Tricky Bibi

"and astoundingly, it has not created a stir." Why would it? 94% israelis supported the Gaza bloody onslaught. israeli children signed rockets aimed at Lebaneese children with hateful messages during lebanon war. Obviously it´s too late to shield a whole population from becoming zio-jugendt since most of their parents would do nothing about it, rather encourage it. Those germans that didn´t flee the third reich during WW2 woked up when it was to late, so if the americans don´t save their own country and the israelis from themselves, it would be too late there too..

That was Bibbi then but Bibbi now is a man looking for a two states, one economy solution. As the Sabras' man he seeks to integrate Israel into the Middle East, not to bend Obama. He wants to stop Israel's emigaration exsanguination with peace&security.

So why is he elected again? Is this what all Israel's think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ2-nPVWFBc It was just uploaded yesterday. If you want to view it, see it soon, before Rabid Rightests figure out how to get it removed from YouTube.

Obama knows Netanyahu is a dangerous con man. Discerning Americans know it too. Truth is, however, Netanyahu could stand on the White House lawn and repeat this interview while grinning. Netanyahu knows he`s got Obama in his pocket. The United States of America will do whatever Netanyahu tells them to do.

A lot of things have changed since 2001. The Palestinian Authority has started talks with Israel and progress has been made. Most important of all, Bibi has changed his position in favor ot the two-state solution> The Second Intifada ended long ago!

Today is the day .. the anti-Semites... ...haaavvveee their picnic! This is echoing all over, and bringing out the fringe elements, and convincing them that every fantasy they have about evil Israel is true. You've done a real service, sample the reaction here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/16/netanyahu-in-2001-america_n_649427.html You needed to go 9 years back to find this, and besmirch Israel's reputation today.

Congress will probably try to ban it as anti-semitic.

Why is there no link with subtitles to the tape so the we can all see it?

we have known this for years. he is only interested in expanding "greater israel". i'm sure that there are some MKs and ministers who genuinely do want to see peace--hell, i'll even give you barak, who despite his idiotic gaza war does seem to at least want to talk to the palestinians. but bibi? no. thank you for writing this gideon. and to the apologists: defending this man does not make you a "good jew" or a "defender of israel". quite the opposite, actually.

That would explain why us children in the US will never get to see it.

He is not a man of peace

Gideon Levy, why didn't you mention Ph.D. Dissertation of Mr. Abbas and the fact that President Obama attended church of Rev. Write in Chicago over many years. What do you think the White House does not know? They know very well what an opportunistic behavior of a politician, since they sometimes behave in a very same manner. So, what makes you so excited about Mr. Nehaniyahu?

You think Peres is interested in peace ... sad.

This article made me sad as a citizen of the world, as a person who wants peace, as someone who wants our leaders to be honest. Is that too much to ask? Then I read "Breaking news,'" which says 56% Americans back Israeli action against Iran. Watch-out .... I don't believe it. Peace

Gideon, if the segment is that damning, why don't you upload it to YouTube etc. so the rest of the world can see it?

We all need a Gideon Levy. Israel has one. The Palestinians need a Gideon Levy. We need one in the U.S. Thank you Mr. Levy.

Bill Clinton is extremely pro-Palestinian, and says the Palestinians do want to throw Israelis into the sea.

Would you buy a used car from this man?

I wonder if Levy has ever said a kind word about Israel or her officers. If you look at his picture,his unhappy unsmiling face, I think not.

..... In regards to Bibi's lies, continuous lies, that Obama and America must swallow, what about Obama's swallowing lies from Ahmadinejad; from Erdogan; from Chavez; from Sarkozy; from Medvedev; from the Chinese and Pakistanis, etc, etc, ?? What Gideon? Why are you always so one sided?

This man is a decent journalist.

Why talk about it now Professor Levy when America is rocketing downwards... Have you seen the Polls lately? Perhaps Bibi sees it and is grasping his chance. No deceit here, only facing the truth. That is what comes out of believing too much in the Palestinian/Arabs as Obama has. His punishment?

The truth is that whole world know Israel is not sincere about peace. In this case leaving those areas which were captured in 1967 war. It does not matter that there is liberal or conservative ruling the country. That govt cannot survive who will talk about leaving the captured land. USA is also using Israel to milk the maximum out of Arabs. But the day USA and European will not need Israel then there might be peace in that region. Because then both sides will dump Israel.

time for a demand on equal rights and change israel with in. who says we have to be loyal to be israeli citizens. why should we be loyal to a state who was never loyal to us

Is Netanyahu rational? He seems to be acting more erratic every time I see him. I, too, live in a country run by someone whom most (almost two-thirds) didn't vote for, who pushes an agenda that is dangerous and unlawful, who holds onto power by bullying and threats and who is supported by vicious partisans. Their support never wavers, even when their leader lies or operates in secret. His purpose, too, is "to give 2 percent in order to prevent 100 percent". Thank you for your articles, Mr. Levy. You are a light in the darkness.

I think all of israel should support the prime minister ,making peace with a people like the palestinians is not a cheap or easy process,after all what the palestinians are asking for was once theirs before 1967, while did they give it away,while did fight war,you israelis should be patroitic about your nation unless the world will ridicule you guys, yes' .If you think the world loves Israel, you are kidding.Let the palestinians demonstrate a willness to accept the nation of israel as their neighbours then true peace will emerge.

All statements by Lieberman and other ministers are, in fact, his. You know this. I do agree that the level of deceit in this government is amazing. This group is the end of Israel as a nation that is one of other nations. Its natural allies are the likes of Iran (strangely enough) Sudan and North Korea - pariahs that no one trusts.

Inspite of all our judgements against president Mubarak and King Abdullah and ... , they seem to be Angles in comparison to PM Netanyahu. Thank you Mr.Levy for your brave efforts against injustice every where. We love and respect you as one of many many good jews.

The recent meeting and prompt actions by the Netanyahu government to humiliate Obama make it very clear that no matter what any in either administration says, Netanyahu has Obama completely cowed. Mr. Levy is correct in his assessment of Netanyahu's mendacity, but incorrect that there will be any consequences.

is the real arrangement between israel and the u.s.a.,starting,say, 1948.or 1973.of one thing i can assure you-neither bibi nor any other israeli has ever fooled the u.s government.same for any country the u.s. wanted any information about.now,would you gideon donate a 1,000 shekel to tapuakh "settlement"?would israel harel donate to "sadaka"?do you really think washington stupider than harel?giving and equiping so much,keeping alive in fact,a state that was antagonistic to them?no gideon, they are partners in everything,including future plans.we,for our part, get a relatively high standard of living.god bless america.

And Sharon was not a con artist? Israel has a president who was a sex abuser and rapist, it has a string of PM s and high government and religious officilas who have been involved in bribery, financial scandals, criminal activity, all of them claiming to be innocent as they profitted from their crimes.This is not merely an indication of what kind of human being this netanyahu is. It seems that no country in the world suffers from the disease so rampant in Israel and that is that the country never, ever, ever, admits its faults, it never ever holds itself accountable. It is the leading nation in the world for finger pointing. So the qusalities of the con artists are artfully combined with arrogance and hypocarcy, the pillars of Israeli governance: Deceit, Arrogance, Hypocracy.

That Netanyahu is a cheat and a liar everybody knows, even his present (third) wife who he was forced to admit publicly he cheated on. Of course Netanyahu tries to deceive his adversaries, but also his friends. In this episode, Netanyahu tries to deceive his potential supporters in Ofra and misinterpret the reason he gave Hebron to the Palestinians. Earlier, Netanyahu once claimed that, unlike some other PM's, he never gave a peace of Eretz Yisrael to the Arabs. When he was reminded of Hebron, he said that was he mistake on his part. Since then he found an "excuse", supposedly he did it to keep the rest of the West Bank. Of course that is false. The US is not utterly stupid, and will not accept every determination of Netanyahu that any point he chooses is a "military area", even the entire West Bank. Just silly. We remember why Netanyahu gave Hebron (which he had to do by the Oslo agreement). He did it because of the "tunnel riots", where things seemed to get out of hand. Netanyahu also committed to hand over 13% of the West Bank in Wye, and didn't have time to do it before his government fell, so it was done by Barak. Netanyahu does things he doesn't like doing, but only under pressure. Then he finds other excuses for doing it.

someone like you will never be happy with anyone that happens to become PM. sure, the government is corrupt but what do you suggest? its true the world over. but even a corrupt person and do good for the country. at least he's a strong leader and makes firm decisions. i don't know anyone that wouldn't take ariel sharon back. and he's the most corrupted politicion (other than olmert) we've ever seen. so instead of submitting editorials based on your "annoyance" why not make a few suggestions, be a part of the solution. all you're really doing now is making a bunch of ridiculous observations that mean nothing.

A few points: a) The Oslo agreemnt was foisted on Israel illegally, by Labour when in opposition - and Rabin claimed it was reversible if terror continued - which it did. b) Any political party in a democracy has the right to disagree and oppose the views of another party, and whenin government they do not have to follow with failed policies. Eg, we have a new government in UK, and they no longer follow the policies of the previous one. c) Hebron agreement - what is dishonest about getting security backing in exchange for that agreemnt? The land for peace formula was based on security. d) A contract can be voided by either side, so Oslo has been voided - it is a matter of debate who is responsible. Hebron did not void Oslo, but was a surrender of land which was purchased by Abraham. This in itself was an illegal act, and not something that can be imposed onthe Jewish nation by a PM of Israel. e) Obama did not recognise the Bush agrements on natural growth of jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria. If the USA reneges on an agreemnt, then Israel has to revise it's contractual position.

It is Obama that is mocking America. He started off aggressively criticizing settlement expansion. After that, for some strange reason, he started back pedeling so fast that he has been stumbling all over himeself. He quickly took up Israels call to change the subject to Iran and has been careful to avoid stepping on any Israeli toes since then. At first it seemed that Obama was willing to be a fool for peace, but in the end he is just a plain fool and another Israel appeasing president. As for Bibi, he is the same as always. There are never any surprises. The peace process will also be the same as always, dominated by Israeli interests (avoid peace and expand settlements). We are left with the long term mystery of how, when an American president annoys Israel, he is either safely ignored or is quickly brought back into line.

His body language, pretexts, expedients, unfounded accusations against the Palestinians, use of paranoid statements in order to manipulate public opinion, the promises everyone knew he is not going to keep, given his coalition constellation. Everything was clearly a smoke screen from the start. Does he really underestimate us or, maybe, we do deserve him, because we avoid analyzing correctly what we see and hear, being the truth so distressing to bear and\or being delusions much more attractive?

And if BHO doesn't like it, too bad. The incoming congress will be much more pro-Israel once the Obama carpetbaggers are voted out.

Article 12 of the Fatah Constitution, which is the first article relating to Fatah's goals, states that the chief goal of Fatah is the "complete liberation of Palestine, and eradication of Zionist economic, political, military and cultural existence." So when BB says that the Palestinians want to throw Israel into the sea, that is an accurate synopsis of Fatah's self-stated main goal. And therefore, BB's position is not "retrograde" so much as ACCURATE, while Levy is living in a fantasy world. Why do people like Levy fantasize in such a dangerous and counterproductive fashion? I think it's partly the hope for peace, but mostly the desire to defeat what they see as Jewish messianism by opposing the settlement movement. Fatah and now Hamas are seen as tools to this greater goal, and they are in fact so needed by the Extreme Left that there is actually a psychological need to deny the facts that ipso facto render Fatah and Hamas as impossible negotiating partners.

His body language, pretexts, expedients, unfounded accusations against the Palestinians, use of paranoid statements to manipulate public opinion, the promises everyone knew he is not going to keep, given his coalition constellation. Everything was a smoke screen from the start. Does he really underestimate us or, maybe, we do deserve him, because we avoid analyzing what we see and hear, being the truth so hard to bear or being delusions more attractive?

The Palestinians do not lack a vision. They adhere to their vision of a "right of return," refusing to recognize the validity of a Jewish state, demanding an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank beyond the defensible borders America has formally assured Israel, and seek to remove all Jews from Judea and Samaria to create an apartheid state. Multiple Palestinian public opinion polls confirm that most Palestinians still have that vision. Moreover, their vision is not simply an "obstacle to peace." It is the cause of the war. But for peace processors peace is always only a few brave steps by Israel away.

Anyone having a certain level of IQ can understand the difference between the deeds and remarks or wishes of Netanyahu. So maybe that s why that secret camera shooting did not surprise the people. It is not Netanyahu's acts but its the inactiveness of Israelis to change something that surprises me.

Can't a link to it be included in this article? I'd like to see and judge for myself.

First of all, it's possible in my opinion to change a past sociopolitical stance or point of view to that of another or evolved into another when one becomes aware of facts. Our understanding is that PM Netanyahu's background derives from the Irgun-Revisionist political persuasion (heavily in response to European anti-Semitism since late 19th century) and its impact on previous generations before his. He belongs to the generation which believed that strength or aggressive response unto those construed as enemies of one's existence is the only option otherwise its interpreted as weakness which invites further victimization. That debate has never been really settled and indeed that's the reason for individuals' support for right-leaning vs. left-leaning policies. Again, the cliche about his insincerity is already too redundant and who cares as long as the actions speak louder than words. For goodness sake, Netanyahu's background is business from MIT not social work! There are limitations in everyone. When he was asked on CNN's Larry King would he sit with Hamas, for example, he responded that he'd sit with anyone who recognizes his existence and that of the State of Israel for the Jewish people. Given this point, it's the short of it. However, we've seen over the years that PM Netanyahu amalgamates well to the thinking of the Jewish Lobby types and the Sabras on the right.