The recent sober assessment of Arnaud de Borchgrave—the distinguished editor-at-large of The Washington Times and of United Press International—is worth reading and reflecting on:
U.S. three-star generals and admirals, Defense Intelligence Agency and CIA sources, along with three former CENTCOM commanders and the three former chiefs of Israeli intelligence services who retired last year—a formidable array of military and civilian experts who share impressive expertise on the Middle East—are all waving a red flag against unilateral Israeli or bilateral U.S.-Israeli bombing of Iran’s nuclear installations.
They can see such actions triggering a wider conflict spreading to the entire Middle East and the rest of the Arab world.
. . .
A three-star with much recent experience in the Middle East says an Israeli strike could move the entire region in the wrong direction.
Iran can close the Strait of Hormuz, not just for a few hours, as the Israelis say, but long enough to drive oil prices into the stratosphere. An admiral with years of experience in the region at different times of his career said privately Iran can sow thousands of mines in an area that handles one-fifth of the world’s daily oil requirements. They are below the surface and can be detonated by remote control as a warship sails over them. Iran’s shore line, which covers the entire eastern side of the Persian Gulf, is pock-marked with concealed missile sites.
The Iranians would also use hundreds of small boats in a swarming configuration that U.S. warships are prepared to cope with—but one or two are bound to get through a curtain of fire and punch a hole in the hull of a U.S. or NATO minesweeper.
Such a small boat in Aden harbor in October 2000 punctured the hull of the USS Cole, a $1 billion Arleigh Burke class destroyer, killing 17 sailors, and putting the warship out of service for 18 months with a $220 million repair bill. Cost of the operation to al-Qaida: $10,000 plus three volunteer suicide bombers.
The response of Israeli naysayers is that such tactics would hurt Iran far more than any of its intended targets. U.S. generals and admirals respond that the Iranian leadership wouldn’t be averse to cutting off its nose to spite its face.
The Iranians can also absorb temporary belt-tightening far more readily than Western Europeans. And with gas at the pump suddenly selling at $10 to $15 a gallon, U.S. President Barack Obama’s updated resume wouldn’t look too appealing at the ballot box in November.
. . .
U.S. Navy 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain is vulnerable; two-thirds of its population is Shiite Muslim and rooting for Tehran in the current conflict.
. . .
Most Iran watchers in the intelligence community say that one Israeli or U.S. bomb on Iran would push Iran’s youthful protesters right into the arms of the government they despise.
. . .
More important than his meeting with Obama is Netanyahu’s speech to the annual AIPAC convention. The endorsement of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Washington’s most powerful lobby, is tantamount to solid congressional approval.[2]
By attacking Iran, Netanyahu and Israel will stir up a hornet’s nest in the Islamic world, and achieve little or nothing militarily. Israel does not have the means of destroying Iran’s nuclear capabilities; and it is likely that the mission would end in failure. Also, what Arnaud de Borchgrave neglected to mention in his fine article is that in the Middle East, in Europe and worldwide, Israelis and other innocent Jews can be targeted by Islamic fascists; and there is nothing that Israel or its Mossad can do to prevent it.
A “silent” holocaust might take place globally, which would be unstoppable. There are 1.3–1.65 billion followers of Islam worldwide, while Iran’s total population is approximately 78 million; and there are 14–18 million Jews worldwide, of which 6 million live in Israel.[3]
It is the Narcissistic demagogue Netanyahu who must be stopped, before he triggers actions in the Middle East and elsewhere that might be truly catastrophic. His goal is to provoke an American attack on Iran, which is outrageous, reprehensible, and similar to the pressures that were brought to bear before the United States invaded Iraq. There are no limits to his arrogance, or the extremes to which he will go to provoke the American attack. He and Iran’s Ahmadinejad and Russia’s Putin are “moral equivalents.”[4]
America is not Israel’s surrogate; the two countries are not tied at the hip; and Iran is not America’s fight. The American people are bone-tired of fighting wars in the region, and want out. And our valiant and heroic military forces have been stretched far enough.[5]
The New York Times has reported:
Thomas E. Donilon, Mr. Obama’s national security adviser, . . . spent two days [in Jerusalem] recently, along with a team of intelligence and defense officials, meeting with Mr. Netanyahu and his lieutenants. Both sides contended that the meetings were highly successful. The Israelis were told that the administration not only says it would use military force if sanctions against Iran failed, it is also doing the planning for it.[6]
Not a single drop of American blood should ever be spilled to protect or defend Israel, period.[7] It is on its own, sink or swim. It is a pariah state worldwide because of Netanyahu, who continually seeks to dictate and distort U.S. foreign and national security policies. Barack Obama was right in reaching out to the Islamic world—and he must block all warmongering actions by Netanyahu. An Israeli attack on Iran would undoubtedly draw fury from Islamic nations and the followers of Islam around the world. America is not at war with Islam; and Netanyahu must not be allowed to provoke this.
On some level Obama views the Israelis as the oppressors, or the “enemy,” and the Palestinians as the oppressed—reflecting his deep-seated beliefs about Apartheid in South Africa, which he viewed as pure evil. If one has any doubts, read his book, “Dreams from My Father.”[8] Hence, there is no kinship whatsoever between Obama and Netanyahu; and it is not surprising that Obama would treat him with outright disdain and contempt. Viewed in this context, one can understand what Obama is doing and why he is doing it. To him, it is likely that Netanyahu personifies that oppression.
The following bears repeating:
[Netanyahu] was hated by former Israeli Prime Ministers Ariel Sharon and Yitzhak Rabin—and especially by Rabin’s wife Leah, who blamed Netanyahu for her husband’s assassination. She saw “only doom for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process” with Netanyahu at Israel’s helm; and her views were prescient.[9]
Perhaps most surprising—and disturbing—is that the Israeli people have not ousted Netanyahu before now, despite the warnings of Sharon, the Rabins and others. One of my Jewish friends who follows Israeli politics closely is convinced that the problem lies in its fractured parliamentary democracy. Small splinter groups, such as Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu party, are allowed to dictate Israeli domestic and national security policies.
It is a case of the “tail wagging the dog,” and Netanyahu has skillfully maneuvered this political system to his benefit. Indeed, there appears to be little likelihood of change, certainly before he marches his fellow Israelis—and potentially Jews worldwide—to the edge of an abyss, of unfathomable depths.
In advance of Obama’s meeting with Netanyahu, the Los Angeles Times reported:
Obama said he plans to tell Netanyahu that he will order military strikes against Iran’s nuclear program if the current international sanctions are not successful in deterring its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
. . .
“I think that the Israeli government recognizes that, as president of the United States, I don’t bluff,” Obama said. . . .[10]
This is absurd, and simply political theater.
Obama has cut and run from Iraq, like a dog with his tail between his legs. He is in the process of doing the same thing in Afghanistan, and losing the Middle East to Islamic fascists. And he is trying to “gut” our great nation’s military might.[11] The idea that America’s “Hamlet on the Potomac”—and “Jimmy Carter-lite”—would all of a sudden reverse course and launch the United States into a potentially devastating war with Iran and the Islamic world is nonsensical.
He is a political actor, pure and simple, and not much more. Any notion that he has “Israel’s back,” and will protect it, must be viewed in the context of how he has protected the Iraqis, the Afghans, and dissenters in both Iran and Syria—which is not at all.[12]
The path on which Netanyahu is leading the Israelis is fraught with peril for their tiny Jewish nation . . . and potentially for Jews worldwide. He is determined to take the United States and the American people on the “joy ride” with him, which is utter madness.
© 2012, Timothy D. Naegele
[1] Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass). He practices law in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles with his firm, Timothy D. Naegele & Associates, which specializes in Banking and Financial Institutions Law, Internet Law, Litigation and other matters (see www.naegele.com and http://www.naegele.com/naegele_resume.html). He has an undergraduate degree in economics from UCLA, as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University. He is a member of the District of Columbia and California bars. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal. Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g.,www.naegele.com/whats_new.html#articles), and can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com; see also Google search:Timothy D. Naegele
[2] See http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Analysis/de-Borchgrave/2012/03/01/Commentary-Geopolitical-maelstrom/UPI-88241330603862/ (“Geopolitical maelstrom”); see also http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-1880” (“Is Netanyahu’s Next Irresponsible Adventure An Attack On Iran?”)
[3] See, e.g., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_religious_groups” (“Wikipedia: Major religious groups”) and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-2002 (“New Attacks On Israelis Have Begun, Which May Spread To Other Jews Worldwide”)
[4] See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/russias-putin-is-a-killer/; see also http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/9125129/2012-is-not-1944-Netanyahu-invokes-Auschwitz-in-warning-to-Obama-over-Iran.html” (“’2012 is not 1944′: Netanyahu invokes Auschwitz in warning to Obama over Iran”)
[5] See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-2027; see also http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/opinion/iran-israel-and-the-united-states.html?_r=1” (“[T]here must be no illusions about what it would take to seriously damage Iran’s nuclear complex, the high costs and the limited returns”)
[6] See http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/02/world/middleeast/for-obama-and-netanyahu-wariness-on-iran-will-dominate-talks.html” (“For Obama and Netanyahu, Wariness on Iran Will Dominate Talks”)
[7] Many Americans will never forget the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty. As stated at a memorial to those who died and were injured:
On June 8, 1967, US Navy intelligence ship USS Liberty was suddenly and brutally attacked on the high seas in international waters by the air and naval forces of Israel. The Israeli forces attacked with full knowledge that this was an American ship and lied about it.
. . .
Thirty four Americans were killed in the attack and another 174 were wounded.
See www.gtr5.com
[8] See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/is-barack-obama-a-racist/
[9] See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/
[10] See http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-obama-interview-iran-20120302,0,7234351.story (“Obama on Iran: ‘I don’t bluff’”)
[11] See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/#comment-1959
[12] See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/#comment-2028 and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/#comment-1959 and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/#comment-1883
Mr. Naegele,
I admire 99% of your commentary….but on this I disagree.
When Iran gets The Bomb , they will use it. Period. In such case the Arab countries will rally and jump on the band wagon ,,,anyway.
America will automatically be drawn in.
The war is coming whether we like it or not. It is tragic. But it is scriptural. This war is already underway. It had been since 1991. It is not going to get nicer. Israel is and has been the target. it is just now getting to this raped up pre nuclear stage.
There is a religiously motivated Ideological bully and tyrant on the block in Iran and they have been lying and wanting to rake over the world since 1979.
All of the military and intelligence assessments in the world are correct. But all the correctness in the world is not going to sway Iran. They speak it out publicly, in the United Nations no less.
It would be like one of your neighbors on your street telling you every week that he hates your other neighbor, am gonna stockpile guns, and is going to kill him as soon as he gets the chance…..and after the deed is done you tell the police, well yeah I saw him stocking guns [every] week but I thought he was bluffing.
Well, the bluff is up. The neighbor is dead.
Other than my three cents worth, I enjoy your blog!
Gary
Thank you, Gary, for your comments. Keep reading the blog. I appreciate it.
First, the same arguments that you make can be made with respect to North Korea, yet we have not gone to war against that country, nor has our much more important ally—South Korea—urged us to do so.
The same thing is true with respect to China and Russia. Thank God, cooler heads have prevailed. World War III might have happened ages ago if madness had been allowed to run amok. I remember as an elementary school student in Los Angeles going through mock nuclear attack drills, and hiding under our school desks.
Second, the United States’ national interest does not lie in making this world safe for Israel. It is on its own, sink or swim. Indeed, there are lots of Jews who are very worried that Netanyahu is leading his tiny country down a path that will lead to its destruction.
I am concerned about even worse than that; namely, the wholesale targeting of Jews everywhere in this world. I have made my views clear on this subject.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-544
Third, Americans want out of the region, not another war—much less one to vindicate the madness of Netanyahu. He is a loose cannon, at best. The Rabins and Sharon knew this; other Israelis do too; and world leaders know it as well.
Fourth, taken to the logical conclusion of your reasoning—and I say this respectfully—what you are suggesting is tantamount to Armageddon. As I have written:
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-1825
Please reread the last paragraph of my article above, and reflect on those conclusions:
Thank you again.
North Korea is not an ideologically oriented regime, nor has it already used and finance proxy armies like the IRI does. I sadly agree with Gary, was is underway whether you wish to stare it in the face or not.
Thank you, Piet, for your comments from Belgium.
Of course, North Korea is an ideologically-oriented regime. It is pure communism, and as authoritarian as any regime on the face of this earth.
Of course too, it has used armies against us and our vital ally, South Korea. This is what the Korean War was all about, and why there is a risk of another war on the Korean Peninsula.
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/the-next-major-war-korea-again/
Third, you have read my responses to Gary, and I assume to Michael and Martin as well, so I will not repeat them.
Fourth, like other Narcissistic demagogues, Netanyahu stifles debate and criticism.
See, e.g., http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/9193044/Israel-bars-German-author-Gunter-Grass-over-poem.html
Also, he is determined to provoke the United States and the American people into a war with Iran, while at the same time perpetrating Apartheid. He is our enemy—make no mistake about that.
You know, there is absolutely no evidence that Iran will use the bomb. If anything, the evidence is to the contrary as Iran hasn’t invaded another nation in over 250 years. On the other hand, Israel which does possess a number of nuclear weapons has a history of invading its neighbors and stealing their lands. A great percentage of people do not share your faith and see Israel as the greatest threat to world peace. Here is a link to the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s article on a poll of the matter:
http://www.wiesenthal.com/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=lsKWLbPJLnF&b=4441475&ct=5851265
It defies the imagination that a small nation would use an atomic weapon on the West and risk annihilation. The easiest way to stop Israel from dragging the US into an unwanted war is to stop funding first world Israel. If they want to invade nations then let them pay for it themselves. It’s not surprising that the vast majority of Israelis do not want to attack Iran if the US is not involved.
“When Iran gets The Bomb, they will use it”
Nonsense.
You use the bomb as leverage or to keep others from attacking you.
Nobody wins if you have to use it!
Were you sleeping when they hoodwinked you with the last Iraq war???
Lots of emotions, not so much logic. With all respect to your paternal grandfather’s beliefs I was looking for some better arguments in your blog but failed.
Thank you for your comments, Michael.
All of the key arguments are there, backed up by the judgments of foreign policy and national security experts, including Israelis and other Jews. Indeed, the only parties trumpeting war with Iran are Netanyahu and his lackeys, AIPAC, and those who carry water for them.
Let them fight a war with Iran and the Islamic world. Leave the United States and the American people out of it. Then, let the chips fall where they may, whatever the consequences.
. . .
However, in the final analysis, it may be innocent Israelis and other Jews who suffer most from Netanyahu’s unbridled madness. Tragically, he is the face of Israel, Israelis and Jews around the world. As a demonic Narcissistic demagogue, he is preparing to risk their lives, his nation’s existence, and wager American lives in the process. He must be stopped.
See also http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b1a4609c-72ac-11e1-9be9-00144feab49a.html#axzz1pmZh8d3B (“Amos Oz, Israel’s most celebrated novelist, weighed into the debate . . . : ‘Anyone who compares Iran of today to Hitler, and Israel to Auschwitz, is committing an act that is anti-Zionist and demagogic, encouraging people to emigrate from Israel and sowing hysteria’”)
- “We would not have fought the WWII and we would remain neutral with respect to Germany, Japan, Russia, England and the other countries as well. Any notion that the WWII conflict is a fundamental national interest of America is nonsense
Not a single drop of American blood should ever be spilled to protect or defend Europe, period It is on its own, sink or swim.”
that’s your and your grandfather’s logic
Forget about Israel. If Iran gets the bomb, next are Egypt, Saudis etc. It means nightmare for USA.
. . .
You wrote
“Leave the United States and the American people out of it.”
You should tell that to Iranian Ayatollah Khamenei.
I’m afraid he’s got different plans.
Thank you again, Michael, for your comments.
Saving Israel from its own destruction at the hands of Netanyahu is not remotely comparable to World War II. If anything, it is comparable to saving the entire country of Georgia from Russian aggression under the guidance of the brutal “dictator-for-life” Putin. Next to come, which may happen, is the rest of Georgia that he has not seized already, and possibly the Ukraine.
We did not go to war in that instance, and we have no vital national security interest in going to war on Israel’s behalf, ever. Let them fight their own wars, sink or swim. We should be bystanders, period.
Next, with respect to the Ayatollah Khamenei having different plans, Putin does too—which are infinitely more important to our vital national security interests than Israel’s survival.
Israelis, Like United States, Wary About Strike On Iran
This is the title of a Washington Post article, which stated:
See http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/israelis-like-united-states-wary-about-strike-on-iran/2012/03/08/gIQAjxqLzR_story.html (emphasis added); see also http://ca.news.yahoo.com/dont-attack-iran-urges-israels-ex-spy-chief-003522613.html (“[Meir] Dagan, who retired in January 2011 after eight years as director of the Israeli intelligence service [Mossad], has repeatedly warned that an attack could fail to curb Iran’s atomic ambitions while risking engulfing the region in conflict“)
. . .
The Washington Post‘s _ states in an article entitled, “Obama vs. Israel”:
See http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/obama-vs-israel-priority-no-1-stop-israel/2012/03/08/gIQAXKM1zR_story.html
Putin’s attack on Georgia is not threat to USA.
Obama says:
- A nuclear-armed Iran is completely counter to Israel’s security interests.
But it is ALSO counter to the national security interests of the United States.
- There are risks that an Iranian nuclear weapon could fall into the hands of a terrorist organization.
- It is almost certain that others in the region would feel compelled to get their own nuclear weapon, triggering an arms race in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
Thank you again, Michael, for your comments.
First, Putin’s attack on Georgia was an attack on vital American interests. We have been promoting freedom in the former Soviet republics, and trying to move them into the West’s sphere of influence. Georgia had been progressing nicely, and Putin was challenged by this. To invade Georgia sent signals to the Ukraine and other countries, which cannot be tolerated by the United States.
At some point, Putin will be terminated, and the world will be better because of it. He faces a future comparable to Mussolini, Hitler, Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden.
He is Stalin’s heir.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/russias-putin-is-a-killer/#comment-2040 (see also the article itself, as well as the footnotes and other comments beneath it)
Second, there are more significant risks that existing nuclear weapons from North Korea or Pakistan or even Russia can fall into terrorist hands. Iran does not even have them yet.
Again, this underscores the madness of Netanyahu. He is “unhinged,” and the Rabins and Sharon knew this.
Dear Mr Naegele
Let us please step aside one minute .Would YOU have recommended that President Roosevelt bomb the rail lines in to Auschwitz in 1944 when my Grandparents were taken to their deaths for no logical reason? At that point in time Hitler was fully aware that the War was lost but he was determined to link his downfall to the annihilation of Hungarian Jewry.Could Roosevelt not have spared a few bombers to bomb the tracks?He had hundres of planes in the air but the Jews of Hungary were not worth trying to save ?Be honest in your answer .
When in the 1990′s the Senate Banking Commission was involved in Holocaust restitution can we see your speeches and recommendations?How sad you had to be part of this debate .If Roosevelt had bombed the tracks to Auschwitz Hungarian Jewry would have survived and the major part of the Senate hearing would have been superfluous.
Netanyahu would have bombed the Train Lines in 1944 but sadly the State of Israel was only founded in 1948.Can I assume you would have also have attacked Netanyahu if he had done Roosevelts moral duty in 1944?
Thank you, Martin, for your thoughtful and poignant comments, which I appreciate.
First, I am so very sorry that your grandparents were taken to their tragic deaths. I visited Dachau years ago, and am well aware of the despicable Nazi atrocities, which never should have happened. They were and remain an unforgivable stain on human history—and represent continuing anguish and torment for the surviving victims and their families.
My paternal ancestors were Germans, who came to the United States in 1849. I have tried for years to understand how and why the Nazi Holocaust happened. Clearly, German-Americans and today’s Germans cannot be blamed. Among other things, Dwight Eisenhower is a German-American hero who destroyed the Third Reich.
Second, I agree that the rail lines should have been bombed. However, some have suggested that the camps themselves should have been bombed, with which I disagree. To have done so would have condemned the innocent Jews and others who were interned there to a certain death, and accomplished nothing.
The bombing of the rail lines may have been more symbolic than positive too. For example, the Nazis might have used other “killing fields” to accomplish their ends, as you know.
Third, I am always amazed that so many American Jews still revere the memory of Franklin D. Roosevelt, with some having become Democrats because of him. Based on everything that I know about him, there is reason to believe that he and those around him were anti-Semites or certainly very close to it.
One vivid memory comes to mind—aside from ignoring the plight of Jews in Europe itself—namely, what happened to the Jews aboard the MS St. Louis, who were denied entry to Cuba, the United States, and Canada. They returned to Europe, and most perished.
Fourth, with respect to the Holocaust reparations, I was not “part of this debate” in the United States Senate or otherwise. I have mixed feelings about them, and whether they have truly helped the survivors—instead of simply lining the pockets of lawyers and others.
As I have written:
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-544
Lastly, my views about Netanyahu and his plans to attack Iran are clear; they are set forth above and elsewhere. There is no need to repeat them here.
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran (see also the footnotes and comments beneath the article)
The Spymaster, Former Mossad Chief Meir Dagan, Compelled To Speak Out Because He Is So Opposed To Preemptive Israeli Strike Against Iran
[Tel Aviv in ruins after Iranian attack—Drudge Report, March 11, 2012]
In a rare interview, ex-chief of Mossad Meir Dagan has spoken out in opposition to a preemptive strike by Israel against Iranian nuclear facilities anytime soon. He says the Iranian regime is rational in its own way, CBS’ Lesley Stahl reported. The following script has been edited from “The Spymaster Speaks,” which aired on March 11, 2012:
See http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57394904/the-spymaster-meir-dagan-on-irans-threat/ (emphasis added); see also http://news.sky.com/home/article/16215690 (“[Lieutenant General Benny Gantz, the Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defence Forces] does not believe Iran will decide to develop nuclear weapons“) and http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/30/world/middleeast/olmert-ex-premier-of-israel-assails-netanyahu-on-iran.html (“Former Israeli [Prime Minister] Assails Netanyahu on Iran“) and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/ (“Israel’s Senseless Killings And War With Iran”)
U.S. War Game Sees Perils of Israeli Strike Against Iran
The New York Times has reported:
See http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/20/world/middleeast/united-states-war-game-sees-dire-results-of-an-israeli-attack-on-iran.html
Netanyahu’s madness must not distort American foreign policy or our vital national security interests. Also, the United States must not come to Israel’s aid, period.
Indeed, there is reason to believe that an attack on Iran will (1) end any hopes for a two-state solution between the Israelis and Palestinians, (2) hurt Israel in profound ways that are unknowable and unfathomable at present, (3) affect the United States and its relationship with the Islamic world in ways that are not in our strategic short- or long-term best interests, and potentially (4) result in the targeting of Israelis and other innocent Jews worldwide, which would be a tragedy beyond comprehension and make the attack in Toulouse seem like “child’s play.”
See, e.g., http://www.economist.com/blogs/newsbook/2012/03/toulouse-killings and http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/03/france-jewish-school-shootings-anti-semitism-poll.html (“Nearly one third of the Europeans surveyed held ‘pernicious anti-Semitic beliefs’”)
If necessary to prevent an Israeli attack on Iran, Barack Obama should order the shooting down of Israeli aircraft. Americans need to remember Israel’s brutal attack on the U.S. Navy intelligence ship, the USS Liberty, in which 34 Americans were killed and another 174 were wounded.
See, e.g., http://www.gtr5.com/index.html
Anyone who endangers Americans and the national interests of the United States is our enemy. Benjamin Netanyahu is such a person; and he must be treated much like Russia’s “dictator-for-life” Vladimir Putin and Iran’s leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. As stated in the article above and elsewhere, they are “moral equivalents.”
Anti-Semitism has no place in this world, and neither does Netanyahu’s recklessness. Indeed, the concluding paragraph of the article above is worth repeating:
See also http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-544
. . .
A growing number of Americans are not “fans” of Barack Obama, nor do they support his reelection. However, he may be the only candidate on the ballot in November who will stop Netanyahu in his tracks, and take decisive actions against him. Clearly, there is no love lost between the two of them.
The Republicans are pandering to Netanyahu and AIPAC, which is outrageous.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/ and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/is-barack-obama-a-racist/ and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/ and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/ (see also the footnotes and comments beneath the articles)
Amos Oz Rocks J Street
See also http://conference.jstreet.org/2012videos?akid=1175.205736.KpaBiA&rd=1&t=3
Apartheid 2012: Compliments Of Netanyahu
The UK’s Telegraph has reported:
See http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/9175366/Israel-closes-off-West-Bank-ahead-of-Arab-protests.html
Sooner or later, the “Arab Spring” may engulf Israel. Indeed, Israelis have every reason to be frightened, thanks to Netanyahu.
See also http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2091 (“Amos Oz Rocks J Street”) and http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/9194985/Israeli-forces-prep-for-pro-Palestinian-flytilla.html (“Israel has turned Palestine into a giant prison, but prisoners have a right to receive visitors”)
Enjoyed your writing.
It’s Bibi’s father that is the fundamental “Nut” that the son is trying to impress.
The American taxpayer might be surprised to know that US aid to Israel is deposited the first of the year in “CASH”, one lump sum, directly into the Israel treasury. US pays the interest on that borrowed money, Israel turns around and invests it, gets return. All other foreign recipients get aid doled out quarterly with strings. Israel, NO strings and they get to involve the US in Mideast wars.
Why is Israel not concerned with “their” price of oil shooting up after their attack? Well, the 1978 Sinai II Agreement that Kissinger authored GUARANTEES US supply of oil to Israel, should there be an interruption.
What is wrong with this picture?
According to the Christian Science Monitor, the cost of Israel to the American TAXpayer has been over $1.6 TRILLION since 1973. http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/1209/p16s01-wmgn.html
Thank you for your comments, Buddy.
First, the influence of Netanyahu’s 102-year-old father has been discussed in the past. Indeed, I have written:
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-687; see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzion_Netanyahu
[Note: Benzion Netanyahu, Hawkish Scholar, Dies at 102. See http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/01/world/middleeast/benzion-netanyahu-dies-at-102.html ("To understand Bibi, you have to understand the father"); see also http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2136]
Second, the cost to American taxpayers has been staggering. However, if Netanyahu provokes a war with Iran in which the United States is involved, the price may go through the roof.
Typical liberal/libertarian banter. Timothy, you are not seeing the big picture. Iran’s has plans that go far beyond Israel. Iran and Russia intend to hold Europe, and the rest of the free world hostage by controlling the natural gas and oil in the region. There are many reasons why this is a threat to US security, and ultimately it is our battle…Let alone those that have died due to Iranian IED and proxies. Please Tim, stop the wishful thinking.
. . .
One more thing. Obama is just trying to save his own ass by thwarting an Israeli attack on Iran. By doing that, he is throwing one of our closest and trusted allies under the bus.We must stop Iran at any cost. Russia and Iran by themselves are scary. Together, with a nuclear Iran, we’d all be toast.
Thank you, Rick, for your comments.
First, as I have outlined in other articles and comments, Iran is way down the list in terms of meaningful threats to America’s national security interests, and will be for many years to come. For example, China, North Korea, the uncertainty of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, and the possibility of Russian nukes falling into terrorist hands make Iran seem like child’s play.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2011/01/13/china-is-americas-enemy-make-no-mistake-about-that/ and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/the-next-major-war-korea-again/ (see also the footnotes and comments beneath these articles)
Second, America must not be drawn into another war in the region to make this world safe for Israel. This would be sheer madness; and Netanyahu is very much an enemy of ours. Obama is to be praised for thwarting Netanyahu at every turn, and treating him with the contempt that he deserves.
Third, Putin is a problem unto himself, which I have written about and will not repeat here.
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/russias-putin-is-a-killer/ (see also the footnotes and comments beneath this article)
Fourth, Netanyahu is the wrong leader for his country at this critical juncture in its history. The Rabins and Sharon despised him, and with good reason.
Fifth, saving Israel from Netanyahu is not a vital national security interest of the United States. Israel will sink or swim on its own, and live with the decision of having placed him in a leadership position for a second time, after his first failed effort.
Lastly, I am concerned about the United States and the American people. As I have written in the article above:
Paul Krugman Speaks Out
Nobel Prize-winning economist and New York Times columnist Krugman wrote in a commentary entitled, “The Crisis of Zionism”:
See http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/24/the-crisis-of-zionism/
Amen, but it may not be a “gradual, long-run” process. Indeed, this is what I have written in the article and comments above, and in a related article and comments on this subject.
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/ (“Israel’s Senseless Killings And War With Iran”)
Netanyahu’s Father Dies At 102
In an article entitled, “Benzion Netanyahu, Hawkish Scholar, Dies at 102,” the New York Times reported about Netanyahu’s father:
See http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/01/world/middleeast/benzion-netanyahu-dies-at-102.html
Barack Obama Ordered Stuxnet Cyber Attack On Iran
This is the title of an article in the UK’s Telegraph, which states:
See http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/9305704/Barack-Obama-ordered-Stuxnet-cyber-attack-on-Iran.html; see also http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/world/middleeast/obama-ordered-wave-of-cyberattacks-against-iran.html
If true, these are criminal acts of war against a sovereign nation by Obama, who has been “carrying water” for the demonic Narcissistic demagogue Netanyahu—who is an enemy of the United States and the American people.
Indeed, if Netanyahu attacks Iran—which is predicted—he may have embarked on a path of national suicide for Israel, which will touch the lives of Jews everywhere, as Nobel Prize-winning economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman has written.
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2133
Even worse, Netanyahu has sought American involvement in such a debacle. As I have written above:
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/; see also http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2065
You only see a two dimensional view of the situation between Israel and Iran. You fail to realize the impact Iran will have in the region, when they are able to use the atomic bomb as a tool for blackmail and control. Additionally, Russia is a major player in this game.The aim of Iran and Russia is to control the mother-load of gas and oil that is supplied to Europe. Why else would Europe care? Do you think they have any love towards Israel?
You continue to demonize Netanyahu, when he seems to be the only one with the guts to stand up to Iran. Perhaps you would like to see the American people paying 8 dollars a gallon for gasoline and heating oil. We must assist Israel in permanently neutralizing Iran’s capacity to wage any kind of war, period. Russia will fall back when they see the resolve that the rest of the world has in this matter.
War is awful, but having the worlds economy being held hostage to a nuclear Iran is far worse. The United states is heading for a total collapse, and Iran and Russia are salivating at the opportunity to hasten it along.
All you do is blog negatively about Netanyahu, as if somehow he is the problem here. Very naive sir…
Thank you for your thoughts, Rick, as always.
As stated in my comments above, I view Netanyahu as a “demonic Narcissistic demagogue,” who will rank right alongside Russia’s “dictator-for-life” Putin as pure evil if he attacks Iran and provokes the United States into another war in the region. And yes, Netanyahu is our enemy.
Because his goal is to drag the American people into another war—to do Israel’s “dirty work”—he exceeds Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in terms of being evil.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2180; see also http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/russias-putin-is-a-killer/ and http://www.newsmax.com/US/borchgrave-media-leaks-obama/2012/06/13/id/442189 (“[I]t would be a grave mistake to drop one bomb on Iran”)
As I have written:
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/
The people who have known him the best have hated him, including other world leaders up to and including today.
The first two sentences of your comments were used by Israelis and others to provoke us into the war with Iraq; and they are being used now to provoke us into the next war, with Iran, which is criminal.
Also, you stated:
No, none; and I believe such sentiments exist globally today, with very few exceptions, thanks to Netanyahu—who has created or perpetrated his own brand of Apartheid and oppression against the Palestinians.
Indeed, his reign may hasten (1) the fall of Israel and the massacre of that country’s Jewry in our lifetimes, which has many American Jews petrified; and (2) the wholesale targeting of Jews worldwide, which Israel and its vaulted Mossad would be powerless to prevent, in an uncontrollable cycle of revenge for Netanyahu’s Apartheid and his likely attacks on Iran.
You added:
On the contrary, I believe all assistance to Israel must end, period. Many Israelis and American Jews agree that such aid should be stopped. Enough is enough.
Next, you said:
I disagree completely; and believe that while the balance of this decade will be fraught with economic and other dangers, the United States will survive. Israel may not, certainly with Netanyahu at the country’s helm; and there are lots of very smart Jews who agree.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/27/the-economic-tsunami-continues-its-relentless-and-unforgiving-advance-globally/#comment-2177 (“The Risk Of Runs Is Real”) and http://freebeacon.com/target-syrian-wmd/ (“Syria’s military has ‘the largest chemical weapons arsenal in the region, which can reach any spot in Israel’”); see also http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-544
Lastly, you said:
Again, he is demonic and evil personified. Nothing more needs to be added . . . except that my sentiments mirror the feelings of the Rabins and Sharon about him. The sooner he is gone, the better.
The Last Jews of Tunisia
This is the title of comments by journalist and author Michael J. Totten in World Affairs, which are worth reading. He writes:
See http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/blog/michael-j-totten/last-jews-tunisia
Please explain the connection between Netanyahu and 1,500 Jews who remain in Tunis for Economic reasons.I presume each and very one has a second passport for if and when they need to run.On the other hand there is a far larger Jewish Community in Iran.I doubt any of them have a second passport but they also stay for Economic reasons.Maybe they pray that the regime will fall and that their real estate will have once again a substantial value.Its all money.Not every one wants to take this risk.
Please remember how those who did want to escapre Hitlers Europe on the St Loius ,amongst other ways, were turned back by the anti semites in the US administration and subsequently died in Hitlers death camps.NO American President has ever found it correct to apologise for the way his country acted in 1939.Will you take up the gauntlet?
If there had been a Jewish State as recommended by the Peel Commission in 1937 the Jews would have had where to run to.You would then have had an extra 6 million Jews and all their heirs with us today and you would have had more people to refer to as “some of my best friends are Jews.”
Thank you as always, Martin, for your comments.
First, the comments about Tunisia relate to the future of Jews in the Middle East generally, which is and will be influenced heavily by Netanyahu’s actions.
Michael J. Totten is very pro-Israel, yet he writes:
Second, with respect to the Jews in Egypt, you have written:
Yet, the Muslim Brotherhood just won the election in that country; and some prominent Egyptians and other Arabs are saying that Jerusalem will be their capital, and that it is simply a matter of time before this happens.
See, e.g., http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV/2012/06/24/Egypts-New-President-Our-Capital-Shall-Be-Jerusalem-Allah-Willing
Third, with respect to the MS St. Louis, I have written about it before, inter alia, in previous responses to your comments. Again, my guess is that the “revered” Franklin D. Roosevelt was an anti-Semite.
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2063; see also http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-562
Fourth, the “Jewish State” that you describe in your last paragraph would have been, and was imposed against the will of the indigenous people; and Apartheid exists today, which Barack Obama has hated and still hates. The Arab Spring and the “Scent of Jasmine” may engulf Israel—and tragically, Netanyahu has been advancing that cause.
Fifth, your reference to my Jewish friends is presumably meant facetiously and/or derogatorily. What Israeli Jews and most American Jews do not realize is that I grew up in Los Angeles where my classmates were totally-assimilated Jews, and not from immigrant families. It was vastly different from Brooklyn or other American cities in which Jewish friends of mine grew up.
Also, I do not make my comments to pander to you or any other Jew, much less obsequiously. That is totally foreign to my nature. I have genuine Jewish friends, and have had some of them since childhood.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-544
Lastly, as I have written many times, I am reminded of what a prominent American (who is a Jew and a strong supporter of Israel) told me a number of years ago:
My guess is that this person’s words will prove to be prophetic, and tragically so; and that Netanyahu will have hastened this result—which will be tantamount to the first “Holocaust” of the 21st Century.
Indeed, Netanyahu and Russia’s “dictator-for-life” Putin are moral equivalents; and both men are likely to meet similar fates, and be consigned to the dustheap of history. They are evil personified.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/russias-putin-is-a-killer/ (see also the footnotes and comments beneath the article)
I wonder how Michael would justify the the overwhelming air strikes on Gaza going on now that killed a six year old Palestinian boy. A now powerful Jewish state has the Gaza enclave totally sealed ground, air, and water and conducts regular attacks that are funded by the US taxpayer. Gazans need to submit to their misery or be beaten to a pulp. Yes, primitive rockets are lobbed across the fence, but is it ever mentioned that the Gazans were pushed out of their homes that they are firing rockets to?
Israelis have not been able to deal with their orginal sin.
Its supporters are always too keen to remind others of their sins though.
Ethnocentricity is what I see here with the writer. Netanyahu got the best American enlightened education but still believes in segregation, checkpionts, home demolitions, arrest without due process, extrajudicial killings, etc., … All based on religion.
Seems like President Obama is not ready yet to release convicted US Navy analyst Jonathan Pollard. An Israel firster responsible for tens of millions of dollars of intelligence damage and the deaths of US operatives abroad. The treasure trove of intelligence would be sold by the Shamir government to the former USSR. Many thought Obama would cave including Grant Smith. The release of Pollard has been a Netanyahu priority for quite a while. Medal of freedom recipient (Qana victims must be rolling in their graves) Shimon Peres could not charm the US president to release the American born traitor either.
Peres’ other dubious credit is being chief procurer of stolen WMD technologies for Israel’s secret nuclear program in the 1950′s-60′s. He would also offer to sell the Nuclear-tipped Jericho missile to the Apartheid regime in South Africa.
Yes, worthy of the medal of freedom!
Thank you for your comments, Buddy.
I believe Pollard will die in prison, and rightly so.
As you consider Pollard the biggest criminal in the US for 100 years please at least tell me which other person in the US ,even a murderer, has sat so long as him.Even Madoff will not live long enough to match the sentence Pollard has served.Every single spy imprisoned by the US is now free.Read all the remarks of those who unlike you were involved on the US side in the Pollard affair -each and every one has asked Obama to release him.Your hate for Israel has blinded you to any form of justice .You truly stand alone.
Thank you, Martin, for your additional comments.
It is surprising that Pollard has not been killed in prison, and true justice rendered to him.
The first line of your comments (i.e., “you consider Pollard the biggest criminal in the US for 100 years”) constitutes a total distortion and twisting of what I have said, much less my true feelings on the subject.
Also, your next-to-the-last sentence (i.e., “[y]our hate for Israel”) speaks volumes about you, not me. Anyone who criticizes Netanyahu or Israel is automatically labeled a “hater” or enemy of the Jewish state. This is outrageous, but it has become a standard, thoroughly-contemptible practice to silence critics.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-1825 (“[Netanyahu's] critics, Jews and non-Jews alike, are falsely labeled as ‘Israel haters,’ ‘self-hating Jews’ or anti-Semites”)
Any attempt to engage in rational, civil discourse with you—devoid of personal attacks—appears to be impossible and a waste of time.
Lastly, I appreciate that you and other Israelis are worried about Israel’s survival and your own fate, and rightly so. However, this is what Netanyahu’s tragic reign has wrought, with much worse likely to come.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2209 and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2065 and http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/20/world/europe/explosion-on-bulgaria-tour-bus-kills-at-least-five-israelis.html (A sign of things to come: 5 Israelis Killed in Bulgaria)
The Arab Spring Is An Islamist Ascendancy, And Israel May Fall In Its Path
In an article entitled, “The Islamist ascendancy,” Charles Krauthammer has written in the Washington Post:
See http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/charles-krauthammer-the-islamist-ascendancy/2012/07/12/gJQArj9PgW_story.html; see also http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2133 and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2065
Rabin’s Widow Called Netanyahu A Nightmare
As stated previously:
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/
In addition, Israel’s Haaretz reported:
See http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/rabin-s-widow-calls-netanyahu-a-nightmare-in-decade-old-letter-1.5452 (emphasis added)
If anything, Leah Rabin’s descriptions of Netanyahu constitute understatements. As I have written above, he is a demonic Narcissistic demagogue; and he and Russia’s “dictator-for-life” Putin are moral equivalents.
Both men are likely to meet similar fates—which cannot happen fast enough, for the good of the Israeli and Russian people—and be consigned to the dustheap of history. They are pure evil personified.
See also http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/russias-putin-is-a-killer/#comment-2194 and http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_US_ISRAEL_SPYING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-07-28-09-25-08 (“U.S. national security officials consider Israel to be . . . a genuine counterintelligence threat. . . . The CIA considers Israel its No. 1 counterintelligence threat in the agency’s Near East Division, the group that oversees spying across the Middle East, according to current and former officials“) and http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=279229 (“[Former defense minister and o]pposition leader Shaul Mofaz warned . . . that a preemptive unilateral Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities could have ‘catastrophic’ consequences for Israel“) and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2065 and http://www.theblaze.com/stories/israeli-paper-details-alleged-tense-confrontation-between-netanyahu-and-u-s-ambassador-over-obamas-iran-policy-lightening-and-sparks-flew/ (“Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey that he doesn’t want to be ‘complicit’ in an Israeli strike on Iran”) and http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4276276,00.html (“Washington reportedly sends Tehran indirect message saying it will not back Israeli strike on nuclear facilities as long as Iran refrains from attacking American facilities in Persian Gulf”) and http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/12495 (Charlie Rose/PBS interview with King Abdullah of Jordan) and http://www.naegele.com/documents/NetanyahubeforeyoubombIransaygoodbyetoeveryoneyouknow-Haaretz.Com.pdf (“Mr. Netanyahu, before you bomb Iran, say goodbye to everyone you know”—”When the war is under way, it won’t matter why you insisted on pursuing this; whether it was a bluff that went ballistic, or a tragic thirst for a place in history”) http://news.yahoo.com/iran-israels-existence-insult-humanity-093922735.html (“Iran: Israel’s existence ‘insult to all humanity’”); but see http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-544 (“Why I Write And Say What I Do”)
Charles Krauthammer And The Wall Street Journal Are Wrong In Saber Rattling On Behalf Of The Delusional Netanyahu
The Washington Post‘s Krauthammer has been a consistent advocate of war with Iran, to make this world safe for Israel, which is madness. His latest article is another example of this.
See http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/charles-krauthammer-the-deterrence-works-fantasy/2012/08/30/20c0a3ea-f2d8-11e1-892d-bc92fee603a7_story.html
I agree with Krauthammer much of the time, but he is blinded when it comes to war-mongering on behalf of Israel’s demonic Narcissistic demagogue, Netanyahu.
First, it is only a matter of time before Iran and its surrogates are able to acquire nuclear weapons from others, including but not limited to North Korea and Pakistan.
Indeed, we did not go to war to prevent North Korea from acquiring such weapons, or in the case of Russia and China. Similarly, weapons from Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal may fall into the hands of our adversaries; and the same is true with respect to Russia, whose weapons are not adequately safeguarded.
Second, Israel will be unsuccessful in any attack on Iran, and will merely inflame the 1.57–1.65 billion followers of Islam, and make this world unsafe for Israelis and other Jews wherever they are located.
They will be targeted, and there will be nothing that Israel or its Mossad can do to change this result. Indeed, Krauthammer’s advocacy of war with Iran makes as much sense as American General Curtis LeMay’s advocacy of bombing the North Vietnamese back into the Stone Age.
Third, Netanyahu is determined to provoke the United States into another war in the region, right when we have exited Iraq and have set a timetable for leaving Afghanistan. Not a single drop of American blood should ever be spilled to protect or defend Israel, period. It is on its own, sink or swim. It is a pariah state worldwide because of Netanyahu, who continually seeks to dictate and distort U.S. foreign and national security policies.
Barack Obama was right in reaching out to the Islamic world—and he must block all warmongering actions by Netanyahu. An Israeli attack on Iran would undoubtedly draw fury from Islamic nations and inflame the followers of Islam around the world. America is not at war with Islam; and Netanyahu must not be allowed to provoke this.
Fourth, Netanyahu is threatening the United States and the American people. It is naïve to believe otherwise. He has been using every tool at his disposal (e.g., AIPAC, Netanyahu’s other American shills) to provoke the United States into a war with Iran. After two wars in the region already, the American people are bone-tired and do not want another war, yet this is exactly what Netanyahu wants.
Also, Netanyahu is leading his fellow Jews down a path that may be fatal for them. Yet, he is so consumed by his own Narcissism that it does not make any difference to him. He is probably the worst leader that Israel has ever had; and he is every bit as dangerous and sinister as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. America has become a target because of Israel, and Barack Obama has correctly recognized this.
We are not Israel’s protector or guarantor in this world, nor do we have any duties or obligations to make this world safe for Israel. Quite to the contrary, we are hated because of Israel.
Fifth, no amount of Israeli bombing can erase the hatred of Jews by the Islamic world. This is utter nonsense. Indeed, Netanyahu has done more than any other Israeli leader to insure this result. The Rabins and Sharon hated him, with good reasons.
Netanyahu is our enemy, pure and simple; and he must be treated as such. He is hated worldwide. Barack Obama is correct in showing him utter contempt, disrespect, and ignoring him. If Netanyahu launches a war against Iran, we must stand aside and let the chips fall where they may. It is not our war.
. . .
The Wall Street Journal is nothing more than a shameless shill for Netanyahu too. In an editorial entitled, “Israel Must Be ‘Eliminated’”—which could have been written in Tel Aviv—it is stated:
See http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443819404577633511664110678.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_opinion
Outrageous, inflammatory statements have been made by world leaders throughout our lifetimes—including the Soviet Union’s Nikita Khrushchev (“We will bury you!”), Cuba’s Fidel Castro, North Korea’s leaders and others—but the United States has not gone to war, and cooler heads have prevailed. This, however, is not what Netanyahu wants. As I have written above:
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/; see also http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/07/us-france-raid-idUSBRE8960B720121007 (France: “a radical Islamist network [has] . . . targeted Jews. . . . France’s 5 million Muslims are the largest Islamic minority in Europe”)
Netanyahu wants nothing less than the shedding of American blood on Israel’s behalf, in our third war in the region. He must be stopped!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Israel’s Hitler?
Has Netanyahu morphed into Israel’s Hitler?
At the very least, he is a megalomaniac.
See, e.g., http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/9572326/Benjamin-Netanyahu-warns-future-of-world-at-stake-over-Irans-nuclear-programme.html (“Benjamin Netanyahu warns future of world at stake over Iran’s nuclear programme”). See also http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2065 (“The Spymaster, Former Mossad Chief Meir Dagan, Compelled To Speak Out Because He Is So Opposed To Preemptive Israeli Strike Against Iran”) and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2227 (“Rabin’s Widow Called Netanyahu A Nightmare”) and http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443749204578052240221885884.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTTopStories (“Last week, former Defense Secretary Bob Gates said a strike on Iran’s facilities would not work and, quote, ‘could prove catastrophic, haunting us for generations.’ . . . [Vice President Biden:] ‘[H]ow close the Iranians are to getting a nuclear weapon. They are a good way away. . . . What Bibi held up there [at the UN] was when they get to the point where they can enrich uranium enough to put into a weapon. They don’t have a weapon to put it into. Let’s all calm down a little bit here. . . . The last thing America needs is to get in another ground war in the Middle East’“) and http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/UN_UN_GAZA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-11-14-23-28-17 (“[W]ar crimes are being perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinian people”) and http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/israels-attack-underlines-helplessness-hopelessness-of-gaza-palestinians/article5363472/ (“Israel’s attack underlines helplessness, hopelessness of Gaza Palestinians”—”[T]he water of the Gaza Strip is barely drinkable, with less than 5 per cent of their water supply fit for human consumption. Today, Gaza is an open-air prison and it comes as little surprise that UN agencies recently concluded that, in a few years, Gaza will become unlivable“) and http://rt.com/news/anonymous-israel-officials-leaked-002/ (“Anonymous leaks personal information of 5,000 Israeli officials”) and http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/9703026/The-Israel-Palestine-problem-has-a-simple-solution.html (“The Israel-Palestine problem has a simple solution”) and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-544 (“Why I Write And Say What I Do”)
Hamas Considers All Of Israel Occupied, Illegitimate, A Cancer, A Crime Against Humanity
These are the words of the Washington Post‘s Charles Krauthammer. He continued:
See http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/charles-krauthammer-why-was-there-war-in-gaza/2012/11/22/c77582e8-3412-11e2-bfd5-e202b6d7b501_story.html; see also http://www.economist.com/blogs/pomegranate/2012/11/after-ceasefire (“So angered was Egypt, say Arab officials, by the killing of Ahmed Jabari—after Israel lowered his guard by expressing interest in a formal truce—that for the first two days Egyptian officials refused to pick up the phone when their Israeli counterparts called. A few days in, Israel had still failed to penetrate the upper echelons of Egypt’s politicians. . . . ‘Hamas lost the military battle but won the political war’”) and http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/shocking-poll-european-views-israel_554683.html (“Shocking Poll on European Views of Israel”) and http://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2012/11/anti-semitism-hungary (“[The call] in parliament for Hungarian Jews to be catalogued and screened as potential national security risks”)
What is perhaps most surprising is that the rockets did so little damage, and caused so few fatalities. They were like “pin pricks” against Israel, albeit the psychological effects have been greater.
“Hamas’s objective, openly declared, is to ‘liberate’ — i.e., destroy — Tel Aviv and the rest of pre-1967 Israel.”
says the Neocons’ DR STRANGELOVE.
And does not the Greater Israel crowd consider ALL of Palestine THEIRS less of course Muslim and Christian inhabitants, i.e. dispossesion by hook or by crook.
UN General Assembly Votes Overwhelmingly To Accord State Status To Palestinians
By a totally lopsided vote of 138 in favor to 9 against (Canada, Czech Republic, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Panama, Palau, United States), with 41 abstentions, the General Assembly accorded Palestine non-Member Observer State status in the United Nations.
See http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/ga11317.doc.htm; see also http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/united-nations-upgrades-palestines-status/2012/11/29/5ff5ff7e-3a72-11e2-8a97-363b0f9a0ab3_print.html and http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323751104578149193307234514.html (“If the [International Criminal Court] were to indict Israeli officials on war crimes charges, they couldn’t be arrested on Israeli territory, though traveling to countries that are ICC members could become problematic”)
It is not beyond the pale to believe that Netanyahu might be arrested, imprisoned and tried if he travels outside of Israel to an ICC member state in the future.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Criminal_Court (“International Criminal Court”) and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_parties_to_the_Rome_Statute_of_the_International_Criminal_Court (“States parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court”)
As one Israeli expert put it:
What is amazing is that so many Jews, who earnestly seek peace, talk around the “800-pound gorilla in the room,” Netanyahu. He is the impediment to everything that the advocates of a two-state solution are trying to accomplish.
Barack Obama rightly pays lip service to him, and not much more. Netanyahu has done more to destroy the peace process than anyone else. Until he is gone, the chances of a meaningful and lasting peace are zero.
The questions become (1) whether Israel will have any real non-Jewish friends globally when he is finished; (2) whether it will be too late then; and (3) whether Israel can survive with him at its helm?
This is what the demonic Narcissistic demagogue Netanyahu has wrought: Israel is more isolated worldwide than ever, and it may be doomed because of him!
Yes Tim. It’s all on Bibi. Those poor Palestinians have no fault in their demise . Get real.
Thank you, “Richard,” for your comments.
First, there are reasons why Netanyahu was hated by the Rabins and Sharon, and why he is the symbol of the worst in Israel today.
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/
The United States should not stand with him but against him. AIPAC and its shills in Congress are despicable; and they have distorted American foreign policy interests, which will inure to our detriment.
Second, history is not on their side. At some point, Israel may be overwhelmed, and the consequences might be catastrophic and constitute the first holocaust of the 21st Century. As importantly, Jews can be targeted around the world, and there is nothing that Israel or its Mossad can do to prevent it.
Third, Netanyahu is the wrong leader for Israel at this critical juncture in the country’s history.
See, e.g., the article and comments above, including but not limited to: http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2269
Fourth, just review the eight countries that sided with Netanyahu—which is pathetic—and the damage that this vote does to the United States in the Islamic world and elsewhere. Yes, Barack Obama was right to reach out to the followers of Islam, and he should continue to do so. As I have written:
And I added:
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/
Lastly, the e-mail address that you provided was rejected by Google. Are you a real person, or simply a Netanyahu shill? Comments are omitted without valid e-mail addresses—which will not be disclosed to anyone, to protect a writer’s privacy.
Netanyahu Travels to Jordan To Meet With King Abdullah Regarding Syria
In an article entitled, “Russia warns of ‘bloody chaos’ in Syria,” the UK’s Telegraph reported:
See http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9767925/Russia-warns-of-bloody-chaos-in-Syria.html
This is a seemingly-constructive development; and if true, it speaks positively about both Netanyahu and King Abdullah.
The problem is if Israel was an unwilling or unable to make peace with surrounding dictators it is less likely it will have peace when another state slides into Islamic fundamentalism. Mind you lets not forget that Israel has been sliding into fundamentalism herself. Netanyahu himself with the finest US higher education that money could by never strayed from his pappy’s extremism
Thank you again for your comments.
I agree with your first two sentences.
You and I have discussed the influence of Netanyahu’s father above.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2115
Gentlemen, there is no realistic chance of long term peace in this region. It’s going to come down to a big war in the end. Israel will have [no] choice but to use everything at its disposal. Surely, you realize this….
Thank you, Rick, for your comments.
Yes, I agree. It will be a fight for Israel’s survival, which many American Jews are deeply worried about, and rightly so.
As I have written:
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-544
The problem is, as I see it, isn’t that it’s too late, rather, it just isn’t.. Tim, do you honestly believe, deep down, that there is any hope for peace in the middle east, in general? I see no way that can be achieved. You condemn Benjamin Netanyahu for being too hawkish and radical. But, what if he and those with his mindset have been right all along? That the Arabs have no desire to have a lasting peace with Israel.. It’s all part of the scam that Islamic fanatics use to further their ideals, and buy more time to deceive their enemies. You know all about this..
This issue has been beaten to death over many years, and many leaders, in both the USA and Israel. Never in all that time has any real progress been made with the Palestinian people. And of course, the real reason for that, is that peace is only desired by one side, Israel. With Iran trying to control that region, no good will ever come of this. Where do you go from here Tim? What can be done that hasn’t already been attempted? Really…
Thank you again, Rick.
First, I have discussed all of these issues in depth: in the article and comments above; and in my earlier article and the comments beneath it, the link to which is cited right above your latest comments. Thus, I will not repeat any of those discussions here. To do so would be repetitious, and not helpful.
Second, my views are most closely in tune with those of Jeremy Ben-Ami and others at J Street, although in no way do I speak for that organization, nor do I embrace all of its views.
I have written an Amazon.com review of Ben-Ami’s book, which you might wish to read. He is “enlightened.”
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-1825
The last line of my review is worth repeating:
Third, if you and I were Palestinians, we might feel exactly as they do, or even stronger.
Fourth, Netanyahu is what he is, and cannot be changed. I have discussed his character in both of my articles and the comments beneath them.
Fifth, in many ways, both Netanyahu and King Abdullah II of Jordan are similar. They were educated in the United States. Both speak perfect English and are very bright. Both want to survive and have their countries survive. And both are wrestling with thorny, intractable options before them.
Sixth, the chances of peace may have come and gone; and Netanyahu’s intransigence during his two terms as Israel’s Prime Minister may have cast the die. Nothing may be possible. If I was a betting man, this is what I would bet on. However, it leads to overwhelming tragedy and chaos, and possibly the first holocaust of this new century, in my opinion. Also, innocent Jews can be targeted around the world, and nothing can be done to protect them.
Can the abyss be avoided? Only time will tell.
Seventh, if I was an Arab, in all likelihood I would have no desire to have a lasting peace with Israel. Time is on their side.
Eighth, you have stated: “[P]eace is only desired by one side, Israel.” With due respect, I do not believe that for a nanosecond. The people of Israel, the Palestinian people, and most followers of Islam globally want lasting peace, or so I believe.
Ninth, I do not want to see the United States drawn into another war in the Middle East. Israel is on its own, sink or swim. America should not be funding Israel any longer, and many U.S. Jews agree. It has been on the “dole” far too long. Enough is enough.
Israel is not America’s “child,” nor should we provide any protection to them with respect to the forces that are massed against them. This is Netanyahu’s doing, and Jews may suffer greatly because of him.
Tenth, I want Israel to survive, and I have made this very clear.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-544 (“Why I Write And Say What I Do”)
. . .
Lastly, I am a nationalistic American. I do not have any allegiance to another country.
Tim, I am curious as to how you feel about the nomination of Chuck Hagel for secretary of Defense…
Richard Hameroff (or Rick):
I believe Chuck Hagel would be a mistake; and I doubt he will be nominated, much less confirmed by the U.S. Senate if he is.
See, e.g., http://freebeacon.com/rejecting-chuck-hagel/
The list of his detractors and/or those senators who may block his nomination is growing by the day.
See http://freebeacon.com/?s=Hagel&submit=Search/a>
My guess is that he is “dead in the water,” politically.
Among other things, as you know I worked in the U.S. Senate; and the mistreatment of staff members by Narcissistic senators gets around quickly. Also, Hagel possesses no administrative experience that would qualify him to run the Pentagon, where I worked as well.
But see http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/richard-cohen-the-tarring-of-chuck-hagel/2013/01/07/668da8c4-58f3-11e2-88d0-c4cf65c3ad15_print.html (“[Hagel] could be the necessary corrective to the Netanyahu government’s expectation that anything Israel wants from Washington it’s entitled to get”) and http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/charles-krauthammer-the-meaning-of-hagel/2013/01/10/12a37c48-5b5f-11e2-9fa9-5fbdc9530eb9_story.html (Krauthammer: “The meaning of Hagel”—”His views show where Obama wants to go”—”The overweening superpower that Obama promiscuously chided in his global we-have-sinned tour is poised for reduction, not only to fund the bulging welfare state—like Europe’s postwar choice of social spending over international relevance—but to recalibrate America’s proper role in the world”)
But you could see an attack on Iran, I’m sure!
The status quo which Israel and friends are willing to accept is a fortress Israel that is very expensive to maintain and only sustainable with massive US Taxpayer subsidies.The US Congress might be willing to bankroll it but a 13 Trillion debt ridden American public will eventually resent it. When the US is automatically willing to replace muntions used up by Israel on her latest assualt on Gaza, but aid for victims of hurricane Sandy is still not forthcoming, something is wrong.
You mean 17 trillion on debt. And yes, I do see an attack on Iran in the near future. If the USA refuses to stand behind Israel, I think the Samson option may become a reality.
“I think the Samson option may become a reality.”
Your Israel first crowd has been descredited and is getting smaller. Rest of the world has had it.
The lopsided UN Palestine vote shows this. US was bamboozeled into the disaster that was Iraq with cooked intel. Wonder where that originated??? Anybody ever find out who forged those Niger documents???
Israeli generals have to vist their justice ministry before foreign travel in fear of being arrested for war crimes. The BDS movement is gaining strenghth.
You see another Israel premptive war, I see a pariah state facing sanctions, if not from governments, but people. Even the once compiant German public no longer have the knee jerk Israel support they had.
Bibi had a fallout with Merkel on latest U-BOAT for his navy. Netanyahu was looking for the German taxpayer to pick up the whole tab for the dolphin sub. Merkel was willing to subsidise only part.
When you do not pay your own bills you get a bit of bluster.
Presently the US taxpayer subsidy to Israel is $10 million per day that we know of.
Do you consider yourself a little anti-Israel buddy? I’m getting that from your posts.
Personally, I think Israel has done more than they have been given credit for, to bring peace to the region. Only to get kicked in the balls by Iran, who is the instigator in all of this mess…Stop blaming Israel for all of this violence and open up your mind a little, please. With the exception of Tim, these posts here are very lopsided, and against Israel. I’ve lived there, and trained side by side with their military. The country is worthy of our support and understanding. Some people here seem to forget that the United States, at least in part, is responsible for Israel’s existence. They are our child, and they need our protection from the forces that have massed against them.
The Palestinians mean nothing to Iran. Nothing. They are just an excuse to further their domination of the region. They are expendable cannon fodder to Iran. And by the way, with all of the property that other Muslim countries posses, and do nothing with, why is it that NONE of them are willing to give a small piece of it to them? Nobody wants them, yet Israel is expected to bend over and take a stiff one…
And what is our alternative exactly? Cutting Israel off, so with their backs up against the wall, they have no choice but to resort to nukes to defend themselves? You aren’t thinking very clearly buddy. Wanna pay 10 dollars a gallon for gas? Wanna see our economy really take a huge crap, once and for all? That’s what cutting off Israel will lead to in short order.
if you say so buddy.
A country that has a thousand Palestinian civilians in prison including at least 500 woman and minors at any one time based on ethnicity is a tiolet. Especially if they claim to be a “democracy”. Only in Israel is torture legal but claims to be “light unto nations”, what a joke. A country that arrests/imprisons without due process, conducts extrajudicial killings, home demolitions, land theft. A country whose army can slaughter a young American woman, Rachel Corrie and whitewash the investigation and her trial is criminal. I could go on…
All on the US TAXPAYER’S dime, of course..
When a US senator can be taken to task for saying that he is indeed A US senator and not an Israeli senator, when special interest groups want him to bend over and touch his toes for a foreign nation, there is something terribly wrong in Washington folks.
Hey buddy,
I AM PRO AMERICA, first, second and last,
and So is that patriot Chuck Hagel.
Buddy,I respect your opinion, even if you are wrong, which I believe you are. You don’t see the forest for the trees sir. You seem blind to the reality that Israel faces, and what’s worse, you don’t seem to care…
Rick (22:21:09) :
“Buddy, I respect your opinion, even if you are wrong”
Really?
The mideast is a toilet because of religon.
Now there’s nothing wrong with religion mind you, but if that is the basis for your nation, it’s backward. It’s the religion you ain’t that gets you in trouble there. Now when Muslims do it, it’s called Sharia. Israel does the same, but more sophisticated. Even produce is classified as being grown on jewish or non jewish farms. Israel has to accept some of the blame for its predicament. They bankrolled Hamas in the seventies in order to work around the PLO and geez, they are fighting the Islamists now. They sign a peace treaty with Egypt, and that schlub Sharon with Polish army deserter Begin invade Lebanon and give birth to Hizbollah. Yea, use US made cluster bombs on civilians and they might just come back at you as suicide bombers. Home demolitions of Israel’s non jewish population does not seem to bother Israel supporters. Or arrest without due process, extra judicial assassinations, deportation, torture, etc….Again solely on Christian and Muslims.
It’s easy to know if you are on the wrong side of things.
When you see a youngster suffering or dead, and excuses are made cause they are the wrong religion, then you are part of the problem.
FYI been to mideast. When in Israel, a Scotsman had died in Ben Gurion airport in Israeli custody. Alistair Sinclair was his name. Israel “investigated”. It was found out later according to the ‘investigation’ he hung himself in his holding cell. Ah, Israeli efficency fails just at the right time!!!!! Body was returned to his family. Autopsy in Scotland showed his heart was missing and a certain bone in neck that would attest to a hanging.
I think you excuse too much of your “light unto nations”
I think that given the opportunity, Israel would love a lasting peace with the rest of the region. But the reality is simple. They do what they need to do, based on the people they have to deal with. There is no honest partner for peace for them to deal with, buddy. There is nothing Israel can do going forward, aside from packing up their stuff and leaving that will suffice. And that sir, just aint gonna happen. So then, what do you do? What do you suggest as the solution? Aside from cutting them off from US funding, which will lead to what I wrote earlier..
“I think that given the opportunity, Israel would love a lasting peace with the rest of the region” Really?
Perhaps something like a Pax Romana but under an Israeli boot.
You might want to look into some Ben Gurion quotes. He said he would understand the Arabs’ hostility and them not wanting peace, in that we Jews have come here to replace them.
There are two reasons why Israel will not make peace. One, Israel is too weak; the second, Israel is too strong and thinks it does not have to make peace with THE Yordim. That is the “n” word used freely in Israel for Arabs. So not having a partner is a sham argument.
The world has come to the realisation what the US will eventually realize. Israel is out of control. Funding a fundamentalist Jewish state will eventually dry up as America’s fiscal condition needs repair. Arming Israel to the teeth has only made them freely wage war against her neighbors with the US Taxpayer picking up the tab.
I do not know what the solution is except that religious states are part of another age. Yes, even a SUBSIDISED Jewish religous state. When IDF rabbis tell reservists to kill the Goyim wherever you find them and Israel supporters see nothing wrong, you got a some serious societal problems.
Read some history.
I would say the tribe needs some serious introspection.
The Goyim ain’t all going to lie down, pal
BTW buddy, the world is fast becoming a toilet because of religion, but I will refrain from polluting Mr. Naegele’s blog discussing that topic..
Extremist religion that is
What do you think about the building of a shrine to Baruch Goldstein, Israel? He slaughtered 29 Muslim worshipers several years ago. Why no opposition by Israel supporters? Why is Israel society so casual about non jewish victims?
Netanyahu Must Go!
Benjamin Netanyahu has created a climate of hate against Israel that I have never witnessed in my lifetime, and it is by no means limited to the followers of Islam. Anti-Semitism is on the rise, and Netanyahu is the reason.
It is time for Israelis to wake up and realize what he has done to them, and to Jews worldwide.
As the Wall Street Journal reported:
See http://www.naegele.com/documents/NetanyahusSecurityPolicyCriticized-WSJ.com.pdf; see also http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2065 (“The Spymaster, Former Mossad Chief Meir Dagan, Compelled To Speak Out Because He Is So Opposed To Preemptive Israeli Strike Against Iran”)
Isn’t the central question to be asked about the treatment of Palestinians by Netanyahu and others:
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-1825 (see also the article itself, as well as the others comments beneath it); see also http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21569427-arab-israelis-are-too-disheartened-take-forthcoming-election (“Arabs . . . make up one in five Israelis”—”‘The more visible we are, the more they discriminate against us’”—”a democracy for Jews only”“) and http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/9798855/Britain-and-France-spearheading-new-Middle-East-peace-plan.html (“Britain and France ‘spearheading new Middle East peace plan’“)
As I have written about Netanyahu:
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/ (“Israel’s Senseless Killings And War With Iran”) (see also the comments beneath the article)
Also, as I have written in the article above:
History may record that Netanyahu was the worst thing to happen to Israel and Jews worldwide since the country’s founding.
Tim, why is he so popular with Israel citizens? His articulation skills perhaps? Or maybe he just has the guts to say what has been needed to be said all along. Or is he like Hitler? I think the latter is ridiculous.
Is it possible that he is acting based on the incoming intel the mossad is gathering? Surely he knows that Obama is not pro Israel, and his bold actions are alienating Israel from his administration. Why take that chance?
There is more going on here than meets the eye.
Thank you, Rick, for your comments.
Once again, as I responded to you earlier, I have discussed all of these issues in depth. I will not repeat those discussions here. To do so would be repetitious, and not helpful.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2377
Second, the answer to the last question in your first paragraph is yes.
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2269
Third, he has systematically removed all who would disagree with him. Thus, he is merely hearing what he wants to hear.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2065
Lastly, Netanyahu’s actions have alienated Israel from the world, which will only get far worse. There will be few non-Jewish tears shed when its very survival is at stake . . . or worse happens (e.g., the indiscriminate massacre of Israelis).
This is among the many tragic if not horrific legacies that Netanyahu has visited on Israelis and other Jews—most of whom seem to be in denial. Perhaps history is repeating itself.
“Why is he so popular with Israel citizens?”
Well Israeli society is moving hard fundamentalist right wing.
Haredim are going to become the core of the IDF. Israeli generals have to visit justice ministry before travelling abroad in order to avoid arrest.
Israel is heading to be a Pariah state, Bibi is stepping on the gas…..
“Obama is not pro Israel”
Really, how many more hundreds of millions does the US president have to send over and above the $10 million per day Israel gets???
Israel decided it cannot afford Iron Dome, that is of course unless the US taxpayer was willing to foot the bill. Now the question is, does the US TAXPAYER really want to bankroll a religious state that is out of control??
What is going on that does not meet yer eye is the Israel first crowd is outa touch. The World and the US is fed up with the blackmail.
You want an Iran war, you pay for it!
‘History may record that Netanyahu was the worst thing to happen to Israel and Jews worldwide since the country’s founding’
Agreed, but he is a product of his people.
At the risk of sounding flip, it’s Jewish mothers that could be the cause (in Bibi’s case, his pappy) of the madness and intolerance. Jewish mothers instill in their offspring (sons in particular) a sense of exclusiveness and a wariness of Gentiles. Victimhood is passed on with ritual. The “other” is always lesser. Could be a survival instrument.
Now if you are not living in Russian shettle but in the US, that is curious. In the US, Jews as a minority have not suffered much more than other minorities and have achieved much success and acceptance. Muscular political power has also been achieved by said group which allows massive American funding of Israel, allows it to be a renagade state and always claiming victimhood, while still possessing hundreds of nuclear weapons and large stores of chemical and biological weapons.
A country can be measured by how it treats its minorities. Israel not only made Palestinian Christians and Muslims a minority in their own land, but also practices Draconian policies against those captive civilians.
Tribalism in a highly cultured people is sad.
Obama And Israel
Jeffrey Goldberg has written an article for Bloomberg, which states in pertinent part:
See http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-14/what-obama-thinks-israelis-don-t-understand-.html (emphasis added).
Again, the last paragraph of my article above is worth repeating and emphasizing:
See also http://washington.cbslocal.com/2013/01/29/obama-congratulates-netanyahu-nearly-week-after-israeli-pm-wins-election/ (“Obama Congratulates Netanyahu Nearly Week After Israeli PM Wins Election“) and http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/03/11/killing-jews-is-worship-ad-campaign-rolled-out-on-sf-buses/ (“‘Killing Jews Is Worship’ Ad Campaign Rolled Out On SF Muni Buses”)
It is always important to note that the “settlements” are exclusive Jewish settlements in areas where Christians and Muslims are forced to move and their homes bulldozed, Palestinian economies further crippled by Israeli check points, etc…. So much for the “unhospitable” neighborhood Israel lives in.
The US taxpayer of course is unwittingly subsidising this ethnic cleansing.
Geez! I wonder I wonder why we have so many problems in the Mideast??
You seem to ignore the fact that if Israel took down the checkpoints and such, suicide bombings would increase. No matter what Israel does, there will be no reward and no peace, ever….
Tim, Obama doesn’t know or care what is good for his own country either. He has no right to talk.
“Tim, Obama doesn’t know or care what is good for his own country either. He has no right to talk”
He most certainly has the right to talk.
First, the US is paying the freight for Israel.
Second, Israel firsters assume that what Israel does must be automatically rubber stamped by the US. This is nonsense and the times they are a changin’
If Israel was paying its own bills, they would behave differently. Now the Israel firsters would say if Israel was backed to the wall, they would consider the Sampson option. Read, NUCLEAR BLACKMAIL.
Israel resorted to this tactic during intial onslaught of 1973 war to force Nixon to resupply its beleagured forces, and the US and USSR would go on worldwide Nuclear footing due to this.
Cost of the resupply airlift to the US taxpayer, $1.1 BILLION.
But who’s counting? Not the Israel firsters!
Buddy, Obama was just trying to get some payback for Netanyahu supporting Romney. In the end, he ended up helping Netanyahu with his statement.
The End Of Apartheid
The UK’s Economist has noted:
See http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21573559-israels-right-frustrated-palestinians-and-assorted-idealistic-outsiders-are-talking-futures
. . .
One must never forget that Barack Obama hated Apartheid in South Africa. As I have written in the article above:
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/is-barack-obama-a-racist/; see also http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2103
. . .
The future of Israel is anything but certain and rosy. . . .
Will its apartheid be overturned like South Africa? The answer is a resounding “yes”—it is only a function of time . . . and whether it will be peaceful or very bloody.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2440; see also http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-544
There are 2 reasons why Israel will NOT make Peace.
One, Israel is too weak and cannot risk peace with the minority population of Christian and Muslims still remaining within its borders. A mortal threat to the core beliefs of Zionism of an exclusive Jewish state. More so than foes outside its borders. Requires changing Demographics.
War has done that for Israel.
Secondly, Israel is too strong and does not have to! We are in the second stage which is massively bankrolled by the American taxpayer. Furthermore, due to the stranglehold of the Israel lobby AIPAC, and their hacks in Washington DC, Israel gets to intiate wars for the US to fight against its Muslim foes. IRAQ then and IRAN in crosshairs now.
The Zionist nuts in Israel have long taken over the ASYLUM.
The world is against the Jews, period.
200 WMD and bio and chemical stores will not make Israel feel safe as long as fundamentalist persecution beilefs reign and are passed on in ritual.
Obama is a piece of crap, and it will be he that causes Israel to use Extreme measures to eliminate the threats that surround them. I don’t know if Israel will survive or not, but I assure you, they will take everybody else with them. It will be Obama’s fault, not Netanyahu. The time is near, and we all know how it’s going down…
Thank you as always, Rick, for your comments.
First, I have disagreed with Barack Obama regarding almost every issue, and I did not vote for him in 2008 or 2012.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/is-obama-the-new-nixon/ and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/ (see also the comments beneath both articles)
However, regarding this issue, I agree with him.
Second, if Israelis use “extreme measures,” I believe they will be annihilated; and the same will happen to innocent Jews globally.
As I am sure you know, the great Zionist “experiment” may disappear. Time is not on Israel’s side, as lots of American Jews realize today in spades.
Third, with respect to your comment, “I assure you, they will take everybody else with them,” I do not believe that at all. The world will strike back at them in unspeakable and unfathomable ways.
Fourth, you argue:
I do not believe that at all either. Indeed, Netanyahu may go down in history as the single person who was responsible for ending Israel’s existence. The Rabins and Sharon knew this, which is among the many reasons why Netanyahu was and is hated.
Lastly, you state:
I believe time is running out. As I have written in the article above:
Tragically, it will be anything but a “joy ride” for Israelis and Jews worldwide; and it may be the first holocaust of the 21st Century. However, there is still time to turn back from the edge of the abyss. And to his credit, Barack Obama is pursuing this course of action.
Lesser men might step aside and let the chips fall where they may. As the elections of 2008 and 2012 underscored, he has American Jews in his hip pocket, so why spend political capital helping Israel at all? Indeed, as discussed above, he hates Apartheid with a passion.
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#comment-2515; see also http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/9946665/Impassioned-Barack-Obamas-direct-appeal-to-Israeli-citizens-for-peace.html (“Barack Obama made an impassioned plea to Israel’s people over the heads of its government by calling on them to put themselves in the shoes of Palestinians and pressure the country’s political leadership to seek peace”)
Also, any positive gestures that Obama shows toward Netanyahu is pure political theater, and merely demonstrates that Obama is the consummate actor.
See, e.g., http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2013/03/20/andrea-mitchell-obama-and-netanyahu-have-one-worst-relationships-i-ca (“Andrea Mitchell: Obama and Netanyahu have ‘one of the worst relationships I can remember, and I’ve covered every president going all the way back to Ronald Reagan. These, these leaders do not get along. They are not simpatico’”)
Tim, for the life of me, I don’t see how you can agree with Obama on any issue, let alone this one. He has insulted the Israelis and all Jews for that matter, but American Jews, being predominantly liberal, thus brainwashed and foolish, are not engaged the way they ought to be…
I realize that you are a very intelligent, experienced man Tim, but your hatred for Netanyahu has blinded you to the far worse dilemma of Obama. Obama doesn’t want Israel to survive. He has no sympathy for their struggles with Islam, nor does he believe that Jerusalem should even be considered part of Israel, let alone the capital.. Hell, he doesn’t even respect the country he RULES over…
Why do you not come down as hard on Iran as you do on Israel? I just don’t understand it Tim… Iran will be the catalyst in all this.. There is no way Israel will keep letting the clock go on.. We all know what’s coming.. I do believe Israel does have the capacity to destroy all of its enemies, albeit at the expense of their destruction as well.. The Samson option seems like a real possibility at this point, and it worries me. But more than that, I worry about the ignorance of the people that let Obama, the Emperor, slowly but surely destroy the United States; and this stance against Israel is just another example of his stupidity and, no, wait…. He’s not really stupid, is he? He has been successful at his every endeavor, weakening the USA and pissing on Israel, while giving the Muslims a huge shot of B-12… Please Tim, whether you hate Netanyahu or not, realize that he is a small player in the big game. Surely you must see that… Why not use your vast knowledge and skills to blog about what a destructive piece of garbage Obama is?
That’s where it really is at… Him, and the liberals who are destroying our great nation. Surely you must be sick to your stomach about that, Tim….
Thank you, Rick, for your additional comments.
First, I have set forth my views many times, but perhaps most succinctly in the following comments: http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-544
I am an American nationalist, not a Jew or Israeli, or a Palestinian. Also, as stated above, I do not have any allegiance to another country.
Second, you have said:
I respectfully disagree. I believe he does not earnestly care whether it survives or not. Given a choice, I believe he would much prefer to see the Palestinians survive and prosper. Again, you might wish to read (or reread) his book, “Dreams from My Father.” Indeed, my first article at this blog summarized his views, in his own words.
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/is-barack-obama-a-racist/
Third, you have written: “[H]e doesn’t even respect the country he RULES over…”
Again, please read his book. He was raised in different cultures—Hawaii, Indonesia, and Hawaii again—before he spent his college years on the American mainland, and later wrote:
See id.
Fourth, you have stated:
As I have written above (and elsewhere), I believe Netanyahu, Ahmadinejad and Putin are all evil men, and enemies of the United States:
Fifth, you have written:
I am not convinced that it has such powers; and if it does, it will surely destroy itself. Also, its enemies are everywhere—not just in the Middle East. Will it destroy the world?
Sixth, you have asked:
If you read every article that I have written at this blog, which mentions Obama—beginning with the first article, right up to the latest article—you will see that I have taken him to task on essentially every issue.
Next, you have written:
I am not pleased at all, which is why I voted against him and every Liberal aka Democrat—even though I began as a Democrat—and why I have written what I have. However, I do not believe America and Israel are “joined at the hip” in any way, nor does Israel’s continued existence affect the United States. We survived before 1948, and we will survive if it falls.
Lastly, I would like to see Israel and the State of Palestine survive and prosper as neighbors, with mutual trade agreements and respect for human rights. God only knows if that is possible.
And no, I do not believe in the Biblical genesis of Israel, nor in the notion that the Messiah is yet to come, or that Jews are God’s “chosen people.”
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/what-and-where-is-god/
Rick has said:
Proving that Israel is a rogue fundaMENTAList state that is a danger to all. The world is getting sick of the experiment that went sadly wrong. I believe the growing boycott movement is gaining steam and the average person ain’t buying it any more. When Israeli Generals have to visit their justice ministry to make sure they avoid arrest when going abroad, you know the times are a changin.’
Israel army motto: Purity of Arms?
But, the dopes use white phosphorus munitions on civilian targets.
That is what you desire buddy, for Israel not to survive, because you my friend are nothing but an anti-Semite.
Israel will fight back with the ferocious zeal that they always have fought with, and that is why their enemies will fall. Not because they are radical.
Israeli Terrorism
In a Washington Times article that is subtitled, “Mossad tactics . . . lead to friction with the CIA,” it is reported:
See http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/mar/19/shadow-war-between-israel-iran-rages-on-as-obama-v/
Israel has been conducting such terrorist activities for decades. Indeed, similar terrorist activities against the British gave birth to the State of Israel.
However, as I have written:
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-544 (see also the article itself, as well as the other comments beneath it)
. . .
It is interesting that in conjunction with President Obama’s visit to Israel, the White House released what it said is a map of Israel. As reported:
See http://www.wnd.com/2013/03/white-house-map-of-israel-erases-jerusalem-biblical-territories/; see also http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2297154/FBI-searches-home-Reagan-national-security-adviser-claims-lobbied-behalf-Sudan.html (illegal lobbying of Congress by former Senators, Congresspersons, and others on behalf of Israel)
North Korea Says It Will Launch Nuclear Attack On America
In an article subtitled, “NORTH Korea led by tyrant Kim Jong-un has sensationally vowed to launch a NUCLEAR attack on the USA,” the UK’s Sun has reported:
See http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4829035/north-korea-says-it-will-launch-nuclear-attack-on-america.html (emphasis added); see also http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2288445/Kim-Jong-Un-North-Korea-vows-end-ceasefire-South-Korea-revenge-nuclear-test-punishments.html (“North Korea threatens U.S. with ‘thermonuclear war’: Rogue nation vows to launch attacks ‘at any time’ in revenge for sanctions”) and http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2290052/North-Korea-cancels-peace-pact-South-revenge-tough-UN-sanctions-threatens-thermonuclear-war-US.html (“‘Prepare for all-out war’: Kim Jong Un vows to attack South Korea as he cancels peace pact in revenge for tough UN sanctions“) and http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323826704578353710011020122.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsThird (“North Korea Declares War Truce ‘Invalid’“) and http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/15/17327806-us-to-deploy-more-ground-based-missile-interceptors-as-north-korea-steps-up-threats?lite (“US to deploy more ground-based missiles as North Korea steps up threats“)
To some in this world, the destruction of San Francisco (e.g., the Gay capital of the United States) and LA (e.g., the global center of far-Left, immoral “entertainment”) would be the 21st Century equivalent of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah—which were completely consumed by fire and brimstone.
See also http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/earthquakes-the-big-one-is-coming-to-at-least-los-angeles/ (“Earthquakes: The Big One Is Coming To At Least Los Angeles”)
. . .
As reported by the UK’s Sun, North Korea has released a video that depicts 150,000 U.S. prisoners taken in a Blitzkrieg or lightning war that would overrun South Korea:
See http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4854885/nightmare-of-150000-us-prisoners-in-new-north-korean-propaganda-video.html; see also http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2297677/North-Korea-propaganda-video-shows-troops-taking-150-000-US-hostages-destroying-South-Korea.html and http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2300964/North-Korea-revealed-Inside-Kim-Jong-Uns-war-room-signs-plan-attack-US-mainland.html (“Kim Jong Un reveals his ‘U.S. mainland strike plan’: Pictures inside North Korean leader’s war room show him plotting to attack America (with a map of target cities on the wall behind him)“) and http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2013/0329/North-Korea-What-happens-if-Kim-Jong-un-acts-on-his-threats (“In the event that the ‘bellicose rhetoric’ of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un turns into something more serious, the opening hours of conflict could be ‘pretty ugly,’ defense analysts warn“) and http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/31/17543980-us-navy-shifts-destroyer-in-wake-of-north-korea-missile-threats?lite (“South Korean President Park Geun-hye appeared to give her country’s military permission to strike back at any attack from the North without further word from Seoul”—”‘As commander-in-chief of the armed forces, I will trust the military’s judgment on abrupt and surprise provocations by North Korea,’ she said“)
. . .
ABC News has reported:
See http://abcnews.go.com/International/us-general-north-korea-situation-volatile-dangerous/story?id=18863864&singlePage=true#.UVtV27vLjZ- (emphasis added); see also http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-north-korea-danger-20130402,0,7973635.story (North Korea analyst: “[T]his is one of the most dangerous moments since 1953″“) and http://thehill.com/video/house/291579-rep-king-us-could-make-preemptive-strike-on-north-korea (“Rep. Peter King: US could make preemptive strike on North Korea“) and http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gpuimXzka5inwGnL0c9vZsbQ54fw?docId=CNG.4eb43e27607cb9d4be6b952b88ddefeb.01 (NORTH KOREA APPROVES ‘MERCILESS’ NUKE ATTACK ON US) and http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2303227/North-Korea-says-approval-use-cutting-edge-nuclear-weapons-United-States-merciless-attack-just-hours-Chuck-Hagel-calls-clear-present-danger.html (“North Korea says it has approval to use its ‘cutting edge’ nuclear weapons against the United States in a ‘merciless’ attack just hours after Chuck Hagel calls them a ‘clear and present danger’“)
. . .
It is only possible to deal with rash actors and actions if one’s opponent is rational if not sane.
We learned from Pearl Harbor and 9/11 that there are enemies in this world who want to destroy the United States, and are willing to defy conventional norms. One such actor is North Korea under Kim Jong-un.
He could launch an invasion of the south that would be tantamount to a Blitzkrieg, killing or taking American military personnel as prisoners, and overrunning our South Korean ally. He could launch missiles against Japan and American forces in the Pacific that would be devastating.
The U.S. would have to act quickly, and the only real deterrents are nuclear strikes against the command and control in North Korea, and against key military targets and forces massed against us and our ally.
No amount of talking would have prevented Pearl Harbor or 9/11, and the same may be true this time. Indeed, a massive strike against the North may prevent a “Pearl Harbor” that reaches American cities, including but not limited to a nation-ending EMP Attack.
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/01/19/emp-attack-only-30-million-americans-survive/ (“EMP Attack: Only 30 Million Americans Survive“)
. . .
North Korea has always eclipsed Iran as a nuclear-arms threat to the United States, except in the mind of Benjamin Netanyahu—who has been the greatest threat to peace in the Middle East, and has continuously sought to provoke America into a third war in the region.
As I have written:
See http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/ (see also the comments beneath the article)
Barack Obama should leave Israel to sink or swim, alone; and turn his attention to where it really counts for Americans, which is not Iran.
Also, as I have written:
See also http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-544