Uri Avnery, Author at Antiwar.com

Divide et Impera

Binyamin Netanyahu is not known as a classical scholar, but even so he has adopted the Roman maxim Divide et Impera, divide and rule. The main (and perhaps only) goal of his policy is to extend the rule of Israel, as the "Nation-State of the Jewish People", over all of Eretz Israel, the historical land … Continue reading

War Crimes? Us???

War is the business of killing the "enemy", in order to impose your will on them. Therefore, "humane war" is an oxymoron. War itself is a crime. There are few exceptions. I would exempt the war against Nazi Germany, since it was conducted against a regime of mass murderers, led by a psychopathic dictator, who … Continue reading

The Real Nakba

Three weeks ago was Naqba Day – the day on which Palestinians inside and outside Israel commemorate their "catastrophe" – the exodus of more than half of the Palestinian people from the territories occupied by Israel in the 1948 war. Each side has its own version of this momentous event. According to the Arab version, … Continue reading

The Map on the Wall

A former cabinet minister, an intelligent person (nonetheless) asked me the other day: “Let’s assume that your plan is realized. A Palestinian state will come into being side by side with Israel. Even some kind of federation. Then, in a few years, a violently anti-Israel party will come to power there and annul all the … Continue reading

The War of Fools

Last week, Israeli TV Channel 10 broadcast an investigative story about the 2006 Israeli attack on Lebanon, known as "Lebanon War II". Though not very profound, it provided a good picture of what actually happened. The three main Israeli protagonists talked freely. The picture was very disturbing, to say the least. One could say that … Continue reading

A Day and Night-mare

Binyamin Netanyahu seems to be detested now by everyone. Almost as much as his meddling wife, Sarah’le. Six weeks ago, Netanyahu was the great victor. Contrary to all opinion polls, he achieved a surprise victory at the last moment, winning 30 seats in the 120-member Knesset, leaving the Labor Party (re-branded "The Zionist Camp") well … Continue reading

A Boy Called Bibi

There are two different opinions about Binyamin Netanyahu. It is difficult to believe that they concern the same person. One is that Netanyahu is a shallow politician, devoid of ideas and convictions, who is led solely by his obsession to remain in power. This Netanyahu has a good voice and a talent for making shallow … Continue reading

‘There Are Still Judges…’

This week I won a dubious distinction: a groundbreaking Supreme Court judgment has been named after me. It is an honor I would have gladly dispensed with. My name appeared at the head of a list of applicants, associations and individuals, which asked the court to cancel a law enacted by the Knesset. Israel has … Continue reading

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Bomb?

I must start with a shocking confession: I am not afraid of the Iranian nuclear bomb. I know that this makes me an abnormal person, almost a freak. But what can I do? I am unable to work up fear, like a real Israeli. Try as I may, the Iranian bomb does not make me … Continue reading

For Whom To Vote?

Once a Soviet citizen went to vote. He was given a sealed envelope and told to put it in the ballot box. "Could I possibly see for whom I am voting?" he asked timidly. "Of course not!" the official answered indignantly, “in the Soviet Union, we respect the secrecy of the ballot!” In Israel, elections … Continue reading