Opinion
Alone, in the dark
Ephraim Sneh
Published: 04.12.13, 20:39
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29 Talkbacks for this article
1. Exactly the Wrong Conclusion
A Yid ,   Tel Aviv   (12.04.13)
Sneh is 100 percent wrong that the Palestinian issue must be surrendered in exchange for Saudi cooperation. Saudi Arabia will cooperate because it is in their interest. If they are so afraid of Iran, they will abandon the PA, and Jew hatred, which is now a liability for them, in light of the rise of Iran. How about having them make a painful concession for peace, rather than us?
2. Did America EVER stand by its ME Allies except where its own
Alan ,   SA   (12.04.13)
interests were compromised What did US do when Nasser closed Straits Of Tiran to Israel shipping despite promises after 1956 War Whatever US did was for US interests
3. Alone, Reality
JoeMevorah ,   Lincoln,USA   (12.04.13)
The author is correct. The key component being the settlement with the Palestinians. The current understanding with the Saudis isonly a temporary arrangement based on mutual distrust of Iran. The new alliances which Israel needs to seriously consider is cooperating with Russia and China.
4. comparing the imcomparable
tiki ,   belgium   (12.04.13)
If Iran sends a bomb direction Israel, it might fall on the heads of the Palestinians, Jordanians or even Libanon. In politics there are no friendships, only interests and Saudi & Gulf interests lie with Saudi & Gulf interests and not with Palestinians who have nothing to offer them. Israel on the other hand, does and they know it.
5. A final peace accord with the Palestinians...
Gunnar ,   Gothenburg, Sweden   (12.04.13)
...could make Israel the most admired country in the world again. And I mean a REAL PEACE, i.e. not the old "Jordan is Palestine" or "not surrender a square inch of Judea/Samaria" c**p. When I was young back in the 1960s, all youngsters dreamed of going to the Jewish state to work in a kibbutz, not backpacking in Asia or volunteering in an African orphanage etc etc.
6. Strategic alliance
Albrecht Klein ,   Germany   (12.04.13)
Saudia Arabia and the GCC states do not give a damn about the so-called Palestinians. If they form an alliance with Israel, it's because of their common arch enemy.
7. tiki and Albrecht Klein are right...this article
Chris Rettenmoser ,   Bayerisch Gmain Germ   (12.04.13)
is a joke !
8. There's "strategic alliance" with Egypt
Jake   (12.04.13)
and no peace with palestinians. When Saudi feels enough heat coming from the Iranian kitchen, it will turn to Israel, "peace" or no "peace"
9. Gunnar #5, Spoken like a fair weather friend.
Jake   (12.04.13)
With friends like these...
10. Israel-Sunni "divide and rule" blew up in your face, blame
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (12.04.13)
...yourself, not "indolent" lazy USA, who has fought multiple wars for you, at the cost of trillions of Chinese dollars.
11. It's not only those countries...
Ysaac ,   Boston   (12.04.13)
You can throw Afghanistan, Tajikistan, India, China, Oman, Yemen, Sudan, and sooner or later Egypt to the Iranian side. I guess we're definatly alone! Bibi, it's time for you to step down - you blew it!
12. No it doesn't
Rachel ,   US   (12.05.13)
The Saudis are only concerned with the Saudis.
13. Israel destroyed Syrian reactor saving America's butt today
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (12.05.13)
14. Suicide for Peace
Bill Stein ,   USA   (12.05.13)
Forget it
15. #5 gunnar
solomon ,   bklyn   (12.05.13)
You forget about "Palestine from the river to the sea", "refugees must have the right of return", "Palestine must be free of Jews", etc. Your listening skills seem one-sided.
16. Look further ahead...
SK ,   Tel Aviv   (12.05.13)
Iran and Israel were once allies, and have in common they are both non-Arab states. The Ayatollahs put an end to this, partially because Israel was close with the Shah and US, and partially to enhance its ability to export revolution throughout the Islamic world. Iran has now estranged the Sunnis with its conduct in Syria, so it is unclear to what extent it can lead the Arabs with soft power. Should the Iranian regime moderate at some point, Israel and it may enjoy a less adversarial relationship. This is true especially if Sunni states acquire nuclear weapons.
17. "Divide and Rule" WWlll" are my old pathetic broken records
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (12.05.13)
18. Ever since healthcare disaster I stopped posting Obama UNSC.
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (12.05.13)
19. Israel destroyed Iraqi reactor saving America's butt 1992
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (12.05.13)
20. Nonsense! Arabs respect strength, not weakness.
Jake ,   USA   (12.05.13)
Arabs will finally make peace with Israel when they accept the fact that the Jewish state is here to stay. Giving away Judea/Samaria, East Jerusalem, and the Temple Mount will encourage the radicals and bring endless war, not peace.
21. #3 - Israel has no options
Spyguy ,   Seattle   (12.05.13)
Neither Russia nor China want anything to do with Israel and Israel has NOTHING either country needs. Especially China which has its own technology expertise that is as good as Israel's. The inescapable FACT is, Israel is running out of "friends." Israel has burnt too many bridges. BTW - I have spent the last 20+ years working with Chinese companies and know their 5000 year old culture fairly well and I can GUARANTEE that China will do nothing but bleed Israel of resources then throw Israel on the scrap heap of history. Some Israelis have long wanted to be on their own and after the US walks away, they will find out just how lonely and scary that is.
22. EXACTLY #1: I fully concur
Israeli 2   (12.05.13)
23. strenght
Sarah ,   NYC   (12.05.13)
"But this alliance, the last which still remains an option, cannot be established without a permanent agreement with the Palestinians. A government controlled by the most radical settlers has no chance of doing so." ???? why bc this current government is actually strong for the first time in many years? Sneh, don't feed us naive and foolish believes that we can exist without America constantly telling us what has to be done and what's best for us bc their agenda does not have our best interest in mind .Israel can accomplish more without constant nagging and pressure of the West, which only leads to negative consequences for us. And besides do you really believe Saudis are going to care for the Palestinians when their own existence is in stake ??
24. Unreliable
olavi ,   espoo, finland   (12.05.13)
The alliace of israel with the mentioned arab states may not be permanent. They (arabs) are the most untrusthworty beings on the planet. They are incapable to produce any useful things for humankind. When oil is end it is their end.
25. To N 15, Solomon
Luiz F Haddad ,   Niteroi, Brazil   (12.06.13)
You are right, my dear. While Arab Palestinians don't recognize and respect their Jewish neighbor, no agreement can be done. But it doesn't mean ending the struggle for a secure and honoured peace. Unhappily, this true friend of yours can only suggest firmness and patience. Salutes/Shalom.
26. Saudi Region
PtangPtang ,   Ecalpon, DW   (12.06.13)
I'm not sure you can divide the Middle East into US / Iran regions, it looks to me like Saudi / Iran regions with the US in withdrawl. Iran has: Iraq, Syria & Lebanon. Saudi Arabia has Oman, Quatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan (and since the coup are funding the Egyptian military) Egypt too. Israel is on it's own and Turkey has not picked a side (other than to oppose Assad & the Kurds). Saudi Arabia may well fear Iran, but they are doing something about it: the BBC say they plan to install nuclear missiles from Pakhistan, and have set up launch site, one facing Iran, the the other facing Israel.
27. more dangerous
namira ,   jerusalem   (12.07.13)
when facts lead to suspecsion
28. Typical lefitist contorted thought
Philippe ,   Raanana   (12.07.13)
Sneh spells out the correct facts and reaches the wrong conclusion:The correct facts are that Israel and Sunni Countries are facing a nuclear threat from Iran.True also that the US have sold out the stability of the Mideast for their own private tranqulity.Therefore the palestinian issue is a non relevant issue for the USA a non relevant issue for the Sunni countries which have a much more important problem right on their throat.Israel and Sunni countries will cooperate to neutralize the iranian threat .No matter what the pseudo-important issue of the PLO illusion game means in the leftist media system.In politics you have a scale of priorities and on top of the scale the iranian threat is no.1
29. The conclusion is wrong.
Michael ,   Israel   (12.07.13)
The analysis is correct until we reach the conclusion. The creation of an arab terrorist state in Judea and Samaria aligned with the islamic terrorist of iran is not in Israel's interest, and is not in Saudia Arabia interest. Was not the author's father a spy for the Kremlin working in the high echelons of the labor governments?
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