Trivializing the Holocaust
Who’s the Boss?
On the first day of the new Israeli government, the fog cleared: it's a Lieberman government. The day started with a celebration at the president's office. All the members of this bloated government – 30 ministers and eight deputy ministers – were dressed up...
‘At War With the Palestinian People’
The most important sentence written in Israel this week was lost in the general tumult of exciting events. Really exciting: In a final act of villainy, typical of his whole tenure as prime minister, Ehud Olmert abandoned the captive soldier, Gilad Shalit. Ehud Barak...
The Rape of Washington
Returning home from a very short visit to London, I found the country in the grip of uncontrollable emotions. No, it was not about the looming danger of the radical Right gaining control. It is now almost certain that the next government will consist of an assorted...
Rebuilding Gaza to Raze It Again
This week I had a nostalgic experience. I met a parliamentary delegation from one of the European countries. What turned this meeting into a special occasion for me was its location. The "Pasha Room" of the "American Colony" Hotel in East Jerusalem...
The Great Gamble
"Iacta alea est" – the die is cast – said Julius Caesar and crossed the River Rubicon on his way to conquer Rome. That was the end of Roman democracy. We don't have a Julius Caesar. But we do have an Avigdor Lieberman. When he announced his support...
Ms. Tantalus’ Choice
Tantalus is punished by the gods for reasons that are not entirely clear. He is hungry and thirsty, but the water in which he stands recedes when he bends down to drink from it, and the fruit above his head continually evades his hand. Tzipi Livni is now undergoing a...
The Black Flag Is Waving
A Spanish judge has instituted a judicial inquiry against seven Israeli political and military personalities on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The case: the 2002 dropping of a one-ton bomb on the home of Hamas leader Salah Shehade. Apart from the...
On the Wrong Side
Of all the beautiful phrases in Barack Obama's inauguration speech, these are the words that stuck in my mind: "You are on the wrong side of history." He was talking about the tyrannical regimes of the world. But we, too, should ponder these words In the last few days...
