I just finished having lunch in Jerusalem with colleagues and friends.
At a nearby table sat Martin Indyk and Clinton's disgraced National Security Adviser Sandy Berger. Later in the week Condoleezza Rice and Tony Blair will be arriving.
One of my lunch party, a citizen of the State of Israel, asked why was Israel the center for foreigners interested in determining the future of the independent State of Israel.
The short answer is that Israel permits, even invites, the outside world to meddle in its political life. And by all indications Rice will call the unnecessary Annapolis Summit in early December, and Jerusalem will be on the agenda. Several sources have confirmed that Rice will try to make substantive policy at Annapolis, with or without the cooperation of the Palestinians and Israel.
We also learned that the Israeli government gave permission for high ranking Hamas officials to enter Israel for talks.
All the signs on the ground should concern anyone who cares about the future of the State and Jerusalem.
P.S. 13 Kassam missiles landed in Israel today, one hit a schoolyard. Not one word of protest from Israel or any of the other "peacemakers."
The Arab writer was correct and I applaud him for speaking the truth. The governmetn of Israel does not care about Jerusalem or Israel. They care only about lining their pockets. Whielother children of Israel go to service, I read taht the prime minister's children stay out of the country to avoid this. What the people of Israel should be asking is What is Olmert getting for selling his country and people down the tube? How much is he being promised? Is it money? Is he being blackmailed as another prime minister was by another sinister politician? Is he really misguided? He is an astute politician who has changed colors so many times in his career he should be called chameleon. We all know what the end result will be. We all know that we know have a government that has been corrupted and co-opted by outside forces. So, I ask Israel, and anyone who really cares about Israel and her survival? What kind of payoff is Olmert getting for selling the people and the country down the tubes? Does he think he will reap rewards to giver Rice and Bush the only success they will ever have? To destroy Israel? Does he believe the old Bush family friends, the bin Ladens, will invite him for dinner? WHAT IS HIS PAYOFF? ASK THE QUESTIONS, PEOPLE, ASK THE QUESTIONS.
Posted by: heartsick at November 13, 2007 10:20 PM
All those Jews who became Republican because Bush was a supporter of Israel should be flooding the White House with emails reminding them that the Congress and the White House will be up for election next year.
Posted by: KarenFla at November 9, 2007 9:38 AM
A friend strikes a chord. Some of us were disappointed when Israel gave back the Sinai, and thought the Israelis should have been really-hard-bargainers and instead demanded an extension of their frontiers Eastward as well. As Jack Kinsella has suggested, perhaps the Israeli Government will have learned something about retreatism when its members have to beg Islamic permission to use their own Knesset toilets, that building being then divided, too. Then again, maybe not, and the U.S. will continue to insist that Israeli politicians having to wet their pants represents the ultimate in diplomatic victory.
Posted by: Photon at November 6, 2007 7:20 PM
The current Israeli government is a disgrace to the Jewish people and to ethical people worldwide. Islam fundamentalism is a threat to the entire world and must be stopped on its own terms. They never hesitate to kill and we've got to take them seriously. I pray that we are not vomited out of our land again for failing to value Israel and Jerusalem as HaShem's holy inheritance to the Jewish people. Divide Jerusalem? As the Muslim Raed Kami said, if we divide Jerusalem we are like the false mother in the Shlomo HaMelech story. A true guardian is more concerned for the life of what is dear than for playing power (political) games. Stop the Arab terrorists NOW!
Posted by: Arlene Alyehs at November 4, 2007 4:38 PM
Just wanted to cite from Jerusalem Post Int. edition Oct 12-18 : "Let's not make a deal - It's easy to be a tough negotiator if you don't really want an agreement" Mr Barry Rubin offers
a very simple though clear view on why we westerners 'don't get it':
- They have a culture of patience whereas we want
instant gratification
- They use militancy as a demagogic substitute
for peace and prosperity
- They understand that he who says "no" gains
bargaining leverage ...we do not
- They hold such extreme goals that cannot be
satisfied by any conceivable deal by us.
Meet those demands, Mr Diplomat."
Why not show them "our" teeth for once, take a stand, close ranks, show them we have enough of being fooled...and let's try to stick to "our" principles that are just and honest. We are right, let us have no doubt about that. "The West cares infinitely more for the individual poor Muslim than all their dictators together, dixit Mr Barry Rubin".
If we do hold out for weeks, months (hopefully longer) ....just maybe their patience might appear to be just a show-off.
If we should not have learned our lessons by now, what more can we be teached ? By whom ? They still have their same tirans; they will for centuries to come. If we let them. We don't need to go to war. We've just got to put the screws on...for a just cause. Mr Sharansky has got to tell us something here. Do our policy makers listen up ? Fear not...too busy making short sighted deals. No patience. Instant gratification.
Posted by: Wim Wouters at November 3, 2007 2:52 AM
Seven Kassams fired into Israel from Gaza yesterday--"thousands more" promised by Hamas. Imagine should they ever get the West Bank, looking down upon the rest of Israel, and Jerusalem, G-d forbid.
Posted by: Ed at November 2, 2007 11:25 PM
I know that Israel must depend on support from the US government, but it CANNOT let it dictate it's actions.
Jerusalem must be kept out of the hands of everyone except the jews. All Israel including the West Bank should be taken, cleansed and maintained as a Jewish state.
Posted by: mentalbil at November 2, 2007 11:31 AM
Olmert is a disgrace but then the Israeli people have no backbone. They should be out in the streets demonstrating, but all they can do (people in the Tel Aviv area) is think of their cars and good life. It is such a shame that we will eventually lose Israel and it will be only ourselves to blame.
Posted by: Louise at November 2, 2007 5:30 AM
Having Olmert and his disgusting govenment, and considering what sort of knessett members we have today, who only think of their pockets and are glued to their seats, Israel will eventually not exist. Olmert doesn't care about the country or its citizens, he only wants to please George W. Bush and Condi Rice. God help us.
Posted by: Louise at November 2, 2007 5:24 AM
The United States Government has definitly lost all connection with reality. Why would the US even think Israel should give up any land? Nothing should be given up to people who want to take it all because they do not recognize Israel!
C. Rice/Sany Berger are both UnderEducated in this matter, and are simple mouth pieces for the US in talks they have no History on. If anyone in Israel Listens to the USA they need to understand the arrogence and illiterancy they listen too.
Posted by: Dianne E. Capps at November 1, 2007 8:14 PM
The Arab Muslims have shown time and time again they cannot be trusted to control any territory...look at the fighting within their own borders????? When will the rest of the world open their eyes. The jewish people should always have Jerusalem...It is their holy city first and foremost. The Arab Muslims have their Mecca. The Christians have Bethlehem.........
Posted by: Syma R. at November 1, 2007 7:30 PM
Shame on Israel for allowing Hammas officials to partake in talks or even invite them.
Why doesn't Israel tell the media in all countries how many missiles are fired each day into their country.
As a Canadian we only hear about the plight of the Palestinians.Not the true picture.
I agree the outside world should not meddle in Israel's political life.
Posted by: Edna at November 1, 2007 4:22 PM
Here is a letter sent by an Arab to the Jerusalem Post in response to the article "The Region: Rules of the game, Palestinian-style" (October 30)
16. Our steadfastness will win in the end
Raed Kami - UK
10/31/2007 21:49
Mr Rubin is right that we are not compromising. We are not compromising because our cause is just and yours is not. In the end, we will get everything we want. Your willingness to divide Jerusalem tells the whole world it is not holy to you. You are like the mother in Solomons story who said"Divide the baby". The real mother would never divide the baby.
Questions, anyone?
Posted by: dagoberto mensch at November 1, 2007 3:50 PM
"The short answer is that Israel permits, even invites the outside world to meddle in its political life" I can't understand how a sovereign state can allow this to happen. Would Saudi Arabia, or any Muslim or non Muslim state allow this to happen? answer NO,NO,NO, so why should Israel bend backwards to please the world community. Jerusalem belongs to Israel and no one else, if Christians think it also belongs to them and then go to Israel and defend it Jerusalem against the Muslims onslaught.
Posted by: surj1936 at November 1, 2007 3:33 PM
I AM SORRY TO SAY THAT ISRAELIS WILL AGAIN LOSE ISRAEL AFTER THOUSANDS OF YEARS AND MILLIONS OF HUMAN SACRIFICES. SO INSTAED OF KILLING MORE JEWS WHY DON'T THEY JUST GIVE UP AND WALK AWAY. SINCE THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO FIGHT FOR WHAT GOD HAD AFFORDED THEM, AGAIN, THE MIRACULOUS OPPORTUNITY. IT IS REALLY A SHAME
Posted by: VICTOR HANAN at November 1, 2007 2:57 PM
Hamas said that they will have a coup in the westbank, what is wrong with Israel haveing a coup and taking out the government and telling Bush& Rice to go suck a rotten egg.
Posted by: JERI at November 1, 2007 2:57 PM
When will Ms. Rice get it??? These people are not equal bargaining partners! And we really don't need to allow the camel into the tent. It is impossible to get him out.
Posted by: mary thiels at November 1, 2007 2:25 PM
The hope of the United States of America depends upon us standing with Isreal.
Posted by: Linda Ward at November 1, 2007 2:24 PM
Why isn't Netanyahu attending this summit with Rice? That is who she needs to be consulting on how to handle these terrorists.
Posted by: Mary-Beth Frazee at November 1, 2007 2:23 PM
Who let the camel in the tent? It is impossible to get them out.
Posted by: mary thiels at November 1, 2007 1:51 PM
Olmert is a disgrace. Obviously doesn't seem to take the hint. The Almighty is warning him now as he did his predecessor, the potential of an illness that could take it's consequances. He still goes forward like a blind bat. Falls into every trap and to satisfy whom ? The dishonest and murderers living on our borders. And what reward does he expect the poeple of Israel will acheive. No better and possibly a lot worse then Gaza which was also given away to satisfy one man. When will these non beleivers open their eyes. G-D is putting the stumbling blocks in their part for one reason but they don't see the signs because they are only thinking of their own kovod.
Posted by: Shimon at November 1, 2007 1:42 PM
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