Opinion
Theater of the absurd
Martin Sherman
Published: 12.09.10, 22:09
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45 Talkbacks for this article
1. Right on target
steve ,   boston usa   (09.12.10)
You have analyzed this exactly right. Netanyahu insults the intelligence of his own nation by suggesting a partial freeze. Will the Palestinians agree in exchange to partially recognize Israel or will they partially stop terrorism. Maybe Iran will agree to only partially vaporizing Israel.
2. I couldn't agree more.
Terry ,   Eilat - Israel   (09.13.10)
You're right, Mr Sherman, you couldn't make this up. This whole thing is a farce but I'm afraid the joke's on us. What the hell is wrong with us?
3. This has been one of YNET's finest analyses. No words need
Jehudah Ben-Israel ,   Qatzrin, Israel   (09.13.10)
to be added, none! Thank you!
4. Theatre of the Absurd, indeed!
Abraham J. Silver ,   UK   (09.13.10)
5. The only good thing in all this
bob96 ,   Tel Aviv, Israel   (09.13.10)
The ONLY positive thing that I see could come out from this farce is to prove once and for all, to the whole world, the uselessness of Abbas in anything related to peace. And, worst for him, he doesn't have the chance to ignite a Third Intifada, as Arafat did in 2000, because this time they have a lot to lose, specially when they're trying to create "facts on the ground" of a viable Palestinian state, to be recognized by the UN (without making peace with Israel). In a word, he can do NOTHING. The real question is: Can Bibi? Or, more precisely: will he?
6. Nile to Euphrates? That is Absurd!
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (09.13.10)
7. Excellent analysis of farcical "peace process".
Chaim ,   Israel   (09.13.10)
There is nothing that needs to be added to this excellent analysis of the farcical "peace process". The big problem is that these farces always lead to many innocent Israelis being maimed and murdered. So we must not tolerate them any longer.
8. #5, sorry but what planet are you on?
Danny   (09.13.10)
We ALL know who is going to get blamed if "peace talks" fail...
9. Had High hopes for Netanyahu
Kev ,   Reno USA   (09.13.10)
I am just stunned. One would think after what happened in 2005 when Israel pulled out of Gaza the idea of giving the Palestinians more land and concessions would be unthinkable. My hope is that Netanyahu is just trying to show the world that the Palestinians don't want peace (as most of us know.) and expose their true colors. But I can't be too hard on him or my friends in Israel. People in America elected this idiot, Chicago, socialist, gangster to the presidency. You're still smarter than we are.
10. One of course needs to ask
Ariel Ben Yochanan ,   Kfar Tapuah, Efraim,   (09.13.10)
B"H One of course needs to ask what makes Netanyahu think Israel is a "Jewish" State. If you know the answer please send me an email.
11. So why take this "theatre of the absurd" seriously?
michael redbourn ,   Arad - Israel   (09.13.10)
I haven't taken the talks seriously for even a second or two and when reading the article I recalled Shakespeare. "All the world is a stage and all of the men and women merely actors and actresses, (paraphrased). They have their exits and their entrances ....". If you enjoy theatre then follow the "peace process" and if not then ignore it. The present act will be coming to a close soon after which their will be a short intermission and snacks will be available in the foyer. Michael
12.  Macabre Analysis !
Salma ,   Palestine   (09.13.10)
pragmatic Palestinians Mr.Sherman had already given up 78% of their historic homeland for the Peace !! Can you tell us what "Israel" gave us with the exception of settlements, walls, wars and inhuman treatment?!! All us except the dupes, (I don't know if you're one of them), we know that Netanyahu is deceiver he does not want peace with us, but trying to buy time by keeping direct talks to give some legitimacy to his government and to the settlements ! I agree with you that many Palestinians believe that the current leadership is not eligible to sign any agreement on behalf of , but please don't forget that "Israel" was the most important factor that helped in the alienated people from moderates to "radicals"..... like it or not..... you support Hamas all the time, and we very well know your goals :( You prove every day on the ground that peace is not a target for you, and this is well-known for all, your absurd attempts to put impossible conditions to show us that we don't want peace have failed and always will fail despite the world's hypocrisy ! have I said that before?! MAY BE ;)
13. #2 Terry: What the hell is wrong with us?
Martin Sherman   (09.13.10)
Terry You ask What the hell is wrong with us? For a partial answer, see "Who really runs Israel?" http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3878505,00.html
14. Israel's 43 year illegal occupation is absurd
Daoud Kuttab ,   Jerusalem   (09.13.10)
The occupation that has lasted nearly two generations is the only absurd thing. Palestinians have given up historic Palestine, are willing to land swap some of the best strips of land on the western parts of the proposed Palestinian state, will and have given up almost all right of return, will give up much of jerusalem and you think it is absurd that they want to stop giving things up? What has the occupiers given up?? Abbas has said repeatedly that Israel can call itself whatever it wants, he is not obliged to call it a Jewish state, that is not interference in Israel the opposite is true.
15. "Macabre Analysis!" Really...??
Jehudah Ben-Israel ,   Qatzrin, Israel   (09.13.10)
"Pragmatic Palestinians Mr.Sherman had already given up 78% of their historic homeland for the Peace !!" When...?? All that "pragmatic" 'Palestinians' have done has been to realize that Israel will not be defeated and wiped off the face of earth in a full-scale-war so they opted to attempt to do so in stages, and along the stages never to accept Israel's RIGHT to be, to exist as the nation-state of the Jewish people, nor to be willing to call a peace treaty an "end of the conflict". When the 'Palestinians' - local Muslim-Arabs led by an Egyptian born, Arafat, who towards the the end of the 1960s began to call themselves 'Palestinians' for political expediency - accept Israel's legitimacy and its right to be, to exist as the nation-state of the Jewish people; when these 'pragmatic' people agree that a peace treaty is the "end of the conflict" will I trust their good intentions. So far they have demonstrated time and again how these 'pragmatic' people can't be trusted, thus why should the Jewish people, within and without its nation-state, lower its guards and risk the very existence of tiny Israel...??!!
16. to 13the wrong is
nahil ,   syria   (09.13.10)
once i was in saudi arabia with my three children . i had many chocolate boxes -makintoch- it was cheap and all of these were gifts from the relatives and friends .. my children used to open evry one choose what they like and leave the other sorts then opened the other and so on .. when i said -that is wrong .they said -why we did not pay its price ... do you know what is the wrong on you -- i think israil is still a childe
17. Life and hope.
Philip ,   Afula, Israel   (09.13.10)
Sherman, where there is life there is hope. At with the west bank there is life and hope.What is your racist alternativ e ????????????????????
18. Once Bibi was focused on social mobility,
tanya ,   tel aviv israel   (09.13.10)
elite change. Where is old Bibi?
19. You want absurd? Try this out:
Brian Cohen ,   Judean Peoples Front   (09.13.10)
If next week we build a kindergarten in my town south of Jerusalem, the Palestinians will walk out of the peace talks. The Americans and Europeans will blame Israel for the failure. If next week the Palestinians blow up a bus in Tel Aviv and kill a dozen innocent civilians, the Palestinians will say it was somebody else who did it, not the negotiators. The Americans and Europeans will insist that Israel stay at the negotiating table. Build a kindergarten = stop the talks. Kill Israeli civilians = keep the talks going. Theatre of the absurd indeed.
20. IT'S MURDER
Art ,   Sydney   (09.13.10)
If it were just a "Theatre of the Absurd" that would be amusing. But it's much worse than that. Four innocent Israeli civilians have already paid for this farce with their lives and more will no doubt follow. 6children are orphans. Families have been devasted. These so-called "peace talks" are not theatre at all.They're Prelude to MURDER!
21. SIMPLE REALLY
LAWRENCE RAP ARTISTE ,   SAFED ISRAEL   (09.13.10)
Netanyahu is terrified of Obama and has to do what Obama tells him .Netanyahu is afraid of disobeying his master and Hilarious Clinton .Perhaps if Netanyahu had more fear of the G-d of Israel ,he would be less afraid of the kenyan impostor?
22. #13 Martin Sherman.
Terry ,   Eilat - Israel   (09.13.10)
I think my reply somehow didn't make it. I'll try again. I most certainly agree with your analysis & this is something which I came to believe since coming to Israel 5 yrs ago & seeing things from the ''inside'' - who is running Israel, indeed? It's most certainly not Israel's citizens who are virtually ignored by an unaccountable political elite, only deceived at election time when they are treated to a bunch of lies from both Left & Right. Personally, I have never subscribed to the idea that ''international pressure'' forced us into anything. Our situation is of our own creation, the product of our lousy politicians who only seek excuses for their self-defeating failed policies. But, I think there is another aspect to this, one which complements your analysis. I recently read an article by Daniel Doron, ''Yes, Break Them Up.'' & I'm sure you are familiar with his writings. I believe that this is the ''background'' upon which all the rest depends.
23. #22, the lies are generated here in Israel
Danny   (09.13.10)
3 million Cluster bombs in South Lebanon - the only source for this were two articles by Meron Rappaport in Ha'aretz. Gaza one giant prison - Was made up by an "Israeli human rights" group BDS - promoted by Israeli groups Israeli justice system is racist is the most recent lie promoted by Gideon Levy. All the international media do is repeat what the above liars say
24. #6, when was Israel Nile to Euphrates?
Danny   (09.13.10)
25. To#10Ariel Ben
thinkagain ,   jerusalem   (09.13.10)
Must be, because his father told him.
26. Mr. Sherman, I disagree with your analysis
Steve Klein   (09.13.10)
I am not speaking of this piece but the one you link to: "Who really runs Israel?" http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3878505,00.html You wrote: "For 20 of the 28 years between 1977- when the Likud first won the elections on a platform of "Greater Israel - and 2005 - when a Likud government withdrew unilaterally from Gaza IN STARK CONTRADICTION TO ITS ELECTORAL PLEDGES (emphasis mine) the Israeli government was headed by a prime minister from the Likud.......This clearly demonstrates that although the "right-wing" consistently wins elections, it never really gets into power....." I'm sorry Mr. Sherman, I disagree. Likud is not a "right-wing" party. It is a "left-leaning" party. Maybe just a little less left than Kadima which is firmly on the far left. You say, "Likud government withdrew unilaterally from Gaza in stark contradiction to its electoral pledges." You weren't paying attention Mr. Sherman. Ariel Sharon signaled - to those of us who were listening - exactly what he would do as he campaigned for re-election 2002-2003. Sharon said, "WE are going to make painful concessions! He said, "A Palestinian state is inevitable." Did you hear him? After he did what he said he would do; after he forcibly expelled thousands of peaceful, productive, law-abiding Jews from their homes and their land, the Right screamed, "WE were betrayed!!" You weren't listing Mr. Sherman. Nor was any other voter on the right who voted and votes Likud, apparently. Back to Netanyahu. A very popular deputy managing editor of The Jerusalem Post wrote columns (2008) demonizing and condeming Feiglin (regardless of what you think of him) and National Union as unfit to govern; as unfit coalition partners in a Likud-led government. Candidate Netanyhu successfully stripped Feiglin of the #20 slot he earned in the Likud party primary and moved him to #36 no-mans land slot. This is not about Feiglin per se (I do not know the man) but about Netanyahu / Likud. It's about principle. He and Likud signaled loud and clear - as they have continually since then - they support territorial concessions to our enemies. Likud supports surrender and retreat. Likud is simply another party of surrender, amongst several. Yet you believe this is "right-wing?" Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu both support a Muslim-terror state in Israel. You write "the right-wing" consistently wins. Why?
27. Guys! Do not rush to conclusions!
Ram ,   London   (09.13.10)
I believe Netanyahu is testing the ground here. The demand of recognition of a Jewish State is a major card in this political scenario. Just like Ehud Barack was willing to cede practically all that was demanded and "did not" achieve peace, it is unlikely an agreement will be reached in the present talks. However, the "unbendable" Netanyahu will have impressed the world, Obama's demands will appear satisfied, Abbas will prove to be the non-entity everyone knows him to be, Hamas will accentuate its terrorist image and the Israeli-Palestinian position will remain unchanged. Israel has to hope the arab world will increase its business co-operation with it, as is already happening tacitly with some of the arab states, and that eventually Palestinian support by the arab states will wane. Over time Iran's influence, one way or the other, will disappear. When the arabs themselves stop supporting the Palestinians the West will follow suite. Meanwhile, unfortunately, the Israeli war machine will have to keep its equipment well greased!
28. #26 Steve Klein.
Terry ,   Eilat - Israel   (09.13.10)
You make an excellent argument - you'd need a microscope to discern the difference between Likud & Kadima. The difference is primarily rhetorical, not in policy. I think we all use terms out of habit & convenience, not necessarily accuracy. I don't think that changes Mr Sherman's analysis substantially however.
29. To: No. 14
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (09.13.10)
What are you babbling about? For starters, Israel acquired Judea and Samaria in the course of fighting a DEFENSIVE war against Jordan. Israel prevailed; Jordan -- the aggressor -- lost. Since the legal status of Judea and Samaria was -- and continues to be -- that of non-sovereign territory, Israel has always been fully free to settle wheresoever it chooses and to annex any portion or portions, as it did when it reunited Jerusalem and annexed that portion which had been controlled by Jordan. In the event you are unaware, the late King Hussein of Jordan extended Jordanian citizenship to all Arabs in the West Bank AND THEIR PROGENY irrevocably in 1950. In terms of international law, what that means is that should Israel decide to annex Judea and Samaria without making all its belligerent and violent Arab residents citizens of Israel, then it has an absolute and inalienable legal right to repatriate all Arab residents of Judea and Samaria to Jordan. All of them, after all, hold Jordanian citizenship. Right of return? For what? Being voluntary quits in 1948? I know that your leadership urged you to get out of the way of the conquering Arab armies, except your "conquering Arab armies," numbering 500,000 strong, got their hindquarters kicked by a handful of Jews, didn't they? In view of the fact that those Arabs who did NOT heed the call to leave are citizens of Israel today, with full rights of citizenship although not all of the obligations, it is clear that had those who fled stayed, they would enjoy today that same right of citizenship. Therefore, their decision was purely voluntarily. They must live with the consequences of their decision. It is not the fault of Israel that your brother Arabs -- all 21 nations of them -- have for over sixty years refused to resettle you. That's too bad, but your quarrel is with them; not Israel. I have a question for you about the Palestinians -- exactly who is it that represents you? As nearly as I can tell, there are upwards of thirty organizations, each of which purports to be the sole true representative of the Palestinian people. The ONLY common threads amongst all these organizations is that each of them steadfastly refuse to recognize the right of the State of Israel to exist in its ancient homeland and each of these organizations' charters call for the destruction of the State of Israel and the extermination and/or the expulsion of the Jewish people. You are a vanquished people; you have no right to make demands or set terms and conditions for ANYTHING. You rejected a two-state solution in 1947, again in 1989 and in 2000, you walked away from an offer which would have awarded you 90% of the West Bank and East Jerusalem as a capital -- your response to such generosity? The Second Intifada. We can therefore only surmise that you are not interested in a two-state solution; you want the State of Israel. That will never happen. Do you not agree that it is time for the Palestinian people to take ownership of their bad decisions and bad choices? Six wars and over sixty years of terror -- you have sown the wind. You must reap the whirlwind and -- for heaven's sake -- please do so without constantly whining, whining, whining. We are so sick to death of you and your violent ways.
30. Terry #28: No disrespect intended...
Steve Klein   (09.13.10)
Mr. Sherman's analysis is flawed in my opinion. He wrote: (b) When the Likud came to power, the entire Sinai Peninsula was under Israeli control, any suggestion that Israel might evacuate the Jordan Valley was virtually unthinkable, any thought of dividing Jerusalem was tantamount to blasphemy, and any hint of withdrawal from the Golan was almost akin to treason. (c) Yet today, over a third of a century since Menachem Begin’s dramatic electoral victory, all the above are either already faits accomplis or are widely considered inevitable in the not-to-distant future. "This clearly demonstrates that although the "right-wing" consistently wins elections, it never really gets into power....." http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3878505,00.html Martiin Sherman: "All the above are either already faits accomplis or are widely considered inevitable in the not-to-distant future." Considered inevitable by whom? By Likud. Since Menachem Begin - who was hornswoggled by Jimmy Carter at Camp David - territorial withdrawal is widely considered inevitable by Likud. Not every party on the ballot considers capitulation and surrender to the enemy a fait accomplis. Likud does. Why do those on the Right keep voting for insanity over and again, hoping for different results? Until 2009, Yisrael Beiteinu was minor player. Now it is power to be reckoned with. Why? After Ariel Sharon's treachery, voters have been looking for another party to vote for, so long as "they did not wear beards" as one voter told me. (I don't really care what a man looks like if he supports our principles.) Like Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu supports territorial compromise. Avidgor Lieberman has repeatedly stated, he supports an "exchange" of land with the PA. In other words, he supports a "Palestinian" state in Israel's heartland. Why did the Right vote for Yisrael Beiteinu? Why does the Right vote Likud time and again hoping for different results?
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