperity.
As Woodrow Wilson once said, “There are many voices of counsel, but few voices of vision.” As Bibi puts together his new coalition, he would be wise to remember that advice and create a team with the foresight to make sure Israel isn’t one day the biggest loser.
Will Bibi seize the mantle of peacemaker that eluded his predecessors like Rabin, Sharon, and Barak? Only he knows.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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The "grievance" focus in Algeria as not being part of the Arab Spring is an important general concept, everywhere. Since the goal of the Arab Spring is so large in scope we have to have a way to settle these grievances. How many ways do I need to justify having a big celebration coupled to massive global economic development initiatives?
As far as US immigration reform, should the US give full preference to Mexico's poverty issues before the Arab world?
Îndeed, John Kerry might be the only hope Obama has to rekindle the Middle East peace talks. Imagine what would happen, if Susan Rice were to replace Hilary Clinton. In this part of the world a female secretary of state wouldn't be taken seriously.
Not giving preference to the Arab World means that we are not giving preference to Africa, which is the country most in need.
Also about immigration reform, is it a felony to be living in the US without having gone through the proper immigration channels? Also, is it valid to state that illegal immigration from the US southern border, over the past 25 years, has affected the US presidential election process?
Regarding McCain's loss in the 2008 presidential election, did the Latino vote have a significant affect? Was the establishment of the Tea Party meant to gather this new Latino vote? If so, it fail miserably as the Latino vote grew for Obama in 2012.
We are smarter than you dummy goyim. . . . you dumb Americans exist to serve us. . . we love looting your treasury . . . . .we love it when you dummies fight and die for us when we send you out to make war upon our neighbors . . . . we are the zine-0-ists of israel and we have AIPAC to tell your congress what to do.
All we do is drink wine and eat bagels while lounging along the red sea laughing at you stu-pud'er Americans . . . . gitty up silverstein . . . gitty up bernie . . . . . hi ho tonto . . . . we love riding tonto . . . . and tonto is America!
Widespread local grievances will only be corrected with the final ingredient, which is strong economic development and a celebration.
hell yes!
Should issues of the same thread not be dealt with simultaneously? is it possible? Then the question is why is it not being handled.
I am a Lucifer worshiper and I support israel as do my brethren and my children.
We support you israel!
I am with you. The Arab world is dommed; its in chaos; they have no leaders. Israel is the only stable counutry in the region and the arabs are so jealous.
Interesting, I believe you opponent said a house divided against itself cannot stand. If you will look at history, you and your followers have tried repeatedly to exterminate all jews and failed. What you say and what you do seem to differ, Oh that seems to be the case with all politicians.
The congresswoman has an opinion about Israel. Does she have an opinion about this country as a citizen and ex official?
Damn'it you worship such evils and you will burn for eternity! how dare you deny the Father and worship one of greed and sin! The end is nigh and you will wish you never supported these evils! I pray that you come to your senses and find the father and ask him for forgiveness, for the demons you worship shall have no life! May the fiery furnace treat you well!
Maybe it takes a breakdown then a reformation before the Arab countries unite so I wouldn't put all your eggs in one basket. I think Israel stepping up their game will only cause tremendous damage in the middle-east which may backfire. The world is changing to doubt.
Funny how the only country in the middle east with WMD is Israel. Zionist regime is whats really causing all the problems in the middle east.
i wouldnt doubt it...... especially when is comes to isreal
dear renedelavarre,
you must understand that isreal is causing the DEstabilization in the muslim world.
p.s. pick up a non bias book.
Oops, I guess I mis-spoke.
The arab world is doomed no matter what. They are backward, and completely focused on destroying Israel rather than building and developing their own societies!! Israel is the only hope for civilization that the Middle East has!!
That is a sad and childish comment, you need schooling on the matter......
So why is it that the onlt country in the region where an Arab can vote n a free election and has legally guaranteed human righs is Israel?
Get an education your own delusional self.
areyou crazy- is completely correct.
People from around the world are more educated than before ,but they are always complaining about or planning to kill their neighbours . Stop and think for a minute... at one time in our histories we got along very well with our neighbours and the world was a wonderful place.
We all need to throw out the foreign values , ie US or European and start looking after each other , and caring for each other. If we send drones , etc across the world to kill people including whole families , we will be screwing up the world and we all will have NO FUTURE.
are you crazy?????
Even if the Israel and PA agree on peace deal, Iran through Hizbollah and Hamas will find a way to sabotage it.
true!
Golda Meir said something to the effect that there can't be peace between the Arabs and Israel until the Arabs love their children more than they hate Israelis.
That still has not come about.
Golda Meir was a murderous racsist pig...........
Golda Meir was right, wasn't she?
This is clear, you can see in Turkey, Iran, Mali, Gaza....
Arab prefer to kill non-Muslim – Jews, Americans, people of Mali...
nothing will change till they change....
Despite what the "media" says Israel, Canada is with you. I don't even care if you're puppeting the other countries in the region. If they act like children, treat them like children.
Spoken like a truth puppet-nation controlled by Israel.
no one is asspoiled like the pimple faced read headed retarted inbred stepchild called israel..."sugar daddy usa..please help me..waaah waaah waaah....israeli pigs..what a bunch of low-life freaks
hello Joe, Im from Israel and i wish you live till 120, it seems that every moment that we are alive, it make you sick, so live and suffer you stupid ignorant
I AM A MUSLIM ARABIC AND I SUPPORT ISRAEL as long as they want to state solution. I SUPPORT Benjamin Netanyahu, AS HE IS THE ONLY ONE can help us to get red of IRAN and the iranina/ syrian shiia / hizboallah thugs who are killing and destroying our countries.
I am a Lucifer worshiper and I support israel as do my brethren and my children.
israel is a light upon the world and everyone should do all they can to let israel be israel forever.
We pray every Saturday to our Lord and God Lucifer to bring His Light upon the world through israel.
Let no man without the mark 666 have no food or drink. Instead, shine like israel . . . See the mark in israel's flag.
We support you israel!
If all muslims had your sense of logic sir, there would have been peace between Israel and PA long ago.
if the arab world had his kind of weak thoughts then there would be no more islam and the land that israel is illegally occupying will become their's land permanently. The israeli regime needs to die but i agree with the part about iran and how they need to be completely dismantled because all they did was prevert the religion. And Benjamin Natenyahu is a worthless man. btw the 2 state solution will never work because 90% of muslims hate israel government.
Why USA, NATOM FRANCE, UK, UN AND NATO ALONG WITH CN MEDIA COEVRING THE TRUTH FROM iraq !!!/
THE SHIIA THUGS REGIEME OF NORI AL MALEKI open fire on the peacful demonstrators and killed people while praying killed kids women and old men with machine guns while they are walking peacfully in a demonstartion is this usa democracy? usa brought thos evil iraninas for a reason thats why USA AND SO CALL THE FREE WORLD ARE DOING NOTHING TO IRAN AND SYRIA AND GAVE IRAQ ON a silver plater to ira, shame on you
NO, it's definitelyu not USA democracy. It's ARAB democracy...
Good article with the exception of lumping in Rabin as a leader who did not want peace. He was killed for that very reason
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netayahu has been known over the years to make matters worse than he met. He ends up causing more problems for the State of Israel and leaves it in a troubled condition. By the time he would step down he would have ended up causing more conflicts with the Palestinians and refuse to push forward and peace plan. The Israelis missed the mark when they failed to vote for Tzilipi
Israel offered the Palestinian peace and a sovereign independent state many times since 1948 and the Palestinians rejected it every single time declaring that notihng short of destruction of the Jewish State would satisfy them. It seems that it's not Netanyahu (or any other Israeli leader) but those refusing to make peace with Israel on ANY conditions should be blamed for the failures of the peace plans. You see, one side can initiate and maintain a war but BOTH sides are necessary to make peace. As long as the Palestinians prefer war over peace they will have what they ask for.
great post.
israel refuses to talk about peace on an objetive basis as much as any other party in that region. you all talk about democracy , but basically expect always that everybody accepts israel's conditions. talking about peace means all parties are open for suggestions and accept their faillures. your comments are too ONE sided!
LOL why should palestinians have to make peace with illegal occupiers of there land. Its not there fault that the nazis massacred them by the millions but that was in germany not in palestine. They should have given part of germany to them. But then they speak that its jewish land. WHAT. There not even real jews whoes ancestory is from israel. THEY ARE european jews who are from a perverted sect called Zionism. and the real jews were always protected by muslims under muslim law.
What a retarded post yours is !
First : there is no israel, there is only palestinia.
If the us and urope are bent on giving the jews a piece of land, than they should do so in their countries.
Why not give them a piece of texas , or gieogia ? or a piece north of london , or a piece in france or italy?
The reason that palestinia rejects such deals is because there should be no such deal.ç
YEAH , SURE I AGREE FOR YOU TO TAKE MOST OF MY LAND BY FORCE, HERE, I WILL EVEN PUT THE DEED IN A FLOWER LINED BOX FOR YOU!
the reasons why the world hates you are clear. Just die !
Can any of you Israel bashers please explain to me how in heavens name you expect Israel to make peace with a group of people whose entire existence is based on islamic extremism and violence??? Look at almost ever other muslim arab country, notice the fighting and the murder, not to mention their total inability to accept other religions as equal. Now, take that way of life, multiply it by 100, and you have the Palestinians under the leadership of HAMAS. The world should be standing beside Israel. Unfortunately, the global hatred of jews is blinding them, and actually is encouraging this crazy jihadi nut job way of life.
It may come as a surprise to you but over a million Palestinians are actually Christian.
It may come as a surprise to you , but new born Palestinian babys don't go around hating anyone.
It may come as a surprise to you, but overwhelming majority of adult Muslim Palestinians, as well as Jewish Israelis want a peaceful sulution.
it may come as a surprise to you, but you are a racist extremist.
Luke, he may be an extremist but he is correct, the world is turning against Israel just as it was predicted 3500 years ago and it appears the stage is being set for the Gog/Magog war. There will be no peaceful solution, sorry just the fact.
Dear look, Most Christians left the west bank since the Palestinians took over, because they were afraid for their lives, when Israel had the west bank the Christians there were prospering, now over 90% of them left. You are right about Palestinian babies are not born haters, but by the age of 3 they are taught that Jews are pigs and monkeys and they should become shaheeds to they can go to heaven. Most people all over the world want peace, but when you have nut jobs as leaders like Hamas(who by the way were voted in by Palestinisans) there will never be peace.
Considering what Muslims think of Jews and Christians, I think your comments are misplaced. They call us "donkeys and pigs", hardly a compliment. I was not raised to hate others (I am jewish), but I damn well know enough to fear them. I don't live in Israel now, but they would kill me and destroy my family, my culture,merely because of what I am.
I've learned from the past who to fear, and for good reason. They (the Muslims) haven't changed very much in the last 50+ years, and they are still a near and present danger to others BECAUSE THEY DON'T ACCEPT OTHERS.
It may come as a surprise to you, Luke, but 95% of Americans are peaceful law abiding citizens. It's because of the remaining tiny minority of crooks and criminals ALL Americans have to spend hundreds of billions every year on police, FBI, locks, jails, courts, judges, lawyers, security systems and other measures to protect their lives and property. You see, we do not have a problem with good peaceful Palestinians. We have a problem with BAD VIOLENT TERRORISTS AMONG THEM.
Is it clear enough?
LOL Riki you fuking idiot. children arnt taught to hate jews. and the palestinian parents know that if their kids just look outside and see what israel does to them then they can see that on there own. please read a book
"areyourcrazy" your views are verbative from those preached by our media (news, films, tv, radio). The truth is a bit different.
BIG MAN, I just agreee with your comment regarding AREYOUCRAZY too much!
To haris, are you crazy, I have been there I won't even take these lands for free. Anyway US should get out of it and let them kill each other until no one left to kill.
Israel (Including Jerusalem) will always belong to the Jews. It is their biblical homeland, they fought and won wars for it, and it is theirs to do with as they please. Anyone who doesn't like that, go stuff yourself!!!!
We are not going today or any other day say either one of these two religions has precedent, just because you write a book and say "this is our promised land, by god" doesn't make it so, both of their books could go in the fires of history if it would bring peace. Men wrote both these books, not gods. Biblical gimma a break!
you are just as your name says!
Fareed is playing the fool again. There will be no peace with the Palestinians, particularly now that they have the backing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. Look for a major conflict to break out in the Middle East within six months.
I don't think Bibi's the man for the job, he has gone out of his way to provoke animosity between the two parties, much like coma boy Sharon who behaved exactly the same, provocation to stir the fires and create chaos. Neither of the Palestinian parties are innocent and the people will have to change their representatives, peace is a two sided affair, but after this generational battle a peaceful end is needed so both parties can heel. If so many people within the country of Israel can support the 1967 accord, then perhaps their leaders will listen. Wouldn't that be nice....
Just a thought
Peace
Bibi is not going to change. He is hard-headed. Bibi disrespected the US by bombing Palestine as soon as Joe Biden's plane landed in Israel, Obama and Biden hate Bibi, consider him a in the a** and want nothing to do with him.
The text up here is right to point at the major factor : the demographic. Everyone knows that the arabic population in the area grows way faster than the jew population. At the end of the day, demographic trend always dictates the future. So, there are only two solutions, either two states, or at some point Israël will have to give citizenship to the palestinians. Something they will never. So, you are left with no alternative.
On the other hand, I can figure how hard it is. Those peoples have been at war for so long, and we always underscore the high price of peace. A peace agreement is always something you deal with an ennemy; it always include some form of amnesty for crimes against your people; it never can satisfy all your people and usually bring some form of public unrest. Just remember what happened when Israël left the Sinai and Gaza. It will be worse for the West Bank.
So, it cannot be easy, it will be costly, but what alternative does Israël have ?
Reset moment? Israel should face carpet bombing.
Hate much, gibson?
Do you ever wonder why our media incessantly covers as major headlines, Israel-centric issues and politics (hardly critical and chiefly from its POV). This nation is very tiny and quite inconsequentlal.
Uncle Sam cut spending in the fourth quarter of 2012, causing the U.S. economy to contract for the first time in more than three years.
Proof that America needs to stay involved in conflicts around the world.
we should start helping our own and forget about every body else. Why giving money to every nations on earth while we have poverty here in US.
please get these low-life jews and AIPAC out of our lives and wallets...the greedy self-serving pigs are destroying the U.S.
Wow, hate much, Joe?
yep..always hated low-life backstabbing pigs
Paranoia must annoy ya.
Can anyone explain to me the difference between the original Children of Israel who were Semitic and the people from the tribe of Khazar in Europe who are Jewish today? Someone was saying that after Islam defeated the Romans and Persians, that a tribe called the Khazar from Europe converted to Judaism to benefit themselves politically, as they were squeezed between the Muslims and the Christian Byzantines. They also said that 9 out of 10 people today who identify themselves as Jewish are from the Khazar tribe and are not from the original Semitic 12 tribes, and that these Europeans are the force between the modern z10nist movement, which has nothing to do with religion or the original Semitic tribes, and in fact the darker skinned Semitic people are treated like second class citizens in that country. I don't know if any of that is true, but that is what I heard.
The " tribe called the Khazar from Europe" ceased to exist in the 11th century AD. It was 1,000 years ago.
Can anyone explain to me the difference between the original Children of Israel who were Semitic and the people from the tribe of Khazar in Europe who are Jewish today? Someone was saying that after Islam defeated the Romans and Persians, that a tribe called the Khazar from Europe converted to Judaism to benefit themselves politically, as they were squeezed between the Muslims and the Christian Byzantines. They also said that 9 out of 10 people today who identify themselves as Jewish are from the Khazar tribe and are not from the original Semitic 12 tribes, and that these Europeans are the force between the modern z10nist movement, which has nothing to do with religion or the original Semitic tribes, and in fact the darker skinned Semitic people are treated like second class citizens in that country. I don't know how much of this is true but I want to hear from people that are knowledgeable in this topic.
I certainly am not an extremist. If I were to rule a country, I would mandate that everyone has the right to live in peace, and practice the religion of their choice, regardless of their individual faiths! Would that be the view of a fanatic?? However, given that the ruling Hamas party, which claims to represent Palestinians, explicitly states in their charter that the destruction of Israel is their primary goal, and given that all surrounding arab countries persecute and discriminate against non-muslims, live in backward and oppressive societies, and are VERY hostile towards the Jewish State, I am vehemently Pro Israel! If you don't like that....get stuffed!
Joe d, you are a fool. You will drift through life, unknown, uncared for, and will be known as nothing more than a bigoted jew-hater. Loser.
I am a Patriotic American that puts Americans first ..you are a israel firstt low-life pig traitor that would throw 300 million Americans under the bus for 6 million low-life back stabbing israeli/jewish pigs..go crawl back under your rock dirty zionist pig
"I am a Patriotic American that puts Americans first .."
Hardly. You put Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Al Qaeda first.
and how is that doosh?
Jews: not so easy to mess with anymore. Go try.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I love to see the real Nazi in you come out. The problem with people like you, and the reason why your beliefs will never be anything more than just that, is very simple. You are stupid. Unfortunately for you and your kind, the people you hate (us Jew pigs), are very smart. That my little racist friend, is why you will always remain in the sh..thole of society.
you and israel are the shthole of the world....3000 years of pesecution, being booted from every corner of the planet and the low-life pigs wonder why and call me stupid? what a joke..the beginning of the the called israel was the end of the U.S...downward spiral...
The U.S. needs to stop aid to Israel as well as other countries, to each their own, we have our own to take care of, if Israel wants to attack Iran so be it, the Federal Reserve is controlled by Zionist pigs, we need elimination of it also.
Severe rage; paranoia; delusional thinking: all hallmarks of a mental disorder. No cure; the sufferer slowly burns from the inside out.
I sure love stup-pud 'er people . . . don't you know we are the smartest people in the world . . . don't you realize we own you . . . . . .hahahahahaha . . . . we own the banks . . . . we own the federal reserve . . . .we own the united nations . . . .we own American our spy agency . . . AIPAC . . . . owns your congress . . . . we own obama . . . . we own england and france . . . we own the pope (that's why he wars a doli) . . . . .we own the IRS . . . . . .we own everyone!!!!
We are the zine-0-ists of israel and we are the smartest people in the world . . . . .yippppppppppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Heeee-hawwww . . . .gitty up silverstein . . . . . . . gitty-up tonto . . . . and boy o' boy we love to rind tonto . . . .tonto is America.
I sure love stup-pud 'er people. Yeah . . . me and Areyoucrazzzeee we are some of the smartest people in the world. There is no other people in the world like us . . .we are the chose people . . . . . . don't you realize we own you . . . . . .hahahahahaha . . . . we own the banks . . . . we own the federal reserve . . . .we own the united nations . . . .we own American our spy agency . . . AIPAC . . . . owns your congress . . . . we own obama . . . . we own england and france . . . we own the pope (that's why he wars a doli) . . . . .we own the IRS . . . . . .we own everyone!!!!
We are the zine-0-ists of israel and we are the smartest people in the world . . . . .yippppppppppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Heeee-hawwww . . . .gitty up silverstein . . . . . . . gitty-up tonto . . . . and boy o' boy we love to rine tonto . . . .tonto is America.
wow..we have a real winner here....el dooshbago
Your days of intimidating the "scared little jew" are loooong gone homeboy! Now, either move to Gaza and pick up arms with the other jew haters, or jump back onto your garbage truck and get back to work.
try going back to europe squatting pig..oh yeah that's right they kicked you out of there to....boohoo...israeli/jews have no home...let's feel so sorry for them...."THE HALLOWCOST THE HALLOWCOST FEEL SORRY FOR ME WAAAH WAAAH WAAAH..GIMME MONEY WAAAH WAAAH..."
HAHAHAAHA. Really, that's all you got?? See, you just proved my point. Nothing but stupidity.
...."THE HALLOWCOST THE HALLOWCOST FEEL SORRY FOR ME WAAAH WAAAH WAAAH..GIMME MONEY WAAAH WAAAH..."
Were you molested as a little boy?
yes...buy your rabbiiiiiiiiiii
I just nailed it on the head didn't I Joe. Your grandaddy molested you and taught you his Nazi ways. Am I right???
Little Joe never got over the fact that his daddy was Jewish. He went to Iraq and tried to join Al Qaeda but he was rejected because he thought that the Koran was a type of car. Now he always hides under his sports car bed.
waaah hahahahahahahah............that's quite an imagination inbred...
the only thing you nailed is Jesus to the cross....waah waah
May God bless Israel and protect her from all harm.
God kraps on israel...just like the rest of the world
Sad to see all the anti-semetic hatred being posted in here.
Don't fret Petercha. It is nothing new. Same old boring hatred. There is usually something wrong in the racist person's own life, and they would rather blame everyone else than themselves. Joe d for example, clearly has some serious personal issues, but he is meaningless. Israel will always protect herself from those seeking its destruction!!
Yes lolita, the "zionist pigs" are the cause of all your problems. Could it be your lack of intelligence that placed you in a mediocre job, earning very little, barely able to make ends meet? But hey, it's much easier to blame the zionists. HAHAHA Troll.
We are smarter than you dummy goyim. . . . you dumb Americans exist to serve us. . . . .when we say jump . . .you ask meekly how high . . . . we love looting your treasury . . . . .we love it when you dummies fight and die for us when we send you out to make war upon our neighbors . . . . we are the zine-0-ists of israel and we have AIPAC to tell your congress what to do.
Nothing gets done without our approval . . . .every presidential election is a joke . . . it is all smoke and mirrors . . . we are your masters . . . . all we do is drink wine and eat bagels while lounging along the red sea laughing at you stu-pud'er Americans . . . . gitty up silverstein . . . gitty up bernie . . . . . hi ho tonto . . . . we love riding tonto . . . . and tonto is America!
LOL. WOW Bibi The Playyer. Pretending to be someone you're not on these forums....very original! Why don't you climb out of your sandbox, go pick up a gun, and fight with your jihadi nut job brethren??
WAAAH WAAAH THE HALLOWCOST..GIMME MONEY GIMME MONEY..FEEL SORRY FOR ME..PITY ME..GIMMEE GIMMEE GIMMEE....WWAAH I WAS A WUSSY AND COULD NOT DEFEND MYSELF FROM ADOLF WAAAH WAAH GIMME MONEY.the cry of the pathetic leach called an israeli/jew
How Joe, don't forget your thorazine and your helmet.
Now Joe, don't forget your thorazine and your helmet.
is that the IDF motto?
HAHAHAHAAHAHAHA. Joe you are making me laugh hard here!!! You and Bibi the Playyer are singing the same tune. Problem is, it is so unoriginal and boring. One of you is a little nazi wannabee (Joe d), and the other a crazy jihadi nut job who has spent too much time listening to his imams (bibi the playyer). Do you realize how stupid you guys come across?? You are the lamest two jew haters i've ever dealt with!!
i love gettin under the skin of anti-American low-life israel first pigs like you...it's to easy
Please joe, don't flatter yourself....You failed miserably at getting under my skin. I am not as sensitive as some other Jew's out there.. I enjoy this
. When I go home to my nice big house, beautiful wife, and sleep soundly knowing that my life is great while yours is obviously lacking terribly, I will think of you!!
soooooo why do you lie, beg, steal and cheat...where is your soul jiddeck?
That comment is just too ridiculously and utterly silly, Joe. It didn't even make sense. Are you eluding to me being a lying begging stealing cheat because I'm Jewish?? If so, that has to be one of the most clever things you have said all day. It wasn't stereotypical at all. Bravo Joe, Bravo!!!
To the poster that thinks modern Jews are not descendants of the originaltwelve trbes of Jacob,
read up on recent DNA studies,
all Jewish communities [except the Ethiopean] share the same DNA.
This commentary ignores the true cause of the unrest in the Middle East and throughout the Muslim World, which is Islam. It speaks of possible solutions to the problems as lying with changes that Israel can make, which is incorrect. The unrest throughout the Muslim World is a manifestation of the Islamic call for death to infidels. The two main branches of Islam, the Sunni and the Shiite, each consider the other to be infidels, and they have been killing each other because of that for centuries. There is nothing that Israel can do that might change that. Obama's gushing over Islam, and saying that "Islam is the religion of love" won't change that. With respect to Israel, it is surrounded by Muslim countries which call for its destruction and whose religion calls for death to the Jews. But, there are no calls by the USA, Europe, or the UN for Islam to change. And, why should Islam change, if it is "the religion of love"? Rather, demands are made that Israel must change, that Israel must compromise with its Muslim adversaries. Recognition of a Palestinian State, and cessation of apartment and settlement building are frequently cited as requirements. But, they are not cited as requirements that would change the Islamic call for Israel's destruction and death to the Jews. In fact, no one ever mentions the Islamic call for Israel's destruction and death to the Jews, and suggest that it should change. That must be because Islam is "the religion of love".
@Syd: You have made some good points here. I reject the thought that Pres. Obama is wrong to say Islam is a religion of love. Yes, many Muslims are very violent people but so are members of all religions. You cannot paint the religion with such a broad brush!! All religions have followers who do good and evil things. Palestinians MUST renounce the threat to Israel's right to exist and come to the table. Building apartments and houses on occupied lands are obstacles to peace, you have to admit that!!!
Israel has no concept of peace, as soon as the region starts to stabilize Israel goes and kills a bunch of civilians. The problem is Israel and has always been. they commit genocide against Arabs that have lived peacefully with Jews for thousands of years. Now they act like Nazis, how can there be any sort of peace when most Israelis think of Palestinians as less than human. FREE PALESTINE
S810 – You obviously have no understanding of history whatsoever. You are a typical uneducated idiot! There is no genocide or ethnic cleansing in Israel. You are getting it confused with Syria. Stop listening to your IMAM you crazy jihadi nut job!!!
Israel has made many mistakes with the Palestinians. They have always treated them as second class citizens, and have ensured they are among the most impoverished people in the world. They continue to build on disputed land. Extremist religious groups still have to much power and sway that is out of proportion to their numbers. I cannot see at this time, however, why it would be possible for Israel to create any sort of peace deal. Palestinian leadership has no incentive to make peace, but ensure their power by continuing the conflict (particularly Hamas). Other nations (Iran and Syria in particular) fuel this conflict in order to create a popular distraction from their own issues. If Israel gives anything at this point, the corrupt leadership will happily take and then act out even more. Until a broader peace can be arranged with the Arab world in general, I do not see how Israel can ever make effective peace with Palestinians or allow them their own state.
Bill – Good comment in my opinion. Absolutely, every country makes mistakes. However, you say something that is a common argument against Israel, but in reality, is not accurate when looking at history.
It is not Israel that has ensured the Palestinians are among the most impoverished people in the world, it is the Palestinians own leadership that has seen to this! When Israel pulled out of Gaza completely, Palestinians had the chance to begin building their own state, and along with it, prosperity and success. They were receiving billions in aid from arab countries. Instead of building, educating, and flourishing, what happened. Hamas was elected to government, and the entire focus became...wait for it....."the destruction of Israel". They are completely 100% responsible for their own fate. The sooner they accept it, take responsibility for their own actions, and the sooner the world stops blaming Israel for it, the better off the Palestinians will be.
Do you think that Israel will accept a deal in which the Palestinians agree to change their charter and accept Israel's right to exist if Israel will go back to the pre-'67 borders? This is the essence of the conflict at this time. I do not believe Israel will take that deal....your thoughts
That is a very good question, and very complicated as well. There is no doubt that if the Palestinians accepted the existence of Israel, renounced terrorism, and elected to live side by side in peace with Israel as an Independent Jewish State, and Palestine as an Independent Arab state, the Palestinians would have peace and prosperity. The pre '67 borders however would put Israel back into a very vulnerable and indefensible position. For example, the world promised Israel peace from Gaza if it withdrew in 2005. Well we know how that turned out. So what if Israel agrees, only to find itself in the same position, except without being able to effectively defend themselves against the likes of Iran vis a vis Hamas, Islamic Jihad, or any other fanatical Islamic terror group that resides in the Palestinian Territories? In short, no, they probably would not take that deal...nor should they!
If that's the case, there will never be peace in the Middle East. No Palestinian government can accept a deal that does not include a return of captured lands and survive and no Israel government can accept a deal that requires it to give back land pre '67 and survive. I have been saying this for a long time. The US, UN, EU, Arab League and all concerned bodies should stop trying to make "peace" when they all know it is not achievable!!! Stop raising the hopes of people on both sides of the issue, this only adds to the frustrations that fuel conflict when nothing gets done. It is important to note – the absence of war is not peace. Peace can only be achieved through justice and equality!!!
LOL you zionist got owned in the 2012 november war gtfo
you lost to a bunch of people in a concentration camp.
Why should Israel be forced to return ALL of the land that it captured? Are you aware that it won that land in defensive wars? The fact that they are willing to trade any land at all is generous!!
REALLY defensive.... defending the land that they stole.????
Please explain why Palestinians require all of the land they had prior to 67 in order for them to accept peace? They started numerous wars, and lost! If you start a war, and then lose, that's it, period! Why do the rules of war change when it comes to the Palestinians? They took a risk, hoping to conquer Israel and "drive all of the Jews into the sea". They lost, and now the world expects Israel to just give it all back to them. The very notion is ridiculous!!
LOL israel started all the wards that ever began and ITS PALESTINIAN LAND TO BEGIN WITH.
you think palestine was ready for an invasion..... there were no wards over there everyone lived happy. UNTIL THE zionist JEWS took over with force and massacered muslims like they are now. HOW dare you people ask for sympathese when you people massacre muslims who never did anything to you. i feel sorry for the people that died in in the holocost but that give you no rights, reffering to the present day jews, to do what ever you like.
I'm not sure where this author got the poll data, but it's not a very good representation of Israeli views. I have seen polls with numbers just as high that support the reverse that were taken at the same time. I know from experience that most Israelis do not want to divide Jerusalem or support a state based on the 1949 armistice lines. Many Israelis do support peace with the "palestinians," but first want the "palestinians" to recognize the Jewish state of Israel. Currently, it seems most "palestinians" don't support the existence of a Jewish state of Israel and therefore it will be a long time before there will be peace in the area. The elections results don't really change anything.
Israel is the only non-Muslim country in the middle east. This is intolerable to the Muslim world, and their aim to to repair this apparent "imbalance."
For all of the Israeli haters, I start with this: The dogs keep barking as the caravan rolls on. Now, let's dispel a few myths:
Lapid is essentially an Israeli centrist with 3 key planks in his platform–a more balanced economy, a 2-state solution provided the Pals accept a united Jerusalem under Israeli control and the Orthodox/Haredim serving in the military. Because the Pals teach their children hate and envy, there is no way that they will accept the 2nd plank, and thus there will be no 2-state solution and Netanyahu will only be strengthened/gain in stature when this reality is finally realized.
Syria is in turmoil, a positive for Israel, as Assad is Iran's #1 ally and a conduit for weapons to Hezbollah. Plus, 100k+ dead Syrians plus all of the refugees flowing into Turkey and Syria mean just that fewer future soldiers/suicide bombers/"martyrs". The Shia v. Sunni battle is of course good for Israel, but CNN won't go there. As far as the alleged "population bomb", this is pure nonsense. Aside from the facts that the Jewish population of Israel just crossed over 6,000,000 and that the Israeli birth rate is quite high (over 3.0/mother), by ridding itself of that cesspool know as Gaza, they removed over 1 million Pals from the aggregate population. Addressing another favorite line of attack loved by the anti-semites, Israel receives $3 Billion in aid from the U.S., representing less than 1% of it total GDP (approx. $450 Billion and climbing), and 80% of this aid is tied to U.S. purchases of goods, mostly military. Aside from this American jobs/$ tie-in, the $ can and should be seen as pocket change for the advanced security and intelligence provided by Israel for the U.S. If anything, based on the American lives ultimately saved, the jobs created, and the natural Judeo-Christian roots/ties, we are getting back our money plus interest. In contrast, the $ going to Egypt gives us absolutely nothing, save headaches, anti-Americanism and more jihad.
Couldn't agree with you more Brandon!! In my opinion, Israel should use the turmoil across the middle east to completely wipe out all of its crazy jihadi nut job enemies! Bombing a weapons facility in Syria is not enough. They should be blowing up Hezbollah, Hamas, Iranian, Egyptian, and Sudanese weapons facilities and crazy jihadi nut jobs left right and center!
LOL and you call US muslims terrorists. your fuking retarded. please go to sleep and never get up.
This AREYOUCRAZY guy seems upset that he has all this wealth and a good wife but because he just found out that his jewish people were killed by a half jew that was funded by a well known jew and someother jews in order for them to build israel. and many well known historians know about this truth. LOL. and im not promoting hatered at all just merely informing the jewish people to open up their eyes and read and research into this and come back to the ways of the real jewish people. cuz muslims do not hate the jewish people as a whole but just the zionist sect of it.
dont be mad at the muslims we never hurt you. let me explain.
1. jews supposedly killed Jesus according to their belief.
2. christians massacred 6 millions jews.
3. Muslims protected jews for almost 1400 years. Even when the muslims left spain, the jews were scared of the christians because of what they might to do so the jews traveled with the muslims.
The Jews have been rejected from every land they ever settled in. Their greedy money grabbing ways replused the natives. So, the zionist believed the only way to live is to steal land, and what better place than the Holy Land. They stole it, without a fight, and now say it's there's.
I say these to all you money grabbing Jews. Hitler killed millions of Jews because he despised them for their behaviour an dgreed. So, what did you change about yourself? Did you take a look in the mirror and ask tough questions about being greedy. Oh no. You doubled down and now we have Jews run wild on Wall Street stealing peoples life savings and using the media to brainwash the public that Israel is the greatest country that ever lived and we NEED wall st.
I wonder what the term "Never Again" actually stands for...
Haris, get your head out of the sand.. You muslims oppress everyone and anyone. You even kill other muslims if they don't believe in your particular brand of worship. As for the other nonsense you spew, I can only laugh. Please, try to pull yourself out of the middle ages. As your name says, you seem like a typical jihadi nut job! Stop listening to all of your imams and clerics. If none of that works, strap some dynamite to your chest and press the big red button.
Furthermore, you say that muslims don't have a problem with the Jewish religion, but just the "zionism" part of it. Have you even looked up the true definition of "zionism" (not the definition your fanatical clerics teach you)?? It is the "resumption of Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel". I.e, Jews have a desire not to be persecuted by anyone (be it christians or muslims, the latter being more applicable in todays world), and to live freely and in Peace in their ancient and biblical homeland.....Israel!!! As Shrinkdave so aptly said above, this is not something that the muslim world can tolerate, and which you just yourself confirmed. You have just been schooled.
I just read a few of your posts from above, haris jihadi. The land was never Palestinian land. Again, stop listening to your crazy fanatical clerics. Can you tell me a little bit of history about this so called Palestine? Who was the king/leader/founder? And please, for heavens sake don't say Yasser Arafat the terrorist pig. He was Egyptian!!!!!! What was the currency in Palestine? What were its borders? Please, answer these questions and I will agree with you on everything!!! Do some research, and the truth shall set you free.
oh yea so you said that if you lose a war thats that. First of all when jerusalem became muslim land it wasnt through war with the jews, it was war with the christians. the jews claim its their land almost 1400 years after the muslims took over? why dont you have a problem with the christians who persecuted your people for hundreds of years. When muslims are NOT alound to hurts jews.
Israel is the most dangerous country in the world. No other country monger for war like Netinyahoo! does. They are desperate to get the US to start a war with Iran because they can;t and they want to be the only country in the middle east to have Nukes.
Reject this crazy zealots! They're too dangerous.
Lee82, did you just return to the computer after listening to one of your crazy imams giving a speech about how Israel is the cause of all the worlds problems?? Stop complaining about Israel, the only true and real democracy in the Middle East. Focus your efforts on countries where thousands are being slaughtered (Syria), or where Islamic oppression is widespread and choking entire nations (Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Iran, Mali, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Yemen....and the list goes on).Pull your head out of the sand, fool!
and you talk about israel being so great and yet all they do is recieve money from the U.S. and bomb children. and there probably be opression in the jewsish countries if Israel wasnt the only jew country. theres only about 8 million jews in israel. whats there to opress nothing. fuking money grubbing zionist.
The Muslim areas of the Middle East are over 5 million square miles Israel is about 8000 square miles. The Jews won the Arabs lost and if the Middle East was a giant chocolate cake it is like the Muslims saying hey Jew we can be friends if you split that little crumb that fell off my cake now!!! Not happenin
USA , NATO , UN AND ISRAEL ARE COWERED LEAVING THOSE EVIL IRANINAS, HIZBOALLAH , IRAQI AND SYRIAN SHIIA THUGS AND KILLERS with all the weapons from russia and oil money we must act now iran and syria must end , hizboallah will fall leter
oh yea so you said that if you lose a war thats that. First of all when jerusalem became muslim land it wasnt through war with the jews, it was war with the christians. the jews claim its their land almost 1400 years after the muslims took over? why dont you have a problem with the christians who persecuted your people for hundreds of years. When muslims are NOT alound to hurts jews.
B.N. it,s good to see u r moveing well tord an new palestien stat good job keep working on it ya right,.pnm,.
Israel never had any legitimacy , israel does not exist.
وردنا خبرا مؤكدا مفاده ما يلي :
المجرم واثق البطاط يتواجد حاليا في مدينة الشعله – في بيت يقع في نهاية شارع (60) بداية منطقة الدوانم مع مجموعه من المجرمين من المليشيات التابعه لفيلق القدس الايراني وينطلق من مدينة الشعله لتنفيذ عمليات الاغتيال في مناطق الغزاليه والسيديه والعامريه وبدعم لوجستي من مكتب القائد العام للقوات المسلحه
تعليقنا //
اين مذكرة القاء القبض بحق هذا الارهابي يا مالكي وهو لايبعد عن مقرك في المنطقه الخضراء اكثر من 15 كيلومتر ومليشياتك وجيشك الاجرامي يحاصر احياء الاعظميه والعامريه والسيديه لكي يتحرك هذا المجرم وعصابات فيلق القدس لقتل الابرياء وتصفية المطالبين بحقوقهم المشروعه
the translation for you is that iraninas killers and thugs who killed many usa and many other Sunnis and cevilinas are indeed the QODOS militia that been paid by Iran and have per mition from NORI AL MALEKI prime minster of Iraq to kill any body who is against Iran ...the name of the killers at large who is wanted by the FBI and other aganencies is watheq AL bat tat SHIIA killer and who also training militia to send them to Syria to kill more cevilinas....he live in 60 street Baghdad IN THE TOWN OF SHOAL-LA IN BAGHDAD IN AREA CALLED AL DAWYEEM....,,,,,,,
IRAN IS EVIL AND THIS EVIL MUST END NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE....IRAN= HEZBOLLAH = IRAQI SHIIA= SYRIAN SHIIA= CHINA=RUSSIA= TERRORISTS= EVIL=DEATH= FANATICS.....the world must do something before it is too late
why israel is so silent along with usa nato and un about iran and syria....hizboallah and all those terrorists in iraqi shiia and syrian shiia thugs....so far they killed 82,000 cevilians, iran is going to make the A bomb so why r u waiting!!!???
75% of Israeli citizens have the exact opposite view then Netanyahu on how Israel should conduct itself with its neighbors and internationally. The problem is that this 75% is devided into many diff. parties thus not being able to obtain a one party success in an election. 75% of the Israeli population believe Netenyahu conducts himself as the "military savior" of Israel which 75% of the Israeli population know is only self-destructive for Israel to actuate peace with the palestinians and Iran and others.
In other words, the rational and understandable and justifiable issues that Israel's niegbors have should not be directed at Israel and Jews, It should be directed at Netanyahu and his minority supporters
This is so fascinating I must expand. Most Everyone in the world (including the US) refer to a "Jewish lobby" in the US. Ironically most all of this "Jewish lobby" are NOT jews nor are they influenced by Jews, The members of this "Jewish lobby" are powerful non-jewish US political leaders who will do anything to retain a US foot hold of influence in the Middle East. They utililize the irrational ideology of prejudice and victimazation of Jews (which does not exist) to rationalize this geographic and political foot hold in the middle east. Most who practice this tactic are NOT Jews nor are they influenced by jews.
Israel has really gone too far with its settlements. The power elite cannot be permitted to plunge us into another struggle based on false duality. The Jews are not the chosen people, and they are literally Nazis. Think on that, and you will understand the true meaning of cosmic justice.
You are correct on the settlements. The only good thing I can say about Zionists is that thankfully, not all Jewish people condone it. The government of Israel is the leading apartheid country in the world. Their policies on Arabs and the land in the West Bank is criminal, as the UN keeps stating that Israel is breaking international laws. The time has come to stop supporting Israel's killing machine, the open air "prison" they run (Palestine and Gaza) and stop polarizing and destroying Palestinian's livelihoods and food (their farmlands are taken and destroyed and their fishing is limited by Israel).
Almost 58 percent of Palestinians live in poverty, and about half of this group lives in extreme poverty. About 50 percent of Palestinians experience or risk experiencing food insecurity. Food insecurity is particularly severe in Gaza, where the majority of the population relies on humanitarian assistance to survive. The rate of chronic malnutrition in children under the age of five has increased, reaching almost 10 percent, and the mortality figures for children under the age of one and under the age of five have each increased by about 30 percent. Anaemia is common, with 55 percent of children under the age of three affected by the condition. Among pregnant women, the rate is 36 percent—46 percent for nursing mothers.
why UN, NATO, USA, FRANCE, UK, GERMANY AND ISRAEL are so silent 82,000 child and civelians are killed in syria on the hands of shiia thugs from iran, iraq and hizboallah along with the syrian shiia killers we must start with syria and get the road ready for iran and hizboallah to see the real peace we must get red of those shiia cult.
lao yuntao you sir you dont know what you talking about god promised those lands and more to the children of jacob god gives it to whomever he wants
Another article about Israel written by a jewish lobbyist. Jane Harman was involved in a controversy related to an AIPAC spying scandal a few years ago.
If you are going to have a writer publish a Jewish pro-Israeli opinion, you should also give a chance for a Palestinian opinion. That is of course if balance and objective opinion is one of CNN goals.