Obama and Israel’s security
And just as silly, even more silly, is the assertion that Iran poses a threat to Israel’s existence. Even IF it did possess nuclear weapons, there will never be an Iranian leadership that would launch a first strike on Israel. If it did the whole of Iran would be obliterated. (I do not myself believe that Iran is currently developing nuclear weapons, but I would be surprised if there are not forces in Iran, the Revolutionary Guards for example, which are arguing for a nuclear weapons program for deterrence).
The unknown about President Obama is whether he is aware that Israel’s existence has never been in danger and chooses to ignore the truth of history for self-serving political reasons, or whether he is ignorant.
If the latter is the case there would be some hope for the future and I have a suggestion to make. Could somebody with influence and access and who cares buy a copy of my book, or get one free from my American publisher, and hand it personally to Obama? It could have this inscription by the donor: “If, Mr. President, you get a second term, you must read this book.”
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rosemary spiota:
December 2nd, 2011 at 11:09 pm
Obama said Israel was “the U.S.’s most important ally.” Aside from the Liberty, I understand that Israel has never even agreed to be an ally, since it is a country with no defined borders. What benefit does this “ally” bring to the USA? It even spies on it, besides propelling it into wars.
I think Obama is wilfully ignorant. Remember that he said not a word about the events in Gaza between his election on the day the IDF broke the truce by killing 6 Palestinians on Nov 4, 2008 until the end of the massacre on his inauguration day in Jan 2009, yet visited Sderot (ex-Nadj) and waffled on about how he would feel if his daughters were in danger of bombs like the poor Israelis. Nobody could be this ignorant, except a very ambitious POTUS surrounded by influential Zionists.
Terry Greenberg:
December 3rd, 2011 at 2:09 am
Obama and so many others speak about “Israel`s security”. But as you so correctly point out, too often the threats to Israel`s security that they mention are “too silly for words”.
But there`s the key; “words”. They are not silly if you define “security” the way they do, which is actually “licence”. That is licence to steal, licence to kill, licence to oppress, etc. When Netanyahu and Obama and the others are talking about Israel`s security, they are not being silly, they actually are talking about “Israel`s licence”.
David Deutsch:
December 3rd, 2011 at 4:02 am
I like to think that, if Obama is granted a second term by the lobby, he will take them on big time. It is a comforting thought because the political alternatives for this country are even less acceptable than Obama who has assiduously earned his demerits throughout his tenure, IMHO.
I am sure he is sophisticated on Israel and sick to death of the obsequious lobby and its daily threats and attempts to control everything. He probably has a wrong grasp of the history of Zionism but is nonetheless opposed to the Netanyahus etc.
All this said — I don’t think he will get that second term because he alienated so many of his more natural constituency.
Alan, your books are unique and mindbending and have meant a lot to me over the past couple of years. Thanks.
William Smart:
December 4th, 2011 at 9:34 am
While I agree that Israel has never been in much (indeed any) danger before, I would argue that rapid globalisation has now exported potent western militarisation and technologies to Israel’s neighbours. Simultaneously, the same globalisation has knocked the stuffing out of Israel’s fighting morale.
We saw it first in 2000, when Israel was forced from Lebanon. Then in 2005, when it was forced from Gaza.
2006 was a third strategic failure for Israel – and more than that, since 100s of 1000s of Israelis fled their homes in panic. The rockets that caused that are much more fearsome now.
Even 2008 in Gaza was an Israeli failure, their soldiers unwilling to fetch Shalit (they must surely have known where he was).
I cannot see the future, but for the first time ever, Israelis can’t see one either. The recession, making it difficult to find jobs elsewhere, may be the only thing still saving the current regime.
David King:
December 4th, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Ah but you are wrong Mr Hart. israel is in constant danger. Not from an invasion, but from emigration. Without US support and finance the israeli population would leave.
A point on Iranian nuclear weapons. There is no worry that Iran will use such a weapon in a first strike scenario. Instead, it will be a bargaining chip that will be used to tighten the noose around Apartheid israel. To neutralise and restrict their ability to act as they wish.
What is being created, is a downward slope upon which is moving.
Mkhan:
December 8th, 2011 at 3:45 am
There is turmoil all across the world created by greedy bankers in addition to the danger of war created by Israeli lobby’s anti Iranian stance and lack of progress towards solution to the Palestinian problem. From a religious perspective Israel is providing a proof of what Zionism stands for. Jews across Europe and USA are the most educated people. They cannot be compared to the Huttos and the Tutsis of Africa who were involved in the massacres. Many Jews are architects of laws which protect minorities in Europe and USA. There are many Jews who still in their living memories can recall the horrors of holocaust. Yet the same people are involved in the oppression of another people. Except for a few Jews almost whole of Israeli and Jewish community world community are ardent supporters of oppression of Palestinians. Jewish Israelis and the Jewish bankers are providing proof to themselves to the world and to the creator of what they really are.