Benjamin Is Pushing The Wrong Buttons
What most comes to my attention in regards to Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu is his uncompromising hawkishness, his overwhelming political influence and lack of flexibility. On March 3rd, he gave a speech to the US Congress which received mixed reactions and significant backlash in the US, Israel, and internationally. The White House was particularly angered by the fact that John Boehner (Republican speaker of the House of Representatives) and Ron Dermer (Israeli Ambassador) arranged the speech without consulting the Obama administration. Democrats attacked the tactical secrecy of the arrangement for being an attempt to derail imminent Iran nuclear deal talks ("a blow to diplomacy"), and being a self-promotion for Netanyahu in light of the upcoming Israeli elections.
In light of his recent speech, here are 3 points that Netanyahu has recently brought up that I believe should be 'critically criticised':
Sorry, Bibi.
In light of his recent speech, here are 3 points that Netanyahu has recently brought up that I believe should be 'critically criticised':
1. Iran is evil - we get it.
Even if you missed the speech, you can't have missed this: Iran is an evil state, it cannot and must not be trusted, let alone negotiated with. Netanyahu has vociferously advocated against pursuing any sort of arms deal with Iran, vehemently opposing Obama's efforts to strike a deal with Tehran over its uranium/nuclear enrichment believing this would not be "a farewell to arms", but would rather trigger a regional arms race. I agree with President Obama finding Bibi's criticisms to be "nothing new", and to call his dream of military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities 'counterproductive' is rather kind.
Considerable efforts have been made by American and European leaders to pursue negotiations and settle a deal with Iran - it would be mindless to toss past efforts aside. The Iranian government is not an angelic force for peace, but whether we like it or not, it is a real member of the international community which we cannot keep pretending does not exist. Negotiate with whomever you have in front of you, by all means, and Hassan Rouhani might be as good as it gets for a while.
Netanyahu was clear - the world must stand united against a nuclear deal with Iran. Iran's vice president called it a step toward derailing the deal, and Obama was disappointed by his lack of alternatives. Again, while Iran's report card is far from spotless, Netanyahu's call to "stand together to stop Iran's march of conquest, subjugation and terror" comes off as rather misplaced and off-tune. Recently, Iran has been decisively quiet and not uncooperative, and Bibi's call seems to be more in tune with the current works of ISIS than those of Iran.
(Note, talks with Iran continued the very next day. Read here: "Kerry: External factors won't curb efforts to strike Iran nuclear peace deal")
2. "The remarkable alliance between Israel and the United States has always been above politics. It must always remain above politics."
Sure, I know what he means, our two countries share cultural and historical links that transcend political formalities.
That is undeniable and very agreeable, but what this quote does is seem to incarnate the troubling issues that powerful lobbying has on democracy and augmenting its deficit. He should not be using actual and - very real - historical and cultural ties to shield a political agenda based on unconditionality, lack of negotiation, and debate. IMO.
That is undeniable and very agreeable, but what this quote does is seem to incarnate the troubling issues that powerful lobbying has on democracy and augmenting its deficit. He should not be using actual and - very real - historical and cultural ties to shield a political agenda based on unconditionality, lack of negotiation, and debate. IMO.
3. 'Hijacking' European Jews' identity
This final point I would like to bring up is not directly related to the US Congress speech, but rather to January of this year following the Charlie Hebdo attacks.
Following horrific attacks against Jews in the tense aftermath of Charlie Hebdo, Netanyahu expressed his desire for european jews to move to Israel, as this would be the only place they could feel safe. He said this sort of attack was likely to continue, inciting feelings of unease and discontent. The invitation was not hollow: the Israeli government set aside around $40 million in special funds to assist a predicted wave of migration to the country.
However many Jews felt these feelings "ignore, or even insult, the acceptance they feel in the countries where they and their families have often lived for generations". Various Jewish leaders across the continent voiced their disappointment and disagreement with his message. Arie Zuckerman, senior executive at the European Jewish Congress explained that his statements were "basically like a call to surrender to terror". Bernard Avishai from the Hebrew University and Dartmouth College, believes that actually views toward Jews in Europe stable and strong, and that "spectacular but rare attacks are not signs of existential doom".
Rather than what we should be encouraging in Europe, namely strength, resilience, solidarity, defiance and unity, he sent a message of 'giving up' and showed little consideration for european jews to determine freely their own roots, identity, and sense national/historical belonging.
(Read on: "Another reason Israel wants western european Jews to immigrate", "Why europe's Jews are staying put")
Following horrific attacks against Jews in the tense aftermath of Charlie Hebdo, Netanyahu expressed his desire for european jews to move to Israel, as this would be the only place they could feel safe. He said this sort of attack was likely to continue, inciting feelings of unease and discontent. The invitation was not hollow: the Israeli government set aside around $40 million in special funds to assist a predicted wave of migration to the country.
However many Jews felt these feelings "ignore, or even insult, the acceptance they feel in the countries where they and their families have often lived for generations". Various Jewish leaders across the continent voiced their disappointment and disagreement with his message. Arie Zuckerman, senior executive at the European Jewish Congress explained that his statements were "basically like a call to surrender to terror". Bernard Avishai from the Hebrew University and Dartmouth College, believes that actually views toward Jews in Europe stable and strong, and that "spectacular but rare attacks are not signs of existential doom".
Rather than what we should be encouraging in Europe, namely strength, resilience, solidarity, defiance and unity, he sent a message of 'giving up' and showed little consideration for european jews to determine freely their own roots, identity, and sense national/historical belonging.
(Read on: "Another reason Israel wants western european Jews to immigrate", "Why europe's Jews are staying put")
-----------------------------------------------------
Sorry, Bibi.
Comments
Post a Comment