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eridani

(51,907 posts) Fri Mar 20, 2015, 10:19 AM Mar 2015

Could Netanyahu Win Actually Spell Progress for Palestinians?

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/03/19/could-netanyahu-win-actually-spell-progress-palestinians

Is the reelection of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week a possibly good thing for Palestinians and other who seek a just and peaceful end to Israeli apartheid, the occupation of the West Bank, the blockade of the Gaza Strip, and the overall conflict between Israel and a stateless Palestine?

Though he acknowledged it may seem "counterintuitive," the answer from Palestinian rights activist Yousef Munayyer, is—even if regrettably—'Yes.'

As Munayyer, executive director of the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, confessed in a prominently featured op-ed in the New York Times on Thursday, "Mr. Netanyahu’s victory is actually the best plausible outcome for those seeking to end Israel’s occupation. Indeed, I, as a Palestinian, breathed a sigh of relief when it became clear that his Likud Party had won the largest number of seats in the Knesset."

According to Munayyer's assessment, "The biggest losers in this election were those who made the argument that change could come from within Israel. It can’t and it won’t." In turn, those looking for a viable solution to the Israeli/Palestinian divide will have to look elsewhere, either to international institutions like the United Nations or the International Criminal Court, or to grassroots efforts and popular nonviolent tactics like the international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement (BDS).

"The re-election of Mr. Netanyahu provides clarity," continued Munayyer. "[It]has convincingly proved that trusting Israeli voters with the fate of Palestinian rights is disastrous and immoral. His government will oppose any constructive change, placing Israel on a collision course with the rest of the world. And this collision has never been more necessary."

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Could Netanyahu Win Actually Spell Progress for Palestinians? (Original Post) eridani Mar 2015 OP

No, America will still give Israel carte-blanche support, unfortunately. Donald Ian Rankin Mar 2015 #1

The President is talking about the exact opposite, fortunately. nt tridim Mar 2015 #2

Two responses: Donald Ian Rankin Mar 2015 #3

Do you really think in their heart of hearts Jeb Bush and Scott Walker really geek tragedy Mar 2015 #5

Yes, I think they care passionately about it. Donald Ian Rankin Mar 2015 #9

I don't think Jeb and Walker believe in anything passionately other than winning geek tragedy Mar 2015 #10

You're seeing it right now. tridim Mar 2015 #6

And long may Netanyahu govern LittleBlue Mar 2015 #4

It provides clarity and marks the end of a failed era of diplomacy. geek tragedy Mar 2015 #7

Palestinians are there own worst enemy. former9thward Mar 2015 #8

Donald Ian Rankin

(13,598 posts)

1. No, America will still give Israel carte-blanche support, unfortunately.

Reply to eridani (Original post)

Fri Mar 20, 2015, 10:22 AM

Mar 2015

For one thing, the odds are high that the next president will be a Republican.

For another, the odds are high that if the next president *isn't* a Republican, it will be Hillary Clinton, who is relatively hawkishly pro-Israel and anti-Palestinian by Democratic standards.

For a third, even if it's someone else, not being seen as sufficiently pro-Israel is still grossly unpopular with the electorate.

Israel needs America. But American politicians need Israel.

tridim

(45,358 posts)

2. The President is talking about the exact opposite, fortunately. nt

Reply to Donald Ian Rankin (Reply #1)

Fri Mar 20, 2015, 10:35 AM

Mar 2015

Donald Ian Rankin

(13,598 posts)

3. Two responses:

Reply to tridim (Reply #2)

Fri Mar 20, 2015, 10:42 AM

Mar 2015

1) I'll believe it when I see it, frankly - I guess there may be a token abstention at the UN, but no meaningful pressure even from Obama.

2) Obama is only the president for another year and a half.

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)

5. Do you really think in their heart of hearts Jeb Bush and Scott Walker really

Reply to Donald Ian Rankin (Reply #3)

Fri Mar 20, 2015, 10:46 AM

Mar 2015

give a flying fornication about the state of Israel?

Money talks, and the Saudis have a lot more than the Israelis do, and the Europeans have more than the Saudis do. Neither one is going to invest that much in protecting a partisan wedge issue.

Clinton does not like Netanyahu. She's had to pander on Israel quite a bit due to rightwing attacks on her for being too inclined to view Arabs as human beings, especially running for office in New York.

But, Bill Clinton hates Netanyahu going back to his term in office, and Clinton had to deal with that arrogant racist prick when she was SoS.

Donald Ian Rankin

(13,598 posts)

9. Yes, I think they care passionately about it.

Reply to geek tragedy (Reply #5)

Fri Mar 20, 2015, 10:50 AM

Mar 2015

I think they're real people guided my misguided ideologies, not cardboard cutout archvillains in a pantomime with liberal heros.

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)

10. I don't think Jeb and Walker believe in anything passionately other than winning

Reply to Donald Ian Rankin (Reply #9)

Fri Mar 20, 2015, 10:54 AM

Mar 2015

and cutting taxes for rich people.

Moreover, they can't retroactively veto UN Security Council resolutions that Obama votes for.

The United States is not in a position where it can dictate to Europe, China, and Russia what they can and can't do regarding the occupation.

tridim

(45,358 posts)

6. You're seeing it right now.

Reply to Donald Ian Rankin (Reply #3)

Fri Mar 20, 2015, 10:46 AM

Mar 2015

The President does NOT lie.

Obama's legacy will be with us forever, long after he leaves the WH.

LittleBlue

(10,362 posts)

4. And long may Netanyahu govern

Reply to eridani (Original post)

Fri Mar 20, 2015, 10:45 AM

Mar 2015

This is the best thing that has happened for Palestinians since Yitzhak Rabin. If the US keeps supporting Israel blindly, it will brand us for the apartheid supporters we have always been. Let's see Obama veto the next resolution calling for 67 borders by claiming that the best path is bilateral

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)

7. It provides clarity and marks the end of a failed era of diplomacy.

Reply to eridani (Original post)

Fri Mar 20, 2015, 10:47 AM

Mar 2015

Time to go onto the only solution that works, an externally imposed Palestinian state via the UN and international sanctions.

The time for bilateral negotiations is over. As is the time when the US had a productive role to play.

former9thward

(32,006 posts)

8. Palestinians are there own worst enemy.

Reply to eridani (Original post)

Fri Mar 20, 2015, 10:49 AM

Mar 2015

Hamas gained power in Gaza with a campaign of murder of Palestinian Authority leaders. So now you have Hamas in Gaza and the PA in the West Bank. They hate each other. The people of the West Bank are relatively prosperous and want nothing to do with Gaza which is another Somalia. I have been to Ramallah in the West Bank on a couple occasions and it is a beautiful area with nice shops and restaurants. Until the Palestinians come together no one will ever be able to negotiate anything with them.

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