PDavidHornik

Peace Now's ideological corruption

It leads to an inability simply to condemn anything, ever, that Palestinians do--even calling on state TV for a genocide of Jews. As I discuss today on Frontpage.

Don't think, don't accurately present reality--blame Bibi

Bibi has actually been very accommodating--some would say left-wing--on the settlements issue. Paul Hirschson lays out the facts. In my view, the continued Western--at present, mainly European--squawking over Israeli home construction in parts of Jerusalem and in a few "consensus" settlements ("settlements" is a misnomer--communities) in Judea and Samaria is despicable and reveals that the critics don't have Israel's wellbeing in mind and don't care about it; further reason not to take the steps they push for, as if there weren't enough already.

Insights from Moshe Yaalon

Israel's deputy prime minister and strategic affairs minister recently gave a talk, and the main points are summarized here by Baruch Widen. It makes for fascinating reading and undoubtedly reflects some of the thinking at Israel's highest echelon, not only Yaalon's. It also suggests why Israel's current realistic leadership deserves to remain in place, and why it's worth it for Netanyahu to veer somewhat toward the center if that's necessary to ensure it. One doesn't want Netanyahu, Yaalon, and Yuval Steinitz (and Ehud Barak is at least in the realistic camp on Iran) to be replaced with dilettantes and lightweights like Yair Lapid and the assorted Kadima and Labor dimwits.

Culled from Yaalon's talk:

The antidote for the ills of Westernism, Yaalon said, is a vigorous defense of, and renewed commitment to, the ideals of Zionism, our spiritual, moral, and ethical heritage, and the renewal of faith in the justness of our state and our cause in the world, instead of placing our hopes in documents, international organizations, or media accounts.

Or:

...Yaalon stated that there is a very credible military option--even with Israel acting alone--with high probability of success in permanently halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Yet he cautioned, “it can be difficult to have a credible military option as a real deterrent when many voices within Israel itself are publicly saying that it is not.”

The whole thing's very worth a read.

Mark Helprin on "The Mortal Threat from Iran"

Great, important article.

U.S. (apparently) calls off drill, fears to "inflame" already-inflamed region

As I discuss today on Frontpage.

What does it mean to be pro-Israel?

Moment magazine has run a symposium on that question. While I don't have time to read the whole thing, Hillel Halkin's response is particularly thoughtful, presented here in full:

Hillel Halkin

Being pro-Israel does not mean you have to support any particular Israeli government or its policies. You can oppose all of the policies of the Netanyahu government and still be pro-Israel. But I would list a number of things that you must also be.

First, you must understand why Israel is important. Israel is unique in human history, whatever its faults may be. And if you’re Jewish, you must understand that, no matter where you’re living, Israel is your country. You can be critical of its policies, but you must understand that they are the policies of a government chosen democratically by your own people. Second, being pro-Israel means having an empathic understanding of Israel’s problems. This means not blindly superimposing liberal American standards of what’s right and wrong without asking whether they fit the Israeli situation. Third, you have to understand that the threat to Israel’s existence is real. Hundreds of millions of people, most of them Arabs and Muslims, would gladly see Israel destroyed. Whatever mistakes Israel makes, has made, and will make, it’s always facing the danger of annihilation. Fourth, you cannot be pro-Israel today without understanding that Israel has become the focus of a worldwide revival of anti-Semitic agitation, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been viciously exploited for anti-Semitic purposes. When you criticize Israel, you have to be careful not to do it in terms that may be usurped by forces that hate not only Israel, but all Jews—which includes you, Israel’s Jewish critic. American Jews have to ask themselves whether it’s helpful in any given situation to join the majority of world opinion against Israel. Suppose your criticisms lead to harmfully isolating Israel even further. You can’t be pro-Israel unless you seriously reflect on what taking responsibility for running such a risk means.

Hillel Halkin is a translator, political commentator and author of the bestseller Letters to an American-Jewish Friend: A Zionist’s Polemic.

 

James Kirchik: Anti-Semitic staples on the "liberal left"

The ones talking about "Israel-firsters" are now "liberals" rather than white supremacists. Read Kirchik's fine riposte.

Palestinians to Israel: What's yours is mine--all of it

As I discuss today on Frontpage.

Keep Aryeh Deri out of Israeli politics--for good

MK Tzipi Hotovely explains why in a fine, incisive op-ed. Once a crook always a crook--as far as politics are concerned. Deri (though my sense of his personality makes me doubt it) may actually have reformed, but there's no way for the public to know. As for MK Hotovely, I think we'll be seeing a lot of her, hopefully in higher and higher office, who knows how high in 10-20 years. Smart, likable, energetic, strong values, deep understanding.

Hamas terror chief feted in "new Middle East"

As I discuss today on Frontpage, reaping the fruits of the "Arab Spring" and the new, in-part-Obama-manufactured, Islamist Middle East. The Gaza-based leader of the mass-murderous outfit feels right at home.