Opinion
Don’t count on democracy
Guy Bechor
Published: 26.02.11, 13:18
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54 Talkbacks for this article
1. YES !
Orao. ,   Srbia.   (02.26.11)
.
2. idf child killers
bill ,   can   (02.26.11)
idf child killers set the pace
3. Bravo!
Monsignor Phepps ,   Netanya   (02.26.11)
Total truth from Guy Bechor!
4. who talked about democracy
Israel Israeli ,   Tel Aviv   (02.26.11)
The only ones who said that the current wave of revolutions and civil wars in Arab countries would bring democracy or freedom were the extreme Left (from Obama and the New York Times to Oppenheimer and Haaretz) who are consistently wrong about everything. Rational people (especially Israeli Zionists) knew that the revolutions and civil wars would lead to anarchy, poverty and eventually Islam. That said, considering that all these countries were rabidly anti-Israeli anyway, for Israel nothing has really changed.
5. Wow, reading ynet op-eds...
Smith ,   TA, Israel   (02.26.11)
is like drinking oneself into a depressed stupor. Between Moshe Elad, Hagai Segal and Guy Bechor here all I can taste is bitterness, frustration and anger. Why is the world concerned with us? Why don't they look at those heathen savages the Arabs? wai, wai, wai, blah, blah, blah, boo, hoo, hoo. Seriously guys, grow a pair. And have a read of Edward Said while you're at it. You live in the Middle East so try and understand it instead of looking at it through the eyes of foreigners. Want to be accepted by the region, why not try to share in the aspirations of the region? Or sitting in Masada waiting for the end seems like the heroic option? Ya'alla, ne mas li me chem
6. Good article guy
Jay3 ,   Israel   (02.26.11)
There has never been a democratic Arab state, and there never will be while Islamic extremism exists. What is happening now is a grave threat to ISrael. The MB has already stated that if they get in power they will call off all treaties and attack Israel. Soon, Israel will need to take its gloves off and face these threats. There will be alot of deaths on both sides. I just hope that the incompetent cowardly Barak isnt our defense minister when this happens.
7. Guy Bechor , I can feel you
Salma ,   Palestine   (02.26.11)
You stupid dreams on its way to become a scattered dust : ) The Arab peoples are still at the beginning of the road, the first step: No fear anymore, I will not tell you what is the next step,cuz I'm afraid you will have massive heart attack !
8. Brilliant editorial
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (02.26.11)
Democracy is never going to happen in an Arab or Moslem country, and anyone with half a brain knows it. Mr. Bechor is right -- rule by a ruthless military or rule by Islamic fundamentalism are the only two realistic outcomes. It will be interesting to see how events unfold. Israel has some tough decisions to make; it needs to make them now.
9. Excellent Article
Maurice ,   Montreal   (02.26.11)
Now that the islamists have a free hand in these countries the predictions here make a lot of sense. Israel has to be even stronger as hard times are ahead.
10. Enemies
Bertram ,   London, UK   (02.26.11)
1. It might well be the case that radical Islamism will be the winner in the current situation. If so, the global consequences – political, cultural and economic - are serious. I suspect, however, that the writer has more parochial concerns and that his fears are a thinly veiled rationalisation for the reinforcement of the domestic status quo. The establishment of the State of Israel signalled a real victory for the Jewish people, yet some might be forgiven for thinking that the collective mentality remains that of victim, not victor. Whatever the reality might be, it is important to emphasise that there are people who wish to destroy Israel and that will always be the case. In which case, although the creation of a Jewish homeland was meant as an end to the ghetto, the continuation of a victim mentality is entirely justified. It follows, therefore, that as long as enemies can be identified – ‘leftists’, Muslims, Palestinians, etc. – Jewish history will continue on an unbroken path of that of the persecuted. So, the message is: there must be no optimism about the possibility of democracy in the Arab world, let alone showing any signs of joining in any celebration, since it is all a mask for the destruction of Israel.
11. Bla bla bla, you want to see violence?
Nour ,   Palestine   (02.26.11)
Take a stroll near the illegal settlement of Yitzhar, and observe the ugly and violent behavior of settlers towards the indigenous population.
12. Amen - (I mean, store more ammo)
Alex ,   UK   (02.26.11)
13. Only idiots can count on their "one night stand" democracy.
tanya ,   tel aviv israel   (02.26.11)
Last poll shows a vast majority of Egyptians want Sharia Low.
14. wrong again
ZD ,   SYRIA   (02.26.11)
the danger of Zionism is the problem in the middle east and not radical Islam. only when people like you are one day forced to go back to where you came from Poland or Brooklyn will be peace in the middle east.
15. @ # 14
Philip ,   Afula   (02.26.11)
Always childish excuses, always Israel to blame, the logic of a small child. Grow up and face reality, put your own house(s) in order .
16. # Let me tell you something Ahmed Smith
McDonald   (02.26.11)
When someone keeps on writing such mindless tripe, people stop reading them. I, for one, have read two of yours and won't be bothering anymore. Not because I disagree with you, but because you don't contribute any ideas. You talk about the aspirations of the region, but are careful not to be specific and we know why. As a matter of fact Ahmed, the Muslims, with the exception of Iran, are keeping mum about their true aspirations because they are scary and an embarrassment to those who talk of "Arab democracy". What are those aspirations in reality? The answer lies in how Arabs treat their own families, other religions, and how they deal with those they disagree with (kaboom!!!).
17. Definitely way too much "romanticizing" of ME events
Cameron ,   USA   (02.26.11)
These are the lands of missed opportunities & the wrong foot forward. The Muslim lands seem fated to inevitably slip back into traditional patterns of mindset & behavior, and steadily screw themselves yet further into the ground.
18. To #2: IDF actually saves Pali kids used as human bombs!!!
EST ,   Miami USA   (02.26.11)
As in when the Pali mentally handicapped teenager was strapped with a bomb vest to be detonated through a remote control by his Palestinian handlers....Great protectors of human rights your friends!
19. Nour @ 11
26.02.11   (02.26.11)
Your so-called indigenous population is only getting what they asked for. Swallow it Nour boy!
20. Whatever you see, whatever will be ...
berlonski ,   berlin   (02.26.11)
... get used and adjusted to changing realities. And take care that in the end Israel is not left alone clinging to the Saudi king as the last representative of the old order in the ME.
21. 2 You like Gaddafi's anti-protest tactics!
(02.26.11)
22. To Bertram, the bundle of contradictions
Gobbo   (02.26.11)
"as long as enemies can be identified – ‘leftists’, Muslims, Palestinians, etc – Jewish history will continue on an unbroken path of that of the persecuted" Poor analysis, Bertram. Identifying one's enemies is an elementary necessity. If there's a conflict and one can't or won't define the enemy, what hope is there of victory? You believe that Israel invents enemies out of thin air, so had you been more articulate you would have written "invented" rather than "identified". But since Israel doesn't lack for genuine enemies, she certainly doesn't need to invent new ones. "it is important to emphasise that there are people who wish to destroy Israel and that will always be the case" Precisely. These are known as "enemies". It helps when they can be "identified". By contradicting yourself so obtusely you have proven my point. Much thanks. P.S. Only a fool would criticize a country for not "showing any signs of joining in any celebration", when the celebrants hate that country with a violent passion.
23. Indigenous
Ralph ,   @11 Nour   (02.26.11)
Yehuda-Shomron belongs to jewish people,
24. Democratic elections as a means to Islamist control
Shalom Freedman ,   Jerusalem Israel   (02.26.11)
We have seen it happen before right before our own eyes in Gaza. There is a one- time democratic election in which the Islamists come to power and suppress the people in a stronger way than before. The true creation of democracy is a process involving long- term efforts at institution- building. This is not what is happening now.
25. that these "revolutions" will turn out well
Barney ,   USA   (02.26.11)
is just the western mindset that things that make sense and are good will occur in arab nations given the chance. unforutnately that is bs. these people don't want, understand, freedom, peace, etc. They have ruthless dictator rulers for a reason. That is the only way to try and control them and stop them from killing each other and anyone who isn't like them. In the Torah it says they will be a great nation but a wild ass of a nation. Their sword against every nation and every nation's sword against them. Show me where that isn't true.
26. THE USEFULL IDIOTS IN THE WEST -
Orao. ,   Srbia.   (02.26.11)
- LED BY OBAMA, PAVES THE WAY OF THE RADICALS, BY SUPPORTING THE USEFULL IDIOTS OF THE MIDEAST. Orao.Srbia.
27. Nr 8,
Orao. ,   Srbia.   (02.26.11)
Israel has some tough decisions to make; it needs to make them now. Sarah B , U.S.A. / Israel (02.26.11) Comment - Those Decissions should have been taken long time ago, but Hopfully they have, so now is the time to decide for Acting on former Decissions ?. GOD BLESS !. Orao.Srbia.
28.  Israel, be forewarned!
ג'ון הנביא   (02.26.11)
The gathering Islamic storm will crash upon your shores before Obama's out of office.
29. cold peace
zichron   (02.27.11)
The chances for a cold peace must be encouraged with the status quo preserved with adjustments . Gazan arabs should be allowed to go to north sinai for livlihood and israel for medical treatment . The settlements must stop and some relocate to the galil and negev. The jordan river must be dominated by an israeli led nato with antiballistic and tactical nuclear capacity . The arabs of israel who can live in peace with the jews even a cold peace and have the capacity to do so can stay with equal civil and religious rights including an autonomous state. But the jews must control security.
30. #14. What about returning to Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Yeme
Sami ,   Ex Cairo, Egypt   (02.27.11)
#14. What about returning to Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Yemen?
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