Netanyahu Unmasks Israel

[n2doc]

For years, U.S. politicians have rejected allegations of Israeli racism and excused mistreatment of the Palestinians as a temporary necessity that would be fixed by a two-state solution. But Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has destroyed those arguments in his panic to keep his job.
by Robert Parry

Desperate to win reelection, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stripped off Israel’s mask and exposed the ugliness that has deformed his country over the past several decades. He abandoned the subterfuge of a two-state solution, exposed the crass racism that underlies Israeli politics, and revealed Israel’s blatant control of the U.S. Congress.

For years, these realities were known to many Americans, but – if they spoke up – they were condemned as anti-Semites, so most stayed silent to protect their careers and reputations. But – given Netanyahu’s brazen admissions – the American people may have little choice but to finally take notice of this troubling reality and demand a change in U.S. policy.

The truth is that the two-state solution has been a fiction for at least the past two decades, dying in 1995 with the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. But the two-state illusion still served important political purposes both for Israelis, who would pay it lip service while continuing their steady encroachment on Palestinian lands, and for U.S. politicians who could point to the mirage as an excuse not to pressure Israel too hard on its human rights violations.

Yet, whenever any U.S. official actually tried to reach that shimmering oasis of a two-state solution, it would recede into the distance. Then, the Israelis would rely on their friends and allies in the news media and politics to blame the Palestinians. Now, however, the illusion of Israel seeking such an outcome in good faith has been lost in Netanyahu’s anything-goes determination to keep his office – a case of political expediency trumping strategic expediency.

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http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/03/19/netanyahu-unmasks-israel

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. BIBI certainly ripped the cloak off and is showing his true face.

Last edited Thu Mar 19, 2015, 12:29 PM - Edit history (1)

And it ain't pretty.

If this isn't apartheid, what is? And with our support, our billions and our weapons.

Bibe has no shame, but we should. Shame on us.

damn spell checker.

[Fred Sanders]

3. America does not support apartheid regimes that ignore human rights ...why start now? Saudi next, please.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

5. "America does not support apartheid regimes that ignore human rights"

Oh don't be silly.

Hamas and Iran have plenty of support.

[BillZBubb]

8. Pure BS.

Typical Israeli propaganda. When are you going to play the anti-Semite card?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

11. Hamas is not held to the same standard in spite of the fact

it is misogynistic, racist, homophobic, targets civilians and hides behind its own civilians. Meanwhile, Arabs live, work, vote and hold political office in Israel. How many Jews live, let alone hold political office, in Hamas-held territory? Heck, even the Egyptians are sick of Hamas' crap.

[leftynyc]

13. Don't forget Saudi Arabia

The biggest financiers of isis where women still can't drive or vote or work without permission.

[madokie]

7. Yes the shame is ours

We're who finances this
without our money Israel would be in dire straits that is if they even still existed today at all. IMO

[Nuclear Unicorn]

12. "if they even still existed today at all"

huh

[cali]

2. What percentage of Israeli Jews voted for Netanyahu?

I disagree with Parry that Israel controls Congress. What I do think is that the right wing government of Israel and the republicans (and some democrats) are in total agreement in wanting a war with Iran.

[n2doc]

4. Enough voted for Likud+more ultra right wingers for him to win

Acting like it is just Likud that is important to Bibi's power is disingenuous. Israel (AIPAC and other lobbies) controls congress in that Congress will not do anything against their will. They won't cut spending, in fact they will increase aid whenever asked. They won't support any peace process that the Israeli government opposes. They don't care about internal US issues.

[BillZBubb]

9. Far too many.

Plus all the other right wing and religious parties who ally with him.

Face the facts, most Israelis buy what Netanyahu is selling.

[leftynyc]

14. Likud captured 1/4 of the seats

so I'm guessing around 25%. I see nobody else wants to give you an actual number because it would make this entire thread look ridiculous. They also don't want to see that more women, more liberals and more Arabs will be seated in the Knesset than ever before.

[n2doc]

16. ok

The strong performance by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s Likud party in elections on March 17 took everyone by surprise, both inside and outside of Israel. In the last 48 hours of campaigning, the prime minister managed to convince reluctant right-wing Israelis to give him another chance, despite palpable skepticism within his traditional constituencies.

His last-minute maneuvering drained support from other right-wing parties and allowed him to overtake the center-left Zionist Union. This result now paves the way for a center-right government that will include nationalist (Jewish Home, Yisrael Beiteinu), ultra-Orthodox (Shas and United Torah Judaism) and centrist parties (Kulanu). This coalition will give him a majority of around 65 seats out of a total of 120.

http://qz.com/365928/palestinians-will-ride-netanyahus-coattails-right-into-statehood/

There are more women and minorities in the US congress than ever before. Does that make it any less of a RW nuthouse?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/05/congress-women-minorities_n_6416296.html

[66 dmhlt]

6. America can STOP pretending there's a "Good Guy" leading Israel ...

Bibi stands for racism and apartheid - accomplished with lies and fear-mongering.

No wonder Rethuglicans love him so!

[BillZBubb]

10. Now Israel's apologists can't hide behind that big lie.

They never supported any realistic two state solution. They've wanted the key West Bank real estate all along. The façade of the "two state" negotiations was used to allow the slow and steady ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian lands the Israelis covet.

Now Israel is indeed unmasked as an occupying, apartheid nation.

[Chathamization]

17. Yep. The "Palestinian state" that's been offered before has been a Bantustan and not a soverign

nation. It's also seen as a way for Israel to get rid of the citizenship of Israeli Arabs (Livni, one of the major leaders of the "center left" Zionist Union has held this view). The leaders of the "center left" Zionist Union were also very supportive of Netanyahu's war in Gaza.

[jalan48]

15. Is Israel a theocracy?

I'm asking not to slam Israel but to better understand how the country is structured. Does anyone know how many non-Jews are in government leadership?

[vkkv]

18. Why hasn't Israel sent every able-bodied citizen to go fight ISIS?

If Arabs are so scary - call every Israeli / Jew from all nations to move to Israel - and then fight ISIS yourselves.