Ukraine, Israel, and Palestine There is no contradiction or conflict in supporting Ukraine, Israel, and the people of Palestine at the same time. Just yesterday, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin used an American idiom to make this point, declaring, “We can walk and chew gum at the same time.” Except that even Austin was only referring to… Read more.
Israel
Israel Is Planning a ‘Complete Siege’ of Gaza
This afternoon, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu announced that Israel is amassing forces to invade and raze Gaza. He warned that the decimation Israel intends to execute will echo for generations. Sieging Gaza Netanyahu’s quest for vengeance is understandable. But it behooves all of us who stand with Israel to maintain a little perspective, especially in this, Israel’s darkest hour.… Read more.
Hamas Attacks Israel: Avenging Yom Kippur, Apartheid State?
Hamas attacks Israel Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel this morning, firing thousands of missiles. Even Israeli pundits are drawing parallels to the surprise attack led by Egypt and Syria 50 years ago today. That attack became the famous Yom Kippur War. Israel won back then, and no one doubts it will win this ‘Yom Kippur… Read more.
Criticizing Israel Is like Saying the N-Word. Just Ask Rep. Pramila Jayapal
Israel has been a sacred cow in American politics since its founding. Republicans and Democrats have even disagreed on providing millions in food assistance to poor Americans. But they have never disagreed on providing billions in foreign aid to Israel. Criticizing Israel No politician would ever dare criticize Israel. That is, if they have any ambition beyond representing… Read more.
Israel Invaded Jenin on a Wag-the-Dog Mission for Netanyahu
Israel is withdrawing from the occupied city of Jenin in the West Bank today. On Monday, Israel launched the biggest military operation in the Palestinian Territories in 20 years. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims the mission was to cull terrorists from safe havens in the Jenin refugee camp. And he’s hailing it as “mission accomplished.” Israel invaded Jenin… Read more.
Far-Right Jews Persecuting Christians – for Trying to Convert Them?
Benjamin Netanyahu struck a deal with far-right Jews to become prime minister. But it’s playing like a deal with the Devil. Those far-right Jews have been persecuting everyone, including Christians That deal gave far-right Jews government power they never had. But they’re using it to turn Israeli democracy into a Jewish theocracy. That has them condoning… Read more.
Israel Should Support Ukraine – If Only to Help Itself
President Biden declared the war in Ukraine a clash between democracies and autocracies. Sure enough, democratic countries are supporting Ukraine. Autocratic countries are supporting Russia. Israel is a Democratic country. It follows that Israel should be supporting Ukraine. Yet it stands out among the few democratic countries that are not doing so. But a quid pro quo between… Read more.
Zelensky Criticizes Israel for Not Helping Ukraine Fend Off Russia
Volodymyr Zelensky has been delivering roving appeals to democratic governments. Pursuant to that, he decried Israel on Sunday for not doing more to help Ukraine fend off Russia’s genocidal invasion. It might help to recall the empathy he evoked during his address to the US Congress. Because he did so by lacing it with analogies… Read more.
Israel Shuns Ukraine but Begs US to Spare Russian Oligarch?
No less a person than the Jewish president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has accused Russia of perpetrating a “genocide” against the Ukrainian people. This compels unavoidable and untenable analogies with the genocide Germany perpetrated against the Jewish people during World War II. More to the point, though, it demands Israel explain why it is shunning… Read more.
Biden’s Foreign Policy A-Team Is Failing Him
In the interest of full disclosure, and to at least limit friendly fire, please beware that I voted for Joe Biden. In fact, when he picked Kamala Harris as his running mate, I duly gloated in “I Picked Biden-Harris 2020 in January 2019. Now It’s Official!” August 12, 2020. In other words, I not only… Read more.