Dogs of War

Such terrifying dogs have not been seen since the Hound of the Baskervilles. They have been bred by an ardent admirer of the late “Rabbi” Meir Kahane, who was branded by the Israeli Supreme Court as a fascist. Their task is to protect the settlements and attack Palestinians. They are settler-dogs, or, rather, dog-settlers. All … Read more

Instead of panicking…

The great majorityOf the world’s nationsAre about toVote for recognizingThe State of PalestineIf you can’t beat them,Why not join them? Published in Haaretz – Sep. 2, 2011 Cheques, to help us continue the ads and the campaigns, to: Gush Shalom, P.O.Box 3322, Tel-Aviv 61033. Please, include your email address.

To The Shores of Tripoli

THOUGH THE Bible tells us “Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth” (Proverbs 24:17), I could not help myself. I was happy. Muammar al-Gaddafi was the enemy of every decent person in the world. He was one of the worst tyrants in recent memory. This fact was hidden behind a façade of clownishness. He liked to … Read more

Déjà vu

Again killed and injured,Again brinkmanship,Again a fragile cease-fireIn Gaza.Again billions are spentOn border fortificationsAnd missile defensesFor the next round.There is another solution:Peace with theState of PalestineIn the West Bank and GazaWith a unity governmentOf Fatah and Hamas. Published in Haaretz – August 26, 2011 Cheques, to help us continue the ads and the campaigns, to: … Read more

The Return of the Generals

SINCE THE beginning of the conflict, the extremists of both sides have always played into each other’s hands. The cooperation between them was always much more effective than the ties between the corresponding peace activists. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” asked the prophet Amos (3:3). Well, seems they can. This was proved … Read more

No Crumbs, Please!

This week the PalestiniansAsked the UNFor recognition ofThe State of Palestine.They will not be put offWith crumbs.This week the IsraeliSocial protest leadersFormed aCommittee of expertsTo pursue their demandFor an Israeli welfare state.They will not be put offWith crumbs.Netanyahu has nothing to offerTo either of them Published in Haaretz, August 19, 2011

Dichter’s Law

“THE PEOPLE Demand Social Justice!” 250 thousand protesters chanted in unison in Tel Aviv last Saturday. But what they need – to quote an American artist – is “more unemployed politicians”. Fortunately, the Knesset has gone on a prolonged vacation, three months. For as Mark Twain quipped: “No man’s life or property is safe while … Read more

Heating up the political scene instead of dealing with social protest

Following the approval of construction program at the Ramat Shlomo Neighborhood in East Jerusalem, former Knesset Member Uri Avnery says: “The government heats up the political arena instead of dealing with the wave of social protest and the tent encampments springing up throughout the country. Economic hardships brought the youngsters out into the streets and … Read more

NEW WAVE

This mass movementFor Social JusticeWill wash awayThe blind worshipOf “security”And the politiciansWho built their careerOn hatred.Again there is hopeFor Israel -No longer theNeighborhood bullyBut a stateThat is fair andLives at peaceWith its neighbors. Published in Haaretz, August 12, 2011

“How Goodly Are Thy Tents”

FIRST OF all, a warning.Tent cities are springing up all over Israel. A social protest movement is gathering momentum. At some point in the near future, it may endanger the right-wing government. At that point, there will be a temptation – perhaps an irresistible temptation – to “warm up the borders”. To start a nice … Read more