Netanyahu’s Job Well Done
The Telegraph’s Nile Gardiner articulates well why Binyamin Netanyahu’s address to the US Congress was so damn good.
Watching Benjamin Netanyahu’s barn-storming address to a joint meeting of the United States Congress today, I was struck not only by the forcefulness of his message, but by the sheer conviction and sense of purpose that drove it. There was no teleprompter in sight as the Israeli prime minister delivered a speech worthy of a warrior statesman fighting literally for his nation’s survival. It was in part a response to President Obama’s Middle East address last week. The president was away in London today on an official state visit, but his aides would have been closely watching, and his vice president Joe Biden was present.
You know where you stand with Netanyahu, who is unyielding in his defence of his country and his people, and in no mood to negotiate with enemies who threaten his homeland’s destruction. There was not a hint of dithering or uncertainty in his words, or any kind of apology for the actions of his country – in great contrast to the distinctly weak leadership style of his US counterpart. This was a magnificent address, one which drew several standing ovations from the large number of Senators and Representatives attending, from both sides of the political aisle.
As I explained in a previous post, I do not agree with everything Netanyahu said, especially regarding the issue of a palestinian state. However, I think I understand Realpolitik well enough to realize what our Prime Minister was doing was putting the ball back in the palestinian’s court, knowing full well that the Fatah-Hamas doubles partners will never agree to the formula of peace he described. He managed to move us out of the corner we were being boxed into by the palestinians and US President Barack Obama, while signalling to the latter that we won’t be bullied. But most importantly, he rebutted the “Zionist as occupiers” myth, explaining to a receptive Congress (and the world) our connection to the land of Israel spanning thousands of years.
I believe those who have criticized Netanyahu for agreeing to a palestinian state and “painful concessions” are missing the point.
About the Author
An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.Filed Under: General
G-d doesn't play by "realpolitik" which desecrates his name.
Pray that G-d doesn't go measure for measure, granting more cunning and wisdom to the Arabs in response to the now long-term stupidity and self-humiliation of His people.
Shy Guy, you know I am also an observant Jew and believe that ultimately man plans and G-d decides.
But let's be realistic here. Netanyahu is not an observant Jew, and may not believe the same things we do. If he was, I would have a different measuring stick for his speech.
I also don't believe Netanyahu's speech desecrated G-d's name.
Hashem gave us Eretz Yisrael on a silver paltter, we threw it away – that's not a Hillul Hashem?
8000 Jew's lives were ruined by the expulsion from Gush Katif. In Yehuda and Shomron, there are talking about destroying the lives of over 100,000 people – that's not a Hillul Hashem?
Trusting every lying thieving nation and international body but not Hashem – that's not a Hillul Hashem?
I'll stop here. The list is much longer.
Netanyahu did not give away the land. Rather, he spoke of his willingness to do so, contingent on certain steps on the part of the palestinians, which I (and presumably) he believe(s) won't happen.
Notice he attempted a version of "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down…".
And he ended on "God bless America", so how could they not applaud?
But from the little I have seen here, in Israel they daren't paying attention to the speech.
Oh, and the American MSM is attacking Bibi full blast for not kissing Obama's feet. After fifty years of publicly(sp?) undercutting national defense, they suddenly remembered that politics is supposed to stop at the water.
Here in Israel, the local pundits are all saying "Okay, great speech. Now what?"
Saeb Arekat is quoted as calling Netanyahu's speech "A declaration of war".
It is high time an Israeli leader told the world "This is our land, given to Abraham by G-d." "Judea and Samaria .. is not the Belgian Congo." If the Palestinians can strike poses refusing to negotiate for spurious inconsequential reasons, we are also allowed to state our case loud and clear on the world stage.
Netanyahu basically said "we have red lines. We won't cross them, and this is the national consensus. Nevertheless, if you WANT piece, and you are willing to compromise, we can be generous elsewhere."
Where is the voice of compromise in the Palestinian camp? Certainly not Abu Mazen (who demands '67 borders and the right of return). Certainly not Haled Mash'al! Where are the Palis who ARE willing to compromise? Hello?
<silence>
I rest my case.
You hit the nail on the head. And my assumption is Netanyahu already KNOWS the palestinians won't agree to it.
Its also good he said Judea and Samaria.
How can the US ever claim to be a honest broker.
Within 6 months Israel again will be living by the sword murdering women and children in the thousands.
Why do you insist on coming back here to spread propaganda without even attempting civil discourse or to back up your assertions, "sass" (yes, talking about honest brokers, while using a false name)?
You are (still) banned.
@moses
"Israel again will be living by the sword murdering women and children in the thousands. "
Excuse my ignorance – but when did this happen last? You wouldn't be referring to when Hamastan started firing rockets, mortars, RPGs etc. at "women and children" living in towns and villages in undisputed areas and Israel retaliated, surely? Yes, civilians died during Cast Lead. Hamas terrorists who dressed as civilians and fired missiles from school playgrounds and high-rise apartment blocks were a factor here, believe it or not. Mistakes were made – but it was NOT murder. Even Goldstone admits that, now.
At the moment the Palestinian occupiers of the West Bank are living in peace and tranquility, but don't take my word for it, ask Kiaron Monk. And the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip are building another shopping mall. Israel has no intention of interfering with any of this.
But if they start blowing up restaurants and busses and firing missiles at kindergartens and hospitals – well, yes, Israel will respond. It won't be "murder" but terrorists will die nonetheless.
When has Israel ever murdered anyone in the thousands? Surely you are confusing Israel with Iraq or Jordan or Syria or Sudan, Muslim countries that have murdered women and children in the thousands.
[...] able to watch Bibi’s speech live but I followed Challah Hu Akbar’s tweeting of it and when I saw the following:@ChallahHuAkbar : #Netanyahu: Time is running out, the hinge of [...]
greetings.
has any-body hooked up to the bbc world news 4muslim men jailed for attacking a teacher,one of the jailed men was heard to say he's mocking us/but his next comment is the funiest and he's putting thoughts in peoples minds, e'm strange thing to say from a race of people that has a life long history of doing just that.
even if the people didn't want the thought the start with.