In its 62nd year, Israel is in a diplomatic, security and moral limbo

This is a depressing thought, indeed. The Zionist dream has at least on this day, at least from the view of the editorial writer, withered to a state, as the article says, of limbo. No peace, no reconciliation, no clear way to move forward. Is this just the mood of the moment, or is it a reality that is rock-solid? Does disappointment with Netanyahu and Israeli leadership in general really leave the country in such a void, or is it the intersection of the day and the matsav. Things change, and sometimes rapidly, and, every now and then, for the better.

Congrats Israel with 62 birthday. Have a cake and a cookie. May your nowadays ways change to become the Israel again of the first 20 years that enlighted our spirits and warmed our hearts.

Suppose all out war breaks out in he ME that leads to disappearance of state of Israel (not Jews living here, but Israel as a political nation state), due to 'betrayal' in form of appeasement of USA as foremost external power in ME. Would it really satisfy you despite such an occurrence if you would know for certain that, let's say, in the (by Gentile calendar) year 3500 Jews once more manage to proclaim state of Israel where now is Israel and the USA has disappeared (has become province Western Han of Upper Han Empire for example). Winning does not make up for the horror of such a contest itself in my opinion. But maybe Jews really do think in terms of infinity. The question 'who wants to live forever no matter what' is normally used to point out death is not only negative and bad, but there could be some who answer positively in a serious manner. The universe is unmeasurable immense, strange and bizar after all.

happy Yom HaAtzmaut from Lima, Perú. May God Bless Israel. que Dios siga protegiendo a Israel y 1000 años mas para ERETZ YISRAEL, 1000 more years to our land. peace-shalom-salaam-paz KAUSACHUM ISRAIL!! (quechua) VIVA ISRAEL!! (spanish)

Because whether you care to admit it, Zionism is, by definition, an inward-looking ethnocentric anachronism, and that isn't going to change, it's only going to become more obvious as time goes on, and the world moves in one direction (multiculturalism, secularism, anti-racism), while Israel moves in another.

Cipora sorry to say but as much as what some of what you say is true, that shouldn't be the only picture you see. After all, all the empires you mentioned have fallen specifically because of the way they behaved. Israel will be no different. like it or not but if Israel keeps going the way it is then there's no doubt it will see an end eventually to the status quo (of Israel proper). Sure that soldiers and weapons can protect the country which is most specialised militarily in the whole region. But for how long? Look this could be a very lengthy debate but my point is that if Israel keeps isolating itself from the world and carry on what it's doing then the world will react accordingly and rightfully so. Yes ofcourse Jews went through the worst atrocities in history but that was in the 40's and it cannot be the justification, or even a connection, to what Israel is doing today. You cant condemn atrocities and then commit them to another ppl.

thanks to Netanyahu and Lieberman. IF the rest of the world has a problem with that, their problem, they have to come in terms with. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET 62! GROWING BETTER AND MORE BEAUTIFUL BY THE YEAR.

Unfortunately, the ideas expressed in this editorial are rooted in reality and the rational and intelligent interpretation of it. But take heed of one sub-textual fact emanating from this article: It is severely critical of Israel, yet freely published by an Israeli newspaper/ website which is soundly protected in Israel by law and the supreme court. Israeli democracy, with its extreme freedoms of accademy, speech, conscious and thought remains its most monumental achievement and this, unlike many of its other achievements, has not eroded with the years. While as an Israeli, I am troubled and ashamed by much of our conduct (including the occupation of the Palestinian people and the connection between religion and the state) I am immensely proud of our democracy; which is, still, after all, our most victorious achievement and advantage over our neighbouring societies.

All the worry about Iran, neighboring Arab countries, the US, etc. are totally irrelevant to the much greater question, how will Israeli Jews deal with the fact that they have created a new 'Greater Israel' in which they are only 50% of the population? All the city building on the West Bank and East Jerusalem has made the created of a viable second state for non-Jews impossible a long time ago. Thus Israeli Jews are being confronted with the Law of Unintended Consequences. They now have to decide if they want to treat the non-Jews like the White South Africans did for several generations before finally accepting the new country they, in their religious and political zeal, have created or if they will treat these non-Jews as equals. All other issues pale in comparison to this matter

A lot, if not most, of us still love and support Israel. God Bless!

...that "the destructive policy is always also selfdestructive"...(destructive= intended to discredit -whitout positive suggestions)...for all. As to the "ghetto". I know so many who leave Israel at least a coupletimes a year. The reason: to feel so often claustrofobic.In Israel you feel safe when you are alone (terrorists are not "interested") somewhere else you feel more safe in a crowd.

Having grown up a fervent supporter of Israel and all I believed it stood for, I have sadly become fervently anti-Israeli. The change has come over the last 40+ years as a result of watching Israel degenerate into something morally reprehensible. To speak of Israel as a ghetto is not accurate. They have created a ghetto in both Gaza and the West Bank. Their treatment of the Palestinians does have parallels to how they were treated by the Germans. I have noted that whenever those parallels are mentioned, the response is vehement. However, to confine a people to a specific area, control their movements, food supply, even humanitarian aid, to have collective punishment for an entire people, to assassinate at will without due process, is, to my mind and the minds of many others, the Warsaw Ghetto updated. I fear they have identified with their aggressors. Israel, has lost the moral high ground. At last someone from there has pointed that out. Thank you.

although israelis might be anxious, they are not depressed. they lead normal every day lives. there are many who have faith. the knowledge that there are those in america who are strong supporters is much appreciated.

I was touched, and deeply saddened by the "tone" of this editorial, and am wondering how broad-spread this depression is, throughout Israel. Nowhere in the article, or any of the responses do I find any sense that you are, since Abraham, God's "Chosen People". Do you no longer find any sense of truth. comfort and strong conviction in that? Are you so buried under your studies of your Old Testament - or in your day-to-day (and very real) struggles that you've lost the knowledge of, and trust in God's very real (and very present) love for you? Take heart! You are not alone! God is with you, and many of us in the US, who are not even of Jewish heritage are for you, and will be with you - attempting to walk alongside - in fervent support! Have faith! You are loved.

I didn't realize George W Bush was Israel's leader. Religion and military bellicosity, and the narrowest tunnel of vision. Netanyahu actually is from the same cut of 'politician'. Unfortunately. He is the blind leading the screaming, shouting, violent, blind fanatics. It's true that Israel is a land under extraordinary pressures; that came with the history of the Jewish people. But I hope for the day when I can be proud of this land again, and weep jpyously for its triumphs and not miserably for its path to self-destruction.

Martin Buber argued that Zionism shoukd be an ideal, and not just an effort to make a typical nation-state. Zionism had to stand for something. Good for you, editorialists. By criticizing, you remind the world that there is an Israel with ethics. Without ideals, Israel becomes something like Uraguay-with-bad-neighbors: a country with nice beaches and good coffee houses, but only a tourist stop. Not a movement that inspires devotion. Again, good for Haaretz.

Can Israel survive with the threat of continual internal corruption, blackmail and bribery by its bureaucracy and its leadership to the detriment of its citizens? Its survival is more threatening by continuing to govern with a dysfunctional and defective political system led by corrupt and irresponsible politicians. Unless there is urgent reform the coup de grace for Israel,s survival could be allowing Obama to ally himself with Iranian Moslem fanatics

If you are so happy why do you have to break international law and Palestinians human rights every day? Why do you keep complaining, like Golda "I hate the Palestinians for what they make me do to them" Imagine such excuse from the mouth of a declared anti-semite or in the mouth of Palestinians.

Sure the West is on the decline, loosing freedoms, bad govenments, etc. I'm not happy about it but are you suggesting that Great Britain has problems on par with Isreal?

Printing superficial, biased analyses; supporting highly dubious diplomatic forays that consistently lead to terror and strife; and now supporting the theft of classified IDF files. Seems like this article is just a case of psychological projection. Pathetic, really.

Islam and Muslims have always fare very well with Judaism and jews since the beginning and history proves that , I t amazes me how Islam haters like you come up with myths and lies . Muslims and Jews used live together with peace and harmony in the whole region of the M.E. until the politics of the creation of Israel on the bodies of the palestinian peole became areality in 1948. Now, as a canadian and a European jew who may have suffered a lot by the european discrimination against jews, you should not pour your hatred against the people who have no history of massacring jews. Jews in spain opted leaving with the muslims to North Africa rather than staying in Spain under the spanish rule because they knew they were much better off living among muslims.Arab Jews who are old enough to remember can tell you that they were very respected and igual in a lot of Arab and Muslim lands before 1948. If you have a problem with what happend to you in Europe, don,t blame muslims for it

So Israel is mourning its lost 'light unto nations'. I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but Israel was never anything close to being any kind of a light except one that comes out of the mouth of a gun. In its founding, Israel drove 750,000 Palestinians into the sea and into the desert and another 250,000 in 1967. Israel is a racist state and has always been that way. The only way for Israel to 'recover' a very bad experiment is to become the one state, democratically run nation it was before 1947. If the Jews who live in Israel don't want to stay, then go home as the white in South Africa did. For those of us who left a long time ago, we don't even have much sympathy left for you at all, and we're tired of your whining

"never forget what was the ghetto. the ghetto was the place where jews were totally defenceless. the ghetto was the palce where jews were herded together and prepared for their annihilation." Cipora. Open some Jewish-friendly encyclopedic source on the item of "ghetto" and get updated. Not only ghetto's closure often had the defensive function, but the gates of ghettos have been open long before anyone started talking Zionism. Since those times ghetto mode of life was perpetuated by the Jewish community leaders - rabbis, and Herzl and Nordau deplored the "mental ghetto" the European Jews couldn't overcome. During the second half of 19th there was a tremendous and traumatic generational break-up between the young Jewish people who wanted to leave ghettos and shtettls and pursue all kinds of -isms of the time or secular scholarship, on the one hand, and their families and community leaders who rather saw them as pious yeshiva students.

The international community no longer listens to Israel protestations and cries of victim. Those old myths of a land without people or disputed territories etc are no longer accepted as truth. The international community saw in stark reality what Israel is capable of during so called Cast Lead. That was one step too far and too close to the precipice.

When I read articles of this level of honesty, I think my country does well to support Israel with its annual gift of 3 billion dollars. When I read the comment opposing this article - all from people who would claim I am anti-Semetic for agreeing with this article - I want to take back every penny of support, withhold every future penny, and let Israel die of its own idolotrous fascism. The harbinger of Israel's destruction has always been lusting after false gods. Fascism is simply the process whereby idoloters become slaves, and Zionism in its present incarnation wants Jews to worship The State Of Israel rather than The God Of Israel. Is there any who sees this in Israel?

the thought that resonated most strongly is that Israel is re-creating a ghetto for itself after life-times of trying to escape the ghetto

The broad concept was the realization of the dream of building "a home for the Jews in the biblical land of Israel". A visionary ideal supported by many and some would say actualized in the construct of the State of Israel after much hard work, sacrifice and shedding of blood. However; Countries define themselves geographically with borders but Israel's are ephemeral - nobody knows where they lie. Citizens have identities but millions of people residing in territory that may or may not be Israel are stateless. Countries are part of a world community of nations and play by the rules, they sign the NPT, they respect human rights, etc. (you know the litany). So happy birthday Israel - you're 62, it's time to grow up.

I enjoy your fairminded posts. We've got to meet up at a D'backs game. As of today, we're in last place. We can only go up. Best to you, Lou

Keep up your informed posts. They're certainly not enraged hot-air diatribes. My best to you. Salaam/Shalom

I don't know if President Obama gave public greetings to Israel on theIndependance Day, or only Hillary Clinton. If he didn't, than why?

In 1948 Ben Gurion said Israel would be judged by how it treats the Arabs. Today Israel is being judged by the peoples of the world on that very criteria. Unfortunately Israel has performed so poorly that most of its long-time allies are distancing themselves from what has become the Israeli debacle. Relations with Israel's Arab neighbors are plummeting to new lows. Israel's leaders are an intransigent coalition which has placed a spiritual value on taking Arab land, homes, livelihoods and human rights. Israel has demonstrated a disdain for the Arabs and now for many of the Western nations. In 1955 Ben Gurion predicted that over a couple generations history and the Arabs would forget that the Jews had taken the Arabs' land in 1948. Successive Israeli genberations have continued to take Arab land and further add fuel to the fires of distrust, fear and dislike for the Jewish Israelis. Israeli leadership has provided fodder for a new wave of anti-Semitism to sweep the world.

Thank you Mr. Editor for being clear and brave. I hope that many Israelis will write the very similar letters to the prime minister.

Really? Israel full of turists, and israeli tourists flying wherever they want, even Dhubai. Tel Aviv and even most parts of Jerusalem are thriving. All of them vibrant cities. Nothing like New York we know, but still...better than Chicago. Israel economy is soaring. Great cultural life, in a deep democratic society. Interesting, also the "occupied" West bank is economically rocketing. Ghetto?????? It comes accross my mind defendless jews. Ughhhhh. I rather think that maybe you can harm Jews in Israel. But the price Yaakov....think about the price. Neither you nor Ahmedinajad are quite ready to pay the tag price . Great difference with the ghetto. Think about it. Israel can survive like this and even live quite comfortably as it is living right now.

...balanced with an estimated six million Arabic Jews from Syria to Morocco and a very Jewish Levant. That might suit the Messiah who could pop up and actually create the land of Israel as (Jewish)scripture apparently predicts.

...savages". For savages read communists. For communists read terrorists. Savages? No actually the some of the most hospitable people in the world. In fact Arabic hospitality is legendary. Only we in the west could make this mess.

you give your hand away and you are history.advertising our goodness to the enemy is not the way ahead.all they would see is weakness. let the buyer come to you and do not approach him first.

I couldn't think of a worse thing to publish on such a happy day. The cynical approach condemning Israel's religion, soldiers, and supporters is treacherous. Vile reporting like this destroys the hasbara, and the unity of the state. On a day like this?!?

# 10 etc. Yaakob Sullivan ? What did he say ?

Yes, I want to bet against you. You happen to live in the only cantonal country with multi language inhabitants, mainly one religion and one culture though, that has survived since the 13 houndreds. A multi culti state in the ME is an impossible experiment and therefor will not happen. But there has to be an aggrement with the pals. If this will not work I am afraid also Switzerland will go, ask your friend Ahmedajin!

the brotherhood of man is not a basis for defending israel.west european intellectual ideas born in a europe at peace have no place in an israel at war with reckless enemies.

What use is independence if it serves evil, land-kleptomaniac ends, condemned around the world. Independence Day should be a day to reflect on national morality, national goals that do not insult God and injure mankind whom He has created.

Happy Birthday Israel! Only one positive voice (Joseph) out of all responders - that is what is truly sad to me. Netanyahu might know how to address his supporters (preaching to the choir) but Haaretz in this editorial does no better spewing rotten food for all the rotten meat eaters out there who would love to see Israel destroyed. Congratulations on a job well done. I for one who has chosen to live in Israel sees an incredible state full of science and technology, morality, and promise and at the same time is as deeply flawed as any other state out there. I don't know how long Israel can stand up against a world who wants to see it fall but I for one will be proud of this little country, despite its flaws, until the tragic end or until it is finally able to live beyond existential threat. Happy Birthday!

europeans did manage to murder six million jews. the romans did manage to exile the jews. the spaniards did manage to expulse and forcibly convert the jews. the english did expulse the jews. yet, neither the roman nor the spanish nor the british empires have survived. however, as if risen from the ashes, there is a jewish state after two thousand years of exile. so if i were you, i would not bet against the jews.

Muslims don't make bets ;)

how you are confirming what is expressed in this editorial: army, fighting, survival are the keywords of your post and the keywords of your mindset. A society where these are the keywords of public discourse is doomed.

the strutting ghetto is in your head. writing utter nonsense with arrogance is your specialty. the jewish people have always had enemies. that is just a fact. the last few hundred remnants of yemen's two thousand year old jewish community are forced to flee for their lives. keep that in mind before you write your next drivel.

I give you 10 to one odds. Do you have a hundred dollars to put forward? Its a succor bet and I would love to take it. Post an email address and we can make the arrangements.

....be able to celebrate...??? My guess is more than 10, but less than 50, if the Status Quo continues for a while. Anyone wanna bet against me...???

Will Israel live long enough to see its 70th birthday?

More like a nightmare that we can only pray we will someday wake up from and find there is no longer a racist "Jewish" state but rather a state for all its people with equal rights for all, regardless of religious persuasion.

Your "maybe's" are your wishes, Shmongo. But they won't materialize. Don't underestimate the Jewish people, nor the Spirit that keeps it.

Is it not ironic that Jews in the Jewish state face what they think is an existential threat constantly, while the majority of Jews, mostly in the US, live in peace and security in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society in the most powerful, prosperous country in the world. If a Jewish state was such a good idea why are the Jews in Israel constantly freaking out and those in the US are happy and relaxed? I think the very concept of a state of Israel amongst an Arab population that had to be dispossessed for Israel to acquire sovereignty over the land was flawed and the military occupation of the West Bank confirms it. To be stubbornly arrogant and inflexible concerning peaceful solutions to serious issues is the height of folly.

ignorance is the root of all evils let arab and israel and palestinian and then the arab world make peace"it will take time but we should understand each other pain a prosper ME will benefit every body arabs and jew lived together some times happily sometimes not but at least they didn't exterminate them (we aran we are not angels but not devils eithers and the jew also) we need jstice for all

Israeli people need to take back their future. Unfortunately, Israelis were so traumatized by the second intifada that no one believes in peace anymore and no one is willing to devote his time and energy to it. Israelis feel like they offered the Palestinians peace, and the Palestinians responded with savage violence. No one wants to feel like a freier the second time. The only positive corollary is that the Palestinians are now also fed up. No one has energy for peace or war.

If you think it was good, be it. But if you think it was bad, you brought unto yourselves.

So called diaspora jews who have been telling or predicting what is exactly said in this article have been or still are branded self-hating if not anti-semites. To be precise ethnocentrism in the case is mere racism and zionism as practised today does not resemble Zionism as conceived by Herzl and the founders, which was secular.

A major problem, which has come to the surface is the Complete reliance and dependency on the US and the Progrom or Ghetto belief, just like this editorial, that Israel cant disagree with the US for its survival, that creates PSEUDO Mentality State on every one not only in Israel but also on US Gov. which see Israel as somekind of 52nd state of the US. And for that, the Israeli Gov has to Change and let the world and the Israeli people that israel is an independant country - look at smaller states like Cuba, Nth Korea, Venezuela etc, where the mentality of its leaders is that of Independance no matter what and they have and are defying the Superpower, which finds itself totally powerless in front of little nations even Islamic groups. Learn to either be totally independant, do not change the Real G-d for a ficticious one like the US or any nation for that matter.GO BACK TO THE ROOTS - or else God will push you aside again and this time watch out!!.

Israel cannot survive without the backing of the US. Once the people of the US understand how much Israel cost them, and the US economy falls ever deeper into decline, no politician who supports Israel will be elected. Anyone who believes that any US citizen will put the survival of Israel ahead of feeding their own kids, is delusional. Israel either begins honest dealing with the Palestinians now, or Israel disappears into the pages of history as one of the most stupid political decisions, ever. Before tose who disagree come roaring in with their objections: 1938 "Let us not ignore the truth among ourselves ? politically we are the aggressors and they defend themselves? The country is theirs, because they inhabit it, whereas we want to come here and settle down, and in their view we want to take away from them their country." ?David Ben Gurion, quoted Chomsky's ?Fateful Triangle?, which appears in Simha Flapan's "Zionism and the Palestinians pp 141-2 citing a 1938 speech

Kuddos to the true Jewish voice of Haaretz, rebels with an ancient cause, keeping alive Jewish wisdom, reason and fairness, compassion and forgiveness. No schmucks polishing their grudges and rightessnous. Remembering us that hate will enslave and destroy the hater, not his enemy. That created injustice eventually will hunt the creator. That free will is holy and magical as well as a hard and bitter pain in the ass, that sacrifices blesses the sacrificier and that there always is a choice. That these so own minded Jews once decided to ignite the promise of bringing tikkun olam, even to Gentiles who may not deserve it or be worthy of it and who must never succeed in destroying that promise. That a contract is a contract and that God remembers better than elephants. BTW: have send e-mails to first EU president Van Rompuy to make Bradley Burston and Amira Hass citizens of honour of the EU under the motto: wish we had them.

1.As God?s chosen people, Israel reactions are but natural. Israel knows by instinct the voice of a true shepherd. 2.Despite being in Limbo, the reason why Israel has not so far move here or there is because so far the proposed solutions have come from hired hands not from true shepherds. 3.For example, although their best bet for a Messiah is Jesus Christ, Israel will never pay attention to Benedict who himself is lost in hell hunting down pedophile priests.

What nonsense. Israel is a world leading economy and idea machine. There is no banking crisis, foreign reserves are strong, the judiciary is strong--I can go on forever. Then look at your rivals. Do you really think those halfwits in Teheran will be in power for ever. Would you prefer the sparkling economy and refreshing freedom of Damascus. Israel is winning. Not just by surviving, but by building a 21st century economy. The Arabs are still in the 19th century, fighting colonialism. Europe, on its way to an Muslim majority within this century will join them. The biggest danger to Israel is editorials like this.

God bless Israel.

1.To totally redeem, protect and secure Israel requires the DNA combination of at least Moses, David and Solomon. 2.Without Moses, they revere a Golden Calf. 3.Without David, they are ruled by Goliath. 4.Without Solomon, they do not have a temple. 5.The DNA of the small shepherd boy also includes that of Galileo, Einstein and Bill Gates. His Moshiachs Meal of Five Loaves is the only Passover Meal blessed by God in Heaven to the complete satisfaction of everyone without exception, without any objection and with plentry of leftovers for future generations.

While I agree with many of your sentiments, we Jews must remember that if we were to bend to the demands of people like you who think they can control our fate, especially in the sovereign state of Israel, there'd be no Israel in the first place.

Paul, are you sure you know Zionism? Have you read their writings and mantras? Probably not. A "pragmatic, peace-seeking spirit" and a "calculating, land-seeking" spirit are not mutually exclusive. Any rational person would be pragmatic and seek peace while simultaneously being calculating and wanting land. Jongo: Nope. If Jews are coming to such realizations, they're being tricked into believing that the State of Israel was founded in a manner any more unjust than any other. "Moral limbo"?! Thanks for promoting such nonsense, especially with Australia's indigenous population near extinction. Two states for two people will be achieved despite whatever cynical and hypocritical views you hold.

never forget what was the ghetto. the ghetto was the place where jews were totally defenceless. the ghetto was the palce where jews were herded together and prepared for their annihilation. israel is where jews are not defenceless. israel is the nation which has a jewish army. israel will not perish. regardless of the very real jew hatred that is spreading like wild fire, israel will fight for her survival. the jewish people have survived many catastrophies. today, for the first time in over two thousand years, the jewish people are armed. never again means just that.

How did most of the Ashkenazis look blond and Caucasian? and how did they became the 'real jews'? They do not look as semites( just looking at the aspect). They must be converted jews, or product of mixed marriage. How does Israel decide who is qualified to be called a jew - without any hyphen- when they decide to do aliyah? I think I may now be able to answer. The zionists living in Israel and those other who support ANY policy the Israeli government put in practice are the only genuine product.

I believe you have most saliently summed up the current situation concerning the Israeli Government and its political direction. It appears to others in this world as living in the past, rather than looking to a peaceful future. Unfortunately the US Government does not really help the situation. Pleased to see you are a voice of reason in this much troubled land. Regards Jim Collis

Some very interesting points brought up. However, I would go further to suggest maybe more and more Jews worldwide are coming to the conclusion that Israel was also conceived in a moral limbo. Maybe more are realising that Jews are a minority in the territory they control (Jews 5,690,250, non-Jews 5,896,750) and that Jews in Israel are heading inexorably towards becoming a minority in a binational state. Maybe the dream of a Jewish state was only a dream.

"Eventually expand" to there..............now the world knows the game. But the world will not let Israel "expand" onto land that is not now and never has been "yours." The sooner you "get it" and get behind the Green Line, the better for you and your children. Otherwise prepare for endless war for your people. Read Shlomo Sand's book!

It's comforting to believe that we make our own problems because then all we have to do is go into therapy and come out cured. Unfortunately sometimes problems cannot be cured by a change of atitude because they are real. Maybe Israel's problem is not a crisis of its own making but one produced by the problems of the people who seek to destroy it. Maybe a 62nd birthday is not the time to long for the illusions of youth but for the wisdom of maturity.

Haradi and ultra-Orthodox thinking will eventually destroy the state of Israel It is time for the people to realize the danger and rein in these dangerous people.

"Within what dynamic is Israel operating?" - Haaretz The question is of a noun and 'dynamic' as a noun means 'a dynamic force, or an underlying cause of change or growth." Israel is operating under NO dynamic. Israel is simply resisting any force which might deflect it from it's intention to force all Arabs from the occupied territories and thence annex them into Israel. "One can only hope that forces within the nation will soon arise to reshape the state and the leadership in a way worthy of us all." - Haaretz This would require a total realignment of politics within Israel. The utterly destroyed left would have to be regenerated and the right would have to be destroyed. The dynamics of peace in the Mideast is thwarted by the dynamics of politics in Israel.

If it is simply and us versus them mentality then Israel has no possibility of living in a sea of enemies, enemies whom Israel has turned into worrse enemies. Israel stealing land from its rightful owners will do nothing to enhance its security. It will only create more enemies and it cannot continue to live in a region where it is a pariah. That has far more to do with Israel's action, its own doing than the nonacceptance of its existence by its neighbours. Egypt and Jordan live in peace with Israel, and the rest of the Arabb nations have agreed to do the same but not as long as Israel carries out its agenda of oppression and dominance over others as an excuse that it needs to do so for its survival.

"In its 62nd year, Israel is in a diplomatic, security and moral limbo" - Haaretz It is a diplomatic, security and moral limbo which Israel has chosen. It is where Israel has spent the last 20 years trying to arrive. "It (Israel) is isolated globally and embroiled in a conflict with the superpower whose friendship and support are vital to its very existence." - Haaretz This situation is want Israel has strived to produce for the last 20 years and especially since Obama was elected President. Obama did not - before he was even in office - launch a massive, pervasive and slanderous - propaganda campaign against Israel. Rather it was Israel which launched a massive, pervasive and slanderous propaganda campaign against Obama. "It (Israel) wallows in a sense of existential threat that has only grown with time." - Haaretz A terrified people is a people easy to manipulate. Give Netanyahu credit for understanding how to manipulate Israelis.

Instaed of a natio that knows how to live with its neighbours or how to make peace with them, they have created one large ghetto filled with corruption and self interest. Israel has not fulfilled the prophecies of Zionism. It is a militaristic, arrogant, isolated nation that thrives on its projected sense of victimhood. It needs the occupation to continue in order to convince itself that it can bring about a demographic revolution that will increase the number of Jews and reduce the number of Arabs with whom they are convinced they cannot live. Zionism has not brought Israel to an honored place among the nations. It has become synonomous with power, arrogance, brutality and a form of tribalism that socrns and deuhmanises those whom they are in the process of driving out under the pretense of survival.

Don't you see the irony that your editorial in effect parallels the speeches of the tyrant of Iran? You knock all your ideological opponents, relentlessly seeing but your vision for the state as if it were the only logical, moral, dplomatic and security position. You ignore and denigrate all those with a different view and perspective as if you are the sole preservatory of truth, love and caring for the State of Israel. Your mind and eyes are closed, and all in the name of "democracy and morality." Woe unto those that think that their perspective is the ole true one. Surely even you can come up with something better.

I am moved to tears. Kol Ha'Kavod.

What do you mean by saying "pragmatic, peace-seeking spirit that filled the Israeli people, in tune with the Zionist revolution"? Oslo accords? Or something else?

What the author assumes is that Israel's behaviour is the basis of the limbos that it is in. I would suggest that the security limbo is a product of an, at best, indifferent world and a hostile and huge Islamic population. This latter population has been hostile since time immemorial & would like to wipe Jews off the face of the earth. Diplomatic, yes, really for the same reasons, plus I would agree Netanyahu's ineptitude. As to moral limbo, no way. There is a single imperative. Survival. And that is threatened. Israel must do anything it has to to ensure its survival. The moral case of the Pals and Israelis is very ambiguous. Jews had first rights and were occupied. Pals and their Arab brethren did what they could to make life miserable for us, going so far as to join the Hitler gang. Then from the very beginning and repeatedly they attacked Israel and Israelis, all of them, even those in cribs. They denied Jews the right to worship at their holiest site and treated with with contempt

Thank you for this very clear, incisive, analysis of the status quo. Israel should be a Blessing to the Nations and not the astonishment it has become. Much is said in Israel Today about the land of Israel 3000 years ago. To hold that land, it is a commandment of God to declare a Jubilee Year every 50 years. It is 12 years overdue, and every year delayed, will make life more difficult in Israel. That is the road of Living Faith in the God of Abraham Living Today.

Thank you Ha'aretz for this editorial - a voice of reason in a world where those who shout the loudest seem to get far too much of the attention. Wishing Israel a peaceful and happy 62nd birthday, and only the best for the future for all of its citizens.

This article touches on issues which the views of Israelis only are of matter.

Absolutely well put by the author, in his criticism of Netanyahu's speech as well. It is not necessary to go back to religious sentimentality in order to be proud of our place here. The settlements are it is true largely populated by people having this view, and clearly having the desire for expansion and domination, that I see. This is not helpful. However the settlements are not completely evil and out to kill and murder arabs because they don't like their faces. They are simply living there and trying to pursue life's happiness. They are brave to be there and they and Israel understand that they are in a holding the place so that Israel can eventually expand there and so that the enemies of Israel don't use these lands to threaten its existance.

All Israelis should pay heed to this article, as should all Jews everywhere.....particularly in the US. Israel knows what it must do, but the longer it refuses to act the more dangerous it becomes for Israel and the US...and the world. Time is running out.

aside from a small minority, Zionism has never been characterized by a "pragmatic, peace-seeking spirit"... "calculating, land-seeking" is more like it.

the world ain't so pretty

simply FLAWLESS