Im Tirtzu hides behind respectable mask of 'Zionism'

Zionism respectable? Not according to 90% of the decent people in this world.

There is one minor(okay, major)flaw in your post. That quote was a public quote designed to mislead the rest of the world in regard to his and the Zionist movement's true intentions. His true intentions were exposed when the private communications between him and other members of the Zionist movement were published for the world to see in the book "Expulsion of the Palestinians:The Concept of Transfer in Zionist Political Thought". Read it before you try to dispute what is in it!

Lestist NGOs represent fascism and anti-Semitism responsible for attacks on and death of Jews around the world. They motivations are very primitive: making money and political face based on street-popular approcah to ME problems.

Israel for this people should be elegant and just at the same time the terrorists are tryng to destroy her in all fronts, shame.

By all extant law and definition the only WAR CRIME(s) to have occurred were the deliberate, incessant firing of rockets (their crudity is NOT the question) at civilians, only, in a part of old Israel that has never been under "occupation". The non=stop bleat of "war crimes" is easy to sustain in a UN controlled by tyrant, repressive regimes in which a majority can be found at any time to diplomatically isolate Israel while no majority can ever be found to stop those who wish Israel to cease to exist.

Thank you for the magnificent article -- this is journalism a la Emile Zola. Thank you for standing up to the ugly face of fascism.

The left loves to hit and criticise everybody and everything, but once they got a counter-attack, they start with the old "repression, fascism" whinning...

the answers given. You do not like Zamir criticising the way informal discussion and hearsay was distorted made into fact do you?

"promoted to major despite refusing to guard settlers" You think that is commensurate with noting 'possible' war crimes against Gazans?

You are kidding are you? Try reading Petra, Peter sm,Dr brnd, etc, etc!

and combattants out of uniform can be executed. Quoting one incident as indicative of the whole war speaks for itself. Goldstone report acknowleged that Hamas fighters did not wear uniforms then made some feeble excuse for it.

Major Zamir who criticised the media hype over the use/abuse soldiers private observations was promoted to major despite refusing to guard settlers.Is that what you call ruined carreer? Or awarding golden wings by the Air Force to another objector? Time you people stopped denigrating as a matter of course and hoping to get away with half a story.

Here in Haaretz daily,accademics,Mk's,endless anti Israel diatribes by posters? Is that what was allowed under Mc Carty? Many thousands make Israel their home yearly,you sure they are hanging out for you?

Here in Haaretz daily,accademics,Mk's,endless anti Israel diatribes by posters? Is that what was allowed under Mc Carty? Many thousands make Israel their home yearly,you sure they are hanging out for you?

and can think for themselves thank you. It is about time someone says it as it is. The left is all for free speech as long as it is not against them. World Jewry should know exactly what the New Israel Fund does and can make up their own mind whether to support them. Hiding behind false information is not possible anymore.

Gideon Levy, that is called "projection". You are the one hiding behind the respectable mask of "Zionism".

All the non-circumcision of males and clitoral circumcision of females in Africa leads to these people having sexual intercourse with the female bent over her knees and the male in a dominant "riding" position behind her. No joke, but that arrangment leads to an increased event of anal-penetration which leads to an increased event of venerial disease. Point being don't be racist just make sure everybody is getting circumcised and this will work out in your favor.

As long as tax-paying Israeli Arabs and thier Knesset representatives are denied the same rights and priveleges as "white" Israelis, the system is going to be all screwed up. Israelis have enjoyed darker skin pigmentation during biblical times (Moses was black based on any modern definition, you would have asked him to break off a freestlye in your airport. Look at his brother Ahmoses whose mummy is still accessible to researchers in Cairo if you're not going to take my word for it) And lighter skin pigmentation in the modern era. This is what makes you Gods favorite people; You're faith in him remained strong through extreme tribulation. Anyway circumcision encourages "missionary style" intercourse which is more enjoyable becasue the "corona" of the penis is exposed and is also more stimulating to the clitoris. This makes "white" people. In the blackest jungles of Africa the males are uncircumsised and the females are subject to clitoral circumcision.

The Israeli response was delayed to fit the window between US presidents. It was not an attempt to displace Hamas as that could have been done earlier with US approval. This was collective punishment, a terrorist strike on infrastructure designed solely to create further hardship on a captive population. That is a war crime.

"Man kann doch nicht arme, arabische Bauern von der Scholle treiben ... Ich nehme mir vor, auch an die Fellachen zu denken, wenn ich einmal die Macht habe." Herzl did not want to get rid of the existing population anymore but he still wanted to take the power in the country first and think about the arabic farmers later. Although in 1900 in Europe this was accepted behavior, now in 2010 the same ideas would be considered morally totally unacceptable. Still I doubt Herzl would accept what "Im Tirtzu" is doing with his dream.

After having read your vitriolic posts for a while, only those who are already converted will listen to you.

if you seem to hate so much about Israeli politics,its government,its policies,its people's attitudes, why do you stay? If you find things so repugnant,why not go,perhaps join Labharas in Ireland or Colin Wright & Natalie Durson in California or Swiss Dino on the top of an Alp and co-author your anti-Israel manifestos from there.And please don't tell me you stay because you want to make Israel a better place,if you truly believe that you have deluded yourself with your sense of self-importance, you influence no one there.You should, however, have some shame in knowing that your fanatical rantings appeal only to the Jew haters who post here daily,offering them red meat for their bigotry.

What's the latest "uniform" fashion for the CIA and MOSSAD. Another question, how many "terrorists" are paid by MOSSAD and CIA (Western taxpayer money)? AND how many fake "terrorists" are really MOSSAD? Take a look at the following: WHATREALLYHAPPENED.com "Fake Al Qaeda" (nice photo as well) http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/fakealqaeda.html thepeoplesvoice.org "When They Say 'Saudi-Backed, Anti-Iranian,' Think CIA. Think Mossad" http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/TPV3/Voices.php/2009/10/25/when-they-say-a-8220-sa

It has already been called a crime in Britain when Moslems yelled abuse at returning British soldiers, Wilders got expelled due to Moslem riot threats. Only Israel bashing is acceptable in Israel and elsewhere.

stretches your credibility that is your affair. Even the head of the military school urged caution,to say te least,about the" breaking the silence" claims. It is interesting how funding for Palestinians leftists and anti Israel NGO's from EU taxpayers is avoided.

it was always the intention of Herzl and every zionist since to drive out the arabs in 'greater isreal' from nile to euphrates---so when was ethnic cleansing and mass murder to attain it repectible?

Your method was already recognized long before by John Strawson, who noted how the "use of selective quotations from right wing Zionists is not balanced by quotations from left wing Zionists." More broadly, Strawson notes the simplistic criticism of Zionism follows the path noted by Edward Said in his criticism of Orientalists: "First you essentialise the category you are dealing with and then you select who will speak for it...The result is a construction which does violence to complex realities. One-dimensional Zionism is as misleading as one-dimensional Islam" (Strawson). Enough of this one-dimensional thought on Talkback already.

I have never read a single positive word about Israel from you,you are full of negativity. No wonder the anti-Israel rabble ragtag and bobtail love you.

Dorothy, you are one brainwashed dudette who has yet to cull facts from fiction. you simple statement:Israeli terrorism and fascism when it comes to the conflict with Palestinians and Muslims- demonstrates a simplisitic and factless diatribe against the reality of the mideast. You are a bleeding heart liberal who cries for the wrong reasons. knowledge and honesty would never enable you to enter your special book of untruths. keep up the bad work. It shows how little you know. You are an insult to every proud Jew in the world.

he is blinded by his own levels of bigotry and self-hating Jew baiting antics. He has no eyeholes in his mask to see more than his own warped, non-jewish perspective. his cheerleaders are the Jewhaters of the world and his ilk who masquerade as 'friends of Israel" We know what happened when 'friends like these' created Oslo, and kept dictating terms to Israel and not to any arab country. They are the destroyers of Judaism and Israel as we know it. Kudos to im tirzu for opening the eyes of the righteous world in its battle against leftist evil. Mr. Levy, your horn is also growing between your eyes and like ms. chazan, your days of goring Israel and boring us will soon come to a close.

The left is allowed to criticize anyone. But no one is allowed to criticize the left. Freedom of speech works in both directions, Mr. Levy. So stop taking about furthering democracy and human rights when you clearly do not care about those things. You are not better than ultraorthodox Israelis who claim their point of view is God's word and is as such immune from criticism. The left's motive is apparently not democracy and human rights, but dictatorship

What a narrative:" The prison guards were released among their captives and caused 1400 deaths. The rampage was only curtailed by the curtain rising on the next act" Amazing: No mention of Hamas guns and rockets; no mention of the anti-tank shells. No, not in this pice of fiction you write. Where do you get off with this nonsense that the Hamas fighters were innocent sitting ducks somehow (figuratively) there only to be sacrificied to their israeli tormentors. There are great laws for free speech. Wonder why there aren't any for ridiculous speech.

the prison guards were released among their captives and caused 1400 deaths. The rampage was only curtailed by the curtain rising on the next act. But the muted drums can still be heard rolling out the excuses for the next attack.

I had never heard of the organization or its activities until I read the Ha'aretz articles yesterday and today. My immediate reaction was to donate money to Im Tirzu. More power to them!

But at least I recognised a fake when I saw one. The other Der, Dat is. As for psm---he is busy between postS trolling the net for the content of his next post. He should try reading the Goldstone report---it is on the net. Thanks for your observations.

gideon livy is right.Israel is a "maccarthyte" facist country,hiding behing Theodor Herzel's motto,with all the problems he enumerated...He's right...He should run away from such a nasty country with its nasty people...He's welcome here in Brazil where the "progressive" brilliant minds like his shine in the sun of wisdom...and we need to feed the piranas and the aliigators with trash like him...

one item. I am pointing to the obvious continuity in Zionist thinking. From Gurion in 1937 to the Likud charter of today. I have provided you with samples of this expulsionist mindset. It is a seamless element and Netanyahu is the latest torch carrier. That you choose to ignore it is your problem. You are in an ever decreasing minority. As Oscar wilde might say. ""Ignorance is a rare exotic fruit; touch it, and the bloom, has gone."

The reason why Jpost fired Naomi hazan was becuse she threated to sue the paper: The Jerusalem Post has canceled Naomi Chazan?s biweekly column, after she and the New Israel Fund of which she is president threatened legal action against the paper over a recent advertisement. So, where is freedom of press, if a paper cannot advertise something that opposes a journalist's views? Pravda and manufactured reality is where Mr Levy comes from.

You can too with an online donation at fundisrael.org

yes b'tselem is a very important part of the Israeli democracy , and so is the NIF , but i think that the centrist parties haste to condemn and witch hunt them is a result of the lack of similar liberal parties in palestinian side, or even in the arab world at large. And whether we like it or not we are at war with world. Peace is not a lull in violence , but rather clar respect of the other. the centrist parties feel the need to protect Israel and use pragmatism in order to advocate their position. like AMOZ OZ said radicalism from both sides are dangerous, even if the intent is only to fight radicalism from the other side.

der zauferburg is the former Der Zweifler. Easy to spot the difference between these and Peter. Der's 'both' are academic[s] and will quote ad nauseum from this and that book as if in footnote mode from start to finish of post. Peter on the other hand retains his own identity and is hardly an academic. He will quote whole passages from the web, but has rarely if ever quoted anything from a book or publication unavailable on line. Be my guest, look back at Der Zweifler's posts-and I defy you to match them up with Peter's posts. As chalk is to cheese.

Israel is no longer a light unto nations nor does it resemble Ben Gurion's Israel anymore. It is a nation where anyone who dares question the treatment of the Palestinians, the Israeli government, the actions of the IDF, or supports a settlement freeze and a two State solution is branded an enemy of Israel, an anti-semite, a self hater, who should be imprisoned or deported. A democracy does not behave this way and more and more Israel is morphing into a clone of Putin's Russia. Israel did not become the country it is by suppressing freedom of speech, expression, and thought and by descending into darkness the Israel of today is losing its soul where all critics are disparaged and calls for war against its neighbors prevail.

Fascism in positive terms, can you help? I know it is working against democratic values as one man one vote, free speech and divided powers between executive power and justice for example. So it is against a lot but how can you define it positively?

and the bi national state of eire and ulster! doesnt work does it labarse ? your dreams for israel will become your nightmare !

Again, Morris, whom you cited, states that "both movements entered the mid-1940s with an expulsionist element in their ideological baggage. Among Zionists it was a minor and secondary element...transfer or expulsion was never adopted by the Zionist movement" (1948: First Arab-Israeli War, 2008, p. 407). "By contrast, expulsionist thinking, and, where it became possible, behavior, characterized the mainstream of the Palestinian national movement since its inception" (ibid., p. 408). Simply collecting quotes from historical figures is not research, Labhras; examining arguments and facts in historical scholarship and quoting from them is.

der zauferburg is the former Der Zweifler. Easy to spot the difference between these and Peter. Der's 'both' are academic[s] and will quote ad nauseum from this and that book as if in footnote mode from start to finish of post. Peter on the other hand retains his own identity and is hardly an academic. He will quote whole passages from the web, but has rarely if ever quoted anything from a book or publication unavailable on line. Be my guest, look back at Der Zweifler's posts-and I defy you to match them up with Peter's posts. As chalk is to cheese.

Hello Avshalom Beni... What a beautiful post you managed to write. In the face of so much grandiosity, pandemonium and vile-rhetoric coming from all sides of the spectrum... I simply like to acknowledge how much I appreciate your post. In particular, the first two sentences of your post. It make someone like myself, who grew up in Kiryat Motzkin as a child, proud to see there are Israelis [no... simple human beings], that posses what it actually takes to resurrect what Israel was mean to be. I like you hope... one day soon, Israelis and Palestinians can forgive each other's violence and atrocities. Peace on to you... Avshalom Beni

Morris, whom you cite, states very clearly, that "the Yishuv and its military forces did not enter the 1948 war, which was initiated by the Arab side, with a policy or plan of expulsion" (Middle East Quarterly, Spring 2005). What Ben Gurion actually did during the war was most important, like refuse to take the West Bank, which you find it convenient to ignore. Again, if you want just to rely on selective quoting: "This will be a war of extermination." Who said that? Hint: it was not a Zionist. By the way, I am not PSM; I am in the American Midwest, but when did accuracy ever concern you?

in a time of war attacking yr own side is not gd.we have been at war since'48.nations that havent signed peace with us are still at war-so why make war on ourselves?im prepared to be critical and respect amos oz and maybe some others at nif-but they need to accept criticism as well as give it.goldstone may have been grossly unjust.its a difficult line but id be happier if they criticised arabs at least equally and more wld be truer for lack of freedom,crimes v humanity etc. it just isnt an even playingfield otherwise. regards. ark ps i dont know im tirzu and i dont endorse any and every christian zionist move.its our business,not theirs.

turned up the following. "ne day after the UN vote to partition Palestine, Menachem Begin, the commander of the Irgun gang and Israel's future Prime Minister between 1977-1983, proclaimed: "The Partition of Palestine is illegal. It will never be recognized .... Jerusalem was and will for ever be our capital. Eretz Israel will be restored to the people of Israel. All of it. And for Ever." (Iron Wall p. 25) * ""Shamir has said Israel must keep the territories in order to accommodate the immigrants. "A great aliyah [immigration]," he said, "requires a Greater Israel."(5) He has insisted that, although Soviet Jews are not being directed to the territories, any Jew has the right to live anywhere in the land of Israel, which for most Israelis includes the territories. Want more psm---hiding behind fake names---coward.

". Later in the. 1948 War, after the pan-Arab attack, it was Ben-Gurion who declined permission to seize the West Bank when Israel had the opportunity to do so (Gorenberg, Accidental Empire, 2006, p. 17)." psm really----here he is in april 1948???. " In a speech addressing the Zionist Action Committee on April 6, 1948, Ben-Gurion clearly stated that war could be used as an instrument to solve the so called "Arab demographic problem". He stated: "We will not be able to win the war if we do not, during the war, populate upper and lower, eastern and western Galilee, the Negev and Jerusalem area, even if only in an artificial way, in a military way. . . . I believe that war will also bring in its wake a great change in the distribution of [Palestinian] Arab population." (Benny Morris, p. 181 & Expulsion Of The Palestinians, p. 181) You were saying psm. Hiding behind fake names---coward.

". Later in the. 1948 War, after the pan-Arab attack, it was Ben-Gurion who declined permission to seize the West Bank when Israel had the opportunity to do so (Gorenberg, Accidental Empire, 2006, p. 17)." psm really----here he is in april 1948???. " In a speech addressing the Zionist Action Committee on April 6, 1948, Ben-Gurion clearly stated that war could be used as an instrument to solve the so called "Arab demographic problem". He stated: "We will not be able to win the war if we do not, during the war, populate upper and lower, eastern and western Galilee, the Negev and Jerusalem area, even if only in an artificial way, in a military way. . . . I believe that war will also bring in its wake a great change in the distribution of [Palestinian] Arab population." (Benny Morris, p. 181 & Expulsion Of The Palestinians, p. 181) You were saying psm. Hiding behind fake names---coward.

You want to compare Israel with the arab societies? Fine. Here's one major difference: Israel claims / pretends to be a modern democracy. Israel's arab neighbors do not. If Israel wants the benefits of being a democracy, then Israel will also have to accept the obligations that come with the title, such as respecting basic human rights. So far, Israel is failing miserably.

SURE, meretz can be saved by putting back a secular logic into it. the core demand must be to educate and spread non violence political, social, and theological ideals in the arab world. let us see the rise of wise and non violent arab iranian somali pakistani leaders meretz can not continue a peace industry without paing the road of non violence in ramallah and gaza city

Let's examine: He lauds 'Soldiers Speak Out' for their brave defense of IDF actions in Cast Lead for which they will be warmly thanked by one and all especially those who command them and serve with them in the IDF. Whilst he condemns those souls from `Breaking the Silence` who have yet to ruin their lives and careers and the lives of their families by revealing their identities for daring to speak out against IDF actions in Cast Lead [and the OT's more generally]. He ignores the fact that the group has stated that witnesses will indeed reveal their identities if and only if an independent inquiry is undertaken and not an IDF whitewashing witch hunt.Never mind the details though, eh Peter? Is PSM credulous or just inept. I wonder. He might check out the depths to which the occupation plumbs by reading another more recent ensemble of the accounts of female members of the IDF serving in the West Bank and at the border posts. It gives a whole new meaning to 'finding the feminine side' in the Israeli zoo that is the occupation: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3841480,00.html

to witnesses in Israel, the West Bank and refused to attend. "Only Goldstone could have walked away with one a sided argument and not announced he had depositions that he would use. If he had any interest in balance he would have approached groups who openly signed their names "psm End of story. Responsibility for Israel,s troubles begins some 70 years ago when Ben Gurion made the following statement and every one of his successors signed on to the plan and acted accordingly. "In 1938, Ben-Gurion made it clear of his support for the "Jewish state" on part of Palestine was only as a stepping ground for a complete conquest. He wrote: "[I am] satisfied with part of the country, but on the basis of the assumption that after we build up a strong force following the establishment of the state--we will abolish the partition of the country and we will expand to the whole Land of Israel." (Expulsion Of The Palestinians, p. 107 & One Palestine Complete, p. 403)

Since you are fond of Ben-Gurion quotes, here is one you did not include. Ben-Gurion told his party members: "In our state there will be non-Jews as well -- and all of them will be equal citizens; equal in everything without exception; that is: the state will be their state as well" (quoted in Karsh, Middle East Quarterly, Spring 2005). Does that mean there were no wrongs done to Palestinian Arabs in the 1948 War and after by Zionists? No. There were many wrongs on both sides, but you are systematically distorting the Zionist side.

when the centre right calls them to account? The pendulum has swung and the days of tolerating NIF funded "human rights" fifth columnists is over. So stop moaning and get real. NIF might learn something from being in this unwelcome spotlight and maybe put a bit of funding towards human rights organisations that SUPPORT Israel, but hey, thats not so fashionable, right?

Note the last two -sound familiar. "1937, March 2 Arabs killed on Bat-Yam beach. [11] 1937, November 14 10 Arabs killed by Irgun units launching attacks around Jerusalem, ("Black Sunday") [12][13] 1938, April 12 2 Arabs and 2 British policemen were killed by a bomb in a train in Haifa. [13] 1938, April 17 1 Arab was killed by a bomb detonated in a cafe in Haifa [13] 1938, May 17 1 Arab policeman was killed in an attack on a bus in the Jerusalem-Hebron road. [13] 1938, May 24 3 Arabs were shot and killed in Haifa. [13] 1938, June 23 2 Arabs were killed near Tel-Aviv. [13] 1938, June 26 7 Arabs were killed by a bomb in Jaffa. [13] 1938, June 27 1 Arab was killed in the yard of a hospital in Haifa. [13] 1938, June (late) Unspecified number of Arabs killed by a bomb that was thrown into a crowded Arab market place in Jerusalem. [14] 1938, July 5 7 Arabs were killed in several shooting attacks in Tel-Aviv. [13] 1938, July 5 3 Arabs were killed by a bomb detonated in a bus in Jerusalem.

Try some more research. The Yishuv fought the first part of the 1948 War, the civil war with the Palestinian Arabs, purely defensively at first; "Ben-Gurion instructed that only property, not people, be hit" (Morris, 1948: The First Arab-Israeli War, 2008, p. 99). The Yishuv nearly lost early on this way until they switched from "pure defense to active defense with response and punishment" (ibid.). Later in the. 1948 War, after the pan-Arab attack, it was Ben-Gurion who declined permission to seize the West Bank when Israel had the opportunity to do so (Gorenberg, Accidental Empire, 2006, p. 17).

as does the Likud charter and statements by "all" previous Israeli leaders going right back to Ben Gurion long before 5 Arab Armies alledgedly attacked the nascent State. Her are three examples " In 1938, Ben-Gurion made it clear of his support for the "Jewish state" on part of Palestine was only as a stepping ground for a complete conquest. He wrote: "[I am] satisfied with part of the country, but on the basis of the assumption that after we build up a strong force following the establishment of the state--we will abolish the partition of the country and we will expand to the whole Land of Israel." (Expulsion Of The Palestinians, p. 107 & One Palestine Complete, p. 403) * One day after the UN vote to partition Palestine, Menachem Begin, the commander of the Irgun gang and Israel's future Prime Minister between 1977-1983, proclaimed: "The Partition of Palestine is illegal. It will never be recognized .... Jerusalem was and will for ever be our capital. Eretz Israel will be restored to the people of Israel. All of it. And for Ever." (Iron Wall p. 25) * ""Shamir has said Israel must keep the territories in order to accommodate the immigrants. "A great aliyah [immigration]," he said, "requires a Greater Israel."(5) He has insisted that, although Soviet Jews are not being directed to the territories, any Jew has the right to live anywhere in the land of Israel, which for most Israelis includes the territories.

as does the Likud charter and statements by "all" previous Israeli leaders going right back to Ben Gurion long before 5 Arab Armies alledgedly attacked the nascent State. Her are three examples " In 1938, Ben-Gurion made it clear of his support for the "Jewish state" on part of Palestine was only as a stepping ground for a complete conquest. He wrote: "[I am] satisfied with part of the country, but on the basis of the assumption that after we build up a strong force following the establishment of the state--we will abolish the partition of the country and we will expand to the whole Land of Israel." (Expulsion Of The Palestinians, p. 107 & One Palestine Complete, p. 403) * One day after the UN vote to partition Palestine, Menachem Begin, the commander of the Irgun gang and Israel's future Prime Minister between 1977-1983, proclaimed: "The Partition of Palestine is illegal. It will never be recognized .... Jerusalem was and will for ever be our capital. Eretz Israel will be restored to the people of Israel. All of it. And for Ever." (Iron Wall p. 25) * ""Shamir has said Israel must keep the territories in order to accommodate the immigrants. "A great aliyah [immigration]," he said, "requires a Greater Israel."(5) He has insisted that, although Soviet Jews are not being directed to the territories, any Jew has the right to live anywhere in the land of Israel, which for most Israelis includes the territories.

Are you really saying that Israel without b'tselem is not a democracy? Are you arguing that till then you were living in a fascist, militarist, racist etc dictatorship - hiding under the (respectable) mask of zionism? Good morning! Some have been saying just that for 60 years and have been branded traitors till now. Well Gideon, better later than never. Actually if I recall, all the political leaders were actually socialists during that period, and every dirty trick in the book was used to exclude right-wing politicians from power.

about foreign and taxpayer funding for groups you do not agree with whilst keeping shtum about outsiders including taxpayer,EU Holland etc funding of groups who share your views? Why do you omit the soldiers who spoke out publicly on TV and signed their names.Talk about censorship. Goldstone has done nothing for ethics except tied the hands of any group fighting against terrorists who hide and fire from ammongst civillians without wearing uniforms.

Or did they make sure there would be no counter arguments by not announcing their intentions to give their own versions. Only Goldstone could have walked away with one a sided argument and not announced he had depositions that he would use. If he had any interest in balance he would have approached groups who openly signed their names unlike the "breaking the silence" crowd who reported hearsay while "soldiers speak out" spoke out and signed their names" ^ IDF soldiers give testimonies to counter Gaza war crimes claims, Haaretz, July 16, 2009 ^ 'Breaking the Silence' vs. 'Soldiers Speak Out' on Cast Lead, Arutz 7, July 23, 2009

I just don't think your post was self-congratulatory enough, or distorted enough in its view of American Jews, some of whom are apparently among your best friends (where have I heard that one before?), but you have no problem presenting your Jewish friends' attitudes toward Israel when they do not agree with yours as devoid of individual nuance or reflection, just some uniform behavior of those who lack your incredible virtue and light. When you can stop reducing your friends' attitudes to the level of cattle and take into account the complexity of individuals with opinions different from your own, you will be ready to deal with the complexities of the ME conflict.

Seriously. Maybe Zionism was something else a long time ago, but today? What's the distinction?

defeated.Try reading the Hamas charter. Here is last weeks efforts. http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/ "Latest Offerings from the Religion of Peace "He who fights that Islam should be superior fights in Allah's cause" Muhammad, prophet of Islam 2010.02.05 (Helmand, Afghanistan) - Two civilians are incinerated by a Taliban roadside bomb. 2010.02.05 (Baramulla, India) - A civilian and local cop are murdered in a Mujahideen ambush. 2010.02.05 (Malakand, Pakistan) - A local soldier standing guard is gunned down in cold blood by Islamists. 2010.02.05 (Karachi, Pakistan) - About two dozen Shiites are blown to bits by Sunni bombers at two locations, one a hospital. 2010.02.05 (Karbalah, Iraq) - A barbaric Sunni double car-bombing against Shia pilgrims at a religious festival leaves at least forty dead. 2010.02.05 (Sopore, India) - Islamic terrorists approach a police checkpoint and open fire, killing a civilian and two officers. " HOW long do you think the world will put up with all this?

Being that Nomi Chazzan sued the JPost, attempting to curtail its right to free speech, it is absurd that her defenders try to use this democratic right to bolster her position now that the Post fired her. Chazzan is a believer in neither democracy nor free speech, except when it suits her political (and personal economic) agenda. The inquiry of NIF, Chazzan and the anti-Israel NGOs they nurse and coddle is long overdue. Viva democracy !

a shining example of propriety, a lamp of truth and justice, had fallen in battle. They lost their way: they became known for their brutal repression of the resident people. In the darkness there were no limits: truth became tyranny and justice became justification.

There were two ads one for NIF and one Against in the Jerusalem Post. Chazan and NIF decided to take Jerusalem Post to court for printing the truth about them.

Mr Levy! I will not get into slinging match with you about the virtues of NIF. I reserve my opinion. But how dare you using anti semitic language discribing the settlers as "..some bearded settler nutcase....! What bothers you, the beard or the "settler"? I wear a beard. So did my father, grandfather, my sons, sons in law etc. And I am proud of it.

As always, Gideon hits the mark. I am afraid the worst is yet to come in an Israel that becomes more disgusting and jingoistic everyday. Make aliyah to this?

I hate reading some of your editorials. And I sometimes despize myself even all the more for having to lower my head in acknowledgement and say "Amen", knowing deep inside that what you write is true. You see, Gideon I am one of those so called leftists who retreated into Holocaust Survivors,advocacy and help for the weaker populations in Israel, and yes, strongly into animal rescue, because I was so totally turned off by the Hamas, Hezbollah and Ahmad-in-jihad facist and militant Islamic hate ideology. But I failed to recognize that if the 40% of us (the Jewish liberal left) remain dormanrt in our incapacity to face the emergeant realities around us, then we will ultimately become just like those we fear most. The NIF is indeed a welcome wind of peace and reconciliation, and Naomi Chazan is to be to be admired for her courage and love for this country which indeed is in agony over its own soul. For those of us who claim we want true reconciliation and peace, now is the time to awaken.

When things don't go their way the left cries like spoiled children. They want freedom for their side but can't tolerate freedom for those they disagree with. Israel must break their power to vilify and limit Israel from defending Herself.

and caused great pain and suffering to the people there so that they would drive them from their homes and take them for themselves...

Ever heard of the Soviet Union ?

Rhinocirus is the most ugly animal in our planet, and of course there are many people in israel and around the world who are more ugly in shape and character!. Thank you Mr Levy for your insistence to ashieve democracy in your homeland because it is the most safe way to bring peace in this region. You are the leader of all people in the middle east who are thirsty for democracy, peace and human dignity.

Before you dice the israeli system of justice, how about comparing the arab societies and their freedoms to that of israel. I do not see or hear about many synagogues in arab countries and most of the christians are leaving muslim countries also...and churches throughout the muslim world are being attacked. Anyone wonder why. Israel may not be perfect but compared to islamic societies it must be heaven

israel is as good as it gets for now and hamas and iran plus the mass right of return demand of the palestinian people to their original ares is impossible right now.. Painful as is Europe and the Oil States must find temporary respite for the Congested Gaza area . Its a matter of one million people being decently resettled for ten years.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS! As an American, who believes in justice and has many Jewish friends, I am very often so very disappointed that so many of my Jewish friends, who are such good, kind, and loving people in so many ways, fall silent or actually support Israeli terrorism and fascism when it comes to the conflict with Palestinians and Muslims. Israel is their sacred cow, and they literally simply hang their heads and go silent when it's not possible to defend Israel's acts. This is greatly heart-breaking to me and diminishes my hope in humanity. You have helped restore it by standing up for Truth and by reminding me that there are many others, including Jews and Israelis, who are also doing so, even in the face of opposition and criticism from other Jews. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COURAGE. TRUTH IS LOVE.

1) The idealism of early Zionists was real and valuable. 2) The fatal flaw of Zionism is that those who tried to share their idealism were humans. Some other species might have carried it off. 3) The survival of Israel as a political entity depends on putting the idealism of Zionism entirely subservient to the values of Judaism. Israelis must be "Jews who would prefer their state to last" rather than "nationalists who would prefer their Judaism to survive". 4) Until Israelis accept responsibility for past mistakes, as Israelis (or Zionists), and not as Jews, they will not have national credibility. They will continue to be seen as a semi-delusional gang. 5) The utter lack of morality, on the part of Israeli leadership, is understandable in the context of "politicians are politicians". However, the extreme lack of basic Jewish moral values among Israeli leaders makes it difficult for anyone to empathize with their nationalist plight.

Im Tirtzu has an unhealthy mix of nationalism, racism, and most importantly an ardent commitment to shoot the messengers of dissent. But I wonder why you didn't carry your argument a little further. Fascist states tend to fall apart. They get into wars they can't win and crumble. What will Israel's unwinnable war be? The final push for greater Israel? Or in an inward struggle, a purge of anyone who doesn't toe the line of the Israeli Ethnocracy.