Netanyahu is trading Israeli security for right-wing ideology

U say that there are 200 thousands jews in East Jerusalem. Well there are 3.5 million turks living in Germany.... Does it change something? No, they respect the german rules there. Like arabs living in Israel, those 200 thousands may decide to move on living there under the Palestinian rule... that s the fair way.

and this out of a total combined (East and West) population of about 700,000. Does Ha'aretz suggest that these 200,000 Jews, most of whom moved to where they are for economic, and not ideological, reasons, be expelled from their homes or remain under Palestinian sovereignty?

Obama wants to overthrow the democratically elected Israel governmet andhave it repalced with spineless Livni or more leftist Barak. The Israeli electors are not so naive as Obama and vote in a more right and stronger government with Kadima and Labor having even fewer seats in Knesset. Obama knows not what he does

This is one more time that Netanyahu shows how careless is about the relationship between Israel and US. I have always been a strong supporter of Israel but this time I will not longer do it in fact I take sides with the Palestinian people who every day see their own historical land reduced to practically nothing.

This 'right wing ideology leads to security, the 'left wing apaisement leads to war. Just look at Israel's history. Who signed peace treaties? Was it the left? NO, it was always the right. (like the word itself)!

... today's timely editorial to languish in some almost unseen online slot...?

At last an all too quiet voice of reason from Israel. Israel's image is in tatters around the world as the right-wing religious nutcases took over the asylum. As someone once said for evil to triumph good people need just stay silent.Right-thinking Israeli's need to make their voices heard loud and clear. Demand a stop to illegal settlements, demand equality for Palestinians, fight for the rights of Palestinians in E.Jerusalem and acknowledge thier rights to have it as their capital. Demand an honourable and fair settlement of the conflict. Israel can regain international support, defuse the REASONS for the intifada and radicalisation of Muslims,return sanity to the ME and secure Israel's long-term future. Please speak out in order to save Israel- It's the patriotic thing to do. Save Israel from the fanatics whose "patriotism" threatens only destruction and conflict.

... he speaks nicely, he behaves nicely, and he looks OK... but the decisive leaders in this government are the likes of Lieberman and Yishai... ... at home he is captive to an old father in his historical dotage, and an assertive spouse with fixed far-right opinions... ... within his government he heeds and sways to the most extreme and assertive in his huge retinue of nay-sayers... ... sorry, but don't see much light at the end of this tunnel...

A Nice (sic) Fellow claims that nobody in Israel cares about Obama's ideas and actions. Of course, the language used is infinitely more vulgar than that. Maybe A Nice (sic) Fellow is omniscient or perhaps he has held in depth interviews with everyone in Israel (Israeli Arabs too?) or, who knows, he has found a way to channel the thoughts and aspirations of several million people or, more likely, he is just an arrogant ignoramus.

I am disappointed but not surprised of the editorial criticizing Netanyhu. This editorial is consistent with the leftist assault on him. I concede that the timing of the announcement was poor. Nothwithstanding that, lets be realistic about Obama and his henchmen. This is the most anti-Israel, and anti-Semitic US President who doesn't waste an opportunity to criticize Israel. What can we expect of someone who fratenizes with Ahmadenijad, Wright, Chavez and their ilk. He hurried to Cairo to demonstrate his sympathies to the Muslim world. He ignores basic diplomatic protocol as he demonstrated it in Oslo. Further, he would not even allow Netanyahu enter the White House at the front door. The Israeli Prime Minister is the Jewish Rosa Parks. Obama is a hypocrate, naive, inexperienced, and egotistical empty suit. I hope that the 78% American Jews learned their painful lesson and will think wisely the next time they cast their votes. I am a proud FORMER Democrat who voted for McCain.

....for a couple of years, maybe even decades, until they are willing to elect human beings into political office, that regard friendship with the Arab neighbours as more important than to continue believing into the myth of "all of Jerusalem and most of the WB is ours". Because it is not Netanyahu and his foolish administration, that is the problem today, it is clearly the Israeli society, which has turned into a nationalistic, irrational society, blinded by the ideology of "expansive Zionism", very similar to the Serbia under Slobodan Milosevic. It will now be up to the International commu- nity to help the Israeli society changing its ways, exactly as she did in the case of Milosevic's Serbia....

"It`s equally obvious that this little scheme won`t work as nobody in Israel gives a rat`s behind what Obama thinks." - ANF If you really believe this, there is nothing to think or worry about. After all, Obama has no influence in the US at all. Right?

Any compromise to the 'none people', on any issue regarding self-rule or land exchange equals 'no security'. Which anyone with an elementary evaluation of history will see, we are worse off today clearly because we said NO and didn't stick to it. Every compromise produced an embolden, victorious Arab population and only more international pressure.

This incident is being intentionally blown out of proportion by the Obama spin team with the cooperation of Israel's leftist media, to squeeze more concenssions from Bibi. Notice that the media abroad is not making such a big deal out of this. Everybody knows Israel's stated position that Jerusalem is not included in the freeze, so what's the big deal?

Then it follows equally that the united states should act in its own interests and not in israels. Thus. if Israel wants continued financial and military support they better toe the lines and do what the POTUS says. This is no more or less than what we would expect from an Arab client state. Why is Israel any different?

Palestiniasn have agreed since Camp David and even Geneva, that minor land swaps will allow Israel to include its Jersualem nieghborhoods. However, there are two questions here. How big is Jerusalem. One thing is to encompass Ramot and Gilo, another different issue is to include Maale Adumim as part of Jerusalem. It is unbearable that palestinians may accept that. The second thing is that annexation and colonization should be done after a peace agreement and not before. Or the other way around when there are no chances for peace. This is the right way to do it. Currently Israel plays in Jerusalem at the border of legality taking advantage of a legal lacunae. That is right. However, at the same time is calling for peace talks and expecting to engage the United States. It worked till today, but it is over. Israel should play a more sensible strategic game. For doing that a coalition change should preceed.

Is a Hezballa regime in lebanon legit? How about Hamas in Gaza? they were all voted intto power, just as the sattlers have elected their representatives and as Obama was elected by his voters. At least Bibi has a legitimate Certificate of Birth. and I might add its a Certificate of Legitimate Birth.

We know you hate Bibi and Liberman and shas and all the Israelis who voted them into power. I don't know what you want. Why do you want Israel to surrender what it won in defensive wars through the blood of its people? What is it about you. Do you have a God complex or something? why aren't you using these pages to lecture the Arabs. are they the wronged and innocent party? If that is your opinion come on and say so, and maybe you can provide some reason for it as well. One reason could be that you are an Arab, another maybe is that you hate Jews, yet another is that you are pro UN right or wrong. Another maybe is that you are pro US, my country right or wrong. Just come out and be honest and truthful, the readers are entitled to a little honesty here don't you think? How about it Mr. Lincoln?

wanna see what happens when we cut you looooose?

Not trying to be sarcastic. As an American, I really want to know what benefit does the US gain by supporting Israel? What does Israel do for the US? What would the US lose by ending all subsidies and aid to Israel and cutting diplomatic relations and ending security agreements? Would the US gain anything by abandoning Israel?

Well, then let Israel implement whatever has been agreed upon.

Netenyahu paid Israel security as a price to protect his position as a premier. SELFISHNESS WITH NARROW BENEFITS.

I hope this functions as a wake up call. The solution has been obvious for roughly 2 decades for anyone not steeped in self-delusion: two states at roughly the 1967 borders. Unfortunately, self-delusion and brinksmanship are the championship sports in that region. And anyone waiting for a perfectly equitable solution--give up now and just start negotiating a decent solution. Anyone who doesn't like this solution is just signing up for another decade or four of stupid repellent mutual violence.

the crisis was not caused by "placing Jews in Arab neighborhoods" as the editorial says. Ramat Shlomo is a Jewish (heraedi) neighborhood. In fact, the crisis was caused by Obama, who wants to put Arabs in Jewish neighborhoods!

I'm Palestinian and EGB has it right. I'll add that it is true that most US Jews see Israel as a Jewish state but only if the Pals get a state alongside it. If a 2 state solution becomes unattainable, most american Jews will not accept a Jewish state that does not promote equal rights across the board. We in the states have friends of all nationalities and don't hold one's religious affiliation with a grain of salt. Like EGB says, we marry and hang with anyone and everyone. We're americans first and foremost and we have a huge awareness of right, wrong, justice and injustice. Do not underestimate Obama's or america's will to pursue a just solution to this conflict.

The muslims killed 500 christians last week, but hillary/obama are more concerned about our apartments in so called arab neighborhoods.It is Jerusalem,period. We build in our country where we want to. Arabs live all over the rest of Israel. This issue is headlines for two main reasons. Anti-Semitism, and sucking up to arab oil.If not for these reasons, the US, europe and the rest of the world would not spend one second on this issue.

Lets make this simple.. 1. Israel voted BB in - we want a right wing gvmt 2. If there is a war who do you trust to lead BB or Obama... Id take bb without thinking 2x..

Do not believe in this fake security issue that the US will give Israel in time of need. Remember what the US did during WWII, sent us back to our death. The US will do only what it thinks is in its interest. And they are wrong. Thank G-d for the US military they will overrule obama. The US has too many troops in the area not to react when Israel will strike Iran. Do not trust the US governments word at all. What do you think the raid on the Rabbi's in New Jersey was? It was to choke us to stop funds from reaching Shas and other right wing Israeli parties. The Syrian community is living in fear now. The US Government has lists of names of donors. Israel is strong and must rely on the blessings it gets from Hashem and not be enslaved by outside forces. It is the same stories as always convert of die. Either become a Christian or Muslim or they will threaten us with no security and death. Do not believe in any of this protection. Hashem is our only protection.

of negotiating a peace agreement with the Palestinians, from an Israeli perspective within Israel given such upheavals, it's better to have this Likud government with such a coalition such as Shas and "hardliners", amongst Labour and perhaps Kadima later, to reach a two state arrangement. What's different about this humiliation than the past other ones? The Israeli government will come to realize that there's not much maneuvering from what's already been proposed by the Quartet for a peace settlement with its adversaries. We'll have to give PM Netanyahu a little more time to show his true colours given the difficulties within his domestic household, so to speak. No one should envy his position.

Israel needs to do what's in its best interests. Simply agreeing with everything every American administration wants is NOT a strategy. Americans don't know their butt from their elbow when it comes to foreign soil, Israel needs to do what it knows is best at home. This is a test of Bibi's leadership and I hope he has G-d's help.

From the moment the Supreme Junta appointed George W. Bush Resident of the United States he was clear in his vision. Right wing force would rule, the Constitution would be crushed, the Unitary Presidency would be in force and America would be happily led to war because it was lied to. The results of republican rule would be financial disaster, wars paid for on the credit card, and ruin. America traded national respectability for right-wing ideology. Was it worth it? Must Israel suffer the total disaster brought to it by right-wing ideology before it acts intelligently? I hope not. Otherwise welcome Infitada III, Cast Lead II, the Third Lebanon War and the Iran War. Bibi has been on a role, until recently, and he will continue to shoot craps with the fate of his nation until he is stopped. OR Israel is stopped. . . Israel seems willing to be rendered a pariah state for the sake of Bibi Netanyahu's ambitions. Pathetic.

There is no longer a legitimate Israeli government. Netanyahu is simply the front man for a settler regime. This precisely the situation that Idith Zertal described in "Lords of the Land." Israel has fed the settlers on raw meat for years and the cost of it is becoming onerous. This situation could have been averted if Israel had acted immediately and firmly on the advice its legal counsel to the Foreign Ministry issued in September 1967 that settlement in the Occupied Territories contravened Art. 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. But Israel acted, as it always has, with that superb Israeli mix of arrogance and self-righteousness. The outside world has been too kind to this spoiled brat of a state; it is time now for boycott, divest, sanction.

Homer Simpson, the one guy in the world more clueless than most idiots has someone far to his right, and even more idiotic. Netanyahu. Netanyahu had succeeded in preventing any peace talks and all he had to do to win was simply not negotiate. But he had to go further. He had to totally humiliate the USA. Not because it was necessary, but simply because he could. Bibi cares only for his own power. Israel is just something to be used to achieve what he wants. Israel used to have better leaders, but it has chosen for over 30 years to have with a single exception men who would put their personal gain ahead of what they knew to be best for Israel. Bibi is what he always was, and Israel empowered him once again and HAD to know he would not be changed. Netanyahu will do ANYTHING to stay in power and NOTHING to help Israel. You folks have what you want. Is not Israel a 'democracy'? Were Ehud Barak not EXACTLY the same as Bibi, Netanyahu would never have formed a government.

It's obvious that Obama, the Israel hater, manufactured this crisis as part of his effort to topple Bibi. It's equally obvious that this little scheme won't work as nobody in Israel gives a rat's behind what Obama thinks.

because I am telling you the truth. 1) Americans fully support the peaceful existence of Israel as a Jewish state. 2) Americans have no patience for Hamas or other Islamic extremists who send rockets into Israeli towns. 3) Americans have no interest whatever in the "G-d gave us this land" argument for unlimited expansion of Jews into regions that were not part of Israel before the '67 war. 4) Most American Jews feel warmly about Israel, but few have deep ties to it; we have a great life here - a nation practically without virulent antisemitism. Some of us marry Christians, and we invite our friends of all beliefs to seders that would fail orthodox tests for purity. We have no time for theocracy, and we hope very much that Israeli Jews will see the glaring need to make peace with their neighbors. There will be no peace without assurances of security, so what's the problem?

Now bibi the clown will do what he dos best go to war summer is comeing so get ready for it war is next Jews need to stop bibi the clown before it's to late

When tens of thousands of settler youths rise up?

Get off of it already. Abbas's map even included ramat schlomo. Obama is clueless that even arafat agreed to this. Who cares administrations come and go and israel will be around long after obama is out of office.