Posts filed under 'Globe And Mail Articles'
New winds seem to be blowing in Israel’s right wing. Prominent voices opposed to relinquishing the West Bank and Jewish settlements are calling instead for its annexation, with citizenship for Palestinians living there. On the face of it, this sounds virtuously democratic. But the right has no intention of abandoning its vision of a Jewish state in expanded territory. What’s being proposed is neither practical nor intellectually honest.
Continue Reading August 12th, 2010
In North American and European Jewish communities, criticism of Israel’s attack on the Turkish flotilla has reignited discussion over a deceptively simple question: What does being pro-Israel mean? Regardless of widespread domestic criticism of the decision to attack and its faulty execution, leading Jewish groups largely defended Israel, while liberal Jewish organizations largely questioned Israel’s action.
Continue Reading July 14th, 2010
It’s already clear that after last week’s flotilla incident, Israel’s civilian blockade of goods and people in and out of Gaza won’t be left intact. Faced with international protest, Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesman has hinted as much, even though the Prime Minister will face certain opposition from hawkish coalition partners and military commanders.
Continue Reading June 9th, 2010
Israelis’ supreme confidence is always laced with a feeling of existential vulnerability, and recent tensions with the United States underscore the ever-present question: Is time on Israel’s side?
Continue Reading April 30th, 2010
Joe Biden is in Israel this week, his presence capping a remarkable series of high-ranking American visitors. The American vice-president will announce relaunched Israeli-Palestinian talks but, like his colleagues, is really there to dissuade his hosts from pre-emptively striking against Iran’s nuclear installations. It’s early for that decision but not too early for unequivocal expressions of American concern.
Continue Reading March 10th, 2010
The Middle East Quartet meets in Brussels today and is likely to back the renewed U.S. effort to get Israeli-Palestinian talks under way. Barack Obama’s national security adviser is also heading to the region. Sobered by its failure to show tangible results, Washington still wants to achieve a peace deal within two years. So far, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears more amenable to starting talks than his Palestinian counterpart.
Continue Reading January 13th, 2010
Nowhere is the gap between expectations and reality hitting Barack Obama harder than in dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Good intentions and the obvious American desire to promote a deal seem to have quickly crashed on the shoals of a reality that has confounded past mediators. It’s no wonder that, in the region and outside, observers are questioning whether the two-state formula is still viable.
Continue Reading October 23rd, 2009
Along the way to a new American peace plan due next month, U.S. President Barack Obama lost the hearts of many Israelis. This happened not because they support the settlements or object to a Palestinian state (they don’t); nor, for that matter, because Mr. Obama changed long-standing American positions (he hasn’t). Like much else in Mideast politics, Israeli mistrust of Mr. Obama is irrational and illogical – but if it isn’t addressed, the U.S. peacemaking effort will founder.
Continue Reading August 26th, 2009
So far, Barack Obama is ahead in the public duel of words with Benjamin Netanyahu. The U.S. President has made it clear that, unlike his predecessor, he’ll actively pursue a Palestinian state. The Israeli Prime Minister doesn’t believe this is in his country’s interest but, painfully aware of the new reality in Washington, he’s reluctantly stated that “a Palestinian state” is a future possibility.
Continue Reading June 19th, 2009
TEL AVIV — Always astute, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to minimize discord with Washington while keeping his coalition alive. But barely a week into office, competing pressures on him are evident: Tough-talking Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman hastened to proclaim last year’s Annapolis process – in which Israel and the Palestinian Authority recommitted themselves to talks on a Palestinian state – dead. In turn, Barack Obama reaffirmed Annapolis and the promise of a Palestinian state as a key plank of U.S. policy.
Continue Reading April 8th, 2009
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