Opinion
Not giving diplomacy a chance
Ariella Ringel-Hoffman
Published: 01.10.13, 20:02
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34 Talkbacks for this article
1. Bibi ought to know
Reuven ,   Netanya   (10.01.13)
Whenever he makes promises to the world, he is saying the opposite in Israel, wether it is regarding a two state solution, freeze of settlements, peace, etc ... Are we sure bibi is not Iranian?
2. Ariella Ringel-Hoffman = Idiot
Brett ,   Florida   (10.01.13)
3. Agree with Ringel-Hoffman
(10.01.13)
Netanyahu read from Rohani's autobiography where he told how he tricked the Europeans with fake negotiations while advancing the Iranian nuclear program. But this is old history. The world should adopt Ringel-Hoffman's approach and cautiously embrace Rohani's rhetoric. Does anyone seriously think Rohani would lie again? And even if he did, what could possibly go wrong?
4. The writer of this article is extremely
Jerome ,   Basalt, Colorado   (10.01.13)
naaive or just plain stupid! When someone say they what you dead and then changes their tone to get in your home would she let them in?!
5. One rose-scented fart from Iran,and everyone's in jubilation
Tahl   (10.01.13)
Notice how the writer is just gushing with euphoria: "willing to negotiate or reach an agreement", "establish new relationship", "hope for better days"... Just lovely isn't it? But unfortunately all of this beautiful sweet-talk is totally irrelevant, so long as: 1. Iran continues to enrich Uranium 2. Iran continues to hold the already-enriched Urianium 3. The nuclear plants in Nathanz and Kom are still operational 4. Iran still uses the heavy water for manufacturing Plutonium. As long as these four things still occur, absolutely nothing has changed with Iran's true intentions, plain and simple. Sorry for ruining the party.
6. Rhetoric does not equal action
Jacob E ,   Holon, Israel   (10.01.13)
Rhetoric is just a style of speaking and language. Just because there was a change between Achmedinejad's calls to destroy Israel and repeated hate mongering to Rohani and his style of speaking it doesn't mean that the goals and processes of the Islamic Republic has actually changed. They still have the same supreme leader and I don't think he's changed his mind on anything.
7. #2 correct !
Chris Rettenmoser ,   Bayerisch Gmain Germ   (10.01.13)
8. diplomacy lol
David ,   Montreal, Canada   (10.01.13)
Yes every little threat,action or sense should be taken seriously when comes to Israel. We are surounded by bloody enemies that strives to destroy anything that is not moslum. Remember Gold Meir's governement flaw. Should I remember you of Hitler or Germany's olympics? The list is longer than your memory Ariella. God bless shin bet and mossad.
9. Ringel-Hoffman: Dumb, Naive or Both?
Chaim ,   Israel   (10.01.13)
Had Ringel-Hoffman been living in the early days of the Third Reich, she'd take comfort if Hitler shrieked a little less loudly in a speech than in previous speeches. The Iranian regime has stated many times that it wants Israel destroyed. Sane people take it at its word. I can't help but wondering how a presumably normal adult could be so dumb, naïve or both.
10. This is not complicated so why make it so?
Michael Redbourn ,   Lisbon Portugal   (10.02.13)
Iran says, "We have nothing to hide come check us out!". They're clean and sanctions get lifted and the world feels safer. They're cheating, so sanctions are increased or their nuclear facilities get destroyed. Or both! What is so difficult about this?
11. centrifuges spinning
Fernando ,   Uruguay   (10.02.13)
Thats why..So simple as that, they are making more and more material every hour. 24/7 , thats why.
12. #5: Yes but...
TBNYC ,   NYC   (10.02.13)
1. Israel has enriched Uranium and Plutonium 2. Israel has launch-ready nuclear warheads. 3. The nuclear plants in Dimona, Eilabun, Yodefat and Rafael. 4. Most importantly, Israel has lunatics like Lieberman in reach to become a PM and are actively in the gov't, who have openly suggested the use of nukes. What is your point?
13. excellent piece - what's to lose?
elke ,   USA   (10.02.13)
Netanyahu comes off as the belligerent here. Very unsophisticated, but that's been his harangue for years and he's sticking to it. Think how much the world would admire a PM who welcomed a turn for the better in the neighborhood and in the world generally. And where does Israel get off anyway, telling another sovereign nation "Don't do this or we'll bomb you."
14. centrifuges spinning
Fernando ,   Uruguay   (10.02.13)
Thats why..So simple as that, they are making more and more material every hour. 24/7 , thats why.
15. There are no "chances for peace"...
Jules   (10.02.13)
... for a simple reason: Iran does not recognize Israel's right to exist. Any negotiation would become reasonable only AFTER establishing full diplomatic relations. Until then, there is nothing to talk about. BTW, "Arrow-3" must be built as soon as possible, at any cost. There are many hotheads on this planet whose intentions can only be stopped by Israel's WMD and "Arrow-3".
16. Yeah, we're not buying it.
Ezra ,   SanDiego   (10.02.13)
That Arab sales pitch is worn out.
17. What a wishful article and author....
Asher ,   NY,USA   (10.02.13)
18. 1 finger
Angela P ,   The Netherlands   (10.02.13)
Dont give them 1 finger--------->whole hand.
19. #17 - such blind ignorance brought us the Oslo Accords
William ,   Israel   (10.02.13)
and they still insist its the greatest thing in the world....despite Arab violations of it since inception.
20. Begin made peace with Egypt
Zechariah   (10.02.13)
Begin made peace with Egypt relinquishing all of sinai a huge area more of which ought to have gone to the Palestinians as Egypt backed the refusal to Partition Palestine in 1937 and 1947 leading to horrific catastrophe and enraged hatreds.
21. #12 My point...
Tahl   (10.02.13)
Is that comparing a stable Western democracy like America or Israel to fundamentalist Iran is absurd. Here are some facts for you to digest: 1. Israel has had nukes for over 50 years, and have never used or even threatened to use it against anyone. Heck, Israel never even formally admitted they have such a weapon. 2. Israel, unlike Iran, has never threatened to wipe another country off the map. 3. Most of the Arab nations in the Middle East are far more scared of a nuclear Iran, than a nuclear Israel, their supposed enemy. Says a lot doesn't it? 4. If it wasn't for Israel's nuclear weapons, the 1991 Gulf War would have developed much more severely, for Israel and the entire region. Which proves the immense importance of this deterrence. 5. The USA has the biggest number of nuclear warheads in the world, and is in a far-less existential danger than Israel. If the US wants Israel to divest of its nuclear program, why not lead by example?
22. #12 - easy. No one but Israel's enemies cite Israeli nukes
William ,   Israel   (10.02.13)
It seems the rest of the world is comfortable with the possibility of Israeli nukes because Israel has proven itself a mature, stable democracy. Even with a Liberman in office, he has no final say on the use of such a weapon. No one inside Israel does. Compare that to Iran's aggressive use of proxy terrorism around the globe, its aid to seditious elements in other countries causing instability, its rhetoric of destroying a UN member State while neither Israel has threatened such a thing nor Iran is recipient of any existential threat by anyone, and in Iran the majority of power is held in the hands of only a few. oh and yes, Iran, even without nukes currently, has already threatened to use them. That was voiced by one of the most powerful men in Iran - the supreme commander of the iRGC. Your logic is like saying "Police have guns, so criminals should too". That's ok...when you're far from the activities of the criminals.
23. #13 -Israel is fully justified in its threats....
William ,   Israel   (10.02.13)
because, but not limited to, they are the recipient of such existential threats by Iran, since 1979. But by your logic, who is the US to threaten Syria? Who is China to threaten Japan? Who is Iran to threaten most Sunni Arab States? Who are the Arabs to threaten the Jewish State. And, your voice is silent.
24. #12 your eyes are closed and you can't hear!
Jerome ,   Basalt, Colorado   (10.02.13)
#1 Israel doesn't export terror #2 Israel never threatens to destroy any country, only protects itself. #3 you don't like Jews like Lieberman because he tells the hard truth. (compared to your idolized mullahs Lieberman is a liberal moderate) where's your brain? allu akBar mo fo!
25. #16 Ezra
Jerome ,   Basalt, Colorado   (10.02.13)
it's sad but the only one buying it is president obummer
26. #Netanyahu
Joy"is   (10.02.13)
Dear Prime Minister, good morning. i was working when you delivered your speech at the UN General A. Even though i read some parts of the text through the israeli press. No doubt this time your speech was in fact much better than the last one you performed overthere. I understand your skepticism; Rohani is just the president but Iran was ruled during the last 30 years by muslims clerics & they were not exactly our fans. I disagree with your idea that Rohani is du parsufim or that he suggested to turn off one of Irans nuclear plants because in your opinion economic sanctions worked. I frankly believe Fukushima radioactive troubles contaminating the ocean pacific because the tsunami, it could be one of the reasons Iran is considering to accept to be censored & i believe its not exactly because of weakness that they want U.S.A. again as friends, and who knows? Perhaps Iran wants to be Israel friend. Why not? Ben Caspit wrote in the newspapers the sane thing i post last week here in talkbacks, lets invite Iran President to Israel. Shalom
27. And one more thing, #12
Tahl   (10.02.13)
Can you please bring forth an exact quote of Avigdor Lieberman suggesting the usage of nuclear weapons? You won't find any, because neither Lieberman, nor any other Israeli MK, has ever openly suggested such a thing.
28. Contradictory statesment !.
Arn. ,   Sweden.   (10.02.13)
First - dont believe or trust the Iranians. Secondly - dont export our oppinion. This Usefull Idiot thinks She is clever, when She is only a selfdeceiver. Arn.Sweden.
29. #12
Cauvery ,   Antwerp, Belgium   (10.02.13)
Lieberman is not part of the Israeli government, when you give an opinion better check the facts first.
30. Bibi acting like an Arab...
Shachar ,   Eilat   (10.02.13)
It used to be that every time an Israeli delegate stood up to speak the Arab delegates would walk out. Now we're doing the same stupid walk out?! Pathetic. It used to be every time Israel spoke of peace, the Arabs would threaten war. Now the Arabs and Iranians are talking peace and Bibi is threatening war. And he sounds as pathetic as the old Arab leaders of yesteryear. As I've said before, if you want to shoot, SHOOT! Don't talk.
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