America, stop sucking up to Israel

This is one of the most accurate articles i have read on the palasine issue well done to the editor i am 35 since i was a kid i've seen israel get away with murder its standing in the world at the moment is not a popular one well done to who ever wrote this article and lets pray and hope palastinians and israelis can live side by side and put there diffrences aside we've got so much in common with regards to religon and cultre...

"zeev, you are twisting facts." (A. Zekaria) Too bad you forgot to tell me which ones. "It is a fact that the Palestinians have no HISTORIC right to claim it a Palestinians State." (A. Zekaria) Right, as you so often are. Neither had the British colonists of North America any HISTORIC right to claim a state of their own. Learning a little bit of the history of your country wouldn't hurt you. By the way, it is also a fact that in the eyes of the International Law, there are NO historic national rights. "the land was Jewish" (A. Zekaria) Of course, it was. And still is. Trouble is, you see, the West Bank, Gaza and the Golan, never were Israeli. You may want them to be. Then pray for their annexation. And for all their population to be declared Israeli citizens. Or do come up with a feasible plan to expel them all, their wifes, children, old parents, sheep and camels. Well ... the sheep may stay. (The crossing of the river, what a feast for the CNN and BBC cameramen !) I said, "Only a brain damaged Israeli PM would think of going to the General Assembly and try there to convince the Nations that the Security Council's Resolutions should be based from now on the Jewish law." You said, "A stupid statement Zeev & totally unwarned !" Why? Do you really think this is what Netanyahu should do? I wouldn't be surprised.

Just last week was the 20th anniversary ,strange choice of words,of the Iran/Iraq war that lasted 10 years ,when the despised Sunni madman Saddam Hussein ,attacked the equally hated Shites across the border.10,11 and 12 year old boys/girls were sacrificed,actually blown up by mines between the two countries ,after receiving their plastic keys to heaven and their beloved Quran.Over one million people on both sides were slaughtered in this obscene ,heinous religious war between Suni and Shia ,it,s still going on today in Pakistan,Iraq and Afghanistan ,not so Gideon Levy ,Yaakov Sullivan,BBS and others ,yet no mention of it ,why ?

Methinks this Gideon Levy character is non existant ,rather another Arab imposter ,just using this pseudonym to rile people.

Has Gideon Levy ever heard of Lord Haw Haw,the British traitor who propagandiesd on behalf of Hitler ,Goebbels ,Eichmann ,if not go look him up on the internet ?

No one hates Gideon Levy as all he needs is some brain surgery to rectify something loose amongst that gray matter.

Any psychologists ,psychiatrists or brain surgeons amongst us bloggers here as there are a few nutcases ,BBS,Yaakov,Gideon looking for treat ment ,if so kindly send details and dates for required sessions

Bullshi-ng Biased Society ,an offshoot of that infamous British icon ,the BBC ,funded by Islamofascists who ignore crimes against humanity by their own ilk.

Let Gideon Levy have his say on this blog ,no worries ,it,s rather easy to repudiate his infantile nonsense ,just as easy as it is with Sullivan and BBBS,s,no problem.

Yaakov Sullivan would like Egypt ,another dysfunct ional Islamic state that can,t even control it,s sovereign territory ,Gaza, and Jordan ,commonly referred to as Palestine ,to take the lead in Arab politics.Jordan is ruled by the Hashemite kingdom that stole ,at gunpoint ,the Palestinian state from it,s rightful inhabitants,Palestinians ,so get lost Mr,Sullivan as you are mighty confused.

... to support your argument ! "The spoils of the Ottoman Empire after WW1 was free for all" AZ It is a fact that the Palestinians have no HISTORIC right to claim it a Palestinians State. "Only a brain damaged Israeli PM would think of going to the General Assembly and try there to convince the nations and the security council's resolution should be based from now on the Jewish law" Zeev A stupid statement Zeev & totally unwarned ! Israel historic rights are NOT binding on the General Assembly. It is a Jewish aspiration & you must know that. But, it is also like any other 'national identity'; that the land was Jewish and the Jews are NOT claiming what they didn't have before. Unlike the Palestinians who never had this land historically their own. They lived in recent times under the Ottomans,the Jordanians,the Egyptians & never called them 'occupiers' etc.. That is what made their claim bogus when they claim this land as their 'historic national identity' which never was.

Here is the thing. I am 100% sure that all Israeli agree on the fact that the Israeli government makes mistakes. Right? You also agree that some of those mistakes are not even small mistakes. Right? Now imagine the standard person googling around the net and finding out all what goes on, and see his own government being a hypocrite for criticizing one side and not the other. What that fellow will become? He's gonna dip deeper and deeper and soon you gonna hear the "antisemite" and "nazi" and so on, and that fellow might have friends who also discuss the issue and gets the same treatment. Obama rating drops for being a hypocrite (he is actually he hasn't done a damn thing) while you got a massive amount of angry people get washed together with real antisemites and share each others' opinion. The jews must STOP supporting these money hungry and appeaser politicians. You really think they are out to protect you? Think again! They want $$$ and that's it!

"The spoils of the Ottoman Empire after WW1 was free for all." (A. Zekaria) Very true. The only sensible sentence coming from you for a very long time. The spoils became again free for all by the end of the Mandat. You just put your finger on the actual motivation of the Arab autocrats of 1948, which was to divide between them the evacuated mandated territory. It had nothing to do with their alleged hate of the Jewish people. It just happened that we were there, claiming it for us. "According to Jewish Law, the Golan is part of Canaan which is holier than the parts east of the Jordan river." (A. Zekaria) Zekaria, try to think, for once. This claim of yours can at most explain why you believe the Golan should FIRST be declared permanent and rightful possession of Israel BEFORE it claims right on land east of the Jordan river, ON EXACTLY THE SAME BASIS. Fool is he who believes that Jewish Law can, one day, supersede, in the eyes of the entire world, the International Law. Only a brain-damaged Israeli PM would think of going to the General Assembly and try there to convince the Nations that the Security Council's Resolutions should be based, from now on, on Jewish Law. May God preserve us from such a calamity, a brain-damaged Prime Minister.

I'm of an age of American that was deeply touched by the Israeli cause, having been a teen-ager with a father newly returned from the war with tales of horror giving immediacy to daily news stories of the atrocities revealed in Japanese prison camps and the shocking scenes impacting the world with the opening of concentration camps in Europe. Reading about the fledgling state of Israel in our Weekly Readers in junior high school, seeing the pictures of all those young sun-kissed Israelis working the land, but facing a new enemy and then prevailing and emerging transformed, no longer seen as the gaunt cowering accomplices to their own destruction, they built their nation, putting the dark past behind them and moving on to take their place in the community of nations. For the past several years I find myself among an ever increasing number of people here and internationally who not only have lost respect for Israel, but no longer even consider Israel a friend of my country.

The Obama people, much like the Bush-Cheney people, view Israel as their strategic partner. In their minds, Israel is their policeman in the Middle East. Obama and Hillary will continue to protect that relationship. However Obama needs to realize that Israel is the source of much of the unrest. Israel's treatment of the Palestinians is an affront to all Arabs and Muslims. The Palestinians are treated as an inferior people that can be stripped of their human rights and possessions at will. The Jewish zealots help propagate the power of Muslim zealots. Obama's Cairo speech now appears to have been nothing more than fiction. His treatment of the Israel-Palestine negotiations is all show and no substance. Obama's "Audacity of Hope" does not apply to Palestinians.

"If I have a completely different opinion on an issue with my wife, we still find harmony and find a way to live together." (Jason) That's easy. You don't militarily occupy your wife. I presume. Think again. How can an occupied stateless population find harmony and a way to live with the occupier? When WE where occupied by a British army, is it what we were looking for? A way to live together, in harmony?

...oh, I know why. Because AIPAC/Mossad has infiltrated the American corporate media to nearly the same degree it has corrupted our elected officials. When Bill Moyers (the closest thing to a sane commentator we have on national TV) spoke out against some of the violence committed by the IDF against Gazan noncombatants during Operation Cast Lead, the vitriolic comments from Abe Foxman and his ADL minions (not to mention hate-filled spewage from dozens of AIPAC shills) was remarkable, given Moyers' painstaking (and somewhat ridiculous) effort to remain "balanced" on an issue involving the slaughter of hundreds of malnourished women and children. It looks like our fate is tied to Israel's... I hope I can escape the US before that fate comes to pass.

'Israelis spoiled ,arrogant and condescending.' Anyone in psychology course 1 knows that is called 'projection.'Levy you are describing yourself.

"According to Jewish Law the Golan regarded as part of Canaan which is holier than the parts east of the Jordan river" Google. The truth Zeev: The Arabs have no history in all this land they claim as their own. Their entire claim for any part of this land is a bogus lie that can never be substantiated by history. Besides; the spoils of the Ottoman Empire after WW1 was free for all !

So refreshing to hear from a Jewish columnist who is neither deluded, or a racist warmonger. You are a credit to Jews everywhere!

AIPAC is a major part of the problem making it impossible for Obama to carry through with anything meaningful on the peace front. Until AIPAC is required to register as a foreign lobby, and serious campaign finance reform gets Israeli shekelim out of the US Congress, there will be no significant change in US policy regarding the Israel-Pal conflict.

TRAITOR? I would say, he is a patriot. To critizise means to love honestly.

"The Golan is historic Jewish land." (David Stoler) Pure nonsense. Historical national rights have no place whatsoever in international law. The Golan was internationally recognized sovereign part of the Syrian territory, long before the creation of the state of Israel. What is, I wonder, keeping you to claim that the land of the Jordanian kingdom too is historically Israel's, just because "Moses assigned territories to Reuben, Gad and a portion of Manasseh on land east of the Jordan which they had requested (Numbers 32:5)" See under: "Land apportionment" http://wapedia.mobi/en/Israelites "The Golan belongs to Israel [...] not only by the power of occupation in a defensive war against an aggressor, like America in Texas ... " http://xrl.us/bmfrf Don't you know, dummy, that when the U.S.A. annexed Texas, all its inhabitants were granted U.S. citizenship? Are you, by any chance, advising Israel to grant all the West Bank Palestinians an Israeli passport? Do surprise me. After all, as a way of ending the conflict, not such a bad idea.

No way would Gideon Levy's stuff ever be published in the mainstream American media. Don't ask me to explain why, in Israel of all places, his articles pass muster. Not all, perhaps not most, of the Haaretz staff, would allow it to happen, if they had their druthers. Their editorial opinion differs little, in my opinion,, from the folks running the NYT.

"The archaeology of the Golan is proof that the Golan is Jewish. I personally helped dig up a Talmudic era synagogue in Katzrin,... " Since the "Talmudic era" post-dates the period from 70AD on, how can Jews who, for all intents and purposes, have abandoned the ancient written Torah (i.e. Pentateuch), lay claim to the heritage of the ancient Israelites who lived by it? You are two different peoples, having essentially two different religions, which share hardly anything in common. I think a Muslim could make a similar argument for occupying the Golan. He could argue that both ancient Judaim and Islam make the same claim upon Abraham and the O.T. patriarchs. The Arab Muslim could argue, furthermore, that he is descended from Shem, and is, therefore, a true Semite. Whereas, you are the offspring of Japheth, or what Arthur Koestler called "The Thirteenth Tribe."

levy, great suggestion. what would israel do if USA stopped economic aid that has enabled the settlements? this is something the USA ought to seriously consider. the problem is AIPAC owns more of the USA gov't than the citizens of USA. elected officials in USA must get off AIPAC dole and do what is in USA's best interest. i acn dream, can't i?

YOU have always been my favourite Columnist , and for me you are the best Columnist and the best israeli Ever . I wish you were the prime minister , such a shame .

Your say: "If you love your child and want to protect it from harming him/herself and others you give him a straight talk no matter how harsh it maybe;.." Is Israel America's "child?" Was Israel begotten by the U.S.? Yes, the two countries have an inordinately intimate relationship. But, our "child?" Well, if that be the case, I, for one, take some comfort in the peronal conviction that the "child" is illegitimate.

The World Series is on and you just hit a Home Run. Brilliant column!

Gideon Levy is really Jewish???, he talks like the enemy of the Jews. What a shame he was dropped on his head when a Yougster and got brain damaged. So he thinks America is too cloe with Israel? I think the opposite "we in Israel are far too close with thev USA. The USA is NOt a friend, they use us when its convenient. As to their money they ahould be told to put it (you know where) BUt we no longer pay any of our debts to them on money already given. We must do everything ourselves, all weapons etc. plus aircraft construction. We had the Lavi, but due to pressure from the leftist & GUTLESS american so called Jews we dropped it, BIG ERROR. Levy why do you not move to another Country, how about Iran or Saudi Arabia.

"Sam, the PLO said this over 15 years: the State of Israel exists, it has a RIGHT to exist, and it has a right to exist in PEACE AND SECURITY" you say that, but no PLO and no Hamas ! Arabs and the rest of the muslims will NEVER recognize the right of Israel to exist in PEACE AND SECURITY.

What a dreadful article this is. Shame on the Jerusalem Post for printing such nonsense. America does not suck up to anybody ever. America needs Israel as much as Israel needs America.

"You sound hollow when you ignore the rights of the Jews in this land !" (A. Zekaria) You sound stupid when you talk about the right of the state of Israel on the West Bank and its occupied Arab population. Specially when you say, "The present Israel today is not divisible ... " No one is talking about divising "the present Israel".

I applaud your courage and transparency. Reading your piece, depsite the sad reality, was like a breath of fresh air.

Who was admitted, in May 1949, as a member state, to the United Nations - the Jewish people, or the Jewish state? Who is governed (or more truly, misgoverned) by an elected leadership - the Jewish people, or the Jewish state? Who occupies, for already 42 years now, a foreign and stateless population - the Jewish people, or the Jewish state? Who stands accused today, for the entire world to see, of war crimes against foreign civilians - the Jewish people, or, through its army and cabinet ministers, the Jewish state? Who is desperately confused? He who reveals himself to be utterly unable to tell the difference between the two? OR an Israeli journalist whose only sin is to criticise the leaders of his country, for leading it right to disaster, as is the most basic right of every citizen of a democratic country? Will you, Meir M, give me, just this once, for a change, an honest answer, if you know what that means - or is that expecting too much of you?

Glenn Beck's venom against the USA. On Fox News, "Obama has a deep-seated hatred for white people. This guy is, I believe, a racist." Screaming at the President: "Why don't you just set us on fire and get it over with?"

When I saw the words "chain of evil"...... At the subject line of your post immediately I remembered G.W. Bush. He was the person who made the word ?Evil? a staple in the diplomatic lexicon. He was an opinionated, unbending, stubborn, president who saw everything black and white, good and evil. Isn?t it very interesting that Swiss(Dino) is using the same word? I see many resemblances between G.W.B and Swiss(Dino) There is no peace or compromise in the minds of people who think like that.

It should be pointed out, Gideon Levy supported the Palestinian massacre of the Dolphinarium disco in 2001. Read the article Under the volcano (HA'ARETZ, 10 June 2001) Do a google search of Under the volcano Gideon Levy We now know Gideon is no different then an Arab terrorist. http://worldnetdaily.com/news/printer-friendly.asp?ARTICLE_ID=40455 Documents show Arafat paid for disco bombing Levy basically admits in the article the Palestinians have every right to slaughter Israeli teens to flood Israelwith millions of Arabs. Here's what Levy says, Who will declare that a just solution to the conflict must include not only a fair territorial solution but also a just solution for the refugees, including recognition of their right of return? The Palestinians resorted to violence and dared to demand the right of return Then Levy says, that there are too few differences between a person who blows himself up outside a discotheque and kills 20 boys and girls, and a person who frivolously fires shells at a house in which an infant girl has just finished drinking milk from her mother?s breast. Gideon, Suicide bombers target anybody. They target people with nothing to do with anything. Israelis target those who fund and carry out suicide bombers. There is a difference between terrorism and defense of innocents. Israel targets terrorists, Israeli civilian deaths are the Palestinians goal. Big difference To imply a moral equivalence between the two, is an insult to the intelligence

As Turkey showed with Hatay, peace for peace is the only way to bring peace with Syria. Gideon needs to stop with this surrender policy and lies about Israel. Proof Golan is historically Israels. Brilliant article http://xrl.us/bmfrf Sunday, June 1, 2008

Gideon is obsessed with Israel giving away its land to these Syrian terrorists, but Gideon says nothing about Syrian fascism. http://www.kurdmedia.com/article.aspx?id=15139 Campaign for the international recognition of human rights of half a million Kurds ?Buried Alive? in Syria 10/13/08 The Arab world is racist, sexist, poverty stricken, diseased, inbred, filled with religious hatred, ignorant, and celebrates mass murder of woman and children. The Arabs have killed their own with guns, hangings, be-headings, chemical and biological weapons, electrified them, and tortured fellow Arabs to death. Arabs even kill there own woman if there raped or not virgins before they get married. ( Honor Killings ) Do you people ever take responsiblity. I guess its far easier for the Arabs to blame everyone else for there failures

These Arab colonialists have stolen lands from Kurds, Berbers, Copts, Babylonians, Chaldeans and they want to steal Jewish lands as well. The Golan was part of ancient and modern Israel for centuries, while it was under Syrian occupation for a mere 21 years!! The archaeology of the Golan is proof that the Golan is Jewish. I personally helped dig up a Talmudic era synagogue in Katzrin which is now has a visitor centre. The only Arab land is (Saudi) Arabia. The Arabs can go back there!!

Israel makes me sick!

Has anyone seen the Arabs hate media against Israel. One wonders why Haaretz allows extreme radicals and supporters of Palestinian homicide bombers to write on here. I think its obvious Hass, Levy and Eldar want Israel to be enslaved by the Arabs.

For those honestly thinking that America could just "stop sucking up", here's highly recommended reading: http://atheonews.blogspot.com/2009/01/zionist-control-of-us-policy.html It really opens one's eyes on the scale of Israel's assault on America's government, media, and academy; it is real war that had been going on for many decades, and Israel has been winning it. Suggesting that all their lahf-century-long efforts and victories could be easily dismissed one day appears as somewhat naive. American media is fully owned; American Congress is fully owned as well. Who exactly is going to "stop sucking"? Indeed, every now and then someone in Congress tries exactly that - "stop sucking up". Two names come to mind: Cynthia McKinney, and James Traficant. After what happened to them, everybody has a very clear idea about the perspectives of such courage.

Look, just admit what is at work here and stop trying to hide it. The zionist lobby in the US and its undue influence on the US Congress will not allow for the US to get tough as it must with Israel.It would upset any other work Congress wanted to do and the careers of so many in the ruling party would be undermined, that they simply will not do it. We have seen this same pattern repeat itself over and over. Israel simply can do no wrong and any criticism will be denounced as anti-semitism and a plot to destroy the existence of the Jewish State of Israel. The Arab world must take the lead, with Egypt and Jordan in the front. But the US Congress, Clinton, Mitchell?? Forget about it.

Where is your outrage at the Kassam and Katusha Rockets landing in YOUIR country? Where is you outrage at Hamas using women and children for shields? How is it that no Arab country wants anything to do with accepting Palestinians as citizens? The only time trading land for peace has worked was when Israel returned the Sinai to Egypt. Where is your outrage at the way Jews are treated in Arab Lands? Please show me another country whose Capital City is divided. Unilateral gestures do nothing but embolden our enemies to demand more. How is it that you fail to mention the return of Gilad Shalit. Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq are the sworn enemies of the United States. Israel is the only truly free country in the Middle East and the only country that shares most of the values of The United States. I would be glad to arrange an escort for you to live among the wonderful oppressed people of Gaza. Try writing anything critical of Hamas and publishing it in Gaza.

While Gray is preaching to the converted ,his own country is slowly becoming part of the Caliphate,t he, Islamic one at that,so look under your bed every night as they,re biding their time.

Hey Swiss(Dino) you forgot to mention the billions of American and European taxpayers dollars in your country,s (Switzerland) bank vaults that was supposed to resettle Palestinians in Palestine(Jo rdan)60 years ago .

I'm pretty sure America kneels more to Saudi Arabia. Why not an article on that?

It cannot happen ,to many power brokers involved, egos tarnished ,double talk/rhetoric ,Arab propaganda ,intransigence,religious bigotry ,crim inal intolerance .

this is an excellent assesment on where we are today, however isn't it absolutely ridiculous and concerning that such an honest article would NEVER have been published or discussed within the US media?

They,ve already paid for it ,just check out Nasra llah,s stronghold in Beirut ,followed by Hamas,s graveyard in Gaza.

Nicely said. Of course, those words won't sway arrogant, selfish people so I have to add few things. No country was paramount force in the world forever and in 50 years USA probably won't be undisputed military leader beyond compare. If you think it is lots of time, in 40 years situation on occupied territories haven't changed a bit and Israel exists only 60 years. Then, demographics in US change. Muslim population is growing and local Jews are now in mainstream, often intermarried with others. So what happens when AIPAC cannot sway US politics as it can today? Just cutting aid would rock Israel to the core and most other countries would have US sanctions by now with such behavior.

The U.S. could have stopped Israel's abuse of the Palestinian years ago, but it didn't. What kind of love is this? If you love your child and want to protect it from harming him/herself and others you give him a straight talk no matter how harsh it maybe; you stop his allowance; and you ground him for bad behavior. You don't reward him and continue to play nice so much that he becomes spoiled and does whatever he desires to do with total disregard for others. The way the U.S. has acted towarded Israel has not served the best interest of Israel, the U.S., the Palestinians and the world. Thank you Gideon Levy for always being a voice of reason

Gideon Levy would have been a stout communist if given the chance. What a disaster for Israel and for democracy.

Gideon Levy is delusional and sick. Like former editor of Haaretz Landau, he probably would also like to see Israel raped.

Gil, you are ill-informed: A national home for the Jewish people has been established, in May 1948, in Palestine, according to the will of the League of Nations as expressed in the Mandate declaration over Palestine, from June 1922. Anyway, what's your point? That we should continue to occupy the stateless Palestinians, up to the day they are the majority, and they start occupying us - I mean those of us who are still here, between the sea and the river? Suggested reading: "Battle of the numbers: Jewish minority by 2020", Jerusalem Post, Oct 25, 2007. by Professor Sergio Dellapergola, of the Harman Institute of Contemporary Jewry, the Hebrew U in Jerusalem, and Senior Fellow at the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute. http://www.jpppi.org.il/ (News & Events -- From the press) Gil, open your eyes! "We must either have a Palestinian state in our neighborhood, or we will become a Palestinian state." Yehoshafat Harkabi (1921-1994), head of Israeli Military Intelligence (1955-1959), then professor and director of the Institute of International Relations and ME Studies, at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. "Harkabi was the only commander of military intelligence to have had a good command of Arabic, in addition to genuinely professional knowledge of Arab civilization and history, and of Islam." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yehoshafat_Harkabi

I wish I could say that kind words would do. the comments section here only strengthens this point of view however. Both sides are to blame. I can say that until my face turns blue, and frankly it's true. Don't just blame the terrorists, blame ten checkpoints and a racist IDF force that stops said terrorist from working an actual job instead. Both sides have to offer something, and as long as the Israeli state feels confident about its support it will never change the point of view it has towards everyone else in the region.

No US leader can put America's interests above those of Israel even when the Israeli policies they allow to continue are bad for the US (and for Israel too) because the Israeli lobby has them by the balls - or more painful for politicians, by the wallets...

It is a wonderful testimony to the democratic nature of Israel, that a journalist such as Mr. Levi can spew out such vile rhetoric against his own country and still maintain his post in a respectable paper. Try doing that in any of Israel's "liberal" neighbors!

Who is getting protection? Hamas, Fatah and the corrupt other Arab governments. Egypt gets massive US aid, and represses its people, its press, and fosters incitement against "the Jews" and "Israel" in tv programs, publications and the like. Egypt is changing the names of streets that reflected the past contribution of Jewish Egyptians, as they cleansed the Jewish citizens years ago. Israel committed no war crimes. If Israel was judged by the standards of its neighbors, its actual flaws and incidents of error and misconduct would pale in comparison. Hamas sends terror rockets into Israel, and the UN is SILENT. Give me a break!

reflects the inherent control that aipac[israel] has over the legislative branch of the american government... and the fact that recently we're not hearing any noise from aipac, or any of its thralls within the government, means that obama has been introduced to the ugly fact that when it comes to israel, the american legislative branch is been bought and/or whipped into line... he has found that his efforts to engage the prospects of peace in the middle-east will be fought, with any means available, by members from both parties. THAT'S what i see! it's NOT for any lack of will or resolve, NOR is it for lack of the potential means; it's just that obama has encountered the intangible and malignant force in washington that shuts the eyes, beguiles the mind, and blurs the conscience of the united states towards israel's criminal pursuits. the question NOW is whether he can recover his resolve and self confidence enough to take the political risk of defying that virulent entity by invoking his independent power on matters of foreign policy? i have a feeling that IF he does, it won't be until he's gotten his health bill passed and signed...lest the thralls use it as leverage.

Michael spoke common-sense, but stopped at a crucial point. The UN and NATO sorted Bosnia and then Kosovo because the USA acting on their behalf first served notice on Milosevic's ethnic-cleansers to desist, and then bombed the bejasus out of them until they complied. Can't see them doing that to the Israelis. Stalemate! By the way, the Israel Lobby is not just a Jewish lobby, nor is it composed of Israelis, it has possibly a majority of Christian right-wing extremists who look forward to Israel starting a nuclear war, when they expect Jesus to come down and rescue them in 'The Rapture'. P.S. they are very anti-Semitic and expect all Jews everywhere to convert to their brand of Christianity during this process.

President Obama has shown by now with little doubt he simply has no spine. Netanyahu figured him out and calls for a settlement freeze and beginning serious peace negotiations were laughed at by the present Israeli government. Secretary Clinton's praise for Israel's "Concessions" are a joke and an embarassment to the United States. Nothing will ever change until America develops a spine. I hope the voices of J Street can make a difference.

Would there be no Gideon levy if there were no Israel

you think Israel's going to go back to the days of Oslo, where security was trusted in the hands of Palestinians? status quo evolved, it was a position that was arrived at because of circumstance, not choice, you can't choose to change something that wasn't selected to begin with, your critique and encouragement for a cooler tone towards Israel because it doesn't want to outsource its security again is baseless, counter productive, harmful & resentful

I wish the U.S. had writers with the courage of Gideon Levy.

S: "Netanyahu like many other Jews will accept 2 states because most Jews want peace" Johnboy: "Sam, the PLO said this over 15 years: the State of Israel exists, it has a RIGHT to exist, and it has a right to exist in PEACE AND SECURITY." Except their charter, which they claimed they would amend (but was never amended) calls for Israel's destruction. Do we trust what you claim is the PA's position? Or do we believe the Palestinians' own charter?

"Where is it written that to deserve all the land, we have to rule a foreign & stateless people" Zeev. Isn't equally true to say: Where is it written that to deserve all the land, they (the palestinians) have to make people (the Jews) foreigners & stateless. Suggested reading:The PLO Charter: "Art 1.Palestine is the homeland of the Arab Palestinian people. It is an undivisible part of the Arab land". You can't have it both ways Zeev! You keep blaming Israel & you are saying nothing to the Palestinians with whom you sounds like you a bond of allegiance & commitment of loyalty ! Time to rethink Zeev re the other party (Jews & Israel) . You sound hollow when you ignore the rights of the Jews in this land ! Jews have an ancient & modern history in this land. Jews have accepted the partition & the Arab refused all that & have to pay the price after so many wars etc.. The present Israel today is not divisible for reasons of security & demography. 2-State doesn't work.

I was still giving President Obama the benefit of the doubt, but HIllary's statements in Israel very clearly show that nothing has changed in the US mideast policy - we will continue to support a brutal occupation, continuing theft of land and protect Israel from all consequences, even for war crimes. But there are always consequences for actions and we are not on the side of the angels here - God help us!!

Reality check: Have you seen how The US acts toward China? An admittedly Communist country? We act the way we do toward Israel because it is in our national best interest to do so. The Governments in the Arab World that 'like' us are very unpopular with their own citizens and we know it.We need friends in that part of the world at least until we convert to bio-fuel and electric cars after that we will treat the 'middle-east' like the rest of Africa (We'll ignore it).

force has worked for Israel, as was recently pointed out in a NY Times article. Moreover, we Jews need some amout of force just to survive. The Jews of Europe has no weapons, no force and look what happened to them. Gideon and his supporters needs to understand that if we Jews don't stand up for and protect ourselves no one else will.

America is Israel's steadfast friend like the bartender that always gives the alcoholic another drink is his steadfast friend. Israel is on a path that can only end in her destruction -- and we're helping her move along it.

All 'Talks' and 'Calls For...' are just more sustainable B..l S..t, and delays without consequences ensuring accountability. Just look at all the progress we've made toward peace!

these comments do not even show up with their relevent articles!!!!

(or is it "are"?)

Very good article, the only comment one may add is, that after Secretary of State statement in Israel yesterday the USA has actually diseabled itself from being arbitrator in Israel/Palestine conflict, and that there should be a demand to return this issue to UN for that purpose. Yerah Gover, Ph.D. Sociologist

I agree with Jason and Ralph. Why put the total blame on Israel? Each of us is responsible to G-d. It isn't just a political affair.

"Hamas & Fatah cannot make peace among themselves ... " (Vittorio) Up to the first Palestian uprising, 1988, against the occupation and our ever-expanding settlements, Hamas was nothing but an obscure little charity organization, whose name no one had yet heard. Even some ignorants know that this antagonism between PLO and Hamas has been carefully fomented, nurtured and exacerbated by the Israeli leadership. Divide and Reign, an age-old military/political tactic. I suggest you learn to look beyond the tip of your nose instead of keeping your head stuck into the sand.

... why the the palestinian refugees didn't returned when the WB was under Jordan 'occupation' & Gaza was under Egypt 'occupation' for 18 years ?! "Suggested reading" Zeev : Nothing.

gave in 1930s.

Israeli border expansion through building settlements is the root cause of this conflict.

Oppressive regimes are doomed, the mighty US empire is crumpling fast, economically and militarily, China, EU and India are tomorrow's super powers, it's just a matter of time that USA (the promised land) has no more juice to suck on by Zionists. Israel's only chance to survive is to nurture responsible and wise Jews like Gideon Levy.

Wow is right. How in the world does Haaretz allow authors like this to write on its website? The Syrian president is pleading for peace? Then why does he support people (Hamas, Hizbullah, Iran) who want to kill every Israeli and throw them in the Sea? You Compare Israel to North Korea, Iran, and Afghanistan? ARE YOU SERIOUS? Are you just that biased to know that those countries Human Rights records are grotesque, or are you just that stupid Mr. Levy? You are a disgrace

"I will bless them that bless thee" America is under a growing curse for the very reason that she blesses thee.

and the UN have the runs on the board to prove it,not just in the M.E.either.The UN has a lot to answer for. Forget a multinational force. It works where people do not send their children out as shock troops.Once kids have killed a few soldiers and stoned the rest,the cry will likely go"why should we die for the jews" "Vietnam" etc etc. When Arabs really want peace they will declare they have no further demands after the WB.

Nothing will change while the Israelis hold all them "Video recordings" of all those US politicians who "visit" Israel. "SMILE" - say cheese! (No, we will not put them up on YouTube, just as long as you continue to "love Israel")

so easy to to be too decent and intellectually ineffective first - what is wrong on both side: hostages to faith matters second - what is wrong on palestinian side: to excited and to often applying violence third - what is wrong on israeli side: greed, lack of reach out to the Arab people.

There is **no** concensus on a "2 state solution" within the ruling party of Israel. N.O.N.E. There has been an overwhelming concensus since 1993 within the ruling party of the Palestinians that there should be a "2 state solution" on the 1967 lines. Yet you continue to insist that it is the Pals who have to take the long path to "accepting" the 2 state solution - and not the Israelis - EVEN THOUGH the Pals began that journey in 1993. A journey the Israelis still can not agree that they should undertake. Why, Sam, do you continue to insist that Night is Day, and Black is White???

"I will bless them that bless thee"

just read the negative responses to gideon's article.

We all know why you take your time reading what you know will enrage you. We all know that you know that this is no longer the 19th censury. We all know that you know that Israel is the Goliath in this fight and that it is Israel's moves that prevent peace. Deep down, you love reading Levy because he's your little voice in your head telling what you won't want to admit... reading him is your weekly confession to your crimes. And for most of you, unlike all those cited by Goldstone, your crimes are not criminal. Your crimes (and you all know it) are the simple daily denials of the truth... That Israel is illegally occupying a defenseless nation, that Israel is provoking the most important part of the region's destruction, that Israel is stealing water from Palestine, that Israel is Iran's nuclear threat (don't ask why they want to build theirs), that Israel will not cede a feet of conquered land to any Arab State (Golan, Sheba, East Jerusalem), that Israel is the Bully...

Here is the problem with Mr. Levy's article...it is all Israel's fault. Now, I think it can be agreed that to some extent, there are a lot of issues that Israel is causing by continuing to promote the building of settlements, however, I find it a complete injustice to treat Palestinians as naive children. How can you say the Palestinians deserve a country when you treat them like children? The Palestinians are just as responsible as Israel, which is why this is called a conflict. I mean, has there been much mention as to the continued sporadic rocket fire in the north? or how about the continuation of smuggling tunnels in Gaza?

Everyone has seen the photograph of Obama genuflecting before the ruler of Saudi Arabia so stop making stupid comments. This article is almost as bad as the statement you made to former sectretary of state Rice.

To all Gedeon Levi supporters, Why don't you have guts enough to say what you really want??? The extinction and destruction of the Jewish state and all it's Jewish inhabitants. Whom will you blame after that happens , as I am afraid it will, and with your blessing ????

No, you take their keys and put them in a taxi, vomiting all the way home. The vomiting teenager is Israel, she drank so much and is regurgitating peace as much as possible. So what do friends do for their Drunk friends, you get them home safely and put them into REHAB. That means going cold-turkey, no more settlements and occupation

what a fool of a man...gideon, go live in gaza or tehran, or damascus, but you sur as hell dont deserve to step foot in israel...you are a traitor and a disgusting worm...

Shades of Olmert bragging about how he was able to reach GWB by phone even though he was on stage getting ready to make a speech. And how he then, ORDERED Bush to have his Ambassador to the UN vote no on a resolution that Secretary of State Rice had brokered, thereby leaving her with egg on her face. This is the way our 'friend and alley' in the Middle East treats us. Even the Saudis aren't this rude.

Congratulations to Gideon for an amazing article. When will people realise that those people who really care about Israel are the ones who dare to criticise? Can someone tell me if you love a child, but do nothing to control his/her wilful and destructive behaviour, what kind of child you will end up with?

Obama must like being spit upon.Or else he doesn't recognize the spit and think it's just gently raining.This is embarrassing beyond belief ! Hughly disappointed Obama voter

what's the matter with you? are you nuts?Israel is surrounded by those who wish to destroy the Jewish state. You are confusing the aggressor and victim. The Palestinians could have had peace years ago. They want you dead. Don't you get it. In psychology it's called "identification with the aggressor." You need psychiatric help. Maybe then you will take a position that is in your and Israel's interest. Eve

This is just more bullshit by a leftwing extremist. Yes, that's what Levy is!

Peace's turn has not come yet. It will, once Obama has sorted out other domestic or world issues where Israel's non-interference is desired (Healthcare, Iran, taxing the rich, etc). Obama will then take care of peace, by forcing general elections in Israel and Palestine.

This man talks a lot of sense. Politicians of whatever political persuasion (most of them are in it for themselves as has been demonstrated so well with ours). You just can't trust them to make the important decisions. What does the average Israeli or Palestinian desire out of this? If the Middle East were a chess game, the move I would make right now would be to make peace with Syria. The Palestinians do not have one voice. Put them on the back burner for now, and think three moves ahead by going for a deal with Al-Assad.

the world is a mess when people like you who actually are in the top percentiles in terms of education can come out with such nonsense. i despair when i read such mind boggling nonsense. of all the peoples who would have a right to wallow in self misery and bitterness at their treatment at the hands of others, the jews could claim that right....yet the jewish people just get on with it which is why israel is such a success story ...yet you are not objective enough to see the obvious.

well... I like the company you placed Mr. Obama into. Were you implying that one if extension of the other's political aims, or was it just an infortunate "figure of free speech"

America will just keep its imperialist foot sitting in the Middle East... gangrene is setting in and still America refuses to cut out the rot!

Hello Gideon, I couldn't agree more and trust me when I tell you Americans are sick of the Obama /Hilliary sweet talking & sucking up to Israel too. It defies America' values & history to placate an oppressor. Truly, we should be tossing such an aggressor overboard and saying enough! However, I am all for peaceful & civil measures also such as reducing aid and withholding loan guanrtees and asking friends in the region and members in the EU and rights groups to take similair action. Enough of this bull! It's sickening beyond words now. Dutch

...make peace with Israel? Only G.Levy and other self-haters can believe it. Or they pretend to believe?

in the short space alloted you:what are the "actual threats israel faces"? who makes them?how is israel handling them?can it handle them?can the u.s.a.? are settlements a part of a response to those threats?does the golan diminish them?have you an idea of how this conundrum might be settled,or do you think the status quo and present direction quite satisfactory.thank you.

It's a very sad state that Gideon Levy does not understand what is going on and speaks like he is an authority.

Who else wants to sit on the sidelines & wait for Obama to thoroughly spank Israel? If Gideon is really Abbas, his voice is treated the same.

Israel will continue to build settlements, impose an illegal siege on the people of Gaza and implement a scenario of slavery on the West Bank and call it an economic peace; without any punishments. Israeli apartheid cannot be stopped until we treat Israel like South Africa in the 80s and 90s. The decent people of the world need to join forces and oppose the illegal and horrible Israeli military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Yes, the Gaza Strip is still occupied because Israel controls the land crossings, coastal water and the air space. South Africa never willingly gave up apartheid until they were forced to under an economic boycott. You like to portray your newspaper as an alternative to the racist diatribes of the Jerusalem Post but the truth is that you employ the same censorship within your narrow, Zionist "point of view."

work things out, Israel have ALL THE ACES and the Palestinians have all the TWOs.

You make us all very proud YOU, S I R , being so truthful and sincere. May GOD BLESS you . It is many time that we can see such a JEWISH Value at work, and FEARLESS.

It seems that many of the comment writers here prefer to keep their heads under the sand like the proverbial ostrich. I marvel at Mr Levy's ability to describe the reality of the situation so aptly, as it is seen by more and more people inside Israel. President Obama would do well do read and heed.

I hope Jews in Israel listen to Gideon. Peace NOW!

There's a lot to that. First, Hillary obviously has a great deal of autonomy as Secretary of State -- in fact, there may have been an understanding to that effect. 'If you come into my big tent, you can do what you want.' Second, Hillary seems to be maneuvering so that she can be the 'friend of Israel' come the presidential elections of 2012/2016 -- depending on how things go with Obama. It's all politics -- and who cares about the most elementary concepts of justice or our complicity in some of the most outrageous atrocities of the past decade?

Just when America needed to stick to its guns, Clinton has wilted. Gideon Levy is right as usual - Israel needs a tough talking to.

Give us all a break and shut up

It all boils down to he'd rather get health care than get Mid-East peace -- not to mention, he can see he's not going to get anywhere with Israel. So it's return to what's been the default position since the Clinton Administration. Just agree that Israel is being completely reasonable and say 'tut tut, what a shame' as no progress is made. This would all be just fine -- if we didn't happen to be subsidizing Israel to the tune of several billion dollars a year. Our fall-back position is uncritical and lavish support for all of Israel's actions.

Samuel, a spectacular post. I tip my hat to you. Samuel, in 1967, as we all know, Israel won these lands due to Arab aggression that started the '67 war. Had THEY not attacked Israel a: we would not be having this 42 year conversation, b: there would be no Palestinian people since there was never any action on the part of ANYONE to create a "Palestinian State" prior to 1967. If I go to a casino in Las Vagas and lose all my money, I cannot return to ask the casino to give me back my money. The would laugh me out onto the street, and put me into a mental institution. The Pals are asking for a do-over, however, it wasn't even THEIR LAND that was lost. If anything, Jordan has a beef. The whole thing is Arab mumbo-jumbo BS. To answer your question, Samuel, Levy surely would prefer the Israelis lost the '67 war. There is little doubt this leftist, Arab sympathizer would prefer an Arab state in Israel's place. The existence of ISRAEL KILLS HIM. Great post, Samuel.

The sucking sound from America, from the Congress, from the White House is so loud it can be heard around the world. It is truly a sickening sound. Gideon has once again hit the nail on the head. It is way past time for the U.S. to stop sucking and treat Israel as it treats every other nation.

Many of us outside of Israel know that this state of affairs will end badly for Israel. It is unfortunate that no one in Israel, the home of arrogant delusion and group-think, seems to appreciate the danger. And danger it is. The die is cast. The cowardly defection of America from the side of peace is the end.

by the way the US does have laws it has to follow. And I just love how Jack Straw got caught out on Labour's immigration policy. Good job in making the BNP a crdible party in the UK. Bunch of morons run your country.

The US can stop sucking up to Israel when Gideon Levy stops sucking up to: Fatah, hamas, hezbollah, Assad, Al Jazerra, et al. Gideon is Israel's Rush Limbaugh of the left. But, Gideon is far worse, he never found an Arab terrorist or rocket out of Gaza that he does not rationalize, no matter the murder, no matter what.

The Greatest Myth is that Israel is the "occupier" of Palestine; shame on you Gideon levy for not knowing Jewish History! In 1917, Britain issued the Balfour Declaration which favored the "re-establishment" of a national home for the Jewish people.The mandate specifically referred to "the historical connections of the Jewish people with Palestine"and the moral validity of "reconstituting" their National Home in that country.The term "reconstituting" shows recognition of the fact that Palestine has been the Jews'home for nearly four thousand years.History and Archeaology prove this fact. The Balfour Declaration was formalized by 52 governments at the League of Nations in 1922.The west Bank is Jewish territory; check out the historical Maps of the territory.

Gideon, one can arrive at any conclusion including that the moon is made of cream cheese if you ignore facts and select only bits of this and that to suit your prejudice. Have you forgotten Obama doing guru puja before Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz ?

Your voice is so important. Yes, our American government makes so many of us cringe with shame in its blind support of Israel. Obama is on his way to a big time failure regarding peace in the ME, among other looming failures. I worked and voted for Obama. I was delighted that he was given the Nobel Peace Price. Now, I am not sure that this guy has the chops to be what so many of us thought he would be. What a shame!

niva,go back to "lula's" communist band wagon.You do not know what you are writing about Do not make a spectacle of yourself and of the Brazilian People...Not every Brazilian is as stupid as you and all the "lula"/chavez/castro/ahmadinejad followers..

Israel is right -- it can do anything, and for a very simple reason: the 2010 elections. When "Clinton returns to Washington...she should advocate a sharp policy change toward Israel." Gideon? What ya smoking?

Thank you for the clear truth simply put. 2 main problems with Levy's view, clear to anyone from a much larger nation than Israel: 1. Due to simple warped proportion common to those in any small state or island, the common view by many Israelis that Israel is big, as if it were like America, distorts the truth of actually how little land we have, and have to give, if we are truly to be able to protect ourselves, and to possibly even grow in pop. just a tiny bit. Arabs (and Pals do call themselves Arabs) have vast amounts of lands. 2. The age-old perception of Jews as wrong-doers, as they inspired yet contradict hugely populous Christianity and Islam, is a simple mathematical factor that is so strong, since we are so few compared to those of the 2 later faiths, that the widespread perception of Jews as being wrong by now affects a large proportion of Jews themselves. No way around it. Simple math. Unfortunately, Mr. Levy seems to show that he is deeply affected by both these factors

... is sucking up to the Pals. And that does not do much good. Obama did a great job in Cairo, and Abbas used that as an excuse to do nothing. Israel lifted dozens of road blocks, and got wheelbarrows of rocks in return. It is pretty hard for Americans to suck up to a population of anti-Western, anti-democratic, anti-intellectual, anti-progressive, anti-tolerant, hair-trigger militants who don't have, or at least cannot articulate, a vision.

Your government and Church kidnapped a Jewish child from NJ and now hold him hostage to keep him from returning to his Jewish father. The despicable act, ordered by the Brazilian gov't and the Catholic Church is reminiscent of the kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara by the Vatican, an act that led to the end of the Church's governance over Italy! The result for Brazil will be no less for the Church.

Gideon, Thank you for eloquently describing what so many of us feel. It is as though there is no difference between supporting Israeli policies and what is right. Here we go again, America! You have allowed the likes of the Netanyahus and Liebermanns to dictate terms of the future of the Middle East at the expense a just peace for all who live there.

Couldn't agree with you more Levy. I feel a palpating level of disgust toward Obama and Bibi. Who would have thought they are now "2 peas in a pod" on the occupation.

?

I just signed up. I email and call my elected representatives to change US policy toward Israel/Palestine to a fair, realistic one whose goal is a lasting peace that recognizes human rights for all religions and ethnicities in the region. I get back boiler plate letters from them (Graham, DeMint, Wilson) that include all the AIPAC cliches. (Congratulations AIPAC & CUFI) So after witnessing the horror of last year Cast Lead at a distance, I'm joining the Gaza Freedom March on January 1 to call for an end to the seige. I was young when the occupation began and now am old. I'll continue with my calls and emails, but I can't look away. My tax dollars support the siege and the occupation and I don't.

That's the numbers ALL the US polls agree on - whether left middle or conservative -that strongly support the State of Israel and see extremist Islam as the number one threat against the US.

Very, very good description Traude!

The Israeli centre right including Netanyahu accepts 2 states. Not all Jews accept 2 states refusing to relinquish biblical territory. There is enough support in Israel for 2 states (Kadima if need be) if Israel obtains an acceptable 2 state solution. Netanyahu will not bust up his present coalition for Palestinians who are nowhere near accepting a Jewish-majority country. If Palestinians accepted a Jewish-majority country they wouldn't have trouble repeating it openly for all Jews and Arabs to hear. We wouldn't have to go looking for it under a microscope.

..this is just whistiling in the wind. I'm totally convinced now that a tragedy in the future, be it a mass killing of Palestinians by the IDF (resulting in the world making Israel a pariah), or a serious upheaval in the region against Israel (reminding people that they can't defend their existance with military means against overwhelming numbers), has to happen before things will seriously change. The election results and polls clearly show Israelis are already well beyond the point where they listen to rational arguments. This can only end in desaster.

In May 2006 Tony Judt wrote his article/comment on Israel: The country that wouldn't grow up http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/711997.html It was true in 2006 and it is even more true in 2009. Something to (re)read and think about but I fear it will only draw even more accusations of anti-Semitism.... Israelis/Zionists sometimes remind me of children in Kindergarten: It wasn't me, it was all his/her fault!!! This attitude will only bring more wars and more deaths. In contrast, children in Kindergarten usually grow up and learn to take responsibility for their actions....

Gideon Levy only writes these articles to annoy people, no one israel takes him seriousily. he speaks like a man who is lost and can only be motivated each morning by upsetting his fellow country men. Haaretz publish his articles cause they know people like to see ok, what this time Levy. I also think is style of writting is that of a 5 year old. Mr Levy, if you read these responses, which i guess you probabbly do, as this is what motivates you in life, contact me via my email, i would like to talk to you and get a better understanding where you are actually coming from, like diod u serve in the IDF etc.....

Levy is, as always right. The US doesn't treat any of its real allies the way it treats Israel. France got huge contempt poured on it for not rushing into the Iraq debacle. The UK got the cold shoulder for releasing the possibly innocent, and certainly dying, Libyan. The US uses muscle except with Israel. In this instance, as always, because of AIPAC and the US Jewish community, the US has shown itself incapable of disciplining Israel, its pampered, violent, out of control teenager. As with a lot of incapable parents it now needs to let the relevant authorities do the job instead. Here, that is the UN. Without a US veto, the Security Council could, almost immediately pass a resolution transferring the West Bank to UN control so that the UN, NATO and EU could oversee a transfer to a peaceful Palestine, as they did with Kosovo.

It's interesting that your solution to every question seems to be that Israel is automatically entitled to anything it wants and the rest of the world has the duty to see that Israel's desires are fulfilled. You can't see it, but the rest of the world understands that you have stolen Palestinian land and mistreated them, and they are entitled to get theirs back. Except for what you call war crimes, how are they ever going to get any thing they deserve back from Israel?

S: "Netanyahu like many other Jews will accept 2 states because most Jews want peace" Sam, the PLO said this over 15 years: the State of Israel exists, it has a RIGHT to exist, and it has a right to exist in PEACE AND SECURITY. All unconditional, and given without reciprocation. Nor is this something that the PLO has ever reneged upon i.e. it said that in 1993, it has said that ever since, and it is still saying it today. By comparison, the leader of the Likud party has only JUST found it in himself to say the words "Palestinian state", and even then he placed caveats and preconditions upon it i.e. he is allowing himself the elbow-room to renege on that "recognition" should the Pals displease him or the Americans take their eye off the ball. Yet you INSIST on claiming that it is the Likudniks who desire "peace" and "2 states". Why, Sam?

The United states has virtually lost any credibility it might have had. It also has just as much responsibility as a third-party to the crimes that Israel has committed because it has always had the power to stop it, nevertheless, has given its unconditional support. Uncle Sam's problem is that it's too busy dictating to the rest of the world how to behave or be punished if it doesn't listen. Obama and his administration is no better than those who preceded him.

Hi. Gideon, Sooner or later we will find a resolution of USA Congress against your views as biased. In fact, this resolution will be a copy of the resolution passed against Goldstone's Report. Long live the power of Jewish Lobby in USA.

I know they read your every word in Washington, but there is a healt bill to be past and they need a couple of Israe's friend on the Hill to get that through, so what are a couple of hundered kids killed towards that? It isn't only you Gideon, most people on this planet can see what is taking place. The illegal settlements and Clintons praise says it all. God bless you though, your a light in the total darkness of morals, ethics, empathy......

Great article Mr. Levy you`ve done it again. We need journalists that dare to express a critical opinion about the occupation. The pattern of the pro-occupationists answers is always the same, once they see something they don`t like. Excuses for crimes and one smear campaign after the other: Levy wants to destroy Israel Tzipi Livni wants to sell Israel Swedes are Jew-haters Obama hates Israel Germans are Nazis Belgian products must be boycotted And so on, and so on. Whenever criticism of anything Israel is expressed, the accusations are right on the table. It gets pretty boring.... thanks & keep up the good work, Mr. Levy

Zeev Have you ever read the preamble to the Mandate declaration over Palestine Under the preamble to the Mandate declaration over Palestine from June 1922, MANDATORY PALESTINE (100% including Jordan) was a territory where the League of Nations were in favor of the establishment of a national home for the JEWISH PEOPLE. And let us even go to the year 1919, Where Emir Faisal king of Hejaz which the British promised a Pan Arab Nation as a reward for helping them in WWI, signed he has no claim to, and agreed to the Balfour Declaration, which grants the Jews a national home in Palestine, a state of their own under the Faisal Weizmann Agreement of 1919. Yes Zeev it all there if you open your eyes!

You have summed up perfectly what many have been saying for decades. To the critics of Gideon, the man tells you what the rest of the world is thinking. In your arrogance and delusion you will ignore it at your peril. Wake up before it's too late and the "State of Israel" is reduced to just another Middle Eastern dictatorship. You think it can't happen ?? Remember the great Roman and British Empires ??

Netanyahu like many other Jews will accept 2 states because most Jews want peace but he like others will not cheer it because it means giving up parts of the biblical homeland. for Palestinians, on the other hand, "2 states" is just a propaganda move for obtaining benefits from the West. The Palestinians recognize that there is an entity called Israel but demand a massive influx of Palestinians into it. That is not Israel's or the West's idea of 2 states for 2 nations.

We all thought here was a president who finally could stand up to the Carte Blanch Israel has had from the Americans. What a waste of hope.What a waste of a President.

It seems that you want the US to bomb Israel like they did in Afghanistan. I have stopped long ago reading your articles for the anti semitism and the Jewish self hate and self destruction reeks from them. However , the few times that I do read your articles, I see that you are becoming extreme and time and agin you overdo yourself being intent on a course self destruction . What I cannot understand is there a still a few readers , not many , but a few stil think your views are open , logical and contain some interest.

Dear Gideon Levy (have I said Dear correction) Gideon Levy In 2009 alone, Hundreds of roadblocks have been lifted, By Netanyahu! As a result of Israeli government policy Ramallah, is today flourishing! In 2009 alone, The same thing that has happened in Ramallah, Is now happening in Nablus What was regarded not so long ago by Israel as the capital of terrorism, In 2009 is now starting to look like a Palestinian commercial and trade center, People are saying their sales in 2009 have grew by 90%! As result of Netanyahu, Brak, and Lieberman policy of ease And the roadblocks in Nablus have been lifted, The people who once waited for two hours in the Havara crossing, Today wait approximately 5 minutes In 2009 alone Every Saturday 50 Busses Plus some 400 cars enter Nablus, bringing with them something like 4000 Arab Israelis who do their shopping Nablus, this gets into the Arab Palestinian economy an extra 2 million NIS every Saturday! Seems those who you blindly despise are doing more for the benefit of the Arab Palestinians then any other government did (starting in 1987 when the first intifada started) and are taking grate security risks in doing it! Gideon what has Abbas promised in return A 3ed INTIFADA

"The Jewish people have eternal rights to the Land of Israel." (Meir M) That is for sure. But think - if you have ever learned how it is done. Has Israel, the UN state member committed to international law, "eternal rights" to all of the Land, from the sea to the river? And to rule over all its population? That is a proposition much more disputable. To believe it, one has to be a fundamentalist Jew. Should we, as a first step, call the entire world to convert to the true religion? The way Ben Laden and the Ayatullahs do? Rabbi Yehuda Gelman said, "We can desire the Land of Israel with great yearning, but that does not constitute sufficient merit. [...] To deserve the Land we must become a society of spiritual excellence in all spheres of life, a nation of decency, in government and personal relations. Obsessive concentration on Eretz Yisrael should yield to concentrating on creating before God a meritorious nation." www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/shiur.asp?cat=58&id=4825&q= Now, will you enlight me Meir M? Where is it written that to deserve all the Land, we have to rule a foreign and stateless people? What is so "meritorious" in that? And what kind of "spiritual excellence and decency in government" is this?

Israel's right wing is indeed one important factor disturbing a fair peace settlement. However, Israel's right wing was empowered by Arafat and by Hammas. Hammas is the most clear expression of what palestinians always strove for, and you cannot avoid or hide that. A two state solution is a jumping pot for the dissolution of the Zionist state. Probably that is what you want, but most peple in israel wont let it happen and won't let the palestinians get away with it.

Gideon Levy seems not to have noticed that the U.S. has taken exactly zero action to end China's illegal occupation of Tibet, which involves clear violations of the Geneva Convention, and has been going on considerably longer than Israel's occupation of the West Bank (although, admittedly, not as long as Israel's occupation of territories assigned to the Arabs according to the 1947 partition plan). My guess is that Gideon Levy doesn't care about the occupation of Tibet either.

" ... if the Palestinians would accept 2 countries for 2 nations." (Sam) Has it ever occurred to you that if we keep settling the West Bank the way we started to 42 years ago, there is much less of a chance for the Palestinians to accept to transfer themselves to Jordan (supposing the king agrees to absorb four million more of them), than there is for us to find ourself, given the demographics, living in a future not so distant as a jewish minority in a "2 states for 1 people" reality? Suggested reading: "Battle of the numbers: Jewish minority by 2020", Jerusalem Post, Oct 25, 2007. by Professor Sergio Dellapergola, of the Harman Institute of Contemporary Jewry, the Hebrew U in Jerusalem, and Senior Fellow at the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute. http://www.jpppi.org.il/ (News & Events -- From the press)

Without that understanding Israel has nothing to gain by "peace negotiations" they are just terms of surrender. Then there is the matter of the expectations raised to their people in Arabic.Including Haifa and TA etc according to the elected govt of Palestine and "moderate" Fatah is not much better. Either they are lying to the West or their own people.

The Jewish people have eternal rights to the Land of Israel. Sorry, but this is Zionist propaganda. According to the bible, the land was not promised to the Jewish people but to the decendants of Abraham under the precondition of keeping the commandments. The ten commandments are also part and parcel of the christian and muslim faith. People can change their religion but they cannot change their ancestry. Hebrew converts to Christianity or Islam remain descendants of Abraham whereas converts to Judaism keep their different ancestry. Apart from that, according to Ezekiel the Hebrews or old Israelites were dispered among the nations because of their conduct/bloodshed so it seems that keeping the commandments is essential. Yes, there is the prophecy that God will bring them back: Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. "You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the aliens who have settled among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. In whatever tribe the alien settles, there you are to give him his inheritance," declares the Sovereign LORD. Unfortunately, the State of Israel bears no resemblance to the above, so maybe today is not the time God intended to fullfill his prophecy.

Obama is "sucking up" to the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Congress is "sucking up" to AIPAC + Co, AIPAC is "sucking up" to right-wing Israel, right-wing Israel is "sucking up" to the ideology of expansive Zionism.... ....which would bring us straight to the root of the problem today. The misguided ideology of expansive Zionism wasn't always the only main hurdle to peace in the past.... ....but it surely has become the main hurdle to peace in the ME today. Not the slightest doubt about that.

Mr Levy seems to forget the purpose of politics. So long as the US scolds Israel, Israelis will not back their proposal for concessions. Clinton's actions are necessary to move this freak-show process along. Furthermore, Mr Levy's friend Aluf Benn wrote a terrific article asking the Obama administration to come to Israel, and speak to Israelis.

This was a brave and entirely correct article. Israel's belief that they are simply entitled to anything they want is losing them many of their strongest allies, who simply can't accept this any more. Israel cannot survive without significant US support. By withholding support on several fronts, the US could make Israeli minds change quite rapidly. Let's hope Rahm Emanuel reads this and that Pres Obama has the balls to take some hard steps. Israel needs this to happen for their own good. Well done Mr Levy.

.... and Israel will not be in existence within 5 years. That is the justice that Gideon Levy at worst secretly wishes for, and at best scenario foolishly lacks the vision to realize will be the outcome of his alternative views. Peace, Sallaam, shalom, but one forged with intelligence, and an understanding of the holistic facts on the ground. Gideon just lacks the larger vision. Shame so many talk-backers here in Haaretz agree with him.

Mr. Levy, I think you're absolutely right, but unfortunatelly, Israelis can't take constructive criticism. You can't say anything wrong about them because you're an anti semite. But I hope you do send a copy of your article to everyone you can in the U.S. government, to the press secretary in the White House...everyone. I really think you should, because you need to be heard. Hope you don't get tired of saying what you think, even if those who should hear you can't.

The total identification of this particular columnist with the enemies of Israel , the inability to understand in any way the actual threats Israel faces, the repeated rantings and accusations against all kinds of Israelis even those in the 'peace camp' indicate that there is a problem here beyond the rational and political. The real question is why he is given the space to do this in spite of it being an economically suicidal step.

Listen up, America! Tell Obama he's barking up the wrong tree for peace. This tree has not, and never will yield the fruits of peace unless it is shaken, and shaken hard. Sanctions now!

So, what are you suggesting? That the U.S. bomb Israel? That's what it sounds like. I think you need to leave the country and move to Europe Mr. Levy. This place doesn't seem to suit you anymore.

If we want to deal in fantasy, lets have hamas and fatah make peace within the Palestinian enclaves before they embark on statehood. How can a nation be divided into two and function as one?Let there be democratic free elections in the territories and Gaza and see if the Palestinians can function with each other before they embark on grandiose plans while plotting to take over.

Given the bonehead acceptance by the US of Israel ignoring its Roadmap responsibility, US credibility is blown shy high. The US has set the precedent of acceptance of being lied to openly. There is not even a wink involved. The Palestinians have no reason to trust US intentions. Neither have the North Koreans or Iranians or Pakistanis or Afghans or Iraqis anymore. This latest move is far worse than just appearing to suck up to the Government of Israel. Wat to Go Hillary! You've just blown the credibility of the entire Obama foreign policy!

Israel you should treasure this wise man. He speaks the truth, and the truth is the only thing that will set you free and bring you peace. Shalom, Gideon!

As usuall Gideon Levy didn't get it, the problem is the Arabs, not wgat Levy called "occupation*

It takes two to negotiate, and an atmosphere that it is meaningful. Neither side believes that, and Gideon championing the Palestinians has become a tiresome monotonic wail. It's easy to criticize your own people in a free society. How about going to live in Gaza and interview the masses and see what's going on there, and print it in their local paper. Hah. They'd turn you into shishkabob. The Palestinians want to turn the clock back, the Israeli's are trying to push it foward for their own benefit. Both need to meet in the present, and Levy's propaganda doesn't help anyone but the extremists on both sides.

In any other country, an article like this would be considered as incitment. Gidon Levy! You are a real Israel (Jew) hater! You are repeating the same mantra as the Arabs, "ocupation". What Ocupation? What is Israel ocupying? The teritories which the world calls West Bank, is at best "disputed teritories". Jordan atacked Israel in 1967. Remember? I do. I was there. I was in IDF then. And Israel won. Is that wrong? should Israel rather lose? Would you like that? Jordan gave up the West Bank. They didnt want it anymore. So who is Israel ocupying? The Arabs who live in the West Bank are Jordanian citizen. And they have a country. So what do you want from Israel? Give the West Bank to these Arabs? Why? So that they shall atack Israel again? By the way, where were you Gidon during the 1967 Six Day War? Where were you hiding? And you Haaretz! Why are you publishing his incitement against your own country? How much money are you getting from the Arabs that you can be so treacherous? Shame

We lulled ourselves into thinking that Obama would be different from Bush; he simply talks nicer. He was put in the White House by the same establishment that put Bush there, so what to expect? If JC were to come back to try to bring peace, he would still fail. Gideon Levy is crucifying the wrong person.

SAM: "The gap would close suddenly if the Palestinians would accept 2 countries for 2 nations." The two (supposed) negotiating partners happen to be: 1) The head of the PLO 2) The head of Likud The head of the PLO accepted "2 countries for 2 nations" in a letter to the Prime Minister of Israel in 1993 (without a reciprocal "acceptance", I'll point out). The head of Likud finally accepted "2 countries for 2 nations" in...... 2009, and there is not a single person who heard that speech who believed he meant it. Or, in short: it took a further 15 years to DRAG from Netanyahu's lips the same "acceptance" that was given by Arafat in 1993, and yet YOU have the chutzpah to attempt to reverse history.

Sigh, Simply more standard rhetoric from Gideon Levy, a pro-Palestinian lobbyist who gets his salary not from Fatah or Hamas, but from Ha'aretz. How the management still tolerates his lobbying as an excuse for journalism is stupifying. What Levy needs to write is the truth: Palestine of 2009 is a spoiled child, arrogant and condescending, convinced that it deserves more billions in handouts and more immunity from international laws, and that it has the power to make a fool of America and the world. The Left Wing has engendered this situation, which endangers the entire Mideast and the Palestinians themselves. That is why there needs to be a turning point in the coming year - Gideon Levy needs to finally say no to the Palestinians and their war crimes they call "legitimate right to resist the occupation". An unambiguous, Gideon Levy no to Palestinian war crimes against Israel.

Sigh, Simply more standard rhetoric from Gideon Levy, a pro-Palestinian lobbyist who gets his salary not from Fatah or Hamas, but from Ha'aretz. How the management still tolerates his lobbying as an excuse for journalism is stupifying. What Levy needs to write is the truth: Palestine of 2009 is a spoiled child, arrogant and condescending, convinced that it deserves more billions in handouts and more immunity from international laws, and that it has the power to make a fool of America and the world. The Left Wing has engendered this situation, which endangers the entire Mideast and the Palestinians themselves. That is why there needs to be a turning point in the coming year - Gideon Levy needs to finally say no to the Palestinians and their war crimes they call "legitimate right to resist the occupation". An unambiguous, Gideon Levy no to Palestinian war crimes against Israel.

Mr Levy! How can you get everything so completely wrong. Your opinions seem to be completely confused. This is the Land of the Jewish people. The Jewish people have eternal rights to the Land of Israel. It was occupied and then LIBERATED in 1967. With such arrogance and brazenness you trample on the Jewish State. The Land of Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people, it belongs to the Creator of the World. He decides to whom to give it. Not you, not the UN, not the USA, not EU or any other country. Get your act together and improve you knowledge the history of the Jewish people.

I want to see the Palestinians thrive too, but to place the blame solely on Israel is foolish and ignorant of the facts. This kind of article does nothing but polarize the populace, the very thing it claims it is trying to undue. The bottom line is simple... it takes two to tango. Even if I have a completely different opinion on an issue with my wife, we still find harmony and find a way to live together. There is no one single issue that can keep us from being in unity in our marriage. The same is true of any negotiations. The reason there is no resolution is because there is nothing but excuses and preconditions. These will only bring failure.

A part of the Israeli intelligentsia, left oriented, is no longer confident of the nation?s right to its own Jewish identity. This has created a dangerous vacuum. In Israeli universities, revisionist historians have told corrosive lies about their country?s history, portraying it as having been born in sin. In the schools, children have not been taught Jewish history and parrot Arab disinformation instead. Israeli left oriented intellectuals would rather self-flagellate their public and ?admit? sins they never committed, and furnish intellectual rationalizations for the most convoluted arguments raised by their adversaries, rather than take up their country?s defense even when its conduct is beyond reproach as explained at : http://xrl.us/bi5da

Of course Gideon is absolutely right.

U all are against Israel. I am against the occupation BUt supposingwhat the Arabs all over the world want what most European leftisits want ! The destruction of the state of Israel?? If that is what they want U here should be beheaded first with your families because that is what they still do in Saudi Arabia and Iran. Supposing they want alll of Israel, what then Geniuses? So, how do we find out what they really want? when they send us all to the gas chambers again!

what are u smoking?? the issue is not the land but the wish of the majority of Arabs to wipe out the Jews. Soon u will see what they intend to do in Europe. it's only a matter of time. Iran is the exampleof Saudi Arabia and the Plestinians. You state "the world loves the jews" what are u smoking ? Europe has acquiesced to the killing of 6,000,000 innocent peaceful jews and now have 20,000,000 Arabs whose religion teaches them to "KILL THE INFIDELS" so wake up before they get u and your family but leave Israel alone!!

...if he just limited every column to the same three words: IT'S ISRAEL's FAULT." Seriously, it doesn't matter the topic, from Iran, to the economy, to the cancellation of your favorite drama, levy will always explain why IT's ISRAEL's FAULT. Of course, like most of his ilk, Levy infantalizes the Palestinians, treating them like hapless children.The fact remains that the Palestinians are the group given special treatment in the world. The current conflict is moving into its second century. Where is the world saying to the Arabs -- you lost. Deal with it. Make the best deal you can. Be glad you're not negotiating with the Syrians. Move on. That would end this conflict.

The world do not love Jews but only "oppressed Jew"...we will manage without that kind of love!Thank you! and Gideon Levy is not worth an answer..

Sometimes you got a friend with bad music band, but you say - "Yes, you play good!". So, when they climb a stage to play the audiense says - "This band sucks!". Yes, USA is the worst zions friends. Israel sucks! Maybe zions gonna realize it to late...

"Before no other country on the planet does the United States kneel and plead like this. In other trouble spots, America takes a different tone. It bombs in Afghanistan, invades Iraq and threatens sanctions against Iran and North Korea. Did anyone in Washington consider begging Saddam Hussein to withdraw from occupied territory in Kuwait?" 1) America kneels down to no one 2) Israeli is an ally of the US, opposed to Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea or Iran 3) What led to the occupation of Kuwait was an aggressive act in part of Iraq. What led to the occupation of the territories was an aggressive act by the Arabs against the State of Israel. It just a few sentences, one can already find loads of flaws in the drivel written by Gideon Levy. No wonder the left is dead in Israel.

Think of your COUNTRY first.

The US has traditionally been a strong supporter of Israel based on a variety of factors, including the perception that Israel was working toward a two-state solution; a perception that a growing number of Americans are starting to lose. Simultaneously, Israeli voices have grown increasingly shrill and disparaging, and many of those voices now openly insult America, Americans in general, and American Jews in particular. Plus Americans no longer get their information only from the mainstream media, now having ever-widening access to facts and opinions put out on the Internet. Lots of stuff at work here, folks.

Levy has it 100% correct. A little tough love, including a trip to the woodshed for Israeli politicians, is long overdue. If that's not enough, pulling the plug on military aid might do it. If that's not enough, ceasing to run interference in the U.N. might do it. Obama has options. He just needs the balls to use them.

This is a great article. Protecting Israel from the consequences of its actions has greatly damaged Israel, the US and the entire world. There is no more polarizing issue in world affairs. Many more have been killed in Sudan, but nothing divides people like Israeli-Palestinian issues. The enormity of the routine abuse of over 3 million people on a daily basis for decades is unique and abhorrent in the extreme, even before consideration of the war crimes. Nowhere else in the world have so many people been abused so badly for so long. Yet, the US continues to defend Israel unconditionally. At first, I thought Obama was different, but he has backed down so far, I'm starting to wonder if he has a spine.

...there'll be hell to pay for it.

The most honest Gideon Is correct as always.I say move all the settlers out, move the palestinians in, on condition that accept the state of Israel ,offer incentives to bordering countrys for peace also try to find a way to give the golan heights the Pal refugees,maybe some sort of trade agreement to help ease Pal suffering and a few shekels to apease. Israel needs to survive at all costs.I think if Israel did this the world would do anything to advance Israel.The world loves Jews and hates oppression.

Is that all you've got? Can't convince Israelis to have it your way? The Americans have determined that it is up to the parties to work things out. They can't because the gap is too large. The gap would close suddenly if the Palestinians would accept 2 countries for 2 nations. Try repeating that line instead of treating Palestinians like helpless children.