Opinion  Shimon Shiffer
The weak alliance
Shimon Shiffer
Published: 18.11.13, 11:39
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9 Talkbacks for this article
1. A rival? For what?
desi ,   mars   (11.18.13)
Do israelis, or anybody in the world for that matter, sleep bad because the french have a nuclear weapon? I doubt it. What a strange phrase. And for De Gaulle, the least you can say is that his speech of 1967 proved to be assertive; by crossing the line, Israel overextended itself to the point of breakage, threatening its future and soul. Since then it never waged war for survival but petty wars to keep a sustainable status quo, no more. Now you're completely isolated.
2. No, no, keep running after the French
Cameron ,   USA   (11.18.13)
This 11th-hour attempt to form an alliance of sorts with the French & Saudis is fascinating. Don't let Shiffer's wary doubts and cynicism dissuade you from this goal.
3. France and Israel
A Jerusalemite ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (11.18.13)
France has throughout the history of the modern State of Israel blown hot and cold alternately. We should know by now that France is not a dependable ally. One year that and the next year that...
4. Iranian Negotiation
Paul Hauser ,   Wellington U.S.A.   (11.19.13)
Negotiations with Iran have been enabled by the U.S.'s victory in Iraq. With access to the globe's 2nd largest supply of oil, the U.S.'s need of Israel as a potential staging point is diminished. Therefore the U.S. can move away from Israel politically and towards its' enemies in the region. I don't think in the foreseeable future America would abandon Israel. The Jewish community in the U.S. is enormously wealthy and extremely influential. But we must never lose sight of the fact that no matter who we count among our friends, past, present and future we are essentially and eternally alone.
5. The weak alliance
Harold ,   USA   (11.19.13)
I suggesgt Netanyahu must not make any deals with Hollande who will be shown to the door very soon. The same happened when an agreement signed by Rabin and Peres, called the Oslo Accords, but rejected by Sharon and Netanyahu.
6. Very short-sighted analysis
Philippe ,   Raanana   (11.19.13)
Mr Shiffer does not take into account the Arak plant producing plutonium.Neither does he thinks one second that Iran will at some point break its word and reneges the Agreement now being engineered.About France, Mr Hollande wants to show french Independence from the USA for reasons of " grandeur " aimed at its internal audience.It's only a cosmetic stance.Therefore israel is alone, no ally , and the FORMER US ALLY now standing with our arch-ennemy.
7. #5 Oslo accords were rejected by Arafat
Tahl   (11.20.13)
The Oslo accords called for a cessation of all violence. Yet Arafat knowingly supported the suicide bombing activity of Hamas, and under his rule over 1000 innocent Israeli civilians were murdered by Hamas terrorists - in buses, restaurants, markets. Furthermore, Arafat was the one who refused Barak's generous offer of 97% of the West Bank, in their Camp David summit with Clinton. Had Arafat showed true commitment to the peace process and stopped terrorism, the settlements would all have been cleared and the Palestinians would have had a state. The majority of Israeli public was ready for that in the 1990s. Arafat, and only Arafat, was the reason the Oslo accords failed. And by the way. Interesting how you forget that Sharon was the one who engineered the 2005 disengagement from Gaza, despite thousands of qassam rockets that rained on Israel up to that point. Interesting also, how you falsely accuse Sharon and Bibi for reneging on Oslo, while forgetting how Hamas reneged on all of the agreements made by Fatah to recognize Israel. Needless to say, your perception of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is extremely skewed and one-sided in favor of the Palestinians.
8. Hollande and Jerusalem
Harold ,   USA   (11.20.13)
What was Netanyahu's answer to Hollande when he said "Jerusalem must be the capital for both Israel and the Palestenian State.
9. Who said, "The French are great friends,
On the Balcony   (11.20.13)
they are always there when they need you." Churchill? Eisenhower? No matter, just seems apropo.
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