Opinion
Clueless US mediator
Hagai Segal
Published: 07.07.13, 09:40
Comment Comment
Print comment Print comment
Back to article
103 Talkbacks for this article
61. #55
Harold ,   USA   (07.07.13)
Just wait and see. Obama said "I DO WHATEVER I SAID TO DO" and don't underestimat President Obama the most power person on earth. Wise-up
62. #54
Beary White ,   Norway   (07.07.13)
I have to add to your comment abouth Obama and Nobels Peace prize, ; Obama got the peace prize because he did nothing...
63. 13 Mark
Cipora Julianna Kohn   (07.07.13)
in case you have not noticed, it is your beloved muslims who have attacked the united states, both in america and abroad. be they sunni or shia, the islamist terrorists hate americans and all westerners. their supremacist ideology makes them believe that they can once again conquer foreign lands. these very same islamist terrorists want to destroy the sole jewish state. the jewish state will not commit suicide for what is wrongly perceived to be in us national security interest.
64. Answer is simple: He knows the Jews are friers and the Arabs
Well DOH ,   Israel   (07.07.13)
will NEVER listen. Where else can he go and get results?
65. #9 Here's an arguement for you
A ,   Belgium   (07.07.13)
The arab world could presently give a rats ass about the "palestinians" and their demands. Syria isn't interested, Egypt isn't interested, Jordan isn't interested, Lebanon isn't interested...so let's see who is interested in the "palestinians"..the Gulf States? North Africa? Anyone? No, not really. Your arab bretheren have enough problems of their own, "palestine" is being pushed further and further to the back burner, and eventually, you will be forgotten. And when Abbas stands before the UN weeping in his kaffiyeh about how terribly Israel mistreats him...Iran will complain that the "palestinians" support...somebody, but the wrong somebody...as usual.
66. #54 you have outdone yourself , Harold
A ,   Belgium   (07.07.13)
A different sheriff in town? Who, Clint Eastwood? He couldn't be any worse than your hero Oblabla (even if he talks to empty chairs), in fact, maybe Clint should run for president on the platform of..."go ahead, make my day". He may yet get a Nobel Prize, as did your hero, terrorist extrordinaire Yasser Arafat. Do yourself a favor, Harold, return your empty head to the dark and smelly place you pulled it out from. You are only making a fool of yourszelf.
67. #49 A few more years and the only thing your "sheriff"
A ,   Belgium   (07.07.13)
will be "obliged" to do will be to raise his middle finger and say..."I got a date with a tiger...Tiger Woods!" When are you going to learn English, Harold, you embarass people who rightfully claim to be Americans, what you claim to be but which you obviously aren't.
68. #61 "the most power person on earth. "
A ,   Belgium   (07.07.13)
Thus Sprake Harold, a grand idiot if ever there was one.
69. To: No. 53
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (07.08.13)
Israel won all the wars, which were all started by the Arabs. What you clearly fail to understand (not surprisingly) is that the victor does not have to negotiate with the vanquished. Your "different sheriff in town" is a clueless idiot and the world knows it. Hussein Obama is a stumblebum an international laughingstock. No one takes him seriously -- least of all Israel.
70. What Kerry can do to bring peace
Syd Chaden ,   Palermo Calif USA   (07.08.13)
The debates, the arguments, the proposals, the strategies and the so-called road-maps for achieving peace in the Middle East have been endless, and uniformly, unproductive. The reason for that is that none of them have addressed the root cause of the unrest in the Middle East. The root cause of unrest in the Middle East has not been discussed because the leaders of the Muslim World refuse to address it, and the leaders of the Western World are either unwilling, or lack the courage, to confront it. When the subject of peace in the Middle East is discussed, it is generally in the context of one of the following: Establish a Palestinian State Stop the Iranian nuclear weapon program Change the regime in Syria Defeat al Queda The fact is, however, that none of the above, not even all of the above, would bring peace to the Middle East. That is because, individually or collectively, they are not the root cause of unrest in the Middle East. The root cause of the unrest in the Middle East is the Islamic doctrine of death to infidels. Western leaders dismiss that idea, but the Muslim World takes the doctrine very seriously. So, before you, too, dismiss the premise, consider the following: The two major branches of Islam the Sunnis and the Shiites, each consider the other to be infidels, and they have been killing each other for centuries, for that reason. That killing has continued to this very day, in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Mali, Sudan, Libya, Nigeria, Iraq, Egypt and Syria, to name just a few of the affected countries. The individual incidents might be described as “terrorism”, or “sectarianism”, but, their root cause is the Islamic doctrine of death to infidels. The killing is mandated by the Quran, and is encouraged by the Fatwas of the Muslim clerics and the teachings of the Wahabbi schools. The readiness of young Muslims to become suicide bombers, and the Muslim celebrations of suicide bombers as martyrs, evidence the fervor with which the doctrine of death to infidels is accepted and enacted. And so, a sea change in Islamic doctrine, renunciation of the doctrine of death to infidels, would be required in order to bring peace to the Middle East, and, in fact, to every part of the World that may become populated by Muslims. In an attempt to dismiss the issue, some academics and theologians have claimed that the doctrine of death to infidels does not apply to “people of the book”, i.e. Christians and Jews. However, the recent Fatwas of prominent Muslim clerics have made it clear that their interpretation of the doctrine is that it means: “Death to unbelievers”, as increasing Muslim attacks on the dwindling Christian and Jewish populations in Muslim countries attest. And so, there is the issue. The question is, who might effectively raise the issue with the Muslim World? Obviously, none of the leaders that we have had, or have now, could or would. In view of the enormous sensitivity of proposing a change to a major religion, a change would probably have to be the result of a Muslim movement. And so, that could be Kerry's achievement, to find a Muslim who will raise this issue with the Muslim World.
71. Clueless Kerry
Susan Ireland ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (07.08.13)
Kerry is not only ignorant about Israel and the Arabs, he is also ignorant about his own ignorance. Hillary Clinton, who was also unfit for the job, seems like a diplomatic genius compared to Kerry.
72. Big stone Obama has pushed down
Ben   (07.08.13)
Kerry is a big stone Obama has pushed down toward Israel. Ben.
73. The Middle East Side Show
frauss ,   Jerusalem   (07.08.13)
In this circus we call the Middle East, under the big top, the three rings are occupied by Syria, Egypt and Lebanon with lots of fire and death (defying) acts. But Kerry isn't interested. He, like all Secretaries of State (and their bosses), are drawn to a small booth in the sideshow called the Israel/Palestinian Peace Penny Pitch. Like all sideshow games, it looks really easy but is fiendishly difficult. Like moths drawn to a candle they obsessively play the game because the prizes are so irresistible: the Nobel Peace Prize bear, Historical Legacy kewpie doll, The Key to All the World's Problems stuffed chicken. Just a few more pitches and they will win...but as we all know, a sucker is born every administration and we keep raking in the change.
74. #61 a question for you Harold
Eaglebeak ,   Left Coast, USA   (07.08.13)
Have you ever thought of becoming a stand up comedian?
75. #74
Harold ,   USA   (07.08.13)
You must be a Romney voter and a loser like him. Obama is the most power President on earth.
76. #75
Eaglebeak ,   Left Coast, USA   (07.08.13)
My goodness, you already are a stand up comedian and a clown to boot. You have a real talent there Harold. Keep us laughing ok?
77. #41 I'm surprized you like Churchill
On the Balcony ,   Akko/NY/Kyiv   (07.08.13)
since he is the one who issued the "infamous" White Paper explaining that Mandate Palestine was not intended to be a Jewish state and that Jordan was not open to Jewish settlement. You can expect no different from Bibi.
78. #77. Treat "Palestinians" as Churchill treated Nazis.
Chaim ,   Israel   (07.08.13)
I never claimed to agree with Churchill about everything. Churchill must be respected for understanding that the Nazis must be totally defeated; and for rallying the British to do just that. Churchill rejected lunatic leftist calls to appease Hitler. Israel's leaders must realize the same thing about "Palestinians" and treat them as the mortal foes they are.
79. #75 I impress them with my tremendous bulges!
A ,   Belgium   (07.09.13)
80. #76 How can you answer him?
A ,   Belgium   (07.09.13)
I tried but I can't stop laughing.
81. #78 Actually, Rabins' declaration of
A ,   Belgium   (07.09.13)
breaking their ("palestinian" stone throwers in gaza) arms and legs was pretty good too. Unfortunatly, the Chivas got to him and he decided to make peace, (after being "persuaded" by his colleague and rival Shimon), and shook hands with the disease infested terrorist Arafat. And we know what became of that....
82. #78 - How, exactly, do you plan to "totally defeat" ...
spyguy ,   seattle   (07.09.13)
The Palestinians? If Israel starts a massive "war to the death" with Muslims ... (1) how many Israelis will die in the process? (2) How much will the Israeli infrastructure be destroyed? (3) how much will the Israelis economy be destroyed? (4) How many Israelis will simply abandon Israel? Then there is the BIG question, what if Israel is DEFEATED? Your apparent assumption that less than 6 million Israelis would be able to avoid defeat from almost two BILLION Muslims is "slightly" irrational and full of HUBRIS (false and foolish pride). Before you advocate for massive war, you might want a REALITY CHECK on your chances of winning (less than 50%).
83. To: No. 82
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (07.09.13)
(1) Not too many, if any. (2) Not much, if at all. (3) Not at all. It will be strengthened. (4) None. The prospect of Israel being defeated, while ludicrous, ought to give you pause. Do you think we will go gently into that good night? What we WILL do is pull down the temple walls. We will take several billion of you with us, and we will render the planet uninhabitable for the next one hundred thousand years. At least. So -- are you still ready to test your resolve? We have learned that the rest of the world is all about useless and meaningless blather. We mean what we say. Go ahead -- test our mettle. Watch what happens. That's your reality check, chico. We aren't going alone. And we WILL ruin it for whatever is left. Do keep that in mind. This isn't just idle talk. We CAN do it. If we have to, we WILL do it. Perhaps you ought to temper your valor with a bit of discretion.
84. #65...You have a point
Sammy ,   Newcastle   (07.09.13)
I agree that the Arab World is going through a period of transition and makes them getting involved in the Palestinian Cause impossible But that could be the BEST thing that happened to Israel/PA relations because the last thing we want is their outside interference - and the arrogant idea that THEY know whats BEST for US! - Wether its Hezbollah, Khamenei, Erdogan, Assad even Tut Tit Tu Tu....anyone who wants to use the Cause to further their selfish agendas Rather than go quiet we should use the opportunity to ACCELERATE OPEN COOPERATION in an honest and transparent way instead of the usual PA claims that any vitriolic rhetoric against Israel is only for 'home consumption'...and that's OK The PA as well as the Israeli Government have got to show that IT IS POLITICALLY CORRECT to embrace cooperation, mutual respect and friendship on the road toward Statehood for Palestinians and Peace and Security for all
85. Nr 83. That signature is beyond Help !.
Arn. ,   Sweden.   (07.09.13)
86. Ketchup Kerry is truly an idiot
Gurnal   (07.09.13)
Many idiotic individuals have been meddling here, but Ketchup Kerry is an idiot in the true, Greek sense of the word, someone who hasn't a clue what's going on in the polis.
87. To: Gurnal at No. 86
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (07.09.13)
Ketchup Kerry, indeed! Made my day!
88. To: No. 77
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (07.09.13)
I'm surprised you don't know how to spell. So much for your "expertise" in international law. What I've always known, actually -- what's your alma mater? Rehov Sumsum? By the way -- the 1936-1937 White Paper was issued by Lord Peel. The 1939 White Paper was issued by Malcolm Macdonald. I guess you must have flunked out of Rehov Sumsum Law School. Try again.
89. Other than Sarah (#83), How many Jews are suicidal?
spyguy ,   seattle   (07.09.13)
Apparently Sarah thinks if Israelis are losing a conventional war, Israel will just throw random nukes? How exactly does that help Jews, especially the millions of Jews that do NOT live in Israel (well over half the Jews on earth)? Losing Israel is NOT even close to the end of Judaism, so why the nukes? I think in reality, when Israel is defeated, most of the Israelis will simply find other places on earth to live. BTW - The defeat of Israel is very likely and not at all "ludicrous."
90. #89
Eaglebeak ,   Left Coast, USA   (07.09.13)
If Allah were the god of israel then Israel would have been defeated long ago. Luckily for them he is not and they will not be defeated ever.
Previous talkbacks
Next talkbacks
Back to article