The establishment of the Sate of Israel was a great victory for the Jewish people, a unique event in its long history. Being a victor, however, is hard to get used to, so no wonder that many want to remain as victims. That is because, as every child knows, being a victim calls for sympathy and if that doesn't come then anger and aggression can take its place. Or, more bizarrely, you do all three things at the same time: you want to show you are an adult, mighty, strong and confident; on the other hand you want everyone to perceive you as someone who is constantly on the receiving end of unfair treatment; and, finally, you throw a tantrum if things don't go your way. Make no mistake, Israel is not alone in acting this way. The Palestinians are also good victims. However, Israel can only control its own behaviour, not that of others. There's a lot of growing up to be undertaken.

I have not, in all honesty, thought before about things in the way they are presented in this article. I'll be giving this further thought and talking with others about it. Very interesting opinion piece.

listens to too many leftists and not enough rightists. He should hear both sides of the narration. Not allowing students from Ariel to hear him shows that he is not interested in trying to convince the right or take the chance that they may convince him.

ments. NASDAQ Hi Tec etc..while they are perfecting Bomb Belts and Humus receipes . Obama has been a disaster for Muslim States from Tunisia to Philipine Insurgencies.Thats all I see WOW what a mess he has made after ONE term!!

superiority. Right out of the torah. Not mentioned is that the goyim is an animal put on earth to server the jews. Blinded by jewishness. wont acknowledge that israeli's military is strong because of the US. The world is tired of jewish entitlement. The world owe jews nothing, zip,

This article accurately describes one of the main goals of Zionism, the foundation of a Jewish state. I believe it was Hertzl who once stated that if Israel was capable of creating its own police force, and have its own prostitutes it would be considered a state. Well, Israel is wel beyond that, and Obama and the rest of the world have a right to perceive this country as a viable and capable nation who do not need to make everyone feeling guilty if they sometimes disagree with her policies. Israel's relation with the U.S.is based upon mutual needs, not special needs.

Good for you Mr. Pinkas. Well writen and straight to the point. Sometimes reality is a bitter pill to swallow. However, if one wants a cure, take the medicine.

.... what will happen when Israel makes decisions that the United States does not like? Such as annexing Judea and Samaria and repatriating its Arab residents to Jordan, country of their citizenship? What will happen when Israel decides it is tired of Hezbollah on its northern border? What will happen when Israel decides it is tired of the constant threat to Israeli communities within missile range of Gaza? Oh, we can make decisions. Especially ones we deem essential to Israel's existence. Such as dealing with certain terrorist elements that are committed to the destruction of the State of Israel, and say so in no uncertain terms. So, when we make our decisions -- none of which can be considered even remotely unreasonable and are related to security, existential threats and the defense of Israel's citizens -- it would be inappropriate for the United States, or any other government, to interfere. Israel is perfectly capable of taking care of itself. We don't need the United States constantly critiquing what we do, and what's best for us.

of creating a pan-jihadist MidEast. Nothing more nothing less. His visit was a diversion full of lies and propaganda

Israel "occupies" Judea and Samaria in the same way the U.S. "occupies" New York State. Except that Israel has owned Judea and Samara thousands of years longer. Moreover, as any literate school child can see from a map, Jude and Samaria make Israel viable.

If by "right" you mean the settler's then there is no reason for Obama to listen to them for the simple reason that they are wrong -no matter how they might try to twist facts to suit their beliefs. Really. Why should Obama listen when the U.S. like every other country in the world has openly condemned the settlements as a blatant violation of international law for over forty years?

Sarah do me and the United states a big favor ... leave this country and live in the terroristic Israeli state where they can 'annex' land ans 'repatriate' people. I'll pay for all of your moving and transportation costs. Leave go 'home' ... you are *^%$#

one word in answer to your post. Delusional.

So, Israel should put its money where its mouth is. Yes? Show that it is all grown up and can make its own stupid decisions?

Several wars and the success of the security barrier and Iron Dome prove that Israel does not need to annex Judea and Samaria for its survival. And if we continue to try, it would be entirely appropriate for the U.S. to turn its back on us. Like it or not, the same international entities that sanctioned Israel’s re-birth have determined that the Palestinians have an equal right to self-determination on some of the land held long ago by our forebearers. Judea and Samaria are not and have never been a part of the modern State of Israel except in the wishful thinking of a few. So, please, Sarah et al, stop wringing your hands, whining and stamping your feet -- makes it difficult for the rest of us to concentrate. We must decide on how best to disengage ourselves from the occupied territories and be prepared to deal with whatever follows. The sooner the better. In the meantime, we should count our blessings. Israel lives. And the only people who can destroy it is … people like you.

Always watched what the other hand is doing when it comes to him. Has anyone asked the question, "Why has he chosen to go to Israel now?"? Think about it. He's not running for reelection, no policies have changed & none that's new, he's not campaigning. So why did he go now? At this point? Sorry, he is up to nothing good.

most people in the world see Israel as Obama does and are probably unaware that Israelis see themselves as special or feel a need for constant attention and affection. Interesting op-ed and the final realization of the Zionist project will come when Israelis no longer feel ''special'' or feel any desire or need to tell the rest of the world that they are special or different. Since the rest of the world regards these symptoms of insecurity as unseemly bragging and/or sympathy seeking this has to be a good thing.

Sarah, my dear. Israel can and will do what she needs to do within the family of nations regarding her well being and the nation's security. It will not be the U.S. who will make decisions. It will be the Israeli Knesset. So much for your concerns regarding this issue.

Victorious six times, actually. Not to mention combating seven decades of ruthless ersatz "Palestinian" terrorism. I don't see why Israel cannot simply treat the ersatz "Palestinians" the way the Allies treated the Nazis after the War. In all respects, including war crimes trials. Would you even think of suggesting that the Allies acted immaturely? Is Albert Pierrepoint still alive? We sure could use his services.

But we aren't like other nations. We are expected to adhere to a higher standard of morality (which is, I suppose, a testament to our contributions throughout history) and the fact that we have persevered despite unparalleled persecution. I appreciate the gesture, but I am practical enough to recognize that a standard that imposes a particular set of rules on one nation, and a different set of rules on every other nation, is both a violation of all international convention and law and cannot be tolerated. We are also very different in that we are a one-off -- the only Jewish state in the world; yet one that respects other religions (which is something most nations have never bothered to do for us). We are the most concrete example of a single identifiable group whose connection to the land is inextricably tied to our faith. There is the land of Israel and the people Israel -- Eretz Israel and Am Israel. That connection goes back over 5,000 years. We are so unique, and so special, in so many different ways, you'd think the international community would respect the fact that we are different. But they don't. In that case, the alternative argument is to simply say, "Fine, we'll be a nation just like the rest of you. The Arabs started all the wars; we won them all. We're keeping all our territorial acquisitions, annexing them and booting out all undesirable -- and foreign -- aliens. We have been victimized by ersatz "Palestinian" terrorism for seven decades. We will no longer tolerate that, and will respond, measure for measure, until the message gets through. Start another war, and be virtually assured that we will win. Any territory acquired in a future war will remain eternally a part of the State of Israel. Don't like it? Too bad. That's how it's going to be." The world seems to want a compliant and a complacent Israel. Well, that's just not going to happen. Not in our neighborhood, given our neighbors.

So, Israel should put its money where its mouth is. Yes? Show that it is all grown up and can make its own stupid decisions?

nagging wife who goes on and on relentlessly . Thank goodness divorce is as easy as simply choosing not to read her posts.

that is the biggest crock of crap I have ever heard. Israel is a strong country and should not just seek love and sympathy- give me a break. Is this a joke?

Keep up your posts. They simply confirm the strength of the arguments of those who wish to see Israel end the West Bank occupation and live alongside a Palestinian state. Your comparison between the Palestinians and the Nazis merely underlines your complete lack of any historical understanding. But then that is an inevitable consequence of an unthinking adherence to an ideological position. Fortunately, history has shown such positions are doomed to fail. The problem is that many fall victim on the way.

the Arabs. It is impossible for him to have any true sympathy because he can not get past his hatred. Any false show of compassion at Yad Vashem was just that. Acting for the camera because intellectually he knows his true feelings would not be seen as acceptable to most decent people. Narcissists are very good actors.

WHEN THE SON IS OLD ENOUGH HIS FATHER SAY -YOU ARE A MAN GO OUT TO BE ALONE - BUT IT MEANS THE FATHER WS TIRED OF HIS PROBLEMES AND ASKING DEMANDS ....

The Israeli public is not as naive and dumb as portrayed here. We do our own research, read a lot, know a lot this article insults our intelligence. Obama is not sincere in my opinion, his words are not his own, not from the right place and do not impress me at least. I do not like Netanyahu either. I certainly do not trust Obama. We do not seek sympathy. We do want the world to open its eyes and not fall and drown in all the lies, twists and fabrications made by our enemies. That is not a search after sympathy! Obama should not be a "father" (puke) to us and think he know what is best. He should tell the students, as though they are also fools, to force our government to do things. That is very wrong. This article was very annoying!

In his generation of Politicians Barak Obama is a wholesome man with great human abilities but also smart as hell with brilliant advisors .Very Lucky the Republicans had terrible policies and the nut case Tea Party a pathetic name with idiotic socioeconomic policies and some crazy social attitudes. But But with the Arabs there can only be Truces and with the Iranians Mass warfare is possible .As for Europe the Graveyard of the Jews the Jews have no Responsibility except to the Righteous amongst the nations for their sakes Israel protects Europe by Military Science.