'The images we saw this morning were devastating for the country I love so much'
At 'Democracy and its Challenges' conference sponsored by the French Embassy in cooperation with Haaretz, Bernard-Henri Levy rebukes Israel for action over Gaza flotilla.
By Shani Litman Tags: Gaza flotilla IDF Gaza
The first panel debate at the "Democracy and its Challenges'" conference sponsored by the French Embassy in cooperation with Haaretz got off to a stormy start Monday morning, as the focus turned to the storming of a flotilla heading for Gaza, when at least 10 people were killed and dozens wounded.
French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy opened the panel by expressing shock at the events, saying that he was "curious to hear" the comments of his co-panelist, Sports Minister Limor Livnat, on the issue.
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French philosopher Bernard Henri Levy speaking at the French Embassy in Tel Aviv |
| Photo by: Motti Kimche |
"I think the Israel I love, which I praised last night, the Israel I love so much, the Zionist and humane Israel that I love with all my heart, had other means to operate with regard to these boats," Levy said. "I saw the IDF in action several times in my life. It is a unique army in its ideal of purity of arms. Until proven otherwise, I believe there were other ways of preventing them from entering Israeli territory, there were other ways of preventing what was clearly a provocation."
Levy said that inasmuch as Israel "deals with terrible enemies on a military level," including Iran, it is losing the public relations battle to present its case.
"…in the war of images, in the war of pictures and propaganda, it seems to me that the Israeli government that you represent is just losing this war," Levy told Livnat. "They are destructive not only for the image of the government of Israel - this is of no importance; when democratic governments fail, they are replaced. The damage that concerns me is to the country to which I'm bound unconditionally. This seems more dangerous than a military failure."
"Yes, the images are difficult and unpleasant," Livnat responded. "It is still too early to know exactly what took place on the boats. What we do know right now is that there 10 Israeli soldiers were stabbed, and that there was fierce opposition from those who call themselves peace activists. I agree that these difficult images will be very detrimental to Israel at the explanatory level. The flotilla began as a provocation intended to promote the false impression that Israel is preventing humanitarian aid. We offered to transfer what the boats were carrying to Gaza, but the organizers declined, because that was not their true intent. This does not, however, prevent the difficult feelings that I, like everyone else, has this morning."
Regarding the peace process with the Palestinians, Levy said that Israel seemed to be waiting for a political leader who could guide it off the path on which it finds itself.
"…it is a dangerous gestation of 42 years of a reality where year after year, there is a strong majority of people who wait without knowing how to formulate their aspirations. They wait for vision, great gestures, decisive action of great political men and that will help us out of the impasse. We wait for a new [Menachem] Begin, a new [Ariel] Sharon, who took the surprising decision that went against all of his previous convictions with this heroic gesture of leaving Gaza. We wait for a new Ben-Gurion to transcend ourselves, and give the Israeli people a grand political gesture."
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Letting the ships in means more missiles launched against Sderot.
Just wondering. If one of these cut-throat criminals were to put a knife at your kneck,& if you had a gun,what would you do ? No shirking the question ! Would you have a discourse on philosophy or use your gun in self -defense ? This is exactly the question. And not some endless babbling which has nothing to do with this particular situation. I suppose ,you being a man of the world must answer this quandry honestly.
Why? Once again Israel has failed at really being the superiour. Listen to the likes of Bernard-Henri Levy and learn. So many of us want to support Israel, sometimes IDF or Israel makes that a very difficult task.
How can he dare comment, this ridiculous laudator of BOTUL, an hoax philosopher who was laughed at by the entire french intellectual community. A nothing
Bernard Levy doesn't seem to understand that Gaza is not "Israeli territory". The humanitarian flotilla did not aintend or ttempt to enter Israeli "terittory", it was in international waters sailing from Cyprus to Gaza. Gaza is Israeli territory in the same way that Warsaw was Nazi territory in 1943.
Bernard-Henri Levy's whitewashing philosophy of this criminal massacre of civilians is quite revealing.
Is it "the image of the country he lives so much" which makes Henry-Bernard Levy morne? Probably less the death of international peace-lovers by Tsahal-murderers - and even less the Gazaen people who have to wait another time for international assistance against the oppressor ?
"It is a unique army in its ideal of purity of arms. Until proven otherwise" ROFLMAO - Bernard this is the wrong effin time to sing paens to the IDF who are looking more and more like a modern einsatzgruppen.
attacked by a mob with knives and iron bars and only 10 were killed? Think of it: a trained fighter, armed, attacked, will not fire? Were the Israelis given restraining orders? To me it looks like the 'Hamas laid a military ambush. Problem is the Israelis fell for it. Much better to have disabled the ships by a small shell into the propellers.
They should have just used tugboats and disabled the ships
Israel does not need anyone second-guessing its law enforcement especially foreigners. The IDF acted with incredible restraint considering what it faced. Any other country, especially an Islamic one, would have killed them all. Israel must refuse to be intimidated by the enemies of the Jewish people and of the State of Israel.
They don't know what happened, they say, but they have no trouble singling out what they claim are injuries to 10 Israeli soldiers. So much for objectivity from this crowd!
Didn't he say last night that the israeli army is the most democratic in the world. Well Mr Levy there is no democracy in committing atrocities and then preventing any and all international investigations. Do you remember cast lead? No democracy there, and now we have the massacre in the ocean.
Perfect timing for this conference!!!!!
Democracies cannot win over undemocratic and unscrupulous states and groups because these groups have no rules . Whereas democracies have only a slight chance of winning : if they stop bullshitting and kissing terrorists arses and deal with them without fear. Europe is not ready for it yet.
and stand against their criminal government instead of shielding it by offering unjustified excuses! After all it is important to notice the jewish nation bear more responsibility than the Iranians, since unlike the Iranian officials, their officials are really chosen by their votes,
Therefore Israel was not protecting it's soveriegnty. It was committing an act of piracy in International waters against ships which belong to a member of NATO.
In INTERNATIONAL waters Israel attacked UNARMED ships and killed and wounded people bringing AID to a besieged people. Thousands around the world were watching and had been following the aid convoy. Your government was appeasing its militant fascist right wing with this action. But what will be the consequences? You are strengthening your extremists. You are encouraging fascism, worsening the apartheid practiced in Occupied Palestine. You have increased the anger felt at your vile policies not just among your near neighbours, but all around the world.
heroic gesture of leaving Gaza? read it today, seems a tasteless joke
We know that you are an intelligent man Bernard. Unfortunately even you do not know the solution. I suggest that you consolidate, continue to show your support and love for Israel, and stop giving false hopes that solutions are around the next corner. I want to remind you that Israeli Arabs are waiting to turn up the heat. The Palestinians are everywhere. They are in Jordan, they are in what will be called Palestine, and they are in Israel, and they all will not let Jews live in peace until such a time that Jews are able to stand together around the same flag.
a veritable 'girouette' this guy!
'I believe there were other ways of preventing them from entering Israeli territory' Whats he talking about? Gaza isn't Israeli territory