Commentary
|
Title | | Description | Date |
Fool me once: Did the Joint List make a mistake backing Benny Gantz? | | Dahlia Scheindlin -
+972
"Gantz’s faction, Israeli Resilience, will join a Likud-led
government along with Netanyahu’s loyalist bloc, including Shas,
Yemina and Torah Judaism. The two remaining Blue and White factions
— Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid, and Telem, established by Moshe “Bogie”
Ya’alon ahead of the April 2019 elections — will join the
opposition. Blue and White thus became the first casualty of the new
government, and ceased to exist.Some are already saying that the
Joint List, an amalgam of Arab-Palestinian-majority parties, is the
second casualty. Breaking decades of tradition, party leader Ayman
Odeh recommended that Gantz be tapped to lead the next government
twice, only to have Gantz deliver Israel back into the hands of
Netanyahu. Hadn’t the Joint List been played for a fool?" ca | 28/3/2020 |
... |
In this unprecedented moment, terrible, wonderful things are happening simultaneously. | | Yoav Peck - Forum of Peace Groups - Dr. Rafi Walden, President of doctors for peace and deputy director of Sheba
(Tel Hashomer) hospital: `Strange that a patient can deliver his life into
the hands of a senior heart surgeon, who is Arab, at the same time that the
prime minister broadly defines the Arab citizens of Israel as supporters of
terror. The health system would collapse without the critical contribution
of the Arab staffers.[ak] | 26/3/2020 |
|
Contempt | | Gush Shalom - Against the Coronavirus we will sooner or later become immune. But the Corona coup and the contempt for the remains of democratic norms may turn all of Israel into occupied territory. [bz]
| 24/3/2020 |
|
B’Tselem: International Criminal Court does have jurisdiction in Palestine | | B’Tselem - In trying to deny that the ICC has jurisdiction on the
West bank, Israel Attorney General Mandelblit has taken the position
that "there is no occupation" – conveniently ignoring the facts on
the ground, the principles of international law and the declared
positions of the international community. He glosses over more than
52 years in which Israel has kept the West Bank and Gaza Strip under
a cruel, violent occupation regime, transforming the area
completely. Palestinian space is now fragmented into isolated units
in which Palestinians live without political rights or any real
control over their lives – which are run by various Israeli
authorities. The AG also describes Israel and the Palestinians as
negotiating in good faith to bring about full reconciliation. In
these circumstances, he argues, the parties do not need “a criminal
process to pull them further apart”. Yet the attempt to hide behind
supposed negotiations is utterly disconnected from Israel’s actions
and declared long-term intentions regarding the Occupied
Territories. Israel’s top officials have long since confirmed that
the state does not view the occupation as temporary and intends to
cement its control over the Palestinians while dispossessing them of
land and rights. [ak] | 17/3/2020 |
... |
The toxic fallout of the `deal of the century` | | Marwan Bishara - Al Jazeera - Kushner and Netanyahu`s `with us or against the
US` campaign breeds anti-Americanism and anti-Semitism [ry]
| 16/3/2020 |
... |
An attack on Israel`s Arabs is an attack on us all | | Tamir Pardo -
Ynetnews
"The statements made by various members of Knesset and ministers who
say joining up with the Arab Joint List poses a risk to the people
of Israel, are irresponsible, unacceptable, and are tainted with
racism...Those signing the declaration (chief among them Israel`s
first prime minister David Ben-Gurion) unanimously agreed that "The
State of Israel…will ensure complete equality of social and
political rights to all its inhabitants, irrespective of religion,
race or sex." Perhaps that clause was meant to serve as a sort of
countermeasure against the possibility that the country would be one
day be led by those who see a contradiction between Israel`s two
most basic principles - a Jewish and a democratic country." ca | 14/3/2020 |
... |
The anti-Bibi bloc is about to destroy its chance to replace Netanyahu | | Edo Konrad -
+972
"For a brief moment, it truly seemed like something could change
here. The Joint List, made up of Israel’s four dominant Palestinian
political factions, which surged in last week’s elections, seemed
ready to once again put aside its serious and justified misgivings
and vote for a government led by former IDF Chief of Staff Benny
Gantz. With their support, Gantz was poised to unseat Netanyahu as
Israel’s longest-standing prime minister...On Tuesday evening, the
glimmer of hope that bitter rivals — Israel’s Palestinian leadership
and an anti-Netanyahu party run by mostly former generals — could
momentarily work together faded in a heartbeat. Two Blue and White
party members, Tzvi Hauser and Yoaz Hendel, had already announced
they would not vote in support of a government that cooperates with
the Joint List, and particularly its Balad faction, which supports a
state for all citizens in Israel." ca | 14/3/2020 |
... |
Little Ghosts From Gaza | | Hagai Elad -
Haaretz
"As long as life in Gaza is governed by Israeli drones, artillery
and snipers, this cruelty will continue to kill bodies there – and
souls here too...The Israelis don’t want to hear about Gaza. They
certainly don’t want to feel that they are to blame for it. After
all, we left, and in any case it’s all Hamas’ fault, as the
government “explains” from every platform, especially abroad. This
is cheap propaganda – as Rani tells Yaniv, after all, we never
really left. We’re even still in charge of their population
registry, more than a decade after the “disengagement.” ca | 14/3/2020 |
... |
The Joint List’s triumph over hate | | Samah Salaime - +972 - The support of our Jewish partners has grown this time, whether due to the breakdown of the Zionist left, the strengthening of the Joint List itself, or the incitement of the right. I hope that the surge in the Jewish vote for the List is the first step toward forming a strong, radical, left-wing, non-Zionist Arab-Jewish party. I do not want Jews to simply support the struggle of the Palestinian minority inside Israel. I want as many partners in as many struggles facing oppressed people in this country. I do not want us to stand together — I want us to struggle together. [bz] | 10/3/2020 |
... |
Ousting Netanyahu may turn out to be Gantz’s biggest mistake | | Haviv Rettig Gur -
Times of Israel
"Netanyahu, for his part, appears to be angling for a more
aggressive approach. If he cannot piece together a new term as
premier from Monday’s results, his goal will be to push wedge issues
onto the public agenda that will force Gantz’s divided partners to
bicker and posture against each other. Rocket fire from Gaza or
Gantz’s pre-election promise to carry out some unspecified parts of
the Trump peace plan are good places to start...Curiouser and
curiouser
But that internal Likud debate is not the strangest thing about this
political moment. The strangest thing, perhaps, is the simple fact
that Gantz’s best hope for prying the premiership out of Netanyahu’s
hands may be the very thing that decisively and permanently denies
Gantz his hard-fought victory." ca | 7/3/2020 |
... |
Israeli Forces Demolish the Homes of Two Palestinian Detainees | | Ali Salam -
IMEMC
"a large Israeli army force invaded the town of Birzeit after
midnight, and surrounded the family home of Yazan Maghames, the
military bulldozers proceeded to level it to the ground.
Youths confronted the Israeli soldiers, who fired tear-gas canisters
towards them and at homes causing many suffocation cases." ca | 7/3/2020 |
... |
The Joint List’s triumph over hate | | Samah Salaime -
+972
"The latest elections revealed just how deeply hatred runs in
Israeli society. Everyone is now against everyone. The ethnic slurs,
Ashkenazi elitism, and delegitimization of various minority groups
have left the Joint List as the last bastion fighting for basic
democratic rights in this country.... We cannot ignore the fact that
90 percent of Israel’s Palestinian population supported the Joint
List. A significant number of Palestinian citizens who previously
voted for Jewish-Zionist parties voted for the List this time
around. The List’s support in Druze villages — which have
historically voted for Zionist parties — doubled at the expense of
Likud and Yisrael Beitenu. Arab mayors also expressed their total
support, while those who choose to boycott Israeli elections were
relatively muted this time around.The Joint List will have four
female representatives in the Knesset this time — an achievement
that should not and cannot be brushed off. Each one of these women
represents different segments of Palestinian society." ca
| 6/3/2020 |
... |
Blue and White’s fatal mistake of distancing Arab voters | | Afif Abu Much -
Al-Monitor
"Truth be told, the Blue and White party tried constantly to
disguise itself as part of the right. It brought in right-wing
advisers and candidates and used “right-wing language” incessantly.
The highlight was its decision to disassociate itself from the Arab
public, a trait that has become iconic to the right in the Netanyahu
era. The only problem is that in the end, the Blue and White party
forgot to attract any right-wing voters." ca
| 6/3/2020 |
... |
Why new Russia-Turkey deal on Idlib matters | | Maxim A. Suchkov -
Al-Monitor
"Moscow understands that what happened in the last few days was
painful for Erdogan politically and was disastrous for Turkey in the
humanitarian domain in terms of refugee flow, so Russia is ready to
help stop the escalation and think of ways forward.
In a sense, it’s also reflective of the three principles Russia
follows in dealing with a difficult counterpart such as Turkey.
First, demonstrate empathy on issues that are sensitive and
important to Turkish security. Second, clearly outline your own red
lines and a corridor of opportunities for future cooperation on
these issues. Third, take advantage of mistakes made by the other
parties whose position is important to Ankara — the United States —
and use the contrast to your advantage." ca
| 6/3/2020 |
... |
No matter who wins elections, Israel’s victory image is clear | | Hagai El-Ad -
+972
"Both contenders for Israel’s premiership, Benjamin Netanyahu and
Benny Gantz, are hoping to give the victory speech after today’s
vote. Yet regardless of who – if any – emerges the winner, Israelis
have already been presented with this election’s victory image: the
humiliating poster featuring Palestinian leaders kneeling,
blindfolded and defeated, against the backdrop of a destroyed city."
ca | 6/3/2020 |
... |
Ace of Base: Why Netanyahu Seems Unsinkable | | David M. Halbfinger -
New York Times
"What does Benjamin Netanyahu have to do to get defeated? The
Israeli prime minister’s fervent base can make President Trump’s
look pallid. And they don’t care that he has been charged with
corruption." ca | 6/3/2020 |
... |
After 97% of votes counted, Netanyahu still short of parliamentary majority | | Time of Israel - The small number of votes remaining to count can
still make a substantial difference, when every single seat can
influence Netanyahu`s ability to form a government. As things stand,
though Netanyahu proclaimed victory to cheering supporters, he is
two seats short of the 61 needed for a Knesset majority. In April
last year, when he had 60 but no way to gain even one more, he went
to repeat elections. Blue and White leader Benny Gantz admitted to
supporters early Tuesday that the party’s showing was disappointing,
but refused to concede, saying he would wait for the final results.
Netanyahu, who has served as prime minister for over a decade, also
faces a likely legal hurdle should President Reuven Rivlin task him
with forming a coalition. An advocacy group, seeking to oust
Netanyahu, earlier this year asked the court to rule on whether an
indicted parliament member can be designated prime minister and
asked to form a new government. The Supreme Court in January
declined to rule on the request, saying it was premature, but the
issue is likely to come up again. [ak]
| 3/3/2020 |
... |
Together saving the future of us all | | Gush Shalom - Half of Israel`s citizens/
Have decided/
That a nationalist and racist demagogue/
Facing three serious criminal charges/
Is the right person/
To lead this country.//
But – the other half/
Do not want Netanyahu/
This half should be/
Organized and mobilized/
For struggle/
Struggle in the street/
Struggle in the Knesset/
Struggle in the court,/
Jewish and Arab citizens/
United in the struggle/
To save the future/
Of us all.
[bz] | 3/3/2020 |
|
Articles Archive |
Current Articles |
1/2024 |
12/2023 |
11/2023 |
10/2023 |
9/2023 |
8/2023 |
7/2023 |
6/2023 |
5/2023 |
4/2023 |
3/2023 |
2/2023 |
1/2023 |
12/2022 |
11/2022 |
10/2022 |
9/2022 |
8/2022 |
7/2022 |
6/2022 |
5/2022 |
4/2022 |
3/2022 |
2/2022 |
1/2022 |
12/2021 |
11/2021 |
10/2021 |
9/2021 |
8/2021 |
7/2021 |
6/2021 |
5/2021 |
4/2021 |
3/2021 |
2/2021 |
1/2021 |
12/2020 |
11/2020 |
10/2020 |
9/2020 |
8/2020 |
7/2020 |
6/2020 |
5/2020 |
4/2020 |
3/2020 |
2/2020 |
1/2020 |
12/2019 |
11/2019 |
10/2019 |
9/2019 |
8/2019 |
7/2019 |
6/2019 |
5/2019 |
4/2019 |
3/2019 |
2/2019 |
1/2019 |
12/2018 |
11/2018 |
10/2018 |
9/2018 |
8/2018 |
7/2018 |
6/2018 |
5/2018 |
4/2018 |
3/2018 |
2/2018 |
1/2018 |
12/2017 |
11/2017 |
10/2017 |
9/2017 |
8/2017 |
7/2017 |
6/2017 |
5/2017 |
4/2017 |
3/2017 |
2/2017 |
1/2017 |
12/2016 |
11/2016 |
10/2016 |
9/2016 |
8/2016 |
7/2016 |
6/2016 |
5/2016 |
4/2016 |
3/2016 |
2/2016 |
1/2016 |
12/2015 |
11/2015 |
10/2015 |
9/2015 |
8/2015 |
7/2015 |
6/2015 |
5/2015 |
4/2015 |
3/2015 |
2/2015 |
1/2015 |
12/2014 |
11/2014 |
10/2014 |
9/2014 |
8/2014 |
7/2014 |
6/2014 |
5/2014 |
4/2014 |
3/2014 |
2/2014 |
1/2014 |
12/2013 |
11/2013 |
10/2013 |
9/2013 |
8/2013 |
7/2013 |
6/2013 |
5/2013 |
4/2013 |
3/2013 |
2/2013 |
1/2013 |
12/2012 |
11/2012 |
10/2012 |
9/2012 |
8/2012 |
7/2012 |
6/2012 |
5/2012 |
4/2012 |
3/2012 |
2/2012 |
1/2012 |
12/2011 |
11/2011 |
10/2011 |
9/2011 |
8/2011 |
7/2011 |
6/2011 |
5/2011 |
4/2011 |
3/2011 |
2/2011 |
1/2011 |
12/2010 |
11/2010 |
10/2010 |
9/2010 |
8/2010 |
7/2010 |
6/2010 |
5/2010 |
4/2010 |
3/2010 |
2/2010 |
1/2010 |
12/2009 |
11/2009 |
10/2009 |
9/2009 |
8/2009 |
7/2009 |
6/2009 |
5/2009 |
4/2009 |
3/2009 |
2/2009 |
1/2009 |
12/2008 |
11/2008 |
10/2008 |
9/2008 |
8/2008 |
7/2008 |
6/2008 |
5/2008 |
4/2008 |
3/2008 |
2/2008 |
1/2008 |
12/2007 |
11/2007 |
10/2007 |
9/2007 |
8/2007 |
7/2007 |
6/2007 |
5/2007 |
4/2007 |
3/2007 |
2/2007 |
1/2007 |
12/2006 |
11/2006 |
10/2006 |
9/2006 |
8/2006 |
7/2006 |
6/2006 |
5/2006 |
4/2006 |
3/2006 |
2/2006 |
1/2006 |
12/2005 |
11/2005 |
10/2005 |
9/2005 |
8/2005 |
7/2005 |
6/2005 |
5/2005 |
4/2005 |
3/2005 |
2/2005 |
1/2005 |
12/2004 |
11/2004 |
10/2004 |
Home page  back |