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Israel's facing worsening international isolation, warns Foreign Ministry paper
Itamar Eichner
Published: 14.01.15, 00:57
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30 Talkbacks for this article
1. Thanks to Liberman
Miriam   (01.14.15)
Liberman has been considered non persona grata in european diplomatic circles for a long time
2. Sounds like a load of...
Propaganda   (01.14.15)
Europe is on the verge of disaster, an existential threat to its culture, and they have time and leisure for boycotting Israell?! Ridiculous! This piece is an all Israeli media concoction to interfere with the elections.
3. above
moishe   (01.14.15)
may be true. Israel needs better PR people. but lots hate USA. so what? might is right and survival. Israel will be in greater danger when peace and complacency comes. Jews better get over that lots don't like them. and want to kill them. its the price you pay to belong to a very exclusive club.
4. What a load of political nonsense
Israel Vigilante ,   Los Angeles, United   (01.14.15)
The Foreign Ministry has completely over reacted. Mr. Lieberman I've been a fan until now. How can you allow such poppycock hysteria to be sent out. It smells of party politics. No, its is party politics. The mood in the United Staes Congress is 100% behind Israel. The mood in Iran, Gaza and the West Bank is 100% against Israel. To hell with them. Israel is the ONLY democracy in the Middle East. In fact its the beacon of human rights, women's rights, Gay rights in the world. Bibi has played his cards right in the eyes of the US Congress and now the foolhardy panic by the Foreign Ministry undermines the character of the israeli people with this uncalled outrages fear mongering. Am Israel Chai.
5. Then dump Europe for Asia.
Vlad   (01.14.15)
Israel is already increasing trade with Asia. Within a few years, Israel's economic dependence on Europe will be far lower than it is today.
6. The FM is filled with left wing radicals
nywoman   (01.14.15)
Which idiot wrote the report to give additional ideas to Israel's enemies. Amazing...they already know everything...giving more ammunition to the hater's of Israel and putting fear into the population of Israel. G-d only help us.
7. Someone forgot to include possible Ice-Age as well....!
(01.14.15)
8. Israel Isolation
Robert Elman ,   Montreal Canada   (01.14.15)
Israel must beef up its Pr Israel must get its message out very clearly to universities that are friendly Israel must halt the expansion of settlements Israel must keep Netanyahu away from opportunities to embarrass Israell
9. Next Government needs Restrain Settlements
Zechariah   (01.14.15)
Clearly the next Coalition of WhoEver Requires Settlement Restraint Security Capacity Increase and Close the Social Gap .So Bennetts Party needs concentrate on increasing security within the Settlements Jewish Traditions and IDF capacity not stirring for more settlements .The Hamas represents the Palestinian Arab Streetthey would never accept what Labor -Hatnua can Offer which Focussed on Security like the IDF in the Jordan Valley and Demilitirization is a Absolute no go .Intractable .Only Truces .
10. OK
(01.14.15)
So Israel might face worsening international isolation. What is the solution? One solution is the PLO solution: two states living side by side: an ethnically pure Palestine and a Muslim majority Israel. Another solution is Herzog/Livni: turn over Judea and Samaria to PLO. Considering the result of the Gaza retreat, Lebanon retreat and Arab civil war, this means no more Israel. I think I will choose diplomatic isolation.
11. and God will make Israel a stumbling block
Elena Nash ,   Tampa Florida, USA   (01.14.15)
many nations will come against Israel this year each time there will be war. Make no mistake God has not forgotten Israel and never will in both wars Israel will annihilate their enemies. If you don't believe me believe God. Ezekiel 38 and psalm 83.
12. the sky is falling!
Adrien ,   Paris   (01.14.15)
This was no doubt written by a left-wing Yisrael Beitenu member who's party will lose many seats in the next election. Obama's foreign policy has been a disaster. Not only is he weak & indecisive he managed to piss off all of America's allies by spying on them, so Israel is not to blame for the bad relations with the White House. Relations between Israel & the Congress has never been stronger. Israel is also greatly improving ties with China, India & many African countries. The EU, which is used to treating Israel like a subordinate is losing power & influence & they will never go so far as to impose sanctions or boycott Israel.
13. Right wing delusionists
Disillusioned   (01.14.15)
They think isolation is a whole load of fun, that no matter what, this Israeli government should continue down its path of self destruction. They think this little pinhole of a country will stand up to international condemnation. They are ignorant deluded fools. The blame lies firmly and squarely on this prime minister and his hand-picked Huns, whose arrogance and rude, undiplomatic behavior has brought shame on what was once a proud little country. Israel's well-being was, and always will be, dependent on the support and goodwill of the United States. While Obama has indeed been disaster for American status, there is no doubt that the expansionist policy, the arrogance and rudeness of Netanyahu and the boorishness of the foreign minister have got American hackles up and even the American academia, once supportive of an industrious Israel, have turned against us. What a sad state of affairs and the blind twits who arrogantly proclaim that countries like India will be better replacements for the USA are simply bombastic know-nothings. Israel needs the USA. It stands close to Europe and needs Europe. It does NOT need any more puffed up fanatics like the current Likud list or walking time-bombs like Bennett to make things any worse than they already are.
14. Isolation sounds pretty good
BUILD BABY BUILD !!!   (01.14.15)
if it means Israel has less terror and Europe has more terror, who wins and who loses? America's founders knew Europe was screwed when we left that hell hole over 200 years ago. If anything, France, and all nations who voted for an Israel "two state solution" will be the victims of their own 'two state solution' by housing and coddling Islamic terrorists. Yes, isolation sounds pretty good and, notice the BDS movement is now constipated. BUILD MORE AND WORRY LESS.!!!!!
15. Lieberman is playing politics
C   (01.14.15)
his party is falling appart due to charges of corruption. lieberman himself has lost his influence in russia since putin has become a pariah. all that said, there is no doubt that europe has become more aggressive under the influence of the obama regime and its accolytes.
16. So What ! Better isolation than
DT ,   TA Israell   (01.14.15)
ceasing to exist. FM is run by Leftys anyhow
17. Why Europe has been
Savid ,   Israel   (01.14.15)
encouraging terrorist and at the same time has been provoking Israel by supporting dictatorships such as Erdogan's.? 1)They are ashamed of their own past and are trying to show Israel as the aggressor in order to justify the shameful past actions of their fathers. 2)They are hoping to calm down the radical Muslims in their country by criticizing Israel in every opportunity no matter what. 3)Preventing Arabs to realize that peace and collaboration with Israel could bring brighter future to the Middle East.
18. Rubbish
Claude ,   UK and Cape Town   (01.14.15)
These are just assumptions, but no evidence or assessment of how likely they are to happen A few points from UK BDS in UK Academia is primarily led and promoted by the main academic Unions. UCU and Unison. Both have seen massive decline in memberships in last 10 years and are increasingly irrelevant. Most young people questioned in a recent survey indicated they would not even join a Trade Union. BDS claimed a huge victory because Soda Stream closed its store in Brighton! It was in fact probably a commercial decision, who buys goods like this from a shop when it's easier from Amazon. As for EU Sanctions, please remember that EU is fighting a more important battle, it's very survival is at stake, with public support at its lowest ever In fact goods marked produce of Israel sell well, even in my local Co Op I can buy IL products, so much for their claims to be boycotting IL.
19. You ain't see nothing yet
tiki ,   belgium   (01.14.15)
With a right wing government Israel is pushing back. When a left wing government will take over the REAL blackmail will begin. These pushovers are easy to intimidate and will do everything in their power to be liked by the anti Semites from Europe. This means: give & give & give & give & give........ or else! Europe has to do something to keep the Muslims in their own backyard quit. For that they need some achievement on the "Palestinian holy cow" and Israel must bring this achievement for them.
20. To: Facebook Hélder Vieira ·
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (01.14.15)
Why should Israel move back to the 1967 lines? Is Poland planning to move back to the 1939 lines? Territorial losses and population transfers are part and parcel of starting a war of aggression -- and LOSING. As the "palestinians" have done on six major occasions and countless smaller ones. Time for the "palestinians" to move on and get on with their lives -- in Gaza. At least until Poland returns East Prussia and the Polish Corridor to Germany. Fair enough? Do you see that happening any time soon? Then why should Israel give up land acquired in the course of fighting a defensive war? Doesn't make sense, especially since Judea and Samaria are nonsovereign. The "palestinians" can have Gaza. Whether we allow them to keep it or not is entirely up to them. Alternatively, if you love them so much, we'll send them to Portugal. You can have them.
21. To: FB Helen McInerney
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (01.14.15)
Europe part of the civilized world? Excuse me, but can you spell "Holocaust?" Europeans have been killing Jews for two millennia. The Europeans are hardly civilized. In point of fact, if you look at what European colonizers have done to native people throughout the world, not to mention to what they have to the Jews, "civilized" is not the word a sane person would use to describe Europeans. Sorry. You might want to align yourselves with Israel. We ARE civilized. Or do you think that NATO massacring millions in Kosovo, and even more millions in Afghanistan and Iraq qualify as "civilized" behavior? I do believe that educated people would beg to disagree. Europe is the most uncivilized continent on the planet, and has been for quite a long time.
22. To: Robert at No. 8
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (01.14.15)
I agree. Harvard University, Yale University and Princeton University have all rejected BDS efforts, telling its proponents (mostly misguided students, but some teaching staff, too) that it was not interested in cutting ties with Israeli academia. You don't get very much more seriously academic universities than Harvard, Yale and Princeton. So who cares what the State University of California at Santa Clara does? It's a nebbish university, subject to open enrollment, where over one-half of its entering freshmen require remedial reading and arithmetic. Arithmetic, mind you -- not math. Duke University, Amherst College and Stanford University have rejected BDS as well. So, it exists at a bunch of nothing "colleges" (which are actually thirteenth grade in the U.S.). Wow. Not too impressive. I'm pretty certain that McGill is not interested in BDS, nor is the University of Toronto. That's pretty serious academia. I'm not all that worried about what transpires in nothing "colleges." They're teaching long division, not calculus and analytic geometry. No threat there. Really. A college that needs to teach over half its student body remedial reading and remedial arithmetic. A joke to begin with, and very decidedly not a threat to anything except being a free forum for ideas. Which is what a university is supposed to be.
23. To: Tiki at No. 19
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (01.14.15)
Yeah. The Europeans -- as always, and as much expected -- are disclaiming responsibility. Waiting upon Israel to school them. The Europeans are cowards. A strong part of me says that the Jewish people should leave them to fix their own problems -- for once -- and leave the Jewish people out of it. Of course they won't. So -- yet again -- it's up to the Jews to teach the world the follies of their way. Getting old, you know? Time to leave the Europeans to their fate -- annihilation. I want to save the Jewish people of Europe. I could care less about the goyim. Sorry -- but there you have it.
24. The Beginning of the End is now here
Tova ,   Canada   (01.14.15)
The attacks in Paris - will soon be forgotten as with any attack. 9/11 is forgotten and the UnitedStates still does business with countries that protect terrorists. Europe does the same. Canada does the same. Western countries give them immigration and boycotts and hatred towards Israel will continue and happen faster now than before. France wants to recognize a Palenstian State and yet their are afraid of the Jews leaving France for Israel. France needs to decide which side they are on. Other attacks will continue and like every tradgedy - it will be forgotten.
25. So the intl comm wants to box Israel in
US citizen ,   US   (01.14.15)
good thing Jacob has a ladder.
26. A simple question for those saying Asia can replace Europe
spyguy ,   seattle usa   (01.14.15)
Please tell me what Israel can provide to Asia that Asia can not already produce for itself. No matter how "inventive" Israelis are, the Asians can easily copy and make (for much lower cost) anything Israelis "invent." Then there is the "slight" problem that Asia has more engineers that Israel has total population. basically, all those that look to Asia to "save" Israel are totally delusional with no idea just how powerful and creative Asia actually is. Note also that Asians have no cultural connection with Israel. To Asians, Israel is simply a place to be strip-mined of resources and a place to dump excess production, undercutting Israeli businesses. Asia will NOT replace Europe.
27. spyguy # 26
Arnold ,   Montreal-Canada   (01.14.15)
Asia reproduces what it is asked to reproduce. At this point of time there is little that any Asian country invents or discovers for itself though that will change over the next decade. True Asians do not have any "cultural connection" with Israel but I have read and you have not that several Asian countries are studyting the Talmudic laws to better understand the Jewish people. THEY ADMIRE THEM. You don't.
28. To: No. 26
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (01.15.15)
Can you name a single independent patent produced out of Asia that is not under very expensive litigation in any number of countries? For that matter, can you name a single independent patent produced out of Europe that is valuable and addresses a need? Of course you cannot! There aren't any. Asia may not replace Europe, but Europe is a dying continent. So who cares? In the meantime, Israel and Israelis control virtually 90% of all information technology patents issued. Israel is the dominant force in medical innovation, and accounts for fully seventy percent of all chemotherapy protocols in use throughout the world today. When faced with the worst drought situation since the Dust Bowl, California did not reach out to Europe. They contacted Israel. That's another area in which Israel is the super-dominant innovative and creative patent-holder. Too bad you're so hide-bound by your hatred of Jews and of the State of Israel that it blinds you to cold, hard reality. But that's part and parcel of your ignorance -- I guess you really have no choice. Keep wallowing in your incredible mediocrity. Enjoy wallowing with your fellow swine.
29. #27 proves my point about delusion
spyguy ,   seattle usa   (01.15.15)
His views about Asia are decades outdated and extremely xenophobic, but fairly typical of people that don't understand the Asian cultures. Most of the improvements in the stuff you own was done by Asians. Look at the stuff recently displayed at the International CES show - most of the new stuff was designed by Asians! The basic reality is Asia, other than a short 200 year period, was a very dynamic, inventive region for over 5000 years. Asia will not "save" Israel.
30. grammar
Lon W. ,   N.L.V., NV, U.S.A.   (01.15.15)
Take a better look at the headline to this article folks. Sheesh! Good article; am liking that this is a topic of discusson among the decision-making people.
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