Opinion
Leverage the crisis
Steven M. Goldberg
Published: 01.04.10, 12:13
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79 Talkbacks for this article
31. Golberg is INSANE
George ,   Myrtle Beach, SC   (04.01.10)
You are clearly insane and have no idea the destruction Iran can cause to Israel...with or without nukes. Israel would be turned into an uninhabitable wasteland much like what you'd prefer to happen in Tehran. The fact that your credentials lend to the notion that you are educated is even more frightening. You are a dangerous person and thankfully only mindless idiots would agree with you.
32. Crises
Michael Pielet ,   usa   (04.01.10)
The issue of Iran and a second and third arab terrorist states alongside israel in Gaza and Judea and Samaria are very serious matters. Any solution must exclude the extention of Israeli citizenship to additional arabs, and must include Israel's right to always have a military, security presence in Judea and Samaria otherwise Judea and Samaria will become a a second Gaza. The Iranian nuclear threat must be destroyed by any and all means.
33. Bad Idea!
David ,   USA, exile   (04.01.10)
While I agree with the sentiments of this article, Mr. Goldberg is forgetting one issue. What will happen after this nuke strike? Iran may be silenced but that will give justification to ever other Islamic nation in the world to develop nukes. It will be very easy to show the UN that Israel is a threat in order to justify arming themselves with nukes. Is Israel prepared to nuke every Islamic nation in the world? Do you have enough of a stock pile to do this? Do you think that any other nation in the world will come to your aid to replenish your supply of military hardware? Are you capable to do it yourself without any help from the rest of the world? The World hates Israel now. what do you think their opinion will be after you use nukes on Iran? Very bad idea! unless of course you are left with no alternative. Then, Go for it!
34. Applause, applause,
Mike ,   LA   (04.01.10)
... But naieve! An attack on Iran, will not blow over quietly or quickly, and sadly, Israel will become the whipping boy for years and years, as terrorism ignites around the Western world in the name of Allah. And who'll be leading the chorus of condemnation? Barry of course!
35. Yes lets explore options on the iran scourge
Martin ,   jhb sa   (04.01.10)
Nuke option on Iran? Heaven forbid we need to use such mass destruction deterrent if so only in a responsible way however undesirable it is an option to fight fire with fire, Consider all the threats made on us recently. We are the pursued not the pursuer. Surely the time has come to fight fire with fire, not with puffs of harmless verbiage. Some creative thinking can be developed to make such an idea workable. Its clear that the region does not want to be surfs of the evil power crazy iran. So to arrange a covert or even overt solution given the lack balls of the american and other political leadership could well be developed. So at this point an assertive creative approach needs to be introduced to change the playing field. Thanks Stephen let get some reach and lateral options developed on the ground by the regional players. Some courage determination and risk reduction options could let the rest step aside and bring some tough solutions to get a wake up call. Its time the region developed own options and groupings to rid itself of the scourge.
36. How come Ynet gives room to a crazy racist?
michael ,   sao paulo   (04.01.10)
37. I couldn"t express mysellf better!
tanya ,   tel aviv israel   (04.01.10)
38. there is a way to get the US to help destroy Iranian nukes
zionist forever   (04.01.10)
If Israel wants to do something about Iran the best way is to initiate a situation which will force the US to get involved to a degree. Tell Obama to go to hell and decide we will do something about Iran even without Obamas blessings then hit Iran with jets, UAVS, submarines just about everything we can throw at them. All we need to do is take out a few targets. Iran will then retaliate and if they threaten to start making trouble in the Gulf the US will be forced to get involved to a small degree to protect shipping lanes etc. If they are now in a conflict with Iran anyway why not finish the job Israel started and destroy whats left of their nuclear program. There are also midterms coming up and if Iran fired missiles at Israel congressmen looking for the jewish & pro Israel votes are going to feel pressured to tell Obama to protect Israel ( not a full scale war but prehaps destroy Iranian conventional military sites ) It will force Obama to take action which he will almost certainly punish Israel for later but new presidents & congressmen bring new thinking and so the punishments won't last beyond 2012 providing the jews are not stupid enough to vote Obama again. Irans nuclear program though will be put back a minimum of a decade.
39. Fortunately decisionmakers think it out more carefully
steve ,   boston, usa   (04.01.10)
Many share your frustration Mr. Goldberg, but venting in a column isn't real helpful. If Israel threatens tactical nukes, what makes you think Obama, Putin, British or the Pakistanis won't threaten Israel with nukes? Israel needs tough leaders, but ones with cooler heads.
40. #15
Cosmopolitan   (04.01.10)
Nasrallah Khamenei and Hamas are anti-zionists and racists but I never heard them calll for the destruction of the Jewish people. There are 20000 jews in Iran and they are not persecuted like the Bahais. As for Abbas and Fayyad what you have said about them is completely false. You are simply using these false arguments to justify your enmity and most likely your radicalism
41. Steven Goldberg
John Keller ,   Seattle, WA USA   (04.01.10)
One of the most honest and insightful analyses that I have seen. Anyone in Israel who would trust Barack H Obama to look out for their best interests would be very sadly mistaken.
42. Dreadful but True and Good Advice Mr. Goldberg
Joe K ,   Silicon Valley CA US   (04.01.10)
The Israeli left 'confused' the Americans with the turn about that lead, foolishly, to the Oslo accords and all the destruction in its wake. As dreadful are the conclusions and suggestions made my Mr. Goldberg, his advice is right on. Israel has little choice. The American's will side with the strong, not the weak, and re-iterate their unflappable support for Israel only if Israel is clearly triumphant. As horrible as are the consequences, I hope the leadership of Israel pays careful attention to Mr. Goldberg's sage, and dreadful, advice.
43. What a combination?
catatonic@aol.com ,   baltimore   (04.01.10)
The naive talking Mr. President. The kapo Mr. Emanuel. The bitter Ms. Clinton. The inept Sec Gen Moon. None know history. None want to know history. And all will go down in history as the despoilers of the Earth. Then, perhaps, they will answer to the Lord and to Al Gore.
44. a lot of truth and good advice, some i differ with but the r
ralph   (04.01.10)
right approach to this current situation. it is a hinge of history. how will we respond to it?
45. BEST ARTICLE I EVER READ ON Y NET
Truth ,   Israel   (04.01.10)
KUDOS & PLEASE WRITE MORE STEVEN!!
46. The Right View..
Al ,   s'ville usa   (04.01.10)
Dear Mr. Goldberg, Though I am not Jewish, your article resonates with what I hope is in the deepest portion of the heart of every Jew. Israel deserves the space G-d intended for her. She wishes no evil or judgment on any, but is capable of defending against all who would annihilate her. She has Sovereign Guidance and Protection, yet even here, she can choose Samson's courage and bring the whole down, if death is the only option the enemy gives. Knowing that there are levels of thought to the Jewish mindset, I applaud you for your direct truth.. Great is the Army of Israel, whose G-d is the L-rd..
47. Stand Tall, remain Strong
Scott Sakoff ,   United States   (04.01.10)
Steven Goldberg's article "Leverage the Crisis" is spot on target with the opportunity to seize the moment and secure Israel's future. It pains many Jewish Americans to watch our President betray our countries greatest & most loyal partner over the past 40+ years. I wish to let the people of Israel know that the vast majority of Jews in America do not stand by this President and the pressure his administration is trying to put on Israel. Israel must stand tall and remain strong and not allow what is a questionably anti-semetic President (worse in my opinion than Jimmy Carter) influence their course in history. This is a critical moment in time and I know the Jewish people will prevail, despite the attempts of Obama to weaken Israel in the eyes of the world, while kissing up to the Muslim world. His motivation not withstanding, Obama is making a critical mistake in American policy and time will prove that he (and his Jewish team of Emanual and Axelrod) care only about their own Power and Influence in the global villiage. Mr. Netanyahu, Godspeed!
48. TALKBACK NUMBER 2.
Arn. ,   SWEDEN.   (04.01.10)
THE US WILL BY ITS POLICY, LOOSE ALL INFLUENSE AND ALL THEIR ALLIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THE US IS ALSO ON ITS BRINK OF DESTRUCTION, AND THE ONLY WAY SHE WILL BE ABLE TO HELP ISRAEL IS NOW, AND THIS IS HER LAST CHANSE TO DO SO. THIS IS WHAT ISRAEL HAS TO DO THOUGH - With regard to Iran, Israel can let the United States know in no uncertain terms that it will take military action against Iran, with or without American assistance. If the Obama Administration balks, and perhaps even threatens to withhold military hardware to Israel that might be necessary for a successful conventional strike, Israel can advise the US, discreetly yet firmly, that it has non-conventional options, i.e., tactical nuclear weapons. WITH THE HELP OF THE US, NU NUCES IS REQUIRED, BUT WITHOUT THE US, THEY ARE A MUST. THE SITUATION CAN ESCALATE POLITICALLY WITHIN ISRAEL ITSELF, SO THE ISRAELI POLITICHIANS LOOSE THE CONFIDENCE IN THE PM, AND HE WILL FALL IF SITTING IDLE. Arn.
49. I hope Israeli leaders have more sense than this moron!
Moshe ,   buenos aires   (04.01.10)
50. Stephen Goldberg
Yoel ,   Ossining,NY   (04.01.10)
I fully agree with Mr. Goldberg. What he proposes is reserved for a time of despiration; that is where we are now. Sure, there would be severe consequences for Israel if Mr. Goldberg's plan were to be implimented. But what is the choice? It would be far better for Israel to suffer economic & political consequences than to be nuked by Iran.
51. Hilarious!
Faraz ,   Meldreth, Uk   (04.01.10)
This guy is really a lawyer? This is one of the funniest pieces I have ever read in a newspaper - very similar in style to Alice in Wonderland or Charlie and the Chocolate factory. What a talent this man has for fantasy and humour! Can't wait to see him on stage - it'd be a hoot!!!!
52. civil but no political rights? will lead to our demise
Liron ,   Israel   (04.01.10)
ha ha ha.. what a joke. this will never work. annex the territory and see the uprising that begins when you deny the Palestinians the right to vote. Israel will be forced to grant them political rights and then it's all over. Poof. bye bye eretz Yisrael.
53. All EXCELLENT ideas. Is Bibi up to implementing them?
Chaim ,   Israel   (04.01.10)
Goldberg is 100% correct in everything he advocates. Israel MUST destroy Iran's nukes. There is no ands, ifs or buts. Likewise, Israel MUST prevent the emergence of a new "Palestine" terror state in the heart of our sole tiny Homeland by whatever means are necessary. Yet Bibi shows no courage to do what must be done. Clearly Bibi must be replaced quickly or we must find the wherewithal to implement these policies over Bibi's objections.
54. Agree
pat ,   charlotte USA   (04.01.10)
Agree completely with the article. If the US is ever faced with the same dilemma, and I think that under Obama we will be someday, I hope Americans will have the courage to stand by this same strategy. How about running for the Presidency in 2012, Steve?
55. Welcome to the ME
Stan ,   Johannesburg RSA   (04.01.10)
Land of despots, tyrants and kings !! The plan proposed fits in perfectly with the surrounding environment and should lead to Obama approval who has no appretiation for a democratic ally. Any complaints from local Arabs will be dealt with swifty and harshly, like in the surrounding countries. Enough of the Mr Soft Jew !!!
56. Maybe US should bomb Israel's nuke sites
(04.01.10)
Israel might turn out to be a dangerous extortioner, like North Korea.
57. Goldberg should live in South Africa in the 70´s!
Arthur ,   Cape Town   (04.01.10)
That is where you belong! Amazing the kind of people who get the opportunity to write in a credible website
58. Exploit the Crisis
Jack Ajzenberg ,   Canada   (04.01.10)
Clear and Bravo. Precisely the actions required. Intestinal fortitude is the order of the day. We can make this our date with history, our dance with destiny. And it is necessary to go further; to profoundly alter the fundamental nature of our relationship with the U.S. Today, the foggy bottom arabists are prevailing. since the establishment of the state in 48' a life death smack down has defined the nature of the U.S. -israel relationship with every administration playing the Israel card at critical intervals. It will always be thus and thank G d for the wisdom of your founding fathers in providing the checks on presidential power through the respective houses of the people. Israel must immediately become a player and forge alliances with India, Malaysia, China, Poland etc., Venezuela and Belarus play a better than we do and we can do so much better in this regard. Continued reliance on the largese of U.S. administrations is tantamount to surrender and is an accident waiting to happen. We can compete with the U.S. on international markets in several key areas; we can forge alliances with International Corporations of hich some are american that will not only be a bulwark against toxic U.S. presidents but will elevate our leverage internationally. To have the U.S. as a foe is none too good; as a friend, it is simply bad.
59. get real
barry ,   nyc, USA   (04.01.10)
there are some hilariously inaccurate assertions in this column. It epitomizes the egomania behind the likudniks' foreign policies. How can Israel "leverage" this crisis? Attacking Iran will only worsen Israel's problems--especially if she undertakes the attack without US assent. The US might be forced to finish the job, but relations with Israel would be poisoned forever. As far as the Palestinian situation, complaining about commitments under the Oslo Accords will not make your problems go away. Seriously, neither side completely meets those requirements. And the Palestinians are staring at accelerating settlement expansion. The world has recognized the Palestinian right to statehood, and I doubt carping about previous commitments will overwhelm the recognition of that right. It hasn't helped the Palestinians. Ironically, they're only making progress now that they're acting like the Zionist Jews did in the years before Israel was founded. Many of those Israeli leaders were reasonable and heroic because they acted both rationally and assertively. Fayyad acts in a similar way. Israel's current leadership acts WILDLY and assertively. Israel should get rid of its nukes. It should come up with its own peace plan so that everyone knows where it stands officially. It's policies of ambiguity--both nuclear and peace-policy--are no longer positive forces for the region or for Israel. Most of all, Israelis need to stop thinking that the world trying to take Masada.
60. It´s scary to see the number of people supporting this fool!
Abe ,   NY   (04.02.10)
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