Roger Cohen also scores Obama's "lovefest" with Netanyahu here, and is shrewd in pointing out the conflation of Israel's permanent war with the U.S. "war on terror." I don't like his sardine can metaphor for Gaza; it dehumanizes 1.5 million people in an open-air prison. (I don't get his love affair with Fayyad. I mean I like Fayyad too but I don't really get to vote now, do I? And whom does Fayyad represent? That's the central question in a national struggle, isn't it?)
The war on terror, an expression dropped by President Obama, was a catchall phrase that enabled Israeli leaders to bundle the Palestinian national struggle into the terror camp, where much of it did not belong. This has proved a terrible distorting lens.
I sense some Israeli realization at last that this course — the terror-propagating Gaza sardine can, the ad-hominem outrage of the reaction to the Goldstone report on Gaza, the facile recourse to disproportionate force, the repetitive “no Palestinian interlocutor” complaints, the too spin-doctored slogans of constant existential threat — leads only to a dead end. Israel can do much better.
How else to interpret the prising open, to some degree, of that Hamas sardine can? And the Israeli indictment of officers and soldiers for their roles in Gaza — precisely the possible war crimes of which Richard Goldstone wrote? And the dawning realization that in Salam Fayyad, the West Bank Palestinian prime minister, Israel has the last best interlocutor it will ever encounter? And a toning-down of the overdone Iran threat drumbeat?
I’ve long argued for such shifts. I’m pleased to see them. I’ve no idea how lasting they will be: Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government gives cause for doubt. Much will depend on whether Obama — this week’s pre-November love-fest with Netanyahu notwithstanding — is prepared to be tough.
Cohen’s comments are insightful, relevant.
Palestinians will get to vote for Fayyad or for Haniyeh, WHEN, only when, Hamas reconciles with Fatah.
His comments on Obama were not of Obama as defeated, but of Obama as savvy.
Isn’t it Fatah who are meant to reconcile with Hamas seeing as it was them who first attempted to launch a coup?
That will delay the reconciliation, keeping Gazans isolated, and Palestinians stateless.
“That will delay the reconciliation, keeping Gazans isolated, and Palestinians stateless.”
Yes Witty, thanks for showing us the path that has given us so much success so far.
You see, this is just how the Wittymeter works.
“Palestinians will get to vote for Fayyad or for Haniyeh, WHEN, only when, Hamas reconciles with Fatah”
Don’t you just love how Witty takes it upon himself to decide what the Palestinians are allowed to do? Where does one get such am inflated sense of self importance?
What’s really funny is how Witty has been strenuously denying that he or any other Zionist scum gas been suggesting the Palesrinians need tutelage.
>> Don’t you just love how Witty takes it upon himself to decide what the Palestinians are allowed to do? Where does one get such am inflated sense of self importance?
When Israelis are called upon by others to participate in a just, democratic, egalitarian and mutually-beneficial solution to the I-P conflict, one American refuses “to grovel”. The man’s got stones (and an entertaining, inflated sense of self-importance).
Why is Witty always first on the comment threads? On the piece I wrote last week, there were about 30 comments and no Witty. Then I looked back, and Witty was suddenly in the number one spot.
What gives? Why is he allowed to hijack every thread like this? Usually with irrelevant nonsense, imho, that often distracts from the actual point of the article and seriously dilutes the quality of the comments section.
“Why is he allowed to hijack every thread like this? Usually with irrelevant nonsense, imho, that often distracts from the actual point of the article and seriously dilutes the quality of the comments section.”
Too right Pamela.
Let’s have a poll to decide if witty should be banned. We’ve already established his extremist, racist credentials and his determination to hijack legitimate and constructive debate.
I for one and sick to the stomach of him. Please pass on these sentiments to Philip.
‘Let’s have a poll to decide if witty should be banned. ”
I’d vote for excretion..And to hear the sound of his flushing away would be music to my ears..
Shingo ~ you will know what a repugnant person I think RW is, but banning him is pointless. He wouldn’t admit it but the fact nobody takes him seriously is punishment enough. Despite the “liberal” pretension his only fan lately has been the settler zombie maximalistNarrative – which really made me laugh out loud, since he accused us of being “maximalist” daily for a while. RW is an irritant but in parroting Israel’s MFA line so closely he serves a vital role: demonstrating to all newcomers the doublespeak and outright lies Israel deals in.
I will speculate about me preferred fate for RW though: two years community service with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) in the Occupied Palestinian Territories – a year in the West Bank/East Jerusalem, and a year in Gaza. And OK if you like :-) no internet access.
I’ve noticed this, too. I’ll make a comment, it will be the first one, then a few minutes later someone else’s comment is numbered 1.
He’s been put back on training wheels evidently. After he returned from his two week post-murder-the-flotilla-humanitarians holiday (taken so he wouldn’t have to answer hard questions) he complained all his posts were saying “awaiting moderation”. So he is actually posting first, his comments just sit in a queue until they’re approved.
I’d also noticed he likes to post first, and it’s become more pronounced recently. LOL @ RW sitting at his computer, continuously hitting the refresh button to post first, – the last ditch efforts by someone with no credibility to control debate i guess. He’s just admitted here:
link to mondoweiss.net
… he often doesn’t even fully read what he comments on.
So others are not subject to moderation?
That strikes me as unfair.
I visit this site a couple times of day, usually after I finish another project. This is my “relaxation”, my way of clearing my head from my primary work.
Palestinians will get to vote for Fayyad or for Haniyeh, WHEN, only when, Hamas reconciles with Fatah.
it might be benificial for you to do a little read up on what’s preventing the reconciliation. i’ve often linked to rose’s interview w/meshaal so i won’t repeat (google is you friend) but on numerous occasions (including german negotiators) it’s been established that US/IS has forbidden the PA reconcile w/hamas. both were on board and turkey volunteer to facilitate. this was the primary reason US/IS demanded and required egypt to facilitate, not turkey.
this is also why a few weeks ago it was reported their was a split in fatah. those wanting to reconcile vs team US/IS/ABBAS/FAYYED.
hamas is on board. listen to the interview w/charlie rose this is really not that complicated.
Annie,
correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t the jist of the Egyptians plan this:
The Egyptian plan calls for allowing PA security forces to return to the Gaza Strip, and holding presidential and parliamentary elections.
What is so wrong w/ that?
These PA security forces, Schwartzman? The ones talked about in this article?
link to vanityfair.com
one grows exhausted with the effort to maintain a civil regard for Israelis.
The assaults on decency are too many.
You guys are so petty, this vendetta against Richard Witty is like junior high all over again.
Over 1/2 the posts on this thread are dedicated to attacking Richard Witty. It is laughable. You guys are the epitome of warriors for the Palestinians. LOL.
Another deep, though provoking and well researched contribution from Schwartzman.
And you fascists wonder why, with supporters like you and Witty, that Israel is a pariah state.
Well that’s better than being the epitome of warriors for Israel. I have no interest at all in what white-phosphorous-burning flesh smells like. Or the sound a 19-year-old Turkish American’s head makes when it strikes, bullet-ridden, the deck of a relief aid ship.
Damn…How could I not see it earlier? Swchartman is yonira..Hehe!
More brilliant analysis from Sumud.
“a narcissistic geriatric racist”.
“fuck off”.
I’m a year older than Phil. A few months younger than his more geriatric older brother. A few months younger than Norman Finkelstein. A couple decades younger than Jimmy Carter and Noam Chomsky.
Don’t get ageist or propose censorship.
“Don’t get ageist or propose censorship.”
Scroll up Richard, or click on this:
link to mondoweiss.net
Look at the timestamps. Before your advice RE: censorship I have just said I didn’t think it’s a good idea to ban you.
I should have been clearer in my use of the word geriatric. I meant it in terms of thinking, not age. I wouldn’t dream of calling Phil geriatric because his thinking (and heart) hasn’t ossified, as it appears yours has.
I was amused by your exchange w/ Max Ajl, admonishing him for not using parlour room manners. He’s in the Occupied Palestinians Territories with his life on the line, facing down the IDF – who kill with gay abandon, display little to no remorse, and are practically never punished – and you’re lecturing him from the comfort of your comfortable home, about manners! What a foul stench.
“More brilliant analysis from Sumud.”
Granted, you are renowned for your brilliant analysis Richard. My personal favourite:
Sumud: …I’m still waiting for your take on why the memory cards and footage of the flotilla activists and journalists was stolen, along with the Mavi Marmara CCTV footage and jamming of satellites during the raid. What’s it all about Richard?
Richard Witty: I don’t know. Do you accurately?
link to mondoweiss.net
I’ve now lost count of the number of time I’ve asked you to dig deeper. Each time you shoot a blank. Disappointing.
Don’t be a dishonest, insincere troll.
People should be banned for talking purely for themselves.
You do not discuss – you condescend with your hands clasping your ears.
We know you well, Witty.
This is one of the many calls to have you moderated. Richard Silverstein does it and we’re simply suggesting that people who are polluting the blog w/ inane trite be muzzled.
There was a poster who was spamming the blog – an automated poster, just looking at his timestamps proved that.
Is banning him an example of ‘censorship’? No.
You devalue and degrade these words as if you’re an honest commentator. You’re not.
“Don’t get ageist or propose censorship.”
Then stop highjacking threads with your own diatribes.
I agree with Sumud, Shingo, ….practically everyone except Richard Witty and co :S.
However,
with regards to being tired of RW’s posts…..imagine how Palestinians, and those who are pro-Palestinian, feel day-in-day-out having to be repetitive about basic facts that don’t seem to be readily obvious to those with any sense of human decency…
It gets frustrating, doesn’t it? After a while you become disheartened unless you stay the course and have a support group. For a long time that is how many felt. Not so much anymore, though.
Silencing those who mutilate language to promote their POV is not the way to go about it….critical thinking and understanding of the problem, widely disseminating the situation on the ground, ensuring that you fight them on the basis of facts, and sound reason and logic.
I have the lowest regard towards RW and his ilk, but I would rather not silence them. Instead, I think that speaking more confidently and frequently, repeating the facts, making sure that the ignorant is informed…..will help change the tide. Making them fall on their own sword, if they are outed more and more frequently, is the way to go.
At least you have the privilege of doing so….I live in KSA. We get intimidated by the religious right all the time and those who do not want to see positive change nor unity happening any time soon….if you recall this stupid, stupid, stupid debate amongst some Shiites and Sunnis (I am Sunni and I don’t care).
link to nytimes.com
link to libertas.bham.ac.uk
Different perspective, I guess. When will the Shiite/Sunni populations say one day “There can never be any daylight between us, no matter what our governments/clerics say or do to manipulate us?”.
I thank God for the late Edward Said for articulating our shortcomings here in the Arab world in such an exact fashion….we are no different than Bush and co. in many aspects of our lives, but that is changing (thankfully).
Can you imagine what a peaceful world this would be if we would focus on our similarities rather than our differences?
I like a quote by George Carlin (yes, ironic):
Also, one post I want to share (you don’t need to be a theist to appreciate the post):
link to islamicsunrays.com
This Roger Cohen has got it all wrong.
We are supposed to admire and praise Jews for keeping themselves separate and refusing to assimilate with the neighbours.
We are supposed to condemn the Palestinians for sticking to theier principles and not giving up.
I agree with Pamela. Witty is the epitome of distraction on almost every thread. He is a troll whose sole intent is to dilute the discussion and he is very successful.
What’s the hesitation here? If it’s brown, flush it down.