Tag: israel

No to War With Iran

Israel and the United States have waged a campaign of cyberwarfare and covert operations against Iran for the past several years. If Iran had taken similar actions toward Israel or the United States, we would have considered it a declaration of open war. Iran is working hard to develop nuclear capability — if not an … Continue reading “No to War With Iran”

The ‘Pro-Israel’ Network Behind the Innocence Video

If someone had planned to upend US foreign policy — to utterly destroy the very basis [.pdf] of all our diplomats (and military personnel) have been working to achieve in the Middle East and throughout the Muslim world — they couldn’t have done a better job of it than whoever put together Innocence of Muslims. … Continue reading “The ‘Pro-Israel’ Network Behind the Innocence Video”

When a Courtyard Becomes a Border

RAS EL-AMOUD, Occupied East Jerusalem — Filistin Hamdallah looks disoriented, walking without purpose amidst the furniture strewn in the courtyard, as if she was moving home. Only the fresh laundry hanging on wires indicates that the Palestinian family is here to stay, to stay in conditions with Jewish neighbors that show just how difficult the … Continue reading “When a Courtyard Becomes a Border”

Once More Into the Breach

I really did not want to write about Israel again this week, but the outrageous manipulation of the Democratic Party platform, moves in California to make any criticism of Israel a hate crime, and news that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had dressed down the U.S. ambassador in the presence of a congressman before insisting that … Continue reading “Once More Into the Breach”

Has Obama Called Bibi’s Bluff?

What is Bibi Netanyahu up to? With all his warnings of Iran’s “nuclear capability,” of red lines being crossed, of “breakout,” of the international community failing in its duty, of an “existential threat” to Israel, what is the prime minister’s game? The answer is apparent. Bibi wants Iran’s nuclear program shut down, all enrichment ended, … Continue reading “Has Obama Called Bibi’s Bluff?”

The March of Folly

Nothing could be scarier than the thought that this duo — Benjamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak — is in a position to start a war, the dimensions and outcome of which are incalculable. It’s scary not only because of their ideological fixations and mental outlook, but also because of the level of their intelligence. The … Continue reading “The March of Folly”

That Villaraigosa Moment

No one believed the vote on the “God and Jerusalem” wording in the Democratic platform was conducted fairly or democratically: a two-thirds vote was required to restore the deleted words and that clearly — and audibly — didn’t happen. Neither the audience nor the news media was convinced by Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s ruling … Continue reading “That Villaraigosa Moment”

Shenanigans in Charlotte

If you thought the Republican national convention was the worst display of narrow-minded chauvinism, belligerent nationalism, and fanatical Israel First-ism, then you didn’t imagine what the Democrats were going to be like. The attacks on Romney for his lack of “economic patriotism” limn the Bush years, albeit in blue. The requisite anti-Chinese rhetoric was on … Continue reading “Shenanigans in Charlotte”

What Bibi Wants

It is September. And as surely as the swallows are preparing to depart Capistrano, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be arriving in New York. It is an annual ritual, with Netanyahu explaining to a skeptical U.N. General Assembly why Israel is not bound by the rules that most other nations observe. Last year the … Continue reading “What Bibi Wants”

After Dempsey Warning, Israel May Curb War Threat

President Barack Obama’s explicit warning that he will not accept a unilateral Israeli attack against Iran may force Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step back from his ostensible threat of war. Netanyahu had hoped that the Obama administration could be put under domestic political pressure during the election campaign to shift its policy on … Continue reading “After Dempsey Warning, Israel May Curb War Threat”