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NYT: Israeli-Palestinian conflict a hobby for US diplomats
Ynet
Published: 13.03.13, 16:22
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31. The Thomas Friedman Puppet
David ,   New York, NY   (03.13.13)
Pull the string...the puppet says..."ISRAEL is the problem!" OK...this PUPPET has been on the market for many years. We saw it when it came on the market many years ago. We know the "manufacturer" all too well..Those who wanted the THING bought it. The rest passed. Time for something NEW! Maybe a message from "Chuckie" (the puppet). Has the same relevance to the world but at least there's some value there: novelty, entertainment, less "baggage" (none). Please... give it some thought!
32. #29, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (03.13.13)
Coward.
33. "IMPLANTED...?"
ASTRONAUT ,   SC, USA   (03.13.13)
Note Friedman's clever semantics: "Israel has now IMPLANTED 300,000 settlers in the West Bank...." Is that "implanted" - - - like - - - "spies" Tom? Go nosh a bagel and a cream soda and pretend to be proud of your heritage.
34. We need anoth Hezekiah
YR ,   Jackson   (03.13.13)
We need another Hezekiah to get rid of all of these modern-day Baal worshipers like Thomas Friedemon.
35. As Freidman does with his ego I claim flattery when exposed
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (03.13.13)
36. Like Friedman does when egg on my face I call it flattery
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (03.13.13)
37. On Tom Friedman....
Alan ,   Beer Sheva, Israel   (03.13.13)
Readers should understand the basis for TF's views. As a young man (ca. 1982; Lebanon war), he became disillusioned with the post 1967 Israel he'd been raised to view as sacred. This is akin to an adolescent discovering his parent's are fallible. Instead of "growing up", however, he channeled his disappointment into a book, "From Beirut to Jerusalem", which won a Pulitzer prize. The success of this book led to entrenchment of his adolescent disappointment with Israel. One reason is that attackes on Israel "sell" copy. So, he's been paid well ever since to hold a childish philosophy. As an earlier talkbacker noted, imagine the good he could have done over the years by calling things as they really are, rather than continuing to insist that Israel disappoints. However, the basis for his views is clear.
38. To # 11 I thought that Achmadinijad
Stan ,   Israel   (03.14.13)
was Israel's greatest enemy.
39. The President ain't going to like here
Gee ,   Zikron Yaakov   (03.14.13)
Most Israelis despise him. That is the first time in our history. He has done that all by his very own actions.
40. 26
(03.14.13)
if your politicians do not care about netanyahu and israel, why do you come in droves to israel and why do your politicians constantly meet with israel's politicians? yes, friedman wrote an article for americans in an american newspaper. you are right. except that israelis are so much more highly educated than you americans and speak multiple languages (fluent english amongst them) and are so much more in tune with politics inside and outside their country, that it is normal for israelis to read all usa newspapers....unlike arabs who read only arabic and know nothing about anything. by the way, since you are not an american because your english and spelling is horrible, let me educate you... for american readerS not american reader. second, should be SECONDLY, IF YOU WILL HAVE...should be IF YOU HAVE NOT a one trrilionTH, but A TRILLIONTH... nethaniho is actually NETANYAHU. kapish? go back to grammar school, my friend.
41. mr. friedman
(03.14.13)
the conflict seems to be MORE OF A HOBBY FOR YOU, SIR. otherwise, what would you write about and who would be interested in what you wrote about? you have never written one intelligent article about any other issue in years, in years, sir. your main hobby is israel and arabs. otherwise, no pearl of wisdom from your mouth. i bet you wouldn't have a job if there was no conflict at all. what would you write about then? you'd be utterly unemployed and in the dust bin of history as a "journalist".
42. 26
(03.14.13)
friedman, as opposed to your post, does care indeed about netanyahu. otherwise he won't make it his journalistic career of only writing about israel and the arabs. for a man that you say doesn;t care about netanyahu, he sure writes A LOT ABOUT NETANYAHU.
43. Apathy
lightharry ,   New York   (03.14.13)
Obama and America are also aware of the negative attitude in Israel towards Obama and the USA. Netanyahu will do what he can to make the visit negative for the Democrats.
44. #39
lightharry ,   New York   (03.14.13)
We are watching how Israel works to get rid of it´s last friend in the world.
45. #37 - You also described Ilan Pappe very well
William ,   Israel   (03.14.13)
except his disappointment arose from his lack of research skills and academic aptitude being uncovered during his tenure examination at Haifa U. And his continued outpouring of resentment is of a simple childish nature, but like Friedman, it's more likely a way to sell copy. The ardent anti-Israeli voices cite him often, which just underscores their own lack of an argument.
46. #24 - at the end of the day, Obama is a politician
William ,   Israel   (03.14.13)
and politicians follow the winds that would get them re-elected, whether they believe it themselves or not. Legally, Obama can't recognize 1967 lines because they never were borders and various agreements and resolutions over the decades have concluded that it will never be a border, and only the parties to the conflict have a say in the matter. What Friedman writes is even more true to the Obama Administration - he's just not that interested in this conflict, which accurately reflects the majority of American sentiment. Too many domestic issues to deal with at home, including opposition within his own party on proposed cuts to medicare and other entitlement programs. His not visiting Ariel U. was just part of maintaining status quo on the ME issue for the foreseeable future.
47. #44 - if the US was Israel's "last friend"
William ,   Israel   (03.14.13)
then you'd see alot more boycotts and sanctions against Israel. Yet, there are none, and the most vocal against Israel (besides the Arabs) - the EU - declared that boycotts and sanctions were not being considered nor ever will be against Israel. African nations are now warming up to Israel because of failed Arab promises of investment from the 1970s. And America continues to support Israel in the majority. Israelis LOVE America - though maybe not the leadership - and that's ok. Americans remember who danced in the streets during the worst attack on native soil on 9/11, and who cried and stood in line for hours to donate blood.
48. How could we survive without Tommy's Friedmans advice
Dany Toren ,   Haifa Israel   (03.15.13)
Tommy is very good at giving unsolicited advice,and he's obsessed with Israel.He too should ignore the ME,leave us alone,and get off our backs.
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