Comments on: Netanyahu votes Romney, Ehud Barak endorses Obama

By: rosenberg

rosenberg — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 06:51:03 +0000

Israeli officials have been placed in a bind. They are terrified of what could happen if Obama is re-elected and are trying to make the best of a poisonous situation. Anyone who doesn’t understand that Ehud Barak and Bibi Netanyahu have coordinated their statements understands neither Israeli politics nor the relationship between these two men.

No one said Obama’s administration has denied aid to Israel (the funds come from Congress, where bipartisan support for Israel still reigns, thank G-d). The relationship between Israeli and US Intelligence and military establishments is so well entrenched, there is little Obama can do about it—although, if G-d forbid, he wins and has the “flexibility” he wants, who knows what he will do.

No one denies that relations between Obama and Jerusalem are the worst we’ve had, over the four-year period, probably since Jimmy Carter, although the Bush-Baker years were nothing to celebrate either.

By: Robert Stendel

Robert Stendel — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 08:38:19 +0000

Obama shows he is not a puppet. Furthermore, a LAME DUCK WAR is awful for Romney and every USA citizen. The WAR WILL NEVER END.
Red lines are not convincing for someone who must satisfy Allah. Negotiation is a better path. Obama [or Romney] across from the Ayatollah Khamenei might work (with Barak or Bibi having some skin in the game). Khamenei might be sane and honest. His word and details in an agreement will draw a red line of sorts

By: The two of themCraig

The two of themCraig — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 16:48:57 +0000

Neither of these guys should be endorsing anyone here in the states ! Many of us find it offensive as we believe most Israeli’s would feel the same should our government representatives take sides in Israel’s domestic politics. To once again see Bibi trying to undermine Obama so publicly is offensive. He comes here hat in hand demanding we take military action against Iran for wanting the very same protection that israel’s own nuclear weapons provide them. As Iran is a sovereign nation , who are we or anyone to make a decision to deny the rights enjoyed by Israel to Iran? Think the citizens walking the streets of Tehran are not cognizant of the warheads pointed at them from Tel Aviv ?
He needs to shut up and go back home to whine.

By: Alon Levy

Alon Levy — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 05:54:55 +0000

(If this is a duplicate, apologies – I’m having spamfilter trouble.) Mitchell, re Independence: yes, but Barak is incredibly unpopular, and in the polls Independence fluctuates between two seats and falling below the 2% threshold.

So there were rumors that Barak was going to try to get into the Likud list. I’m not sure how familiar you are with the Israeli primary system, but in both Likud and Labor, the party can reserve some spots for party leaders and power brokers – e.g. in ’99, Labor’s second place was reserved for Peres. Bibi controls the process, so he could if he wanted guarantee Barak a seat. So what this development means is that Barak has given up on the hope of running with Likud.

So one of two things is happening. One, maybe Barak thinks that Independence will get more than 2% of the vote, which it might, and that the left and right blocs will be deadlocked enough that he can play kingmaker and be either Shelly or Bibi’s defense minister. Two, maybe he’s just given up the hope of remaining in the Israeli government and is acting like a lame duck.

By: Bluegrass Picker of Afula

Bluegrass Picker of Afula — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 22:46:47 +0000

My opinion of Ehud Barak would improve if he wore clothes that fit.

He’s not fatter
(or poorer) than Arik got, and Arik spent the money.

Noam, could you give Ehud a ride up here to Afula? We have really a lot of Russian tailor shops up here.

By: Mitchell Cohen

Mitchell Cohen — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 09:36:29 +0000

Neither Netanyahu, nor Barak are voting in the US elections (Netanyahu long ago gave up his US citizenship). Most Americans (including Jewish) are voting first and foremost for whichever candidate will let them keep their home, provide them with health care and make college for their kids affordable. Israel will be a distant last (if on the radar at all). So, who really cares who Netanyahu and Barak are pulling for.

Also, wasn’t Barak forming his own party anyway – the “Independence” party?

What is so new here?

By: Engelbert Luitsz

Engelbert Luitsz — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 08:06:35 +0000

Barry, PMW is to the Palestinians what stormfront is to the Jews. You can find serious background on the ‘peace process’ if you are really interested. There are plenty of good books available on the subject.
The current debates in the US make it clear that we shouldn’t have high hopes about a decent solution any time soon.

By: Barry Rosen

Barry Rosen — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 03:49:39 +0000

Engelbert Luitsz, the last I remember, 3 times in the last 12 years Israel tried to end the conflict, but it was the Rejectionist Pals who said no.
Why did the Pals say no, well all you have to do is go on the Pals racist media against Jews to understand why.
Just google Palmediawatch

By: Engelbert Luitsz

Engelbert Luitsz — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 20:22:25 +0000

The “split” reflects the situation in the US very well: there is no difference between US democrats and republicans, just as there is no difference between Israeli left en right. The illusion of choice is created to continue the ethnic cleansing of Palestine by confusing the public.

By: Piotr Berman

Piotr Berman — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 18:17:24 +0000

At leask Barak can win elections vicariously, through his endorsee.

My opinion on Barak could improve if IDF under his leadership would stop harassing people in West Bank and Gaza.