Opinion
Netanyahu hasn’t changed
Vicky Knafo
Published: 12.02.09, 18:42
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35 Talkbacks for this article
1. Is this a eulogy for Meretz?
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (02.12.09)
This is one of the most incoherent, poorly thought-out op-eds I have seen in a long time. Nothing but kvetching, most of it unjustified, with no thought to the real causes of economic difficulties. This lady should take some time off from being a social activist, whatever the hell that is, and take some economics courses.
2. So if Netanyahu hasn't changed then...
m   (02.12.09)
how about Kadima? You get the same old defeats all over for the next year or two, and maybe worse, dismantle the country.
3. Vicy Knafo
jack ,   Ny NY   (02.12.09)
We tried too many times to follow the promises of peace and giveaway and failed craeting a situation that the threat to Israel is greater than ever before. Why worry about socilasim and communist sytem if our enemies see only weakness and giving back more and more. Under Barak who was ready to give away every thing and Olmert who understood very little of security we had nothing but misery. The public finally is willing to try a different system, It should be tried and not listen anymore to promises of peace or Barak reliance on Egypt. May be we all should go back to Jeremiah description of the value of Egypt ......
4. The author ia a whiner without a vineyard
Al   (02.12.09)
Kvetch kvetch kvetch kvetch. Get a job lady or better yet pretend you have a job. Geez..What will it take for people to start working for a living?
5. I am saddened by the people’s short memory
Asher ( truth hurts) ,   jerusalem   (02.12.09)
You are so funny. You talk about Bibi. You must have even a shorter memory. How did kadima get 29 seats. ""We will bemoan this disaster for generations to come, "" I just stop laughing. Today onward you people are talking Blue in the face to yourselves. Change has arrived and the left can't deal with it. Simple math, Zero + Zero= Zero.
6. Israel's not to your taste - maybe try somewhere like Cuba?
Jeff ,   Jerusalem   (02.12.09)
Even kibbutzim are capitalist enterprises today. Israel has a thriving market economy. It has weathered the worldwide economic downturn far better than most other countries, including the U.S. Netanyahu largely gets credit for lowering taxes and privatizing businesses - both of which grew the economy and created jobs for Israelis. But hey - I'm sure Raul Castro would love to take you in. :o)
7. She ran on the Meretz list, did you forget to mention that?
Mike ,   TA   (02.12.09)
8. Bibi's policies help the poor more than welfare
free marketeer   (02.12.09)
#1 and #6 are right. She is clueless. I am sick of hearing so called "social activists" who complain that the poor vote against their interest by not favoring "social welfare" parties. This is absolute nonsense. They know who they are voting for. Socialism in Israel favored the privileged elite. Free markets will liberate industry and create opportunities for all. The way to help the poor in Israel is not through more failed government welfare programs. There is no better way to help the poor than with a good private sector non-union job in a growing, thriving capitalist economy. That is what Bibi wants to create. Bibi saved the economy as finance minister. And these social activists should stop worrying about how the pie is sliced. They don't realize that wealth needs to be created to make the pie in the first place. And if the pie is big enough, it doesn't matter how it's sliced. They would prefer everyone to be equal but the result of their policies would be that everyone is equally poor. Who cares if some successful people become very wealthy, as long as everyone has a decent living and a good job. The problem is that none of the parties in Israel are unabashedly, unapologetically free market oriented. They all feel the need to apologetically say they want "balance".
9. I didn't follow the story
Yoel Chrikus   (02.12.09)
Nobody changed in that story, and not only Netanyahu... Even people from Meretz who were rejected this time. We have to respect israeli people who chose a new Knesset. Hey Vicky, did you run for Ale Yarok? I have the feeling you're under Marijuana's influence...
10. " My banner is still waiting"
Keren ,   Israel-SP   (02.12.09)
I didn't understand very well what's your banner,but you do seem discouraged. Cheer up,please!
11. Vicky, dry your tears with a commemorative Obama hanky
Jake   (02.12.09)
No hope, no change. The pigs refuse to fly. Boo hoo! It must be Netanyahu's or Livni's fault. Meretz is down. The Left is out. Where is our Obama? Where is the change we can believe in? Time for revolution! Yes we can!
12. We still remember you as a druggie too
Ilan ,   Ariel   (02.12.09)
No amnesia here, so go back to your opium.
13. She's right about Netanyahu
Neshri ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (02.12.09)
It's too bad, but he isn't a person with a heart. He was a failure as PM. He breaks his promises as soon as he gets voted in. Maybe except his promises to himself and his wife. In his usual undemocratic manner he has claimed victory. At least 28,000 more Israelis voted for Kadima. Many of the votes for Likud were Arabs who wanted to protest or who thought it would be a good joke. It is the Palestinians who brought us BIbi again. Does that make anyone happy?
14. Vicky Knafo
nk ,   jerusalem   (02.12.09)
Do worry Vicki I will join your fight i am also a "survivor"
15. Vicky Knafo's Latest Rant
Daniel Fuchs ,   Beersheva, Israel   (02.12.09)
Vicky Knafo is correct about one thing. The leaders in this country are a disaster. All of them, including the bolsheviks of Meretz that Knafo identifies with. If Comrade Knafo would only sit with Hugo Chavez, he might become a labor Zionist.
16. Knafo's minority position
Wade ,   NYC USA   (02.12.09)
Not too many Israelis share Knafo's concerns, just like very few voted for her party (Meretz). External security issues were also at stake in the election, and Bibi was considered the best choice. Even Knafo didn't dare suggest that Barak or Livne would be better. In terms of social issues, many apparently trust Bibi based on his past performance as Finance Minister.
17. Mr. Netanyahu
Marty ,   Chicago-USA   (02.12.09)
Vicky, I am American not Israeli, but it seems clear to me Mr. Netanyahu is a good strong leader. How are you sure he won't learn from any mistakes during his first term as prime minister? I have watched his career closely, and I think you are way off base.
18. #13 - "undemocratic manner" - what do you mean?
martin knopfman ,   tel aviv   (02.12.09)
The law in Israel is quite clear and says that the head of the party that can form a coaltion will be PM. At least two weeks ago it was reported that 2/3 or MKs preferred Bibi so it was clear even before the election who would be the next PM. Martin
19. Ms. Knafo's Ms Knafo’s politicus amnesia gravitas.
Prof. Reuven Benthal ,   Israel   (02.13.09)
Ms. Knafo and those who voted for Kadima suffer from a much shorter memory. They forgot about the fiasco of the 2006 war in Lebanon and the recent one in Gaza, and the major role Ms Livni played in both fiascos. They forgot that Kadima was lead by a dubious politician who is presently under police investigation. They forgot that Kadima was created by a group of opportunists and political loosers. They forgot that the senior leadership in Kadima includes a sex offender, a former Minister of Finance who is presently on trial for stealing money as well as additional individuals who have been under police investigation. Ms. Knafo, please throw out the political garbage!
20. Ms Knafo’s politicus amnesia gravitas.
Prof. Reuven Benthal ,   Israel   (02.13.09)
Ms. Knafo and those who voted for Kadima suffer from a much shorter memory. They forgot about the fiasco of the 2006 war in Lebanon and the recent one in Gaza, and the major role Ms Livni played in both fiascos. They forgot that Kadima was lead by a dubious politician who is presently under police investigation. They forgot that Kadima was created by a group of opportunists and political loosers. They forgot that the senior leadership in Kadima includes a sex offender, a former Minister of Finance who is presently on trial for stealing money as well as additional individuals who have been under police investigation. Ms. Knafo, please throw out the political garbage!
21. Knafo and other parasites - I am no longer feeding you.
Ariel ,   Europe   (02.13.09)
22. Work Vicky, Work!
Gábor Fränkl ,   Budapest, Hungary   (02.13.09)
On my 1st ever visit to Israel your march was a big headline in papers from your Mitzpeh Ramon in the middle of the desert. I clearly remember that one of our guards escorts on the group - all happened in August 2003 Birthright/Taglit - said unambiguously that Vicky Knafo and her kind "must WORK!" This is what she and her ilk don't want to do at all! "It's easier for her to whine and cry and blame others instead of herself!" And, on top of that, Yossi our guard on the 10-day-trip was a Yemenite descent Jew. I LOVED him for his special character&kindness!
23. bibi has not changed
sad ,   israel   (02.13.09)
nor has the israeli society. VERY SAD as to what is happening here.
24. Vicky Knafo you putz.
Steven Wilson ,   Anchorage, Alaska   (02.13.09)
Capitalism is socialism for the rich. Capitalists totally believe in socialism.....for themselves. They share the wealth of the company evenly in the shares of the stock. They demand to have dividends if possible. They love to share amongst themselves. They sit in their offices and do very little ,while siphoning off the companies wealth to their massive bank accounts. Without this capitalism.....no one will invest money in companies. They expect to get their socialist stock shares paid first. Capitalism provides investment and new products to the market. It breeds new ideas to keep your company in business. Capitalism....which is really socialism for the rich......keeps the wheels turning on business. Without risk and reward.....you wear the same old ugly brown shoes for the rest of your life. Socialism is working quite well....it keeps us all employed and the investors happy. Don't knock a rich mans socialism. Join em.
25. Left+Shas=59
AK ,   OC, CA, USA   (02.13.09)
What about: Kadima (28) Labor (13) Shas (11) Hadash (4) Meretz (3) Total (59) Minority Government that could work with only two outside votes from either Balad or UAL. I bet the Arabs would rather have Shas (Sephardis) than have Lieberman/Likud in Government.
26. Hadash and Kadima together?
Ilan ,   Ariel   (02.13.09)
Sounds too far fetched for fiction. But there is a certain logic in putting the "once-zionists" with the "were never zionsts". I'd like to see how the religious outlook between Shas and Meretz/Hadash is to be bridged. Sometimes even the hopelessly naive and clueless can still come up with a good idea.
27. Neo-liberal economic policies
Amos ,   USA   (02.13.09)
Netayahoo's neo-liberal, Thatcherite, economic policies brought misery to hundreds of thousands. Now, with most of the rest of the world turning away from these policies because of the calamity it has brought, Mr. Thatcher is back for more.
28. So bloody tired of hearing this "oppressed" bullshit
Cameron ,   USA   (02.13.09)
Madam, take your "social activism" & righteous struggle against the wealthy "exploiters", and stick it up your.................................... This classic Lefty pitch is so played out.
29. get back to your home and kitchen
Ran   (02.13.09)
and shut up
30. Netanyahu
Abraham ,   Charlotte, NC   (02.13.09)
Your column here is an embarrassment as you clearly have no understanding or knowledge of America or capitalism. No country on earth has advanced as far and as soon as the USA. There is only one reason- capitalism. Our country is in trouble currently due to the socialists creeping into government.
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