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Netanyahu at AIPAC: Israel not Mideast’s problem
Attila Somfalvi
Published: 24.05.11, 06:06
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31. Netanyahu at AIPAC: Israel not Mideast’s problem ,...
split ,   US   (05.24.11)
Obviously ;) ,...
32. why?
pussycat   (05.24.11)
why israelis "aipac" do not like to live in the "promised land" or israel for that matter?
33. To: No. 20 - Part 1 of 2
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (05.24.11)
You are woefully ignorant of how United States foreign aid to Israel is structured. Allow me to educate you. 1. A relatively small amount takes the form of interest-bearing cash loans. Only two countries in the world have a perfect repayment record of such loans. Finland is one. Israel is the other. Egypt, on the other hand, has just asked the United States to forgive $2 billion in cash loans. The last I checked, Egypt is in the Middle East. 2. A somewhat larger amount takes the form of military credits. These credits must be spent in the United States (thereby helping to sustain employment of Americans in the military industrial complex -- no small thing in these painful economic times) and they carry a back-end provision which requires Israel to inform the American manufacturers of any and all improvements that Israel makes. These improvements have been legion, and they have all been shared. 3. By far and away the largest portion of American foreign aid to Israel takes the form of joint-venture investment capital. Do you carry a mobile phone? Well, you have the joint venture between and Israeli telecommunications company and Motorola to thank. Some of the other products of such joint ventures include incredible advancements in information technology -- hardware and software; improvements to magnetic resonance imaging; cardiac catheterization techniques; facial recognition software and well over half of the chemotherapy protocols in use throughout the world today. The United States has poured billions of dollars into Egypt, into Jordan, into Iraq, into Yemen with absolutely nothing to show for it. The money which has been invested in Israel -- and it IS an investment -- has brought an enormous return, not only to Israel and the United States, but to the world at large. The United States is protecting Saudi Arabia and how have the Saudis repaid you? By reducing production and jacking up the price of oil. Wow. Some friends the Saudis are, eh? Finally, I would remind you that at the time that the Soviet T-72 tank was the mainstay battle tank arrayed against NATO forces in Europe and there was nothing in NATO's arsenal that could pierce the skin of the T-72 -- who do you think gave the United States its first look at a captured T-72? Who do you think gave the United States its first look at the Soviet MIG-19? The Soviet MIG-21? The Soviet MIG-23? The answer to all of the above: Israel. Simple: You are truly ignorant and poorly-informed.
34. To: No. 30
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (05.24.11)
Is that what Fatah did when it signed a "unity agreement" with Hamas? Go for peace? Both organizations' charters call for the destruction of the State of Israel. The only difference is that Hamas' charter calls for the extermination of the Jewish people whereas as Fatah -- being "moderates" (LOL!) -- calls only for the expulsion of the Jewish people. Well, that's not my idea of peaceful intent either, sorry. As for "occupation" -- get over yourselves! Non-sovereign land -- by definition -- belongs to no one. Judea and Samaria are non-sovereign territory, and were acquired by Israel in the course of fighting a defensive war against Jordan. It is, therefore, under all precepts of international law, Israel's to settle, retain and annex. Since the Arabs resident therein are all citizens of Jordan, once Israel annexes Judea and Samaria -- and she will -- all the Jordan citizens will be repatriated to Jordan. Six wars, all started by the Arabs and won by Israel. Seven decades of unremitting Arab terror against Jews, both in the State of Israel and in the Diaspora. The ersatz "Palestinians" have had three opportunities for a two state solution, and have rejected all three -- including, most recently, one which would have awarded you 90% of the West Bank and East Jerusalem as a capital. You walked away from that and chose to start the second intifada instead. That did not go so well for you, but that's too bad. You have had enough bites at the apple. No more. You are a vanquished people; it is time for Israel to treat you as such. Reaching out a hand in friendship hasn't worked. Offering you many opportunities for peaceful co-existence hasn't worked. Now, you have opted for a unity government with an entity which is internationally recognized to be a terrorist organization. Stop babbling about "freedom" and "democracy" and "peace" -- these are all alien concepts to the ersatz "Palestinians." We are tired of you; we are tired of your violence and your jihadist mentality and your love of destruction and terror. No more chances; you are not to be believed and you are definitely not to be trusted. You're gone. All over except for passing out the sweets.
35. To: No. 29
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (05.24.11)
Correct. And we do not wish to do it again. How many shots did the Allies allow Germany? One. Just one. Israel has had to fight six defensive wars and combat seven decades of Arab terrorism. Enough has been more than enough.
36. #9 Cali Cal, This would be a victory.
Michael ,   California, USA   (05.24.11)
A two States solution in a peaceful setting with 67 borders -- the majority of Israelis would accept it today. It is an irony that you are observing the right wing opinions only and are calling the solution you described as a loss. I think even Netanyahu would accept it with a smile on his face and history would consider him a winner. Certainly, he would get (share with Obama?) a Nobel Peace Prize for resolving the most protracted conflict in modern times. The Cal environment has confused many before you, Cali Cal, take my word for it. But I sense you are trying hard to understand what's going on, so there might be hope.
37. @29 Better to hedge your bets, than to be sorry.
(05.24.11)
38. The best speech ever
josi ,   norway   (05.24.11)
Israel for ever,and ever. amen
39. Yes, Issrael is not the problem in the Middle East
David ,   Karmiel, Israel   (05.24.11)
However, 191 countries in the UN, including the USA, don't quite agree! As for the friendship between Israel and the people of the USA, well, the Prime Minister has obviously not seen the results of the polls released on Sunday on Israel Channel 2 TV. The polls show that there is not that pro Israel feeling in the USA as we would have liked.
40. the arabs are the world's problem
David ,   Haifa, Israel   (05.24.11)
41. To: No. 20 - Part 2 of 2
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (05.24.11)
What "occupation" of "Palestine?" In 1947, the partition vote came before the United Nations. The ideation was the creation of one tiny Jewish state and one much larger Arab state. The Jews accepted partition; the Arabs did not. They chose to go to war. The day after the announcement of the establishment of the modern State of Israel, five Arab armies attacked the fledgling state. No one thought Israel could prevail. But Israel did. It is our land. In 1967, Israel acquired non-sovereign Judea and Samaria in the course of fighting a defensive war against Jordan. It is Israel's to settle, retain and annex. There is no occupation. The Arabs have lost six wars, all of which they started. I remind you that Germany lost 25% of its land mass -- sovereign territory, no less -- as a result of its defeat in World War II. Italy lost Istria -- also sovereign territory -- as a result of its defeat in the Second World War. Japan lost Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The United States return Iwo Jima (sovereign soil) to Japan in 1968 and about one-quarter of Okinawa (also sovereign soil) to Japan in 1972. The disposition of Judea and Samaria is entirely in Israel's discretion. Israel returned Sinai and Israel withdrew from Gaza. There are strategic considerations, and Israel will annex Judea and Samaria and repatriate its Arab residents to Jordan, country of their citizenship. If you look at all the problems besieging the Middle East, you will discover -- much to your dismay -- that Israel does not play a role in any of them. I remind you that had Israel not blown up the Osirac reactor in Baghdad, the U.S. would have had quite a different Gulf War in 1991. You should be thanking Israel for all those American soldiers that did NOT come home in body bags because Israel had the foresight to recognize that support of U.S. support of Saddam Hussein was a dangerous thing, and allowing Saddam Hussein to turn Iraq into a nuclear power was even more dangerous. Moreover, how is Israel responsible for the Iranian Revolution in 1979? How is Israel responsible for the invasion of the United States Embassy in Teheran and the taking of American hostages? It was, after all, the United States that engineered the coup of the Mossadegh government in Iran and the installation of the shah. How is Israel responsible for the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan? It wasn't Israel that supported the mujahidin in Afghanistan; it was the United States. How is Israel responsible for ongoing conflict between Sunni and Shia Moslems in Iraq? You really have a woefully inadequate knowledge of the history and the geopolitics of the Middle East. You should not participate in a Forum such as this one -- unless you don't mind humiliating yourself, of course.
42. #3, #7 and also
Israel Israeli ,   Tel Aviv   (05.24.11)
You forget the Western military industrial complex allied with the Saudis. The last thing both need is democracy, freedom and peace. That is why they hate Israel and are trying to destroy us. At this moment, US, UK and French forces are massacring innocent Muslims in Afghanistan and Libya for no apparent reason. British generals have announced that they are preparing to occupy Libya. With all his failings, Gaddafi was the only hope Africa and the Arab countries had of progressing. Now, the Saudis can get rid of him, the industrialists can sell weapons and increase profits at the expense of the Libyan people.
43. # 41
wmd   (05.24.11)
who said the war is over
44. Yeah, Netanyahu is right, Israel is a worldwide problem
Joseph Blough ,   USA   (05.24.11)
Netanyahu still believe that Israel exists in a vacuum, but in reality Israel's occupation of Palestinian land affects the peace and security of the planet, and thus is rightfully the concern of the world.
45. 16
Poppy   (05.24.11)
SINCE WHEN IS GAZA IN ISRAEL IF THEY WERE LIVING IN ISRAEL THEY ARE FREE TO PRACTICE THEIR RELIGION AND GO TO JERUSALEM..
46. Tobzi: world has changed since 1967
Ilan ,   Ariel   (05.24.11)
True Israel was able to beat Egypt, Jordan and Syria in 1967, but only a fool would want to rely on the same starting points in any future conflict. Not sure if you've noticed but the lethality and accuracy of the weapon systems are several generations advance from where they were then. A case in point was the use of a Kornet anti-tank missile against a school bus. Just how can that be prevented if not by ensuring that no one with such weapons can get anywhere near our people? Control of the ground is the best defense.
47. To no 7. Probably no problem.
Ari   (05.24.11)
Because without Islam everything would be easy. Every body will respect the other. It is not only gainst Israel, is against all cristians in the middle east. Only place for cristinas in ME to be safe is Israel.
48. 14. To Patriot. Review facts. Nataniahu, left the government
Ari   (05.24.11)
With most of the Likudniks when they government voted Sharon's willingness to expell Jews from Gaza. again. Nataniahu protested and left Goverment as Finance Minister, to go to the oposition. Clear your facts PATRIOT
49. to no16, People of Wes tBank,Gaza are not part
Ari ,   I hope YNET publish   (05.24.11)
of Israel, they belong to dispute territories that are in war with Israel. After 1948 Jews were not allowed to pray in East Jerusalem by the Jordaninas who destroyed many synagogues and expell jews from the Jewish quarter in Old City same as from Jewish neighborhoods in Esat Jerusalem- Declaring the City CLEAN OF JEWS But Cristians and Muslims inside all Israel can pray freely in Jerusalem , not like Cristians in Gaza, or like Cristians loosing property in Bethlehem. Or like Coptic in Egypt Saudi Arabians or Lebanesse can not pray either in Jerisalem for same reasons Jews, less israelies are allowed in Saudi Arabia less in Mecca or Medina
50. Sarah B.
Mike Carmel ,   Rishon le Zion   (05.24.11)
You've been busy here today Sarah! Despite the fact that you said you wanted to punch me on the nose for my comments regarding Tibi, I feel that I must give credit where it's due. I enjoyed reading your well informed talkbacks here today. Kol haKavod.
51. #7, from your mouth to Allah's lips....Islam gone, Amen!
Michael Steiner ,   Bahrain   (05.24.11)
52. Hey BibI: Just start telling the truth
Sarita ,   Israel   (05.24.11)
There are NO ILLEGAL "settlements" and there is no occupation. It's not Arab land and Jewish homes built in Judea & Samaria are perfectly legal by international law. WHYYYYYY don't you just explain that???
53. One fundamental element must be clear to all: All peace...
Jehudah Ben-Israel ,   Qatzrin, Israel   (05.24.11)
... talks to date have been governed by UN Security Council Resolution, 242, it having been accepted by ALLl parties to the conflict as the basis for peace-making. UN Security Council Resolution, 242, in no way suggests what the future boundaries of Israel should be. In fact, specifically, when addressing the subject, 242 refers to "secure and recognized boundaries". Nor does 242 deal with the concept of the exchange of territory. This has been introduced later on by those who, after having accepted the rules of the game, wanted to change those rules, and still do. Any attempt to see Israel giving up on its security by ensuring that its future boundaries be other than secure and recognized by the warring parties, as called for by 242, is indicative of how much the security of the nation-state of the Jewish people, Israel, is of little or no importance to him/her, not withstanding statements such as "our commitment to Israel's security is unshakable". P.S. UN Security Council Resolution, 242, does not call for the setting up of an additional state in the region nor does 242 mention concepts such as "Palestinians", "Palestine" or a "Palestinian state".These are also concepts introduced by those who had accepted the rules of the game and then, having been part of it, demanded to change the rules. Sadly, the President of the US is going along with all of these changes, at Israel's national and security interests.
54. Sarah B. Kol HaKavod-Well Said!
Mike ,   Raanana   (05.24.11)
55. Attila, this is a very good article! Toda!
Gavriel ,   Budapest, Hungary   (05.24.11)
56. 'Israel not Middle East problem"
James ,   N.Y.   (05.24.11)
I beg to differ, Israel is the worlds problem!!! You can be sure of that. You can be in Papua Guinea with primitive natives, where ever you are on the globe, you are affected by these two peoples inability to get along, economicaly, spiritually and just the stress, people get all caught up worrying about some Israel. Israel very much has the upper hand in the peace process. Lets say we look at the Pals. as being stupid, ignorant, violent, unrelenting in their quest what ever their quest is, mind you these people are stupid, the average Pal is not into Israels destruction. How do I know? Because I am Palestinian, the average Pal has no choice in the matter but to live with an Israel that is very present and very strong. Netanyahu did misspeak on this one.
57. #42 Israeli, Gaddafi was not good for Libya
Michael ,   California, USA   (05.24.11)
He's been ruling for a very long and it is time for a change, so the Libyan people tell us. You believe in very long-lasting leaders, apparently. It is a fascist trait, or maybe a communist one? I understand you are looking at everything from Israel's point of view and have decided that Gaddafi wasn't so bad. You may be right, or may be wrong, depending on who will come after Gaddafi. The reality is, leaders must change frequently for democracy to be successful. Even Putin understands this. An Israeli who does not undestand democracy needs further education, especially on fascists of which Gaddafi definitely is one.
58. Everything he is saying is right.
noa ,   israel   (05.24.11)
But he didn't need to say them. Obama is pro-Israel. He did not have to be offensive, when the U.S. was doing it's best to try to broker a peace. It is good that someone finally said that Israel is what is right about the Middle East. But he does not have to lock horns with Obama. How different it would have been with Tsipi Livni. I don't think she would sell Israel down the river either.
59. Right ON!!!
Michelle ,   Portland, USA   (05.24.11)
I am the Mother of a son who was born and raised Jewish in America. He with our love and support joined and served in the IDF. He did so because he believes in the existence of Jews in the world. The only way Jews can be safe here is if Israel is kept safe. That means within Israels own existing, and clearly defensible borders.
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