U.S. Jews outraged by Lieberman's UN speech on population exchange

Apparently Avigdor Lieberman thinks he is playing the classic old Parker Brothers game “Monopoly”. He’s got some really nicely developed properties, but he wants more. He wants ALL the good properties; plus, he has some properties that he sees as not really all that desirable, and he’d love to dump them, too. Believing that his opponent in the ‘game’ is in a position of low bargaining power, he proposes a classic Monopolyesque ‘land swap’ in order to complete his mastery of the board. Hey, Mr Lieberman, wake up ! It’s not Monopoly! Sure, it can be fun to win at board games, but Monopoly is the ultimate win-lose game, and NOBODY should view international relations that way. This is real life and all the players are real people, with human rights human dignity. Try and think of something that’s more win-win. If Mr Lieberman wants to play “monopoly”, he should stick with his grandkids. Randy Commissaris Plymouth, Michigan, USA P.S., Hey Minister Lieberman, how about I trade you my Baltic and Mediterranean for your Boardwalk and Park Place? It's a two-for-two land swap....

There was no outrage in 2004, when Olmert (as Vice Prime Minister) came out in favor of disengagement from Gaza - ahead of that position being espoused by the government. The issue is not that Lieberman's views are "personal," it is that these American Jewish "leaders" disagree with him, and would therefore rather that he be quiet.. It is Lieberman, not them, who lives in Israel, served in the army, and has dedicated his career to the Israeli people. They should keep quiet.

Large Arab population centers will not want to live in Israel. Every conflict in history was solved this way.

This means that they agree?

Read between the lines. They're pissed off because lieberman sent public and these so called "leaders" are desperately trying to keep up the ruse that netanyahu is really after peace. They know very well that lieberman's address to the UN is not good propaganda for thier machines but none of them dispute the validity of the content. They want to see the Arabs out of Israel. They want a longer period than a yr to arrive at a settlement since that will buy more time for Israel to steal more land. This is all a cover and nothing else. The "fuming" of these hapless "leaders" is no more sincere than netanyahu's expression of his desire for peace and that it can be achieved in 1 yr.

But first kick the settlers out. Let see who is laughing at the end!

It's just like a bad soap serie. Who is who? It's bad to negotiate with a dragon who has 3 heads. I think the Israeli people deserve better.

Isrealis tend to forget that there exist over a million palestinian refugees living in Lebanon, Syria and other countries. These people have right for a home. Hence, no transfer of arab-isreali population. Only the transfer of equivalent land value and quality is acceptable. The land is to be bring the WB and the Gaza closer by bridging the difference and connecting them through a tunnel or an elevated highway. Anything other than that is not acceptable. Didn't you Israeli transfer enough over the past 60 years. DO you want peace living among arabs or you want wars till you get destroyed. Wake up, world support to Isreal is on a decline. Either go for a one state solution or a two-state solution now before it is too late. The future does not look good for the Israelis. PEACE NOW...JUST AND FAIR

You are deliberately forgetting that the vast majority of settlers (and all Isarelis) are immigrants. These "realities" that exist on the ground have been created for the express purpose of giving the upper hand to Israel in the eventuality of any peace agreement. All settlers are criminals and every home they have built or stolen is illegal. If this plan were ever proposed, the complete evacuation of all settlements would have to be given as a granted before any considerations of drawing the borders could be entertained. This whole nonsense of two nations for two peoples is ridiculous. The Palestinians are a people with a real, legitimate connection to the lands they're on. (4% of the population was Jewish in 1851.) The Jewish Israelis, however, are immigrants from all over the world, the vast majority of which have only a biblical (aka fantastical aka BS) connection to the land they're on.

It's a form of ethnic cleansing, in terms of the demographic aim, and in line with Israel's aim since it's foundation. Never been said so openly for a while. However, if the Pals are getting the land and most of Israel's ethnic minority, It would seem like a bonus for the Pals. As always with Israel though, the devil (or chutzpah) will be in the fine detail, probably making it an unacceptable offer.

The Israeli democracy is slowly dying.

Us Jews are the real Jews. If it was not for us then Israel would've been taken over by Settlers. So, listen and listen good to what we tell you.

As an secular American Jew, I am proud of Lieberman, he is the only one that makes sense here, all the power to him I hope he runs for prime minister.

When Ehud Barak made comments recently about dividing Jerusalem, which is not the policy of PM Netanyahu, I didn't hear Seymour Reich's outrage at such an affront to the government's negotiating position. Avigdor Lieberman is a serious, courageous and creative thinker, with fresh ideas to resolve a conflict that several leftist government's in Israel have not solved over the past 17 years. Why are Lieberman's ideas viewed as so beyond the pale, when the same people who criticize him didn't have a critical word to say when thousands of Jews were forcibly expelled from their homes in Gaza and all of Jewish life was destroyed in its wake. The hypocrisy and blind hatred of those on the left of the political spectrum is nauseating. Lieberman has my support and admiration.

As much of a pain as Libby is, he still makes sense and as far as history and current events show us, he's right. Just because he says it, doesn't make it untrue. American Jews are cowards, me included. We're too willing to give something up than to fight for it.

Arab members of Israeli knesset Tibi, Zuabi, and others, who were chosen by the Israeli Arabs to represent their views and desires expressed such opinion many-many times. The time came to satisfy their desires. "American Jewish leaders" have no right to resist it.

It appears that Ethnic Cleansing is virulently supported by many. I guess it is just a matter of who's cleansing whom.

Ostensibly, Arabs who claim not to feel they are a real part of Israel, and who fly the Palestinian flag, should want the border moved so their town would be in Palestine and not Israel. Of course, that means they lose the right to participate in a relatively wealthy and stable society. So all the talk of the Israeli Arabs about wanting to be Palestinians is only that-just talk. Of course, the first one to admit it gets lynched.

How does that sound? Offensive? Then yes, so was Lieberman.

The settlement freeze is over and PM/FM are getting away with it by overshooting it. It is actions that count not spoken noise!

Israel under facist government.

Really no difference. Both are equally outrageously fanatics. Yvette overtly in the open, while Bivi is trying to conceal his views (depending on the public he is addressing).

by Liberman's U. N. speech. Gosh ! Can't understand those American Jews..Take it easy. Don't get overexcited. This peace business is a long haul. It won't happen in your lifetime,nor in your son's. Perhaps in your grandson's time. Don't listen to soothsayers. They are either bluffing you or lying to you. They are dishonest people.

Lieberman has it right. Over 30 million people participated willingly, or unwillingly, in transfers, in the last 100 years. Usually two states agree to swap populations or lands for the purpose of ending internal clashes (who fuel tensions with relevant states) and avoiding the likely prospect of a bloody civil war. Greece - Turkey is just one example out of many, it was justified and so is this. Israel is no special and a transfer will save the life and prevent a very likely civil war. Palestinians will also be able to end their strife with Jews in the west bank, and without ethic clashes the two countries will be able to thrive as well as their relationship.

the pals don't want peace with israel, they want Israel as theirs and rename it palestine. No way.

Yes sir folks... today is ‘Lieberman uber ales’... day . If anyone need a translation, after WW2 an old and wise Pastor said it best. ‘They came for the Communists... and I didn’t object, because I wasn’t a communist. They came for the Unionists... and I didn’t protest, because I wasn’t unionist. Then they came for me... and there was no one left to resist’.

Sir, your headline is misleading. I am an American Jew, and I find Mr. Lieberman proposal quite rational. This is exactly what was done by Turky, Greece, Russians, Chechs and many others. Isn't this is about two satets for two people?

On one hand Netanyahu says a hisoric agreement is reachable in a year. On the other hand he does not chastise his FM for calling for a decades long interim agreement that includes ethnic cleansing. I smell a rat.

they were not outraged when Bibi was treated as an ennemi of america at the white house a few month ago ? were they outraged when gen petreaous and other important american leader told that israeli behaviour or "occupation" undermines american interest in the middle east ? personnally i don' t give a damn about what they say or what they thinks as the future of the state israel has to be decided in jerusalem and not in the white house or else where

of all the settlements in Judea and Samaria,see how many of them are disconected from each other, and from the israeli continuous state from 1949,add also the fact that many israeli arabs are dispersed throughout Israel,and you reach the conclusion that this Liberman plan is impossible to be implemented on the ground.Liberman has no connection with the reality.

A brilliant Idea indeed! Let Israel keep the few territories that are worth anything, and leave the Land which isn't worth anything to the Palestinians! ( Water, Natural Resources etc..) if there's anyhing else they want, the Palestinians will be surely more than happy to oblige!

in fact most US Jews don't even know who Lieberman is...

A foreign minister giving his personal views in a speech to the UN. If it had happened in my country, the foreign minister would be sacked.

bla blah blah blah the only one clean arrangement is: back Israel & Israeli to pre 1967 borders, and sanctions to Israel for every NU agree not acomplished by. O, and don't forget back OTs to Syria and Lebannon

No one seems to take in Lieberman's speech as a whole. He advocates 'population exchange' and in the same breath declares that a peace agreement will take decades to achieve. In other words: Israeli Arabs remain in situ and are deprived of their citizenship. The bulk of Israeli settlements in the West Bank remain under Israeli rule . A reasonable arrangement ? Does anyone see a resemblance to post war Soviet policy in Eastern Europe.?

Again the leftest Haaretz with its twisted lies about the foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Mr Lieberman who to date is the only Israeli politician that speaks the truth. This trurth does not follow the falsehood of the leftest Haaretz. Mr Lieberman the future Israeli prime minister will continue saying what Israel needs and not grovel to the islamic american president. The majotity of the israeli population will be for Avigdor Lieberman. Haarezt cab change or fall by the wayside.

if the crux of his plan is swapping heavily Arab population areas with heavily Jewish ones, then this isn't the worst thing to ever be proposed - assuming that the land sizes are equitable. I don't find it ideal, but the furor over it seems exaggerated. I think the best case is create a Palestinian states, absorb the settlers into their state and they'll have a healthy minority population of Jews - or is the PA state understood to be Jew free only???

I don't give a dam what liberal American Jews think. Their thoughts are irrelevant to us. If they want a say in Israeli politics, let them make Aliyah like I did.

Liberman is a problematic politician who speaks more than what is desairable for a foreign minister . However, his ideas of redrawing borders in order to achieve the best of a two state solution is a BRILLIANT IDEA. Nobody moves from its home. Nobody is removed. Just the border moves. Two well defined peoples with ethnonational majority is the basis for peace. It could aet the underpinning of aconfederation, which differs from the idea of federation. A confederation allows ethnonational sovereignty of the parts composing it, and there is no center to interfer in the policies of the parts. That is what Israel and Palestine need. Unwittingly, Liberman is sparking the best ideas for a peace and cosntructive setllement in the Middle east.

Even if Leiberman's proposal had any merits, would the Palestinians ever agree to it. It is no good promoting an idea that will never be acceptable to one side. Two parties have to make peace based on pragmatism and give-and-take. The best thing that Jewish and Palestinian negotiators could do would be to think first of each others needs, rather than their own. Out of that a workable deal could emerge.

Never before has anything even similar become possible without complications. One must realize that peace is not possible without defining borders.Then comes the most difficult task, how do you engage without a solid and cohesive government backing said venture. PM Netanyahu, may well have the will, however he governs with a weak centre of gravity, FM Lieberman, is no fool, he knows that he could well become the force for a negotiated peace with the Palestinians, for he is straight forward,to the point and quite frankly pragmatic enough, to know the perils facing this tiny strip of land called Israel, a mere speck on the map. Nobody, expected Mr.Abbas or PM Netanyahu to achieve any lasting breakthrough, though for domestic political reasons the US pushed the envelope beyond the realm of Israel's current political possibilities. Too many chiefs,all wanting praise, cannot ensure a positive result, neither for the PA or Israel. Less rhetoric, quiet consultations, no outside interference will no doubt create the first stage, that is one of mutual trust. For without the latter, even land swaps, or new strategies cannot even evolve into the first building blocks. Good day from cold Swiss Alps.

in favor of the self-appointed LEFT, of course. there are more than several million American Jews, most of whom are completely apathetic. Haaretz selected TWO (who were never democratically elected).

Liebermans proposal to resettle a people according to their religion and still remain in charge of the ADL, without the ADL is now completely irrelevant. It is a political entity to the roight of Genghis Khan.

He is doing a good job for the arabs :-) and showing the correct face of Israel in the world.

he brightens up my day, with his stupidity. Where would we all be without him?

The US Jewish community is varied and diverse that I do not see them fully agree about something or against anyone

Sometimes it's hard to tell who is more full of hot air' Lieberman or whoever approved the headline "U.S. Jews outraged by Lieberman's UN speech on population exchange". Which U.S. Jews? How many U.S. Jews? The idea of population/land exchanges is one of the few sensible things that Lieberman has to say. After all when the Arabs of Wadi Ara and the Mishulash wave Palestinian flags and burn israeli flags, who can deny that by all logic the final borders should be drawn so that their towns and villages are officially within their beloved Palestine.

Illegal settlers and extreme hard right wingers are bringing shame on the whole nation of Israel, and making it increasingly difficult for Diaspora Jews to stand by them. Urgent change is needed, otherwise Israel will turn its back to democracy... and diaspora Jews.

Lieberman's plan: split 50/50 the whole country between Jews and Palestinians - the size of each being about 5.5 Million The rest of the extreme right plan: one country for us all Netanyahu's Plan : One tiny little Palestinian State besides the Great Israel...in 10 years Pick your choice

Does his proposal include exchanging the Galilee? As you know the Galilee has a large majority of Arabs, and since his proposal relies on demographic distribution surely the Galilee should fall in the Palestinian side. That means no more Caremael, Rosh Pina, Misgav, etc. etc.

End of discussion....Dutch .

I wonder if anyone asked the Israeli Arabs if they would prefer being ruled by Israel or Palestine? (No one moves, just borders redrawn.)

It is even shown by the apoplectic, panicked replies of so many blind, hollow screamers here on this talkback. As usual, the truth is the most unpopular thing.

Leiberman has been saying for years what Likud think but can’t say. Now Lieberman is introducing ideas that Natanyahu is comfortable with but cannot say publicly. Leftist American Jews need to realize who Natanyahu is and accept that for the first time we have a negotiator that will not fold but will hold out for a good deal for Israel.

and show Lieberman the door! he is destroying the country............

I say let the whole world including the Arab states declare Israel as a Jewish State in the borders of 1948. It is hard to imagine the Palestinians people will fade away just because the Russian Jews have the upper hand by nothing to lose in comparison of where they have lived before. Where is the logic of achieving peace when the main intention of Israel is to expand?

I know of a few Jews living in Israel who are pretty upset too.

Imagine you are American with Mexican roots and one day you found yourself not living in America but were in Mexico, at least in this example Mexico is an actual country with infrastructure, the only ones who profit from this plan are right wing Jews, and who's next? Christians? Druze? because they don't fit into the Jewish state either...

"Many" US Jews are "outraged" yet only Seymour Reich and one other unnamed individual are quoted. What Lieberman said actually makes sense and only seems controversial to those who discount everything Lieberman says.

To be able to please everyone particularly the settlers and religious god fearing Jews and Americans, let be there No fair settlement to the Palestinians, instead, there should be one democratic state with equal citizenship rights as humans and all refugees go back to their homes (I believe no religion should have a problem with that), guess what, the majority shall rule, you figure out who are the majority. what a bunch of Hippocrates. you are trying to dig an argument somewhere to justify the land grabbing and legitimize an ugly occupation and raciest regime.

Liberman makes good sence. I am sure most of European Jews and Gentails find his ideas correct. I do not believe in the articale's author claims of 'Outrage of most Americal Jews'

does anyone care what lieberman says? isn't he going to jail soon anyway?

Any plan where Israel remains as a nation is offensive to those who are critical of Lieberman's remarks.

Every Arab who is a citizen of Israel will become "Palestinian" and will be allowed to become permanent residents and will be able to vote for the Palestinian President situated in Amman, every Jew in return will be allowed to return to their homes on the East Bank and live as residents in exchange.

Many within Israel have floated the idea of Israeli Jews living in communities in Yesha becoming citizens of the PA (and against their free will). Why is that an acceptable option for Israeli Jews and not israeli Arabs as well is just racism. Of course the PA is a failed totalitarian regime and no self-respecting Israeli would trade in their citizenship to belong to such a travesty. And no democratic regime would force someone to chose between their home and their citizenship.

are 2 peas in a pod... both support population transfer... settlements etc... Netanyahu is and remains Lieberman in sheep's clothing

Might Work. Especially if all the Christian parts of Galilee are offered, too. But then stripping people of their citizenship because of race or religion or the politics of the moment seems short sighted. Maybe Obama could strip all Republicans of the vote and the right to own property and ship them all to Arizona, but only after giving it to Mexico. Would Mexico take it under those conditions? Especially if Dick Armey and Sharon Angle are included?

At the time of India's independence and the creation of Pakistan millions of people transmigrated according to their religious and tribal affiliations.

I think idea of land exchange is great. Most of Israeli Arabs keep talking that Israel is racist country so I do not see why they are not happy with Liberman proposal? They will have opportunity to leave in their own country, with all the benefits which comes with living in the typical Arab country in the Middle East!

...why does everyone forget that the 1947 UN partition of Palestine was ACCEPTED by the fledgling Jewish State but NOT by the Arabs?! THAT partition, by and large, was BASED ON WHERE THE ARAB AND JEWISH POPULATIONS RESIDED at the time. So, maybe Lieberman`s ideas (I have no great fan of his, by the way) has some common sense attached to it?! Think before you criticise!

The really scary thing is all the US Jews here who can't seem to see why that might be a bad thing.

Leiberman has it right. I think plenty of American Jews support his view. My guess is most of us.

Population swaps have been implemented in Europe and other places around the world (including by the same democracies which now cry foul). The difference is that in the Rest of The World context population swap means population re-location from their existing land. This is not the Liberman point. He is taking on effectively having a passport swap - i.e. the people will stay where they are and the will simply have the land counted in the PA or Israel territory respectively. No one gets re-located. Everyone gets to live in a place where they are not a minority !!! - (given the Europe court of justice re Cypress -decision that you can can even reverse things and greeks go back to their original land - the Liberman solution resolves things with no uprooting, with people forming part of the majority, less future friction ,and even, etc) - but since it is Liberman no one listens.....

Funny how the truth agravates alot of people. Not only should Lieberman not resign,but he should be made Prime Minister, he would put the T back into tough when it comes to Israel's neighbours.

No thank you. You can't take and give as you want. The West Bank is occupied. That is why what he said is BS. He wants the fertile land, water etc....in exchange for the shi*. P.s. All these Arab areas have "military zones" already so are seriously under developed and have no construction allowed outside of towns / villages. The Israeli land grab is not limited to the West Bank.

"can't keep his opinion to himself' - When Barak Does it it does not seem to bother these people who complain..., "voices skepticism undermines Natanayahu' - The Saeeb Erkat and others have been doing more to undermine - so why go only for liberman (by the way you can argue every time Barak opens him mouth he undermines Nathanyahu negotiating room), ... In short they complain only when someone they do not like commits an offence - not the issue of the offence on its own. By the way - population swaps has been implemented in various places around the world - including in Europe by the European democracies. Here the population is not even swapped from a location - i.e. no one is uprooted (Vs. European uprooting model) - simply they become a citizen of a different entity while staying where they are..

You quote only one person who disagrees with Lieberman. How does this justify your headline?

are nothing rare. Is something that frequently takes place to settle conflicts between nations. Turkey and Greece, India and Pakistan, etc. So it is not that unreasonable. Actually if the affected party, the Israeli Arabs, want to belong to a Palestinian state, then Liberman's argument makes a lot of sense. If it was an enclave of Jews living in a Palestinian state, I'm sure they'd jump to the opportunity to swap their land into a Jewish state. Let the Israeli Arabs decide their loyalty.

It's amazing how they are so interested in our politics. What we do and how we do it. Whether they approve or not. How about you come here, you make aliyah, then you can tell us how you feel.

he's doing a great job at making israel look really really bad.

America Jews are addicted to a Kumbaya solution to the conflict. Israeli Jews and the Palestinians will never trust each other. A Balkan Partition solution is the only way to pace. Lieberman might be the future prime minister to make this happen.

Who made this guy, foreign minster of Israel? If he is presenting the people of Israel, then we are lost and doomed forever!

Lieberman has to be fired . Obviously democracy does not mean nothing to him, undermining the peace talks the way he did. Nathanyahu has to make it very clear to the Israeli public what the alternatives are to these peace talks.

Blah! Don't you believe it. This is the duplicity and deviousness we have seen all along. Nothing new about it.

we need to understand that Israel belongs to the world. Israel is the Jewish land but non-jews also belong to it. As such a new federation should be created were the Jewish state like california would govern itself and the palestinian state like New York would do its own governance but both entity would have to answer to a federal state. If the Palestinian can not accept a jewish population in the west bank then surelly Israel would not be oblidge to accept a Palestinian population among its own

who support j-street, who support Jihad as a 'Human Right', and can't tell the difference between a Church and a Shul?

Yeah don't forget we have to build a tunnel from Gaza to the West Bank, who's land to they think that is on, who has to cut their country in half so the Palestinians can move between the two territories. Now that was to be Israel land and access give to the Palestinians, now they want that land also.

Why this would outrage anyone or how the reaction was disproportionate to such a little issue. Making a big deal out of the least of the concerns that Jews and Israel face today. I think this has to do with the three opinions for every two Jews concept. There must be something to argue about, right?

The borders of Israel must be those ceded to it by the UN in 1947 - nothing more, nothing less

No denial from spokesman, just: "Netanyahu is the one handling the negotiations on Israel's behalf..."

If settlements are to be annexed to Israel, Arab population centers should justifiably be annexed to Palestine. The basic premise behind the nation state is that homogeneous ethnic groups, or nations for that matter should form their autonomous units in the form of states. If a small country such as Belgium where citizens are predominantly White Catholic yet linguistically separate, are close to separation, is it any wonder that Jews and Arabs should be divided into two countries? It boggles the mind why the Arabs would choose to even remain in an Israeli state they condemn as racist, when they have the option of switching countries without even moving their homes. Is Lieberman really so absurd to propose such an option then?

Liberman tells truth. Everybody knows it. It does not sound good, but this is the TRUTH.

Haaretz should remove the headline of this article, US JEWS OUTRAGED, unless all 6 million of them are outraged, it is a manipulative headline that doesn't reflect objectivity. I'm a US Jew who supports what Lieberman said.

It would be interesting to know if they'd prefer to live in Israel or under Palestinian rule. Anybody aware of their opinion?

Whats the worst thing that can be inflicted on Israel? We did NOT vote for Obama.So if the same leaders tell Obama to withhold aid no biggie! I agree less direct aid to Israel is good for Israel. Israel doesnt need the crutch. Israel is in great shape. They are golden handcuffs. I also support canceling aid to Egypt for its violation of its peace agreement with Israel. I think the US should not fund a dime to the PA until it lives up to its requirements under all past accords with Israel and US and rest of the world should force PA to make peace with Israel instead of making unrealistic demands of Israel and continuing to teach hatred of Israel and Jews. Hold the Arabs accountable!

Most israeli and palestinians accept what he said to be fact. Some armchair zionists reject this idea, but yet they don't move to Israel nor have their children serve in the army, so why should their opinion count?

He represents "US Jews"?? Not this Jew.

I think with this guy in the cabinet, the peace initiative may collapse and violence will resume...

The headline implies that most of American Jewry doesn't like what Lieberman said. It then quotes one (self-appointed) "leader" by name and other anonymously. They then quote another by name who does support Lieberman. So who speaks for "American Jewry". A couple of unrepresentative Leftists?

time to stop the rubbish that does not work will never work and is for the idiots only !!

Haaretz loves to portray American Jews as left wing socialists like themselves. Those liberal jews who give Jews a bad name in the states have little to no connection with Israel. Those American Jews who are zionists lean to the Right and find Lieberman's candor refreshing. Lieberman's not perfect but that doesn't discredit everything he says, especially since he often says what everybody knows but are afraid to voice.

Exchanges of land including resident populations have occured successfully through out history. There is nothing wrong with the concept. It only sounds odd because of the way Haaretz spins it. The Arabs don't like it because they still think they will somehow be able to take over Israel from the Jews with their so called "right of return" How has that been workin out for em? Anyone with half a brain knows that is just PC for take over Israel and it ain't ever gonna happen. Minorities that remain in Israel must be treated equally, but they also must acknowledge Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people. It makes sense for the portions of the Arab population that hate the Israeli government to want to remain in their homes and at the same time become part of a new nation of Palestine under an Arab government.

i can imagine that quite a lot of israeli arabs would prefer to live in a palestinian state - at least if one takes serious their harsh verbal attacks against israel and if one takes serious their complaints about israel discriminating arabs! i'm sure these arabs will be happy to live in future palestine. so, why not realizing mr. lieberman's idea?

I like Avigdor Lieberman and Daniel "Danny" Ayalon. They are the best thing since sliced bread for the Palestinan cause.

and I'm not outraged, in fact, I think it's a reasonable plan. What exactly is outrageous about it?

Why aren't American Muslims outraged at terrorism. Why are Israeli Arabs sidiing with enemies. This is sickening. God bless Israel

Just because his plan doesn't coddle the warm sensibilities of most American Jews, does not mean it is lacking wisdom. Why should "Palestinian" Israelis be so outraged at the idea of living in the state of Palestine? Nobody is being expelled. The border is moving not the people. Lieberman's plan is born of both pragmatism and Zionism and should be studied more closely (maps, demographics, birth rates, etc.) before rejecting out of hand. That is, of course, if you care about Israel's future as a JEWISH state. Only through separation will the violence begin to wane and the IDF will have an easier time doing it's job. The fast that most of the Jewish settlements and Israeli Arab towns are so close to the "Green Line" is a blessing. No piece of paper is going to bring immediate peace. Stop being so naive.

But everybody has to appear to be outraged even though most people know there is really nothing wrong with it. The Palestinians want an equitable land trade for the settlements. This plan will give them that.

This is truly a three ring circus and if viewed with this in mind, then we should all be laughing. Nobody on any side is truly serious about peace. There are hidden agendas, political deals, and appearances that are being attended to with these renewed "efforts" but nobody really wants to make the needed concessions. So, view it for what it is and expect nothing to change in the morass that is the middle east.

no Jews are allowed Israel has every right to swap populations since the Arabs don't want to be or belong there. American Jews are waking up and are not that stupid. Go to Arab countries and you will really be outraged

There is nothing objectionable about Lieberman's comments. To the contrary, separating the populations makes absolute sense and is completely in accord with human rights. What does not make sense is quoting Seymour Reich; who has long been a critic of Israel despite his past position; as being anything near representative of American Jews. Moreover, Reich is unable to articulate what is objectionable about Lieberman's position; which would allow more Arabs to be governed by themselves.

...for Anti-Semites everywhere! Way to go Avi!

We've already seen people like him 'just want to fit in" in Germany in the 30's

Lieberman has every right to speak his thoughts that were already known. It is shame on his boss, Netanyahu, to give him the green light to tell them to the UN. The evil and the good things about Lieberman’s speech is his honesty of the fact that shall be always wars in the Middle East till eternity according to his vision.

Is that the best you can find? An unnamed source who is outraged? Sounds like more agree than you care to admit.

If people took the time to actually listen to what he said instead of reading someone else's opinion they would see what he proposes makes perfect sense. He's not talking about "transfer" but a land swap, nobody is being transferred. The Arab Israelis who see themselves as Palestinians will stay on their land but it will just be part of a future Palestine. What's wrong with that?? A land swap is the only way to achieve true peace, most people understand this. If this came out of the mouth of Obama no one would even question it but because it's Lieberman it gets spun like a "transfer"....or "ethnic cleansing". Complete nonsense.

How do you print such an headline? Did you made any credible polling? Regardless of your/Haaretz view you must treat your readers with integrity, here you did not. You may say that the Jews that you know ……… and do it as an opinion or blog. For myself, I did not like the timing and venue of it however it’s a well known view of the FM and his party and I ASSUME carry majority of Israeli Jews.

Israel acts as if it were a small town with an unparalleled world heritage. The leaders are not coordinated, as if one were handling the bakery and the other one a delicatessen, and both would nevertheless get world attention given their shops were installed in an incredibly ancient and decorated neighbourhood.

what do you want? it seems to be you want nothing but all

One Jew who criticizes is not a headline as you make it out to be. Especially if he is a left winger. Most American Jews support FM Lieberman. http://ralphsrant1.blogspot.com

Lieberman for once makes sense. Israel cedes the illegal West Bank settlements to a future Palestinian state in which Israeli Arabs can reside with Palestinian citizenship, while the illegal settlers have to find some place to live in Israel proper, preferably the Negev desert, where they belong.

if a MP of the knesset put out a declaration that the world was flat, abraham foxman would support that declaration in the american media simply because it came from a high-ranking israeli. he is pathetic.

Neither Lieberman or Netanyahu are seriously driven towards a peaceful solution with the Palestinians. So why the outrage? It's misplaced and doesn't make any sense. They should be outraged over the fact this intractable problem has gone on forever and a day with no end in sight. They should be outraged over the fact that Palestinians have had to endure 40+ years of oppression and having land taken away from them to make a two state solution seem impossible. This is where the outrage should be directed.

These people may be Jews but they speak for themselves. What a surprise, the left-wing finds opposition to what Lieberman says. An easy way to avoid the problem, Israel absorbs new land areas without a trade off. This is what was done after WWII to the losing nations.

EXCELLENT IDEA -

it is all about settlers. Thew most powerful jews of all. Billions of dollars and euros spent on support Israel, but at the end it would have been cheaper to give some concrete and wood to settlers. Are you jews elsewhere not aware that you start to lose your face? Shame on you all! I hope that all governments in Europe see the true face of this discrimination and racism of Israel.

the right thing then. Obviously mainly the "Give-away Left " who are upset including Soros and Co.following his $10 million to Human Rights W

How does the author of this article know what most US Jews think, based on the comments of a couple of people? Has anyone done any surveys of American Jewish opinion on this issue? Of course not, its just the authors of the article projecting their own views and looking for an attention grabbing headline.

Lieberman needs to go NOW!!! He causes far more antisemetism in the world and harm to other Jews than he helps them. It has been a long held belief and this action confirms it; if Israel continues the path of right extremism and no compromising, it will alienate more and more American Jews. I oh so wish this man and people like him were not fellow Jews!

I'm not always a Leiberman fan, but myself and other local community leaders were really impressed with his vision and the way it was articulated. Haaretz types may not like it, but that doesnt mean that its not the best - and perhaps only - solution to the problem.

all who I know, here in America, definitely for land swap... If you want to save your HEAD you do not give up your NECK.....

http://israel-un.mfa.gov.il/statements-at-the-united-nations/general-assembly/315-ga65gd28092010

When Palestinians are treaded equally and respectfully in their ancestral land. even with an independent Palestinian state Palestinians will be remain part of Israeli daily life. most of the proposed solutions will not succeed.

The world has been trained to make large exceptions for Israels behavior. This is why Israelis fly into a rage when Israel is criticized for killing large numbers of civilians. Israelis usually have two answers for this criticism (1) Others have done it. Why can't we. (2) When Israel kills innocent people, it is the fault of Israels enemies. Both of these excuses are solid gold in Israel but they stink to high heaven in the rest of the world. Now Israel has a third answer in Lieberman. (3) We don't care what anyone thinks. Appointing Lieberman proved it.