The new Netanyuhu as a possible peace partner

[Lemon law]

Regardless of where you are on the Palestinian Israeli conflict, we all have to note that its even older than the State of Israel, and like the energizer bunny, it keeps going and going.
It was somewhat understandable to have some faith in a Liberal like Rabin to solve the mess, but as history tells us, that was an unrealized dream.

The next hope was in 2005 or so when Sharon, basically a certifiable international war criminal with solid conservative credentials had some what of a change of heart, late in life, and might have been willing to do some genuine bargaining to achieve a just peace. And instead had a massive stroke that took him out of the equation. But still, with Sharon, its was a who would have ever thunk it?

I might say the same for Nixon, another card carrying conservative, who would have ever thunk it that Nixon would get real with mainland China, but he did.

And now we have Netanyuhu, a real pander to the worst of Israel's radical right wing types, is now charged with forming the next Israeli government. And now that the Labor party has climbed aboard, its looks like Netanyuhu has a done deal.

And now Netanyuhu is mumbling about some peace initiative, every instinct I have says forget it, ain't gonna happen, but we must all remember history is full of those who would have ever thunk it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03...ast/26mideast.html?hpw

 

[Craig234]

Far more common are people who say what's politically expedient. Remember Bush's 'compassionate conservative', because it undecut Gore's advantage as a liberal?

Given how hard it was for him to form the coalition government and the likely sensitivities with the new labor partner, unfortunately, the situation is ripe for disingenuous messages.

But let's cross our fingers.

And by the way, don't give Nixon more credit than he deserves on China.

 

[zoiks]

He's nothing but a radical thug. His previous experience and arrogant and explosive remarks prove just that. Another Israeli prick.

 

[Lemon law]

Gotta agree with Craig234, who captured the spirit of my post with five words, " But let's cross our fingers."

 

[Craig234]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
Gotta agree with Craig234, who captured the spirit of my post with five words, " But let's cross our fingers."

Let me try to offer a bit of hope, then - while I stand by my position that leaders like this very rarely change their stripes, there are cases.

Who would have expected military-obsessed blowhard Teddy Roosevelt to become a passionate progressive? Who would have expected terrorist Yasser Arafat to work for peace as much as he did (whatever criticisms remain) in some years? Who would have expected Gorbachev to do so much to peacefully dismantle the USSR? Who would have expected 'tough' Robert Kennedy who had gone to war with the Mafia and Castro and supported the war in Vietnam to become such a voice for the underpriviliged and peace? Who would have expected the 'father of the modern conservative movement', Barry Goldwater, to come out for gay rights and say he did not want to be associated with the later right-wing political movement, isolating himself politically? Who would have expected Ronald Reagan to tiptoe to the edge of pursuing nuclear disarmament, even if he pulled back under pressure from his shocked advisors? Who would have expected Republican Eisenhower, who had led the allies in WWII and had a close relationship with the military, to use his farewell address to warn against the military-industrial(-congressional) complex?

Sometimes, the leader of a right-wing, reactionary group can come to see a better way, and bring change for peace.

I don't follow the situation closely enough to estimate the chances in this case, and the history with this person and situation isn't promising, but I think there's a chance.

And your raising the topic, to help people not get stuck in the rut of assuming that he can only act one way, I think is helpful. That's how change often happens.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: zoiks
He's nothing but a radical thug. His previous experience and arrogant and explosive remarks prove just that. Another Israeli prick.

Just another Israeli prick??
You hate all Israeli`s??

 

[Lemon law]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda

Originally posted by: zoiks
He's nothing but a radical thug. His previous experience and arrogant and explosive remarks prove just that. Another Israeli prick.

Just another Israeli prick??
You hate all Israeli`s??

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Exactly the wrong take. The point being, Israel, like every country on the planet, is politically divided. And to try to stereotype people in Israel as a single person or entity, be they thugs or angels depending on the posters opinions, is always a big mistake.

I may think Madoff is a prick, its does not mean I hate all Americans.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

I don't think he'll be getting anything "peaceful" done with Kahane Chai Lieberman on board.

 

[Lemon law]

Originally posted by: mrSHEiK124
I don't think he'll be getting anything "peaceful" done with Kahane Chai Lieberman on board.

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A somewhat valid point if the Israeli government were modeled like the American Government.
But Israel has a parliamentary system, which is a totally different animal.

If Netanyuhu changes his stripes and alienates the Kahane Chai Lieberman faction, Netanyuhu can well afford to give the Lieberman block the ole heave ho, if he can then attract the support
of the Kadima party.

As it was, Netanyuhu could not form a government until the Labor party climbed aboard, and with Israel having a bunch of very small special issue parties, in such a parliamentary system,
it can be truly said that politics makes for strange bedfellows.