Columnists
America and Israel:
At The Crossroads
FATEHPAL SINGH TARNEY
I have always been a supporter of Israel – its right not only to exist, but to flourish as a Jewish, but democratic state.
However, I reiterate my concern that America's unconditional support for anything and everything Israel does has been detrimental to both countries.
Putin of Russia and Netanyahu of Israel, both have distinct advantages over any American president and not just Obama. Both these men are willing to go to war, whereas the American people are tired of the Iraq and Afghanistan invasions and their cost in blood and treasure.
Putin is ready and willing to go to war over Crimea and eastern Ukraine, but we in the West are not. Putin knows this. I am a bit surprised at the receptivity of the Russian people to more wars, especially after their own Afghanistan fiasco.
Netanyahu is equally willing to go to war with Iran. Putin and Netanyahu both exploit racism, patriotism, and ethnic cleansing in much the same way. Granted that it is easier for Putin to carry out his agenda in an autocracy, than for Netanyahu in a democracy. Netanyahu has to put up with opposition; Putin really does not.
I reiterate: all the atrocities, barbarism, and persecution of Christians and other minorities, do not excuse Israeli misbehavior whether it is the continued building of settlements in stolen territory; the mistreatment of Palestinians by extremist Jewish occupiers; or the Israeli PM thumbing his nose at the President of the United States.
I think Yuri Avnery expresses my point of view quite well. Avnery is a left-of-center Israeli who writes a weekly internet column. He is an elderly writer, peace advocate and politician with impeccable credentials in terms of defending the state of Israel, yet concerned about Palestinian rights. He recently wrote this:
AIPAC and other Jewish organizations have worked for generations to secure the support of both American parties and practically all senators and congress (wo)men.
For years now, no politician on Capitol Hill dared to criticize Israel. It was tantamount to political suicide. The few who tried were cast into the wilderness.
And here comes Netanyahu and destroys all of this edifice for one election spectacle. He has declared war on the Democratic Party, cutting the bond that has connected Jews with this party for more than a century. Destroying the bipartisan support. Allowing Democratic politicians for the first time to criticize Israel. Breaking a generations-old taboo that may not be restored.
[Re Netanyahu's recent speech to Congress] It means almost literally spitting in the face of President Obama. I don't think there was ever anything like it. The prime minister of a small vassal country, dependent on the US for practically everything, comes to the capital of the US to openly challenge its President, in effect branding him a cheat and a liar. His host is the opposition party.
President Obama, who is being insulted, humiliated and obstructed in his most cherished policy move, the agreement with Iran, would be superhuman if he did not brood on revenge. Even a movement of his little finger could hurt Israel grievously.
Does Netanyahu care? Of course he cares. But he cares more about his re-election.
No American politician could be this outspokenly critical of the Israeli PM. Interesting how Republicans want us to accept the democratic re-election of Netanyahu.
“Deal with it!” we are told.
However, was the democratic election and re-election of Obama something that Republicans accepted? No, not really ...
Race and ideology have divided America at the worst possible time. Most of what comes from right-wing politicians, clergy, and media is Obama-bashing. Does it occur to others besides me that all our enemies out there are encouraged and get even more recruits by simply observing and exploiting the disunity in our country?
We're at war against evil: fanatical terrorism – just like World War II – only a different manifestation of evil. What would our prospects have been had this kind of internal discord existed back then? How much more difficult would waging war against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan have been?
March 26, 2015