AronT on December 1st, 2009

Professor Tony Judt at NYU, whose writings have often appeared on this site, recently gave  a lecture at NYU. As always, it is well worth reading. In fact I would argue it is mandatory reading for anyone who considers themself “leftist” or “progressive.” Judt provides the historical background for the political debates of today. He [...]

Continue reading about Tony Judt’s Message to the Left

AronT on July 26th, 2009

Zvi Barel discusses Israeli Obama bashers in Ha’aretz
Obama did not invent a new American policy. The United States has long held that the settlements are illegal; the same is true for the status of East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. The Americans are sticking to the same road map drawn up seven years ago, it’s [...]

Continue reading about Obama as an “Enemy of Israel” — Not

AronT on June 22nd, 2009

The situation is so fluid on the ground, that I hesitate to comment, This post is a collection of news articles and commentary I personally found educational and enlightening. I start with a quote which expresses my own feelings about what is going on. It seems exceedingly strange to me that I quote a sitting [...]

Continue reading about Iran Roundup – News and Commentary

AronT on June 14th, 2009

Two videos by Max Blumenthal. First the haters:

Then the lovers:

Continue reading about Two Faces of Israeli / Jewish Politics

AronT on June 5th, 2009

A review of the current political situation in Israel. It’s quite amusing and predictable. It amazes me that Bibi got re-elected in the first place. What were they thinking? Did anyone really believe he had “improved” somehow?
It is hard not to be amazed by the speed with which Netanyahu’s second term has become a kind [...]

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AronT on May 20th, 2009

Roger Cohen makes some good points:
What’s really at issue here is that neither Israel nor the Arabs want a change in a status quo that locks in Israeli regional military dominance and the cozy relationships — arms deals, aid and all — that U.S. allies from the Gulf to Cairo enjoy.
American interests are, however, another [...]

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AronT on May 11th, 2009

In Ha’aretz the other day they had this article which had me laughing out loud:
“Obama’s people brief their Israeli counterparts in advance much less about security and Middle East policy activities than the Bush administration used to,” the officials said.  In addition, when they do brief Israeli officials, they don’t consult with them or coordinate [...]

Continue reading about Jerusalem is Worried – Obama isn’t a Frier!

AronT on May 5th, 2009

With the NY Times. Meshal is the head of the Hamas’ political bureau:
On the two-state solution sought by the Americans, he said: “We are with a state on the 1967 borders, based on a long-term truce. This includes East Jerusalem, the dismantling of settlements and the right of return of the Palestinian refugees.” Asked what [...]

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AronT on April 30th, 2009

Israel’s has always been relatively tolerant of internal dissent. Relatively meaning exactly what it says. I often cite the fact that at one time meeting with anyone from the PLO was a crime, and Abie Nathan sat in jail for that crime. It is somewhat disturbing that activists from New Profile were recently arrested. Is [...]

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AronT on March 14th, 2009

I missed this piece from last week. As always, Avnery’s characterizations of politicians is spot on, and he rips to shreds any false hope that the conference may actually help the Palestinians in Gaza. Given the economic crisis, the conference received little coverage here. I doubt the Obama administration wanted much press about their promise [...]

Continue reading about Uri Avnery on the “Gaza Conference”