Opinion
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Dan Calic
Published: 10.05.10, 12:42
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1. Sorry,who is Obama, Mr. Calic talking about?
Salma ,   Palestine   (05.10.10)
you must know ,President Obama offered to us, is just a bitter pill. I am really amazed how you accept to show "Israel" in this poor image , assure "Israel" is a very strong and doesn't need any security guarantees, but the Palestinians who need all the guarantees for their future.........we won't accept anything less than full rights with an international guarantee the Nakba will not be returned once again, otherwise we won't recognize what you want..is this clear?!!
2. Barakeh Hussein Obama
Albrecht Klein ,   Germany   (05.10.10)
For BHO, the term "peace" means integrating Israel into Dar al-Islam ("house of Islam"). It's as simple as this.
3. Obama is the outcome of 20 years of "sitting under" Rev.
Jehudah Ben-Israel ,   Qatzrin, Israel   (05.10.10)
Jeremy Wright and absorbing Rev. Wright's view of the Jews and Israel. Under such circumstances, it is nearly impossible to expect an Obama - also influenced heavily by Min. Farakhan - to be appreciative of Israel's security needs. In fact, I suspect Obama would be very pleased if Israel was a thing of the past...!! P.S., thanks brothers and sisters of the Jewish community of the US for helping this man reach the White House, and thanks for your silence, one that reminds one of the silence of Jewish leaders during the 1930s and 1940s...!!
4. One piece at a time
Yonatan ,   Jerusalem   (05.10.10)
president barack obama is only paving the way for the next world war
5. correction
Israel Israeli ,   Tel Aviv   (05.10.10)
Calic says the US was Israel's "single strongest ally", a very inaccurate statement. The Americans have never considered Israel an ally, and will use or destroy Israel to further their own political needs. Since World War II, US Middle East policy has been centered at maintaining the Saudi apartheid regime an American puppet. The US ignored Israel until 1967. After 1967, the US used Israel as a pawn to leverage Egypt away from the Soviet Union. During the War of Attrition, the US prevented Israel from acting against Egyptian violations of the cease fire (mostly regarding placement of missiles), what lead to needless Israeli deaths and eventually Israel's losses at the beginning of 1973 war. During the 1973 war, the US stood aside hoping for an Israeli defeat. According to Shimon Peres, the US intervened only when Golda prepared Israeli bombers for a nuclear attack on Egypt. American intervention involved loaning Israel the money to buy desperately needed ammunition. The US prevented Israel from annihilating the Egyptians and later used Israel's financial dependence (from buying the ammunition) to force Israel to surrender Sinai for empty promises. Since then, it turns out the Americans play a double game, selling or giving huge amounts of weapons to all sides in the Middle East, to maintain employment in the United States. Now, Obama wants to eliminate Israel for the Saudis.
6. :: One Step at a Time
Matty Groves ,   Fairport   (05.10.10)
We have experienced Israel's irrational hostility towards the US, its elected officials and Obama’s peace plans. During the past year Israel and its rabid supporters have insulted and racially slurred Obama and shown utter disrespect for the positive steps the Obama administration has taken in its quest to achieve a lasting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. Obama, the prince of peace as some would describe him views an accommodation of peaceful coexistence in the following way: 1. Jerusalem will remain divided with E Jerusalem as the capital of the new Palestinian state. 2. The WB including the entire Jordan Valley a long with the Gaza Strip will be solely under the sovereignty of the Palestinians. 3. Illegal Israeli settlers in large settlement blocs, e.g. Ariel, Gush Etzion, will be removed and returned to Israel. 4. The future Palestinian state will be a regular state in that its borders, air and sea space will have to be controlled by the Palestinians and it will have a standing army. 5. Israel will abide by all previous agreements and freeze all illegal construction in the Palestinian WB and E Jerusalem. 6. Israel will transfer more control of the WB to the Palestinians as well as releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. 7. Israel must recognize and publicly acknowledge the right of the Palestinians to exist as the nation-state of the Palestinian people. 8. Israel must renounce all claims to E Jerusalem, the WB and Gaza. These 8 simple steps will lead Israel down the path to peace and generations of Israelis will thank Obama for his radical and visionary plan for progress and prosperity in the Middle East.
7. Basic Freedoms?
Luc Whaley ,   Lexington, USA   (05.10.10)
This is my opio\nion and it may be completely backwards, but it seems to me that while Israel wants freedoms such as to be able to have a Jewish State, it cares little for the fate of the palestinians who, unless you are using something from your religion to state otherwise, were there before you for the most part. At one time Israel WAS a jewish state, but that time has long passed. You cannot claim to have a free democracy when you claim to be a jewish state, but have people living on the land you claim that, as far as I know, outnumber you and are of a different religion. Free democracy starts with understanding equality, and until everyone has the same rights as yourself your free democracy is nearly a joke. I can understand why you wouldn't want to return to the way israel was laid out, it was indefensible, but if you want to be a true democracy then it only follows that the palestinians must be able to vote as well? When Obama says that our bond is unshakeable he is saying that Israel has great potential and that he will stand by your side if you are attacked, not that he will support every single measure you ask him to. This is a case of, we are your friend and because of that we are in the best position to criticize you hopefully without offending you. Once again these are my opinions, if I am wrong then show me how.
8. Let's be honest
Steve   (05.10.10)
The United States has never been a true friend of Israel's. US policy has always been about her self-interests in the region. It's just that President Obama's contempt toward Israel is so intense, it is simply not possible ignore. Only the most obtuse try to explain away Obama's disdain for the Jewish state. Mr. Cali wrote, President Obama "wants to turn Israel’s biblical heartland into an Arab state, bringing theologically committed terrorists to the very edge of Israel’s population centers." Former President George W. Bush wanted "to turn Israel’s biblical heartland into an Arab state, bringing theologically committed terrorists to the very edge of Israel’s population centers." It's just that Bush was a bit more constrained, becuase of his pro-Israel, largely Christian, base of support. (I never believed Bush's soothing words directed toward Israel.) Obama has no similar constraints. America's left is decidedly anti-Israel by and large. I've been arguing for years, Israel needs to do everything within her power to wean herself as much as is humanly possible from US aid and dependency. This unhealthy relationship is only going to get worse as the years progress. That US strength and power is on the wane, may be a good thing in the long-term.
9. The Israeli Goverment is a Sham
Ralph Levy ,   USA   (05.10.10)
It is quite obvious that the Obama administration is in firm control of the Israeli government through their representatives Ehud Barak and Shimon Peres who although were not elected as foreign ministers are basically taking over the foreign policy of Israel for the Obama administration. It is quite obvious now that Israel does not have a democratically elected government. It is quite obvious that the government is a puppet of the United States. The fact that the Israeli government is placing a building freeze in Ramat Shlomo in other areas of Jerusalem is a testament to that fact. Every government denial of overwhelming evidence given in the media is an insult to the intelligence of the Jewish people in Israel and the world. No amount of game playing and word games will change that fact. Unless the Israeli government firmly and categorically denies statements of the United States and starts openly to build then I have have no reason to disagree that the freeze is real. Israel is inviting massive pressure with each act of appeasement. Questions need to be answered as to why Ehud Barak and Shimon Peres are so eager to push peace agreement or when they are not elected officials of the foreign ministry. If Bibi Netanyahu is truly in charge he needs to prove it. It is quite odvious Barak Livni Peres and Netanyahu cannot be trusted with the security of Israel and the Jewish people. http://ralphsrant1.blogspot.com
10. Obama Is Israel and Judaism's Enemy
Yehiel ,   Teaneck NJ   (05.10.10)
He is an enemy and should be treated like one.
11. what option is safer for israel ?
eporue ,   europe   (05.10.10)
(1) iran (ME) / israel have nukes. or (2) iran (ME) / israel have NO nukes ? wouldnt (2) be safer, as israel is the smallest country and would be hit worst in such an attack. deterrence would work only, as long as the other dont have them. if they have, you know that, you will be in biggest danger, because the place is not huge. => better nobody has nukes.
12. 1 you could also get a nakba and no obama to back you up
anoynmous ,   bat-yam   (05.10.10)
though your internal and external behavior is also a nakba. to the entire world.
13. Nice article, but:
Rafael ,   Yerushalayim, Israel   (05.10.10)
The Jews' holiest spot is the Temple Mount, not the Western Wall.
14. #1 Salma, Palestine
Albrecht Klein ,   Germany   (05.10.10)
"Full rights" - you mean the right to shoot rockets at Israel?
15. I call BS!
Smith ,   TA, Israel   (05.10.10)
The USA has had six-decades of relations like today with Israel??? Either Dan Celic can't count or he's trying to pull the wool over some very gullible people. My guess would be the former. Eisenhower decidedly did not like Israel and Israel was mostly considered a pain until after 1967 war; American's love to back a winner. Sorry articles with such blatant factual inaccuracies shouldn't make it past the editorial team. Ynet is sunk to a new low level
16. lets get that American radar the hell out of the Negev now!!
Brian ,   Tel Aviv, Israel   (05.10.10)
and become completely independent, in all our defense needs, jets, subs, missiles everything.
17. Israel's security needs, some have forgotten, are not
Jehudah Ben-Israel ,   Qatzrin, Israel   (05.10.10)
in facing the local Muslim-Arab population of the disputed territories. Its needs are rather those when tiny Israel faces the entire Muslim-Arab world that is yet to accept its right to be, that has attempted time and gain to actually wipe it off the face of earth. The "refugees" problem came about, let us remember, as a result of a war inflicted upon Israel upon its proclamation, 1948, based on UN Resolution. The attackers: the armed forces of a number of Muslim-Arab countries whose declared goal was to extinct the newly proclaimed state. The "occupation" of the "West Bank", Gaza and eastern Jerusalem came about as a result of the June 1967 Six-Day War that was initiated by several Muslim-Arab states who set out, with the backing of the Arab League, to accomplish what they had not been able to do 19 years earlier. So, was the Yom Kippuer War of 1973. So were the Scuds that were fired from Iraq in 1991 and hit Tel-Aviv, Giv'atayim, Haifa, and more during the first Gulf War, while Israel does not border with Iraq and did not take part in that war. And so is the war presently prepared by a coalition of Muslim and Arab forces headed by Iran and includes Hizballah, IslamicJihad, Hamas and Syria. I trust once such a war to exterminate a fellow UN member state breaks, no Muslim or Arab country would come to Israel's aid...!! (I am not sure which countries worldwide would, including Obama's USA!!!) This is the context within which we must view Israel's security needs. I am not sure Mr. Barakeh Hussein Obama understands it or care about it, and sadly, only a handful of Jews in America raise their voices!!!
18. #1...Salma
JAy3 ,   Israel   (05.10.10)
You created your own Nakba liar.....no one forced the Arabs to leave except other Arabs!
19. to #18 that's not acurate, the brits evacuated
ghostq   (05.10.10)
entire place sayin jews started war, in reality the brits were the one to shoot at Israelis, in 1948 the jorden troops under the British army killed many Israelis, something the Brits try to hide, when it was convinient they took arab side when it was convinient like WW2 they took jews side, sorry not jews side cause they forced jews to recrute. nop Brits took just arab side.
20. One piece at a time
Ben S. ,   G.N., USA   (05.10.10)
Hussian Obama is not dividing the Jerusalem. Our weak Jewish leaders in US & Israel are doing this. We need leaders like Begin who can stand for Jewish right. Bibi is weak.
21. re: #13
Dan Calic   (05.10.10)
The reference implied what we have current sovereignty over, but I agree with your statement.
22. ISRAEL should stop being a democratic country and only a
JEWISH country!   (05.10.10)
23. #7 Yes you have it backwards!
Jen ,   Raanana Israel   (05.10.10)
Why don't you google some history or facts before giving your opinion? Jews are a majority in our country and all minorities have equal rights by law. Nice of you to understand that we want to exist even though you don't think we have the right. Offence taken.
24. Israel is a "Jewish state" because the UN voted to establish
Jehudah Ben-Israel ,   Qatzrin, Israel   (05.10.10)
a "Jewish state", to coexist peacefully alongside an "Arab state". Israel is a nation-state, the state of a people, the Jewish people, those people whose origin is from and who are named after that region: Judea (named after the tribe of Jehudah or Judah). In this sense, Israel is the nation-state of a people, of the Jewish people, as Greece is the nation-state of the Greek people, as Portugal is the nation-state of the people of Portugal, as the nation-state of the Danish people as Denmark is. Indeed, most states worldwide are nation-states. To question Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state by singling it out is either due to lack of understanding of the nature of nation-states in general and Israel's in particular, or worse, a form of racism, anti-Jewish racism by which a singled out people, the Jewish people, is asked to give up its right to national self-determination and independence only because it is made up of Jews.
25. Sami
Solomon ,   Bklyn   (05.10.10)
Look at a map. Israel is the size of the state of New Jersey (US). Look at the size of the surrounding Arab countries. Read history. Since before 1948 you have tried to destroy the Jews. Since 1948 you haven't kept agreements. Read the news. Arabs, who started all these wars, haven't done ANYTHING to show you mean what you say when you talk "peace". Absorb your "refugees" as the Jews absorbed theirs long, long ago. Full rights do not include hiding behind your own people (ala Hamas, Hezbollah)
26. Perhaps
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (05.10.10)
Israel should reply in kind. A good place to start would be eliminating any ridiculous construction freeze, and doubling the number of housing units proposed. Israel is a sovereign state. Jerusalem is the capital city of the State of Israel. No country in the world has the right to dictate to Israel where and when and how to build. Obama wants to leave a legacy. That's fine with me -- as long as his legacy does not come at the expense of Israel. I also think it wouldn't be a half-bad idea for Israel to recall its ambassador to the U.S., just long enough to send the message that when the United States says "Jump," Israel will NOT say "How high?"
27. “provocations” by Israel
Joshua Bernstein ,   San Jose, USA   (05.10.10)
If one Jew is still breathing this is a “provocations” by Israel.
28. # 6
Birdi ,   Israel   (05.10.10)
Matty you are stark raving mad. Your entire post is wrong & you will never live to see the day when any of your listings will be enforced. Your beloved Obama is the one who has behaved with abhorrence towards Israel & her leaders.
29. :: #24 - The UN vote is non-binding...
Matty Groves ,   Fairport   (05.10.10)
Actually the UN General Assembly’s partition proposal is NOT legally binding never went near the to the Security Council for consideration as it would have not been supported by the US at the time. In short the non-binding UN GA Res adds no legitimacy to the unrecognized claim that Israel is 'Jewish state'.
30. # 26
Birdi ,   Israel   (05.10.10)
I wish Sarah B. I really wish Israel would recall her ambassador.
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