Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., November 18, 2008 Cheshvan 20, 5769 | | Israel Time: 04:46 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 02:56 16/11/2008 Princes of lies By Gideon Levy Tags: Likud, Dan Meridor  The return of Benny Begin and Dan Meridor to Likud passed through the Israeli media without a hitch. There were those who, with the required politesse, reminded the two princes of their harsh statements made in the not-so-distant past against Benjamin Netanyahu, and they replied, with their customary grace and elegance - "Netanyahu matured, and I grew older," a pearl of wisdom offered by one of them. And all agreed that before us stood two clean, ethical, straight-as-an-arrow politicians without peer. Yet what we have are princes of lies. Seemingly it is difficult to find a common denominator between the two. One is a far right-winger, the other is thought to be moderate. Nonetheless, the unavoidable conclusion upon seeing their joining Likud is that both are opportunists to the same degree. They returned to Likud solely because it is now on the path to success. There is no other way to explain their late return, now of all moments. Both of them left to join other parties, failed in them, and returned to Likud only when it is on the safe road back to power. If we were talking about anyone else, from David Levy to Yehiel Hazan, the media would be falling over themselves attacking their "cynical opportunism." Not so when talking about the two sons of kings. Netanyahu, like his party, has yet to prove that he has changed. In any event, there is no way Likud and the man leading it have changed at the same time. Either Netanyahu has moderated his views (or he hasn't changed) and Begin is leading us astray, or Netanyahu has taken more extreme views (or hasn't changed) and Meridor is trying to deceive us. Advertisement True, it is difficult not to be amazed by the two. Begin is a humble man who travels by bus, a scientist who speaks clear, erudite Hebrew and who comports himself with austerity. Like his father, he opposes some of the cruelest edicts of the occupation. Meridor is an affable man who takes in the opera, is steeped in the poetry of Else Lasker-Schiller, is a fan of Heine, Schiller and Goethe, speaks many European languages and was raised in the cradle of culture in the Rehavia section of Jerusalem. While it was easy to attack Begin for his extreme, uncompromising, impossible positions, Meridor was always thought of as a staunch liberal, a champion of human rights and a friend of the Supreme Court; someone who fought against the Shin Bet lies and torture practices, opposed the expulsion of 415 Hamas operatives to Lebanon and supported the inclusion of Arab Knesset members to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, which he chaired. In recent years, he has also sought redemption for the sin of his dream of the Greater Land of Israel. Meridor discovered, belatedly, that it is verboten to control another nation. His bizarre dream of the Greater Land of Israel was abandoned only after he realized that the dream would mean there will not be a Jewish majority here. Nonetheless, what a joy: two politicians of a different stripe, one that is disappearing. One must not allow the pleasant, impressive appearance which the two create, and which led to the media's protective coverage of them, to continue to mislead the public. Begin comes to Likud without any change in his positions. "In the coming years, there is nothing to talk about with the Palestinians," he said last week. We can talk to them about quality of life, water and sewage, but there is nothing to talk about regarding political arrangements, or partial or final status. He is convinced that he was correct in opposing the Oslo Accords and the disengagement. In his view, anyone who opposes any agreement belongs "not to the fringe right." If so, then what is the fringe right? Meridor comes to Likud convinced of the need for two states; that the right thing is to withdraw from most of the territories in the West Bank, not all of them. But he, who wears the preeminence of democracy and the rule of law on his sleeve, also views any step leading to the end of the illegal, immoral occupation as "an Israeli concession." Meridor now joins a party advocating "economic peace," another one of the screwball ideas that have been tried in the past and have proven to be colossal failures and whose entire purpose is to put off a real diplomatic agreement and buy more time for the occupation. Judging by his declared positions, Meridor's place ought to have been in Meretz or with the sad-sack Labor Party or Kadima. But Likud? What's the connection? Here is the bottom line: Begin, who espouses continuing the occupation forever, is by essence an amoral man. Meridor, who now significantly buttresses a leader and a party which supports that position, also cannot be considered an exemplary figure, if we were to use his own words of understatement. Morality is also measured by one's worldview; it is amusing to know that an exalted man uses public transportation, but if he is a proponent of continued occupation then he cannot for even one moment be considered "Mr. Clean." Morality is also measured by integrity; a man who prides himself in holding liberal, enlightened views cannot join Likud. In doing so, he either betrays his philosophy or he is leading others astray in expressing his opinions. In these grim days for Israeli politics and given the human gallery that is Likud, news of the return of the two princes is seemingly welcome. But let us not forget for one moment the dark, deceptive sides of these two individuals whom we love to love. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Crime boss killed Ya'akov Alperon was killed just after his son was indicted for alleged murder attempt Peres at GA, Jerusalem Peres stresses that strong U.S. Israeli ties will not change under Obama's administration   1.   It`s all about morality... 08:49  |  BBSNews 16/11/08   2.   #1 is michael at b/s bad news for real? 09:40  |  victor hardman 16/11/08   3.   well well well...bbs says the very people who.. 09:52  |  strange 16/11/08   4.   Israels party in power is a trivial matter 09:55  |  Natallie Durson 16/11/08   5.   lies 10:01  |  Ralph 16/11/08   6.   BSNews and his golden rule 10:47  |  SDHD 16/11/08   7.   Natalie, you`ve got it right 11:02  |  Danny 16/11/08   8.   irony and sarcasm 11:57  |  Huegelsberger Joe 16/11/08   9.   Don`t ever............ 12:23  |  Shlomo Bar-David 16/11/08   10.   Prince of Lies 13:07  |  B 16/11/08   11.   US territory 13:39  |  lady from USA 16/11/08   12.   I think I like that Begin guy 13:45  |  lady from USA 16/11/08   13.   "LADY" from U:S:A 15:05  |  eva 16/11/08   14.   RETURNING TO THE LIKUD 15:40  |  Steve 16/11/08   15.   MEN OF INTEGRITY 15:49  |  Steve 16/11/08   16.   Prince of lies, prince of distortions, prince of hate 17:06  |  Aron 16/11/08   17.   It`s time for Israelis to take the Likudniks off the shelf ... 17:16  |  Dutch 16/11/08   18.   every politician 17:25  |  rm 16/11/08   19.   eva 18:20  |  lady from USA 16/11/08   20.   lady from usa...eva`s right..go to church... 18:36  |  strange 16/11/08   21.   GIDEON LEVY, BROTHER, NOW I`M RELIEVED MYSELF 19:01  |  indrajaya 16/11/08   22.   Opportunist Gideon Levy always jumps on every opportunity 19:39  |  Genuine Tosefta 16/11/08   23.   #1 BS News 19:45  |  Brad 16/11/08   24.   LADY 20:07  |  eva-chawa 16/11/08   25.   Israelis should wake up and show Likud the door.... 20:29  |  Dutch 16/11/08   26.   Lady from USA 20:38  |  Steve 16/11/08   27.   Stranger than Fiction 20:50  |  Steve 16/11/08   28.   steve27 21:11  |  strange 16/11/08   29.   Admiration for men using public transportation one thing, but 21:47  |  Smadar 16/11/08   30.   Gideon, Read bailing out the unenployed... 22:35  |  Dutch 16/11/08   31.   What`s come over Likud? Where`s Bibi and that Fighting Spirit? 22:37  |  Dagma 16/11/08   32.   #25 doris cadigan now in the government business 22:51  |  victor hardman 16/11/08   33.   Gideon Levy fails to dent Begin`s popularity 23:01  |  Realist 16/11/08   34.   In the meantime Israelis waking up, showing Labor,Kadima the door 23:15  |  Genuine Tosefta 16/11/08   35.   Levy is frightened by the Likud`s strengthening 23:33  |  Free Gilad Shalit 16/11/08   36.   "Realist" is too ideological, not very realist 00:22  |  Reuben A`aron 17/11/08   37.   I`m well acquainted with history Brad... 01:46  |  BBSNews 17/11/08   38.   Gideon Levy, Taking the Bulls by the Horns 02:08  |  Dutch 17/11/08   39.   bbs 02:56  |  strange 17/11/08   40.   Article of Lies by Gideon Levy 07:23  |  marcella wachtel 17/11/08   41.   It is time for Israelis to put likud firmly in goverment 03:42  |  Bibi RoshHaMamshala 18/11/08

Read & React Poll: 6% of Americans think U.S. should back Palestinians in Mideast peace talks Responses: 241 Livni to Miliband: U.K. plan to label W. Bank goods is 'exaggerated' Responses: 195 Settlers threaten 'Amona'-style riots over Hebron eviction Responses: 67 Amira Hass: Is Israel deliberately strengthening Hamas? Responses: 55 IDF officers slam top ministers for Gaza 'war-mongering' Responses: 37 More Headlines 04:00 MI Chief: I support direct talks between Iran and U.S. 04:13 U.S. fears opening Tehran mission will aid Ahmadinejad 18:49 IAEA chief confirms traces of uranium found at Syria site 00:36 Crime boss killed in underworld Tel Aviv car bombing 04:06 Palestinian PM: Construction in settlements will destroy the peace process 04:32 Home Front Command links Ashdod to rocket-warning system 03:13 Israeli diamond trader murdered in Johannesburg 15:21 JEWISH WORLD / Obama must get involved in peace talks before they atrophy 15:50 Israel to free 250 Palestinian prisoners in goodwill gesture to Abbas 21:27 Ramle woman arrested on suspicion she planned to assist suicide bombing 22:54 Dozens of Poles awarded medals for saving Jewish lives in Holocaust 15:20 Barak: Israel will not accept indiscriminate attacks on its citizens 16:42 GA special report / Peres to Obama: To help Israel, be a great president for the U.S. 00:21 IDF lets limited aid into Gaza, despite Qassam fire on Negev 16:07 Top Obama aide denies report president-elect will back Arab peace plan 08:11 Poll: Only 6% of Americans think U.S. should back Palestinians in peace talks Previous Editions Select Day 17 nov 16 nov 14 nov 13 nov 12 nov 11 nov 10 nov 09 nov 07 nov 06 nov 05 nov 04 nov

Special Offers Advertisement Living in Israel Studying in English Click & Meet our students from all around the world Dan Boutique Jerusalem New Dan Hotel in Jerusalem Young, Fun & Distinctively Dan Book Now Online! Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Car rental in Israel Shlomo Sixt Receive $15.00 from our low rates. Dial 013 for your long-distance calls and get all your money back US CITIZENS Vote for real change. Request your ballot today! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Israel's Premier Real Estate Website www. israel-property.com Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved