THE IMPOSSIBLE has happened. The Egyptian parliament, democratically elected by a free people, has convened for its first session. For me this is a wonderful, a joyful occasion. For many Israelis, this is a worrisome, a threatening sight. I CANNOT but rejoice when a downtrodden people arises and wins its freedom and human dignity. And … Read more
Migron, a manifestlyIllegal settlementOn private Palestinian land,Has been asked to movea few hundred meters.The media ask anxiously:Will they acceptThis “compromise”?At Anata, Palestinians builtOn their own land.”Manifestly illegal!”Declared the armyAnd during the nightDestroyed the whole village.(The media did not botherTo report.) The Leibowitz Prize, initiated by Yesh Gvul, has been awarded to Uri Avnery andHagit Ofran. … Read more
“ISRAEL HAS no foreign policy, only a domestic policy,” Henry Kissinger once remarked. This has probably been more or less true of every country since the advent of democracy. Yet in Israel, this seems even truer. (Ironically, it could almost be said that the US has no foreign policy, only an Israeli domestic policy.) In … Read more
“They have bloodOn their hands!”Said the government,When askedBy the EuropeansTo free PalestiniansImprisoned before Oslo.”He has beenPunished enough!”Says the governmentAnd wants to pardonA policeman ImprisonedA year and a half agoFor shooting aPalestinian to death. Published in “Haaretz”, January 20, 2012
“SHINING TORCH” sounds like the name of a Red Indian (or should I say Native American?) chief. In Hebrew, it is the literal meaning of the name of our latest political sensation: Ya’ir Lapid. This week, he announced his intention to enter politics and set up a new political party. Hardly a surprise. For many … Read more
Can a personWho personallyViolates International LawBe a Supreme Court judge?Judge Noam SolbergIs a settlerIn Occupied Territory.The appeal againstHis appointmentWas rejected at record speedBy the Supreme Court.If that is kosher –What isn’t? Published in “Haaretz” – January 13, 2012 Cheques, to help us continue the ads and the campaigns, to: Gush Shalom, P.O.Box 3322, Tel-Aviv 61033. … Read more
IS THERE no limit to the villainy of Hamas? Seems there isn’t.This week, they did something quite unforgivable.They stole a war. FOR SOME weeks now, our almost new Chief of Staff, Benny Gantz, has been announcing at every possible opportunity that a new war against the Gaza Strip is inevitable. Several commanders of the troops … Read more
Representatives ofThe Israeli governmentMet this week withThe Palestinians.Results: None.Representatives ofThe Israeli governmentMet this week withThe settlers.Result: legitimizationOf “Ramat Gilad”,An illegal settlementBuilt onPrivate Palestinian land. Published in “Haaretz” – January 6, 2012
IF ISLAMIST movements come to power all over the region, they should express their debt of gratitude to their bête noire, Israel. Without the active or passive help of successive Israeli governments, they may not have been able to realize their dreams. That is true in Gaza, in Beirut, in Cairo and even in Tehran. … Read more
A direct lineLeads fromThe anti-democratic legislationIn the Knesset,Through the violent rampageOf the settlersIn the West Bank,To the fanatical hooliganismIn Beit Shemesh.What next? Published in “Haaretz” – December 30, 2011