Notice how the mainstream press (Time Magazine) dissed the Israeli government and Bibi. This is new. Change that we can believe in (We hope):
It doesn’t seem to realise it, but Israel cannot afford to keep on behaving in this disobliging manner towards its friends. Whether it is blatant disregard for international rules concerning the protection of civilian life, as in Gaza; whether it is calculated insults aimed at neighbours, as with Turkey; or whether it is the theft of passports and identities from friendly countries and the lawless assassination of its enemies, as in Dubai, it goes too far.
Biden made no secret of his pique. He reportedly kept Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waiting for 90 minutes before arriving at a scheduled dinner (a harsh slap-down in the vocabulary of diplomatic protocol) and issued a stern statement condemning the planned construction and accusing Israel of "undermining the trust we need right now" to relaunch peace talks.
The press pool following Biden reports that the Vice President showed up 90 minutes late for dinner with Netanyahu, and that reporters were wondering if he would show up at all.
Even the New York Post is honest about the "slap." Oh but look at today’s Pravda, the New York Times: smiling Bibi and Biden (photo) and a caption that downplays the tension and rift between Israel and the US.
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But Bibi explains “these new settlements have been long in the planning” – i.e. forever and always..
“The worst-laid plans gang aft agley.”
The measure of BYahoo’s sincerity is the fact that he apologizes only for the timing of the announcement, not the fact of it, and makes no move toward repudiating it.
Nor has he said a word about demanding Yishai’s resignation.
Change that we can believe in (We hope):
Obama gave Hope a bad name. I would steer clear of such verbs.
I get fed up with people talking about hope.
Hope doesn’t feed the hungry, it doesn’t pay the rent, and it won’t iron my trousers.
RE: “…today’s Pravda, the New York Times…” – ANONYMOUS
ME: lol!
Me too. LOL. It’s going to be my new name for it.
Put down a LOL for me, too. :)
By the way, I’ve posted Chapter One of my book if anyone cares to take a look:
http://fasttimesinpalestine.wordpress.com/2010/03/10/chapter-one
This looks like excellent reading Pamela.
I just read your first chapter Pamela, and I have to say its very engaging.
I’m definitely ordering a copy.
Good for Tony.
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Everyone should take a gander at the photo of Biden (after the “snub”) accompanying Karon’s article! – http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1971053,00.html?xid=rss-topstories
A picture worth, in a way, a thousand words. How extremely insincere the professions by American politicians of profound affection for Israel must in general be. I remember how Condi Rice seemed to shrink from the overenthusiastic embraces of Israeli politicians as she arrived at airports during the Lebanon War. But it’s of little use until they start talking freely, adding captions to the pictures.
The NYT is not worth a dime. Neither is the NY Review Of Books. If they want to save themselves, they should simply say, ” We are worthwhile, so long as you don’t expect
any objective news or opinion regarding Israel’s actions.
Seems to me Netanyahu came out way ahead. He gets to build 1600 new housing units on disputed land. In return he has merely to wait an extra 90 minutes to eat dinner with Joe Biden. He probably sent out an aide for Chinese take-out while he was waiting.
With 1600 you get a free egg roll.
The real number is 50,000. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1155639.html
biden should have flown back to US — with Israel’s check.
Duscany,
“Disputed land” is a term used by Wolf Blitzer.
Factually speaking, the land, according to UN resolutions and international law is occupied, illegally, and the occupier may not build any housing units and homes or move its own populations to said occupied land. The status of the occupied territories of the West Bank, Gaza and the Golan is subject to final status agreement. Until then, Israel is not allowed to make any changes to the land or remove the native population living there.
In short, it’s not “disputed”, but “occupied”. “Disputed” implies that it is not clear to whom the land lawfully belongs, as if capturing land by forces entitles the aggressor to ownership. It doesn’t.
Yeah, agreed. Joe Biden showing up late for dinner is a pretty tepid response, too, considering Netanyahu and the Israeli government is making Obama and company look like their collective personal bitch. (Sorry about the language, but what other term fits there, honestly?)
Biden gushing about how US and Israeli security interests are one in the same, especially over Iran, is as good as a green light for Israel to start WWIII.
The Arabs have met and rescinded their approval of the “proximity” talks, and Abbas has pulled out.
Since the game is to determine which side will first torpedo the talks, Israel loses even before the first round.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1155630.html
The next signal that needs to be sent with ‘you are going to be thrown out of office’ in communication with these idiots, is a brochure to visit Israel – with one way tickets
Guardian:
It doesn’t seem to realise it, but Israel cannot afford to keep on behaving in this disobliging manner towards its friends. …
The problem with this assertion is that it makes the incorrect assumption that Israeli pols, and the political establishment from whence they come, see anyone as a friend.
One difference between the Netanyahoo and past governments is that his people simply can’t be bothered to be civil to others, and indulge in petty and unprofessional behavior simply because they want to and don’t think there will be any repercussions.
was it a hallucination or did Bibi fail to host a welcoming reception for Biden; instead, yahu attended a John Hagee Israel luv fest.
nope, no hallucination
http://maxblumenthal.com/2010/03/pastor-hagee-and-netanyahus-lovefest-on-eve-of-bidens-arrival-in-israel/
Old Abe comes out with a completely different line:
Abraham Foxman, head of the Anti-Defamation League, called the timing of Israel’s decision unfortunate but said it was not Biden’s job to issue a condemnation. “The condemnation should have been issued by the State Department in Washington,” said Foxman.
“By taking this erroneous step, Biden undermined the central purpose of his trip to Israel – strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Israel and the U.S. “
And stupid old me thought that the purpose of this visit was to kickstart negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
The link:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1155622.html
Foxman to Biden: “Bow down to your Jewish overlords, impudent cur.”
Sounds like a slight variation on the same old, same old.
In other words—Israel take some action the US disapproves of. The US issues a strong disapproval.
There are zero consequences for Israel.
The result 90 days later: The US promotes itself as the honest broker having given a tongue lashing to Israel. And Israel annexes, builds, steals more land in the interim.
Folks like Biden are no more than Israel’s useful idiots. But methinks that Biden is also aware of the game.
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