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Netanyahu the devil By Gideon Levy Tags: Shaul Mofaz  They're playing that old tune again: Anybody but Benjamin ("they're-afffraid") Netanyahu. Shaul Mofaz loves peace, Tzipi Livni will end the occupation, Ehud Barak will treat the Palestinians like human beings. Only Netanyahu will bring disaster. Once again, the political fashion is to discuss how to stop the king of the opinion polls and the prince of disaster. The Likud chairman's demonization by the Anti-Netanyahu Defense League is not new. It has one goal: presenting all the other candidates as better, because they are so different from the devil Netanyahu. It is an old, tried-and-true method in Israeli discourse: For example, we will fight the "illegal outposts," thus koshering all the other, meticulously "legal" settlements. Just as there is no difference between Ariel and Asael - both are patently illegal - there is no real difference between Netanyahu and all the other candidates. None is a harbinger of peace or the end of the occupation, but only Netanyahu is painted in frightening hues, thus rendering the others kosher. Netanyahu, the man of our nightmares, met with Yasser Arafat, signed the Hebron agreement and did not bring peace. The prime ministers who succeeded him - Ehud Barak, Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert - did not lead Israel even one step closer to peace. Netanyahu did open the Western Wall Tunnel, a fiasco that ended with dozens killed. And who was his partner in that move? Olmert, then mayor of Jerusalem, who has never been as horrifying as Netanyahu. True, Olmert's rhetoric as prime minister was much more pleasant to peace-loving ears than Netanyahu's; he conducted negotiations, he was hospitable to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and he even sent emissaries to Turkey to conduct talks with Syria. But what did we get out of all that? More settlements, and more brutal occupation. Netanyahu, at least, did not set off on a useless, foolish war. Advertisement The point of these arguments is not to praise Netanyahu. According to his declared ideology, he supports a one-state solution, an eternal apartheid state. But how the devil is he different from the others? Mofaz, for example, should frighten us much more: His hands have a great deal more blood on them than this scary Netanyahu has. While Netanyahu dispatched a representative to the Sryian president and sent out feelers about an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan, Mofaz pledges "peace for peace," insults our intelligence, and actually promises another war in the north. The father of assassinations, he turned the Israel Defense Forces into a vengeful gang in the occupied territories. In any proper country Mofaz would have long ago been delegitimized because of his responsibility for what are considered war crimes elsewhere in the world. If he is elected prime minister, he will not be able to visit certain countries for fear of being arrested. Neither has anyone settled accounts with him over his part in the IDF's unpreparedness for the last war. But even Mofaz is not as frightening as Netanyahu. Barak's current term as defense minister does not give us reason to fear him any less than Netanyahu: This was a period of disproportionate and unbridled killing in Gaza. This is the man who invented the false no-partner theory and smashed the remnants of the Israeli peace camp. And now he is even going back to using that rusty and criminal weapon - demolishing terrorists' homes - in the name of the Israeli labor and peace movement. Can everyone who was shocked by Netanyahu's cruel capitalism depend on Barak? Has anyone ever caught this social democrat improving the welfare of anyone who was not his neighbor in a luxury high-rise? And yet, even he is not as frightening as Netanyahu. And what about Livni? She is certainly not as fearsome as Netanyahu. But she, too, thinks that talks with Syria and the Palestinians are moving too fast. After 40 years of occupation and bloodshed, Olmert's turtle-like pace is too fast for his "moderate" foreign minister. That is the choice. That is the arsenal of candidates seeking to succeed Olmert. None speak in the name of any ideology whatsoever. A past prime minister who failed at his post and brought about the second intifada; a former chief of staff and defense minister, a cruel military man, who fanned the flames and knows only how to sow destruction and death; a mild-mannered foreign minister who has not advanced peace in any way; and Netanyahu - the person everyone loves to hate. No worse than his fellow candidates, but immeasurably more persecuted. The media embraces Livni, accepts Mofaz as legitimate, sometimes supports Barak, but is terrified only by Netanyahu. Why? Bookmark to del.icio.us   'Material girl' turns 50 Pop icon and kabbalah enthusiast Madonna celebrates her 50th birthday. Barak vs. The Treasury Defense Minister says budget cuts foolish in light of the threats Israel facing.   1.   They are all the same 08:10  |  Meir Weinstein 10/08/08   2.   gideon ready to smite a mighty blow for the lie in perpetuity 09:26  |  victor hardman 10/08/08   3.   This choice is no choice 09:53  |  sh 10/08/08   4.   windows of opportunity 11:19  |  RNEW 10/08/08   5.   Levy do you hate your own family? 11:29  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 10/08/08   6.   Why Bibi is the prime horrifier...? Obvious... 11:41  |  Esther 10/08/08   7.   Gideon Levy knows better than every body. Jordan is Pales State 11:46  |  e.m Jordan is Palse 10/08/08   8.   Looks grim 12:07  |  Outsider 10/08/08   9.   Occupation what occupation? Eretz Israel is OURS 12:12  |  Yehuda 10/08/08   10.   To promote peace, arm the Palestinians well. 13:12  |  Natallie Durson 10/08/08   11.   Gideon Levy will end the occupation !! 13:15  |  Victor 10/08/08   12.   In which case it means that the future Priminister will do what`s 13:35  |  lily 10/08/08   13.   G.Levy himself would "end the occupation", - and end Israel too. 14:37  |  Vittorio 10/08/08   14.   #10 Natalie, good post 14:49  |  Ben Alofs 10/08/08   15.   The "occupation" is essential for Israel`s security 15:22  |  Joel Stein 10/08/08   16.   Terrorism is Also Illegal 15:57  |  Jay A Friedman 10/08/08   17.   #10/#13 Insane. The last thing either side needs is MORE weapons 16:02  |  Aphemia 10/08/08   18.   Yehuda 16:24  |  noor 10/08/08   19.   #5 Margie in TA 16:39  |  Boycott 10/08/08   20.   Human ideas-Temporal solution 16:54  |  jon 10/08/08   21.   THOUSANDS of Jews Maimed & MURDERED for WICKED LIE of Occupation 17:04  |  Linda Rivera 10/08/08   22.   So, Who Do You Suggest, Mr. Gideon Levy? 17:04  |  Jeff Northridge 10/08/08   23.   Kadima losers vs Barak give to Netanyahu from Ahora 17:19  |  Sal 10/08/08   24.   Only a fool will not learn from past mistakes 17:25  |  Steve 10/08/08   25.   Swimming with sharks 17:28  |  Steve 10/08/08   26.   We will always "occupy" our land! 17:36  |  Chaim 10/08/08   27.   #10--Brilliant! 17:50  |  Mark 10/08/08   28.   End the occupation + make peace vs.make peace + occupation ends 17:51  |  Sam 10/08/08   29.   Natallie Durson # 10 That`s Nuts 18:10  |  Jeff Northridge 10/08/08   30.   Boycott you have bought into the pathetic fallacy 18:35  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 10/08/08   31.   Only the Saudi Plan will end the occupation 18:50  |  Ivar 10/08/08   32.   Steve your bleak vision saddens me. 18:50  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 10/08/08   33.   Does Gideon Levy really believe in peace negotiations? 20:00  |  redmike 10/08/08   34.   Re Margie #32 20:01  |  Esther 10/08/08   35.   Terrified of Natanyahu ....? 20:03  |  agma 10/08/08   36.   #24 Steve, one question 20:32  |  Mark B. 10/08/08   37.   Chaim, why are you happy? 20:45  |  noor 10/08/08   38.   Terrified of Natanyahu....? Why? 20:50  |  Dagma 10/08/08   39.   Ivar # 31 The Arab Ultimatum (Saudi Initiative) 21:11  |  Jeff Northridge 10/08/08   40.   Gideon LEVY, the modern Picasso... 21:15  |  Ari 10/08/08   41.   22 Jeff Northridge - Got One Thing Right 21:24  |  Mark of Lewiston 10/08/08   42.   Saudi Initiative -What exactly do they offer in exchange? 21:31  |  17 10/08/08   43.   #26.Chaim. The original land was MESAPOTANIA, today Iraq 21:32  |  Ben SOLOMON 10/08/08   44.   levy you just get do you. only the pals can end the state of war 22:00  |  ralph 10/08/08   45.   simple answer levy pals must stop occupying our lands 22:00  |  ralph 10/08/08   46.   So, Who Do You Suggest, Mr. Gideon Levy? 22:01  |  TonyL 10/08/08   47.   Mark B- the answer is the heart of the Arab-Israeli conflict 22:16  |  Steve 10/08/08   48.   17, you don`t offer a thief exchange. Right of return. 22:23  |  Ivar 10/08/08   49.   In this week`s Al Ahram-Netanyahu in power is seen as alarming 22:24  |  Sam 10/08/08   50.   The Saudi Iniative........ 22:27  |  Natasha 10/08/08   51.   I disagree Aphemia, the Russians should supply Hamas... 22:43  |  BBSNews 10/08/08   52.   #46 Okay Steve, you made your point, but the question remains 23:02  |  Mark B. 10/08/08   53.   Netanyahou the Devil? And Effie Etam? 23:03  |  Oggy 10/08/08   54.   Completely wrong Natasha... 23:08  |  BBSNews 10/08/08   55.   Steve, please stop lying about the Arabs... 23:19  |  BBSNews 10/08/08   56.   BBS News-Jews aren`t goimg to rush to sign Arab Initiative 23:51  |  Sam 10/08/08   57.   End the occupation 00:02  |  Yaron 11/08/08   58.   THE DEVIL 00:09  |  THE TEACHER/INSTRUCT 11/08/08   59.   # 48 Ivar - "You do not offer a thief exchage" 00:48  |  17 11/08/08   60.   #42.17.Do read the text and try to undestand it, it is so simple. 00:57  |  Suleiman 11/08/08   61.   Sam.#56, Sorry to dissappoint you It was not GOD 01:06  |  Harry 11/08/08   62.   Given the uncertainty of all these candidates, the U.S.... 01:08  |  Smadar 11/08/08   63.   Certain unfounded presumptions 01:17  |  Jess Ghannam 11/08/08   64.   Harry-Jewish believers follow the Torah not you 01:41  |  Sam 11/08/08   65.   BBSNews, Arab Initiative doesn`t address main issue. 02:59  |  Bruce 11/08/08   66.   # 42 Suleiman - Thank you for you attempt to help 03:10  |  17 11/08/08   67.   #51 BBS-So you are advocating even more violence? 03:10  |  Aphemia 11/08/08   68.   Suleiman # 60 You Read It 03:12  |  Jeff Northridge 11/08/08   69.   #48, Ivar, Assuming you are right and... 03:30  |  Bruce 11/08/08   70.   Steves Self fullfiling prophecy 03:33  |  A1 11/08/08   71.   #66 A surprising question, 17 04:27  |  Johnboy 11/08/08   72.   Harry # 61 Some Corrections 04:38  |  Jeff Northridge 11/08/08   73.   #68 You astound sometimes, Jeff 04:44  |  Johnboy 11/08/08   74.   #71 Johnboy to 17 Good point that really pertains to all Muslim 05:05  |  Smadar 11/08/08   75.   FEIGLIN`S COMING SOON 05:14  |  Rob 11/08/08   76.   LIVNI IS A DEFEATIST !!! GIDEON LEVY IS A LEFTIST SPIN MEISTER 05:21  |  HENRY MANN 11/08/08   77.   Israel`s Pursuit of Peace-Mark B (52) 06:15  |  Steve 11/08/08   78.   Where is the bomb shelter?-Response to A1 (70) 06:31  |  Steve 11/08/08   79.   Feiglin does offer a choice 06:46  |  Meir Weinstein 11/08/08   80.   No Aphemia, I`m relating the current reality... 07:11  |  BBSNews 11/08/08   81.   Incorrect Bruce... 07:20  |  BBSNews 11/08/08   82.   Sam, 56, is mired in foul falsehood, toxic to peace 08:42  |  Ivar 11/08/08   83.   I don`t think that some of you realize 08:46  |  Janice 11/08/08   84.   Jeff Northridge and "re-establishment" 08:54  |  Janice 11/08/08   85.   The Temple Mount is a NON-ISSUE in the Peace Proccess 08:56  |  Ivar 11/08/08   86.   Another fine piece from Mr. Levy 09:00  |  peacelover 11/08/08   87.   more for Jeff Northridge 09:02  |  Janice 11/08/08   88.   Mark B 09:09  |  x-ray 11/08/08   89.   GIDEON the "occupation" is all of Israel.As Pals say in Arabic 09:13  |  PETER SM 11/08/08   90.   Harry, 61, theologically correct, Zionism non-biblical 09:20  |  Ivar 11/08/08   91.   ANOTHER 11/9 FOR BIBI WILL BE GOOD 09:25  |  indrajaya 11/08/08   92.   The "occupation" is of Jewish territory by arabs 09:45  |  Wendy 11/08/08   93.   to Margie in Tel Aviv #5 09:57  |  zeev 11/08/08   94.   Like an MC Escher progression: each is worse than the other 10:04  |  Chanalau, Tova 11/08/08   95.   Gideon Levi as a Hamas`s mouthpiece 10:14  |  Victor 11/08/08   96.   to PETER SM #89 10:25  |  zeev 11/08/08   97.   Victor, 95, the OCCUPATON is Hamas` evil twin promoting vendetta 10:53  |  Ivar 11/08/08   98.   Levy champion of secular Zionism vs heretical-destructive Zionism 11:18  |  Ivar 11/08/08   99.   # 34 to esther re: your quiet objectivity 13:00  |  eric 11/08/08   100.   #5, Margie the peacemaker... 17:29  |  Silvienne 11/08/08   101.   #15, Joel Stein... 17:33  |  Silvienne 11/08/08   102.   #58, TEACHER/INSRUCT AKA "KATHY" 17:37  |  Silvienne 11/08/08   103.   UNFORTUNETLY THERE ARE NO REPENTENT KING DAVID`S;ONLY A BUNCH OF 18:00  |  glenna 11/08/08   104.   Wendy this new story is wearing thin 20:12  |  Janice 11/08/08   105.   51 BBSNews, Re: Russian support 10:45  |  Dutch 12/08/08   106.   They are all losers based on the status quo... 12:37  |  Dutch 12/08/08   107.   The Saudi Iniative........ 04:01  |  massimo 13/08/08   108.   Levy`s Column 21:25  |  S Cohen 13/08/08   109.   Gideon Levy, Israel is a lost cause in the 21st century 00:32  |  Dutch 17/08/08

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