The scarecrow
There is a long tradition of frightening people over the release of terrorists. The suggestion of talking to the Palestine Liberation Organization was once an especially frightening scarecrow, as was the establishment of a Palestinian state.
By Gideon LevyOur landscape is strewn with monuments, but there is one thing we have even more of: scarecrows. That sorry, ridiculous rag doll, hands stretched wide in a helpless gesture, intended to frighten (birds ). In recent years the birds have begun to fear the scarecrows less and less; they realize it's just a trick. But in Israel, it's the people who the scarecrows frighten, even the people who themselves put them up. The politicians and the generals invent the dolls to frighten, at home and abroad, until they themselves grow fearful of them, just like the Golem of Prague. The latest scarecrow: the release of terrorists "with blood on their hands."
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| Photo by: Eran Wolkowski |
The dreadful numbers are being conjured up: The prisoners who were released in the past killed Jews again. The conclusion: no to a Shalit swap. But this is just another scarecrow. Terror ended after the Palestinian leadership came to the conclusion that it does not help move anything forward, and because Palestinian society is bleeding and desperate. Until the next generation of fighters grows up, there will be no significant terror - whether jailed terrorists go free or not. Even the term "blood on their hands" is only intended to daub the scarecrow with war paint. Both sides have blood on their hands - and we had better not compare whose hands are more stained.
There is a long tradition of frightening people over the release of terrorists. The suggestion of talking to the Palestine Liberation Organization was once an especially frightening scarecrow, as was the establishment of a Palestinian state. Abie Nathan went to jail for months because of his contacts with the PLO, yet later on five prime ministers spoke to the organization's leaders and the PLO became Israel's pet partner. Those who supported a Palestinian state were once considered traitors, until all of Israel, from Bibi to Tibi, began advocating this solution. The latest scarecrow is talks with Hamas, which quite closely resembles its predecessor.
Before Operation Cast Lead, we created the fear of Hamas arming itself, of Iranian weapons being smuggled through the tunnels and of Al-Qaida cells being established in the Gaza Strip. That all collapsed like a house of cards with the Israel Defense Forces' brutal campaign, which encountered no real military resistance. Where were the Iranian weapons? Where was the arming? It was all a scarecrow.
And when every teenage boy with a pipe bomb is considered a "senior Hamas man," and every armed man labeled the head of the military wing of Islamic Jihad, the country floods with scarecrows of our own making. A whole system of government and security propaganda, alongside the frightening chorus of the media with its abundance of pundits with an agenda, have seen to it that we never miss one fear-mongering campaign.
The song of the scarecrow also warned against lifting the blockade on Gaza, until it fell silent and nothing happened. Remember the roadblocks; for years they told us that the daily hindering and humiliating of tens of thousands of people were essential to security. Most of the roadblocks were eventually lifted and look what happened - the fear-mongering collapsed and nothing happened.
Right before the disengagement we erected another scarecrow: the specter of civil war. The evacuation of settlers will lead to bloodshed; Zo Artzeinu will block roads and paralyze the economy. But nothing of the sort happened. And yet the scarecrow did not give up: The fear of the settlers still hangs over our heads. Every successive government has been afraid of that paper tiger.
Looking for more? We were told that the withdrawal from Sinai would be a disaster; better Sharm al-Sheikh without peace, otherwise we'll be left with a piece of paper. That died, too. But then another scarecrow was resurrected: Evacuating the Golan will lead to mortal danger. The Syrians will dangle their feet in the Kinneret. But the cold feet here were ours: Sowing that fear was enough to avoid reaching a peace agreement with the Syrians. When that scarecrow topples as well, no one will ask what we were afraid of - just like we were afraid for no reason for so many years of another scarecrow: withdrawal from Lebanon. The whole world wants to destroy us, another scarecrow.
And on the domestic front, we have also put up quite a few scarecrows: from "Israel is drying up" to swine flu. Remember the fear of the plague and the horrific descriptions of hospitals falling apart?
And finally, perhaps the threat that Iran is going to drop a nuclear bomb on Israel - despite all of Israel's deterrent strength - will also reveal itself to be a hollow weapon. After all, with our history, we cannot tell the difference between a scarecrow and a true threat. Meanwhile, experience reveals, hands down, that this country is awash in many more dangerous scarecrows.
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This is true. The Palestinians hands are bloody from the bucket of blood they have let. The Israelis hands are bloody from the ocean of blood they have let.
ignores facts on the ground and threatening words of intentions to act coming from Arab mouths. The author is projecting his view of himself on others and not seeing the world as it is. He lives a charmed life in his own dreamworld because it is more compfortable. Maybe if he had a piece of painful schrapnel in his back for life he would perceive what his own eyes refuse to tell him; its a violent world in the ME and there is no denying it. Its Arab culture, misbeliefs and religion which sustains this violence, not Israeli misperceptions and fears. I can't believe you would reveal yourself to be so naive and such an anjenue, or that this newpaper prints and pays you for such articles.
Wow Dean - he ignores the "threatening words and intentions" of Arabs, meanwhile, Israel has both of these plus a few hundred tons of bombs, an occupation force, prison system filled with Palestinians, home demolitions, illegal settlements in hundreds. What was that about Arab culture, ah yes, it's violent? Based on "facts on the ground" Arabs are loud, but Jews are violent and then try to cover it up with victimhood. Nice try, no one buys it anymore.
A voice of sanity. What will Lieberman-Netanyahu come up with next? The settlers above all need scarecrows to allow them to stay on Palestinian territory in the west bank.
This is what makes his point TRIPE. How is this Noble Gideon who writes from his ivory tower. You Say that there will be no significant Terror, "Until the next generation of fighters grows up, there will be no significant terror - whether jailed terrorists go free or not." What is significant, DEFINE IT and Then offer your guarantee, what you offer to back your claim in the event your claim is false? Do you have anything to offer besides your pen that espouses BS? How about you make an offer, define signifcant Terror and pledge yourself as a slave to the Israeli victims should it happen. Talk is cheap, well no not really, Talk is MONEY FOR YOU, but what will you offer to back up your talk? If nothing, than your talk is not worth the KB of server space nor the ad space along side. If you believe what you say, put something on the line, otherwise, you should shut up
Bibi, Barak, Livni, Olmert, Sharon, Lieberman, Perez. et al..all dessicated, empty...and Israel is a total swamp...
Was that another scarecrow? Or did that work out really really well?
was never a withdraw from gaza they just took 1.5 million and put it in a concentration camp ran by israel!
Dear gideon.Come down to reality...The terrorists will never give up their murderous intentions.If released,they'll murder israelis again...The "pal" state will be an iranian base the day after...gideon,this is a bad world,you can allow yourself to be a dreamer...ISRAEL HAS TO DEAL WITH THE REALITY.
Arabs have attacked us before. Multiple times. I would rather be wrong assuming they will attack again, than be wrong assuming they will not.
sorry but was always israel that attck first! read your history!
Talking to the PLO lead to Oslo. Oslo lead to Israel taking major steps for peace without receiving anything but terror in return. The major steps for peace where rejected by Arafat and Hamas. The Second Intifada lead to over 1,000 Israeli's being killed. Running from Lebanon and Gaza has only weakened Israel. In my book talking to the PLO was no scarecrow. It has proven to be the angel of death. Talking to the PLO was a bad thing. Stop manipulating history Gideon. Enough! And yes Gideon, Abie Natan's running to Tunis has also proven to be a bad move.
Hollow article - both Gideon Levy and Amira Hass have a weird problem with the state of Israel
Let us not forget that the politicians and the media are in a beautiful symbiotic relationship. Large sections of the media use only fear-mongering and sensation to gain an audience and politicians find exploiting fear as the easiest way to get voters. And then of course you have the arms industry and the settlement building/security machine ...
All those rockets and mortars showering down on Sderot were just a figment of the residents' imagination!
Hamas fights the preemptive war launched under Plan Dalet and inherited and perpetuated by Israel from the day it was declared. The preemptor starts their preemptive war BTW. There has never been an armistice or peace agreement between the non-state entity of Palestine and Israel.. The war continues, Hamas are relatively new on the scene. Not a cause of conflict, but a symptom of having their homeland unjustly usurped.
Remember Gaza beach massacre...IDF killed a family leaving only a girl!!!!
Obesity is probably more of a danger for folk in Sderot than any showering rockets & mortars, if the truth be known
but they were used as a scarecrow to delay the inevitable two state solution.
Generally I agree with you. One question, though. After pulling out from Lebanon Hizbollah fired rockets. This could be used to argue that in that one case, at least, the fear was borne out. I still think that it was right to pull out, but some will argue that it's better not to compromise on any occasion because the threat might be real on one of them. Is there a response?
israel withdrew its soldiers, hoping too that their fears were unjustified. Turns out this their fears were more than justified. Gideon's analysis completely ignores this. He just can't admit that the situation in the ME is complex and insists on seeing the reality thru a Bush-esque "good guys vs bad guys" black and white reality. Is this really what the Left has become?
.."Is this really what the Left has become?" Pot. Kettle. Cute....
Or even more simply the retreat from Lebanon and the withdrawal from gaza simply proves that you cannot have peace based on Israel's rules and israel's alone. Forgive me for thinking out of the ball park, but isn't peace best served when both sides agree through negotiations what that peace should look like? I'm thinking IRA British government for instance.
I am from South Lebanon. The Lebanon withdrawal was and still is a success, Israel and Lebanon have suffered far less than they would have had the occupation continued. The only hiccups were due to Israel's exaggerated response to the loss of 6 soldiers which resulted in the bombing and killing of over 1000 innocent Lebanese civilians. You were losing at least 6 soldiers a month during the occupation. Now we have a secure border for people on both sides of the border. Peace is always the best answer to violence.
Hamas delivered not rockets during the cease fire that Israel broke Nov 4, did Lebanon attack Israel. Gather some evidence before you speak
B) The territory of the Soverign state of Israel was GIVEN, GRATIS, COMPLETELY FREE. (***private, corporate and institutional land ownership is NOT Sovereignty and it only amounted to a minuscule percentage of the territories allocated and accepted by Israel under UNGA Res 181) C) It was enough to accommodate every Jewish person on the planet, without illegally acquiring territory outside of Israel's "acknowledged" "recognized boundaries" http://wp.me/pDB7k-tM D) Israel has no legal right to sell land or build and sell Israeli civilian structures in "territories occupied". Facts on the ground, contrary to International Laws and Conventions, justified by legion of crippled strawmen, have no legal status. Laws of War Art. 55. “The occupying State shall be regarded only as administrator and usufructuary of public buildings, real estate, forests, and agricultural estates belonging to the hostile State, and situated in the occupied country. It must safeguard the capital of these properties, and administer them in accordance with the rules of usufruct.” E) Buying land or an Israeli civilian property in "territories occupied' from Israel, KNOWING it is illegal, is to be complicit in a crime. D) See the false advertising of the Israeli Land Fund http://www.israellandfund.com/en-us/background/history-of-struggle.htm (see ***)
So what the big noise is all about ?? I will tell you what , the noise is about the existence of the Jewish state , nothing more and nothing less .
Many thanks Mr. Gideon Levy for your excellent writing>. We know well that one such well explained piece of writing will not change much of the scenario on the ground while the thugs took control of events but it can expose their true identities. Regarding roadblocks is it true that most of them have already been withdrawn? No more humiliation for the PALs? Does Israel feel more secure without the roadblocks? All are terrorists . If you treat them respectfully you immediately find that they are human beings same as another.
As with so many people on the left and right, Levy has some good insights; however he then proceeds to overstate his case, cavilierly dismissing legitimate fears. Such stridency, and holier then thou condemnation makes a alot of people happy, but does nothing to advance a change in the status quo. We need less Levy's from the left and Less Harel's from the right, and more people of good and moderation.
Unlike in democratic states the Israeli politician doesn't serve the people they serve themselves. Olmert a Prime example. The use of scarecrows by Israeli politicians enables them to either delay, hide or cancel decisions that should be made for the good of Israel, but which the Israeli politician is unwilling or unable to make as it will make them unpopular. And as Olmert is alleged to have done, being a politician in Israel is a very lucrative business. Shalit being the casing point, Netanyahu knows what he has to do to gain Shalit's release, hence the term blood on their hands, he is not prepared to release Palestinians including Marwan Barghouti, often termed Palestine's Nelson Mandela. Yet he is releasing senior HAMAS politicians on the quiet who were originally put into administrative detention to ensure the release of Shalit. Then you have the Israeli election campaign, netanyahu's central pledge, social reform, health reform, prehaps financial reform. You would have thought they would have been up there. Nope the central pledge of Netanyahu when he came second to Livni was a proposal to attack Iran militarily. The ultimate scarecrow. Livni and Barack attacked Gaza then prolonged the attack when their poll ratings improved.
amazing, growing fields of strawmen for 62 years before finding out they're worthless... There is no demographic threat to Israel's actual sovereign territories. There never was. It was and still is a mathematical impossibility. With every passing day, it get's less and less of a 'threat', has done for 62 years. There is of course a demographic threat to the Greater Israel envisioned and being sought, since the late 1800's http://wp.me/PDB7k-W Follow the links to their 'Antisemitic' sources
Although the real problem is the double edged sword that Politicians employ the scarecrow for. Firstly the Israeli politician sees peace as a reduction in revenue streams. The Prime Minister doesn't want a Brass Plaque on his door, he wants a diamond studded gold one. Ehud Barack certainly wouldn't want to downsize his apartment, and the nightclub bouncer, well least said, in a normal country he'd be in court charged with corruption at worse tax evasion at best. So in pursuit of their careers Israeli politicians have two roles, the religious nutjobs to make sure there are revenue streams for their voter bases, which requires billions in US and German taxpayer donations, which would be harder to get if there was a peace. Particularly with the current economic situation. Normal Politicians so they can have the latest bullet proof Mercedes at government expense. Whilst a constant state of fear, ensures normal decent Israelis don't put their head above the parapat for fear of being called a terrorist supporter, a left winger, or a self hating Jew. All of which I presume you will be called by the end of this day. Think this is so outlandish? Terrorist is an epitath constantly used by Zionists and israeli firsters to justify the unjustifiable from stealing oxygen machines to killing 8 turks and 1 American in International waters, to killing people in Dubai using forged passports to the killing of 500 kids during Cast Lead, to granny stubbing her little toe to kids not been allowed colouring books, to not wanting to visit the White House without a military operation under your belt. Can't get care for your disabled daughter? Sorry can't help you terrorism you see, like my new chair it works on pressurised gas. Need that in case there is an act of terrorism, poor school grades not my fault that's down to the terrorist threat. Caught living the high life in Paris? Sorry but in the war against terrorism one simply can't eat and sleep in a three star hotel I need to be in at least a five star one. Sorry I must fly in a private jet, terrorist threat, can't possibly fly first class on EL AL like what the Australian Prime Minister does (OK she flies Quantas) For Israel screaming terrorism has become the standard excuse for politicians and state workers caught living the high life, to ensure those who complain can be disregarded and villified. Within the International community it is used to justify murder, disregard of international law, and 'we need money and we need it now'.
That's why he has so many holes in his head and yours. LOL
You mean like Haaretz? Levy's chutzpah truly knows no bounds, his arab friends have taught him to claim that the moon is made of cheese with a totally straight face..
Thank you for speaking out.
When the answer to a well documented and coherent article is: Blah, blah,blah, there is nothing to say against such intellectual argumentation.
Gideon Levy provides excellent analysis on mentality of Israel politicians in their drive to stay in power. The continuation of siege mentality is the driving force behind many of the events, incidents and tragedy.
Always nice to read your honest words Gideon
like false omens, Anyone who dares to question them, does so at his own peril. The current favorites are the languishing Pal prisoners, who become bogey-men the moment they are set free. No other option exists. There is even a forum of seven for peservation of bogey-men forever. Bibi is all for revering and preserving their legacy.
gideon sees black and calls it white what bigger distortion can there be than mislabelling bad>good. how levy comes up with these gross distortions of reality can cost people their lives. he espouses compromise that is dangerous and one sided. is it moral to commit national suicide?
"...is it moral to commit national suicide? " No. But please do go ahead if you must. Suicide by straw will be interesting to watch. Here, sift through this lot, http://wp.me/PDB7k-Y see if you can come up with just ONE that you can actually make walk.
Wow you prove his point!
CJ, and you dare to speak about propaganda? What do you think you are doing? A donkey speaking about long ears...
What Israel is afraid of is peace. Your only real identity is your enemies. No enemies, no identity.
Usual mindless droning from you. I guess the Jews have survived this long without any identity
You have the mind of a child; therefore all answers are easy and nothing is complicated
You have the mind of a child; therefore all answers are easy and nothing is complicated
Israel is Jews, Arabs, Muslims, Arabic Jews, Christians, Jewish atheists, Arab atheists, Arab Christians. Israeli Arabs, Palestinian Arabs, Palestinian Jews, Israeli Jews from NY, Russia, Convert Jews, Convert Christians, Convert Muslims, Jewish Muslims, Jews from China, Bedouins etc
Why is "Israel" or "Israeli" constantly used by your side of this arguement as synonyms for "Jew"? One is a national identity, the other a religion -I DON'T GET iT! oh wait, yes I do! propaganda tool, word game, self delusion technique= Colin meant national identity and you know it, but you can't really respond to that assertion- might make you think!! so sorry
A state a peace is unknown and therefore uncomfortable and scary. Also without a perceived state of war, civil war will soon break out.
Israel can cover any of its internal problems (economic, demographic,...) by "scarecrows". When you have "enemies" that will be the number one issue and no one else will question the rest for a while. Tell us what "Iran nukes" cover in Israel?
These scarecrows will never go away as long as the Israeli people continue to allow for, and even welcome, their existence...because it is THEY who elect those who build the scarecrows - with their votes, ratings, patronage, and attendence.
Unfortunatly these politicians won't go away. They use the scarecrow to ensure they stay in power by being able to accuse their accusers of being left wingers, self hating Jews or terrorist supporters. Normal decent Israelis are no longer allowed to put their head over the parapat because they will be villified.
You should be penning more cartoons for your buddies in Egypt.
Couldn't you find even one legless strawman attempting to stand?