It's Almost Supernatural

Suicide Bombing in Israel

It's really sweet to see Thabo Mbeki meeting with Mahmoud Abbas today. But do you think they will chat about today's suicide bomb explosion in Israel?

The armed wing of Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party has claimed responsibility. Abbas may talk about a halt to violence, but he can't even convince the ghouls in his own Fatah establishment to stop the violence.

Mahmoud Abbas: Is He Relevant?

Despite President Mbeki’s unconditional support for Hamas, by inviting Mahmoud Abbas to address parliament it appears that he wants to ensure that Abbas is still relevant to the peace process.

Hamas did not get a majority of Palestinian votes, merely a majority of Legislative Council mandates, so Mbeki could argue (though he doesn’t) that Abu Mazen still represents the Palestinian majority. Most Palestinians (59%), including many Hamas voters, continue to support immediate negotiations toward a two-state solution. (They also continue to support suicide bombers.)

But as Yossi Alpher points out in an argument concluding that Abbas is not relevant, for now a peace process is not possible. Hamas is our "partner", for better or for worse.

Alpher weights his conclusion up thus:

In favour of Abbas:

Abu Mazen is a good person with noble sentiments. He opposes violence and appears genuinely to want a two-state solution. He remains president of the PA and head of the PLO.

Not in favour of Abbas

But he is incapable of acting decisively, and unable to deliver on his commitments. He promised to disarm the militias--those of Hamas, Fateh and Islamic Jihad--and could not. He wanted to clean out the ranks of Fateh and the PLO from the old guard of corrupt politicos, and failed.

Alpher also reminds us that even Abu Mazen is not ready to make the compromises necessary for a negotiated settlement.

• He agreed with Hamas in March 2005 in Cairo that the right of return would be exercised for all refugees to their former lands--a a euphemisim for Israel's destruction by demographic submersion.
• Earlier, at Camp David and Taba in 2000-2001, he was part of a PLO team whose positions on the Temple Mount and the right of return helped doom the talks.

And so, Alpher concludes

In short, even if he had a mandate to negotiate and the capacity to do so, peace talks with him would likely fail. In the unlikely event that they succeeded, Abbas would not be able to deliver, because he does not have a mandate. Hamas does.

I agree with Alpher. Abbas is irrelevant. But as always there are two sides to the argument: Ghassan Khatib, the former PA Minister of Planning argues that Abbas still plays a crucial role. (Well...Khatib is part of Fatah so it's no surprise.)

South Africa’s Unconditional Support for Hamas

Back from an exhausting project in Cape Town and there’s lots going on – particularly today’s visit by PA President - or is it Chairman – (whatever the case, I think he is irrelevant now) Mahmoud Abbas. Abbas will be addressing parliament today.

And in trying to balance his support for all his friends from the amazing race, Thabo Mbeki made some interesting statements yesterday in support of Hamas.

Unconditional support for Hamas.

Cape Town - President Thabo Mbeki pledged on Thursday the "unconditional acceptance" of the legitimacy of the new Hamas-led Palestinian government, but urged the militant group to recognise Israel's right to exist.

Hamas must be included as a negotiation partner.

Mbeki said Hamas must be included as a negotiating partner in the peace process, despite the refusal by Israel and some Western governments to deal with the militant group, which is on the United States and European Union lists of terrorist organisations.

Yes – it’s despite Israel’s refusal – not despite the Hamas refusal to even recognise Israel’s existence, or to accept the Oslo agreements. But of course, who would ever dream of placing responsibilities on the Palestinians for anything.

A hefty does of narcissism…

"We are likely to make a meaningful contribution to the peace process through constructive engagement with all the people of Palestine, including Hamas," said Mbeki in reply to a question in parliament.

Contradictions

Mbeki told parliament: "Any intended engagement with Hamas must, in the first instance, be premised on the recognition and unconditional acceptance of the reality that the people of Palestine have freely and democratically elected Hamas to represent their interests."

Well President Mbeki, any intended engagement with the Palestinian Authority should, in the first instance, be premised on meeting with those elected officials BEFORE meeting with the losing officials. And yet it's Abbas who is visiting today.

The news24 article goes on to call Fatah the “moderate party”.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, of the moderate Fatah party, officially swore in the 24-member Hamas cabinet on Wednesday.

Being moderate relative to Hamas does not render them moderate in an absolute sense.

The al Aqsa Brigades, the armed wing of the “moderate” Fatah announced on Sunday that they are planning to launch a new campaign of assault on Ashkelon, the Israeli city north of Gaza.

The engineering and military industries sections of Fatah's Al-Aqsa Brigades announced Sunday the start of a new military offensive against the Israeli city of Ashkelon, to be called "Volcano Fire."

Moderate indeed.

The new Israel: A beggar nation

Honestly I am shocked by the election result. It’s no so much that Kadima only got 28 seats but that socio-economic issues played such a big role. How can it be that Labour with no diplomatic/security strategy, lead by an irresponsible trade unionist, renowned for his cronyism, could win 20 seats? And a bunch of geriatrics only interested in government hand outs could win 7? It’s because Israel has become a beggar nation.

I was not supporting Bibi Netanyahu and his Likud (as regular readers know). I didn’t hide my disdain for his political solution to the conflict (or should I say lack there of). But no-one can deny his economic contribution to Israel as Finance Minister. He quite literally saved the Israeli economy from an economic melt down. Through classic neo-liberal economic policies, he dragged Israel out of a very serious economic recession.

Perez, on the other hand, as head of the labour federation tried to prevent this necessary economic liberalisation. He launched costly nation wide strikes to appease his support base. This is not the behaviour of a leader. Yet Netanyahu is punished and Perez is rewarded by the public.

If I was leftwing I would certainly have voted Merez before giving my vote to the Stalin look a like leader of Labour. They at least stand for something more than begging. The fight for gays, women and minority rights. The have an internationally respected leader with immense diplomatic experience. But how many seats did they get 4. How can you explain it?

You see many Israelis have forgotten about the national interest. All that matters is how much money they can squeeze out of the state. So lets raise the minimum wage and bugger the thousands of people who will be retrenched as a result. Lets raise taxes to fund the elderly’s cushy retirement. Bugger the fact that it discourages investment and economic growth. That’s someone else’s problem. Everything is ok as long as I get more money.

Israel has missed a golden opportunity to show Hamas and the world its political strength. These results show that economic self-interest and not security is what truly matters.

Fortunately, Kadima will be able to form a stable coalition that will implement disengagement 2. But with Perez as finance minister I fear to imagine the economic cost. This is a man that still believes in a command economy. For him the kibbutz is the epitome of economic success. But you know Israelis aren’t worried. Why the hell should they be? American aid and Jewish Diaspora donations, so they think, will always be there to bail them out.

Forward Kadima Forward

With only a few hours left before one of the most pivotal elections in the history of the modern Jewish state, I am extremely tense. It no secret that I am a big Kadima fan and all the polls have consistently shown that they are going to win comprehensively. So what is my problem?

Well I don’t believe the polls are a fair reflection of the political reality. They don’t capture the massive uncertainly among Israeli voters. The 34-36 seats Kadima is expected to get does not take into account the fact that there are still 26 floating seats. Are those doubting voters part of the 36? If so will they stay the course (to use a Bushism) or will they revert back to their political homes at the last minute?

How will Israel’s approximately 1 million Russian immigrants vote? The polls show that they are increasingly backing the extremist Yisrael Bateiynu party. What will Israel’s Arab citizens do? Will Sephardic Jews remain loyal to Likud or flock to Labour? So many variables.

Nevertheless I believe Israelis have a clear choice: either they vote for a strong Jewish and democratic state or perpetual war and further international isolation. The Likud and everything to the right have come to represent the idea that only military might can guarantee the future of Israel. But Israelis know deep down that brawn without brains is not the Jewish way. In addition to a strong army, creative political compromises are needed to ensure the existence of a sovereign Jewish state in the Middle East. Kadima is the only party that can offer Israel this path.

The psychological trauma that the relentless Palestinian terrorist war has inflicted on Israeli society cannot easily be discounted. Some people will certainly be tempted to vote right out of fear. Other will want to vote right out of their deep love for all of the biblical land of Israel. But Israel can’t afford to let its emotions get the better of it.

Israel inhabits a dangerous neighborhood. Strategic political pragmatism and not ideology is the only way to effectively minimize the threat. Thus ultimately a big Kadima victory is Israel’s only real choice. I just pray tomorrow Israelis come to realize this.

Our Trophies

I've added our trophy buttons from the SA Blog Awards to the left sidebar. Special thanks to Cherry Flava for organising the buttons.

The Palestinian Version of the Amazing Race

Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is to be coming to town. Peter Fabricius of the Independent Newspaper Group reported that he is expected to be here as soon as next week. This was confirmed by the Palestinian Ambassador to South Africa, Ali Halimeh.

This will be the embattled chairman’s first official visit of our shores. Abbas is expected to receive the royal treatment. He has a meeting planned with President Mbeki and may even address parliament. An honour only bestowed on special friends.

Why the sudden visit? Peter Fabricius cites ‘some observers’ as suggesting that Abbas is trying to get here before Hamas. Abbas must be hoping that it’s a political elimination round this week. Having the ear of our president first, will enable him to mount further international support to pressure Hamas to moderate.

This political version of the Palestinian Amazing Race to reach South Africa presents a unique opportunity for South African Jews. We need to show our willingness to engage with moderate Palestinians while denouncing extremists. We need to embrace the Abbas visit whilst scorning the Hamas one. The South African Jewish Board of Deputies and the South African Zionist Federation should organise at a minimum to meet with Abbas.

I personally would like to say welcome Mr Chairman; it’s nice to have a "sane" Palestinian voice in South Africa. (Sane...relative to the thugs in Hamas).

AP: Militants in Kadima

An AP caption reads

Militants of the Kadima party stand next to portraits of acting prime minister Ehud Olmert, right, and ailing prime minister Ariel Sharon at the Kadima headquarters in Jerusalem Wednesday March 22, 2006. The centrist party Kadima (forward in English) was founded by Ariel Sharon in Nov. 2006 after leaving the right-wing Likud party and is the front-runner in the polls for the upcoming March 28 general elections. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

See the Honest Reporting blog Media Backspin for more.

Forced to Cooperate

Sometimes Israelis and Palestinians are forced into some form of cooperation.

Bird flu virus confirmed in Beka'ot

Initial tests conducted on dead chickens from the Gaza Strip indicated that the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu has spread to Gaza, the first outbreak of the disease in the Palestinian Authority territories, Israel's Agriculture Ministry said Wednesday. In addition, following concern Wednesday that the virus had spread to the Jordan Valley, the H5N1 strain was confirmed Thursday morning in Moshav Beka'ot. However, in Netaim, in central Israel, the virus was not yet confirmed. Israeli veterinarians met with their Palestinian counterparts yesterday to discuss how best to deal with the problem, said Na'amati, adding that every kibbutz and community with poultry in the Eshkol region was under constant inspection to ensure that the H5N1 strain did not continue spreading.

Unfortunately, as Moral Fiber reports, a Kabbalist Rabbi in Jerusalem is claiming that the bird flu cases inside Israel are God's retribution for the Meretz Party's support of same sex marriage.

Basri is already being investigated by police for hate speech directed at Palestinians.

I think it’s an absolute disgrace and a reminder of the perils in becoming too obsessed with what our enemies are saying to the extent that we forget to look into our own mirrors.

In Israel hate speech, especially that which targets Arabs should have severe consequences. It can very easily indoctrinate young followers and lead to incidents of Jewish terrorism like what happened last year in the run-up to the Gaza disengagement.

I have always supported limitations to freedom of speech (when it becomes hate speech) and therefore I won't be upset if Basri finds himself sitting in jail.

M&G Censorship

The recent sloppy piece of Chris McGreal propaganda masquerading as journalism in the Mail & Guardian singled out South African Jewry apart from all other white South Africans as being particularly complicit in the crimes of apartheid.

You would think that such serious accusations warrant a fair right of reply. If you single out a particular group for extraordinary criticism then you should be brave enough to allow them the space to defend themselves.

But the M&G play by their own rules.

Last week the following severely edited David Saks article appeared in the M&G. (David Saks is the Associate Director of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies.)

Your editorial of March 3 falsely comments that the S A Jewish Board of Deputies equates criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. The SAJBD is careful to distinguish between attacks on Israel and racist abuse of Jews per se. Of course, it regards unreasonable prejudice against Israel as being as much a form of bigotry as it does prejudice against Jews.

Obviously the M&G decided to censor the full David Saks article - not wanting to give the SA Jewish Board a fair chance to defend themselves. The full David Saks article - not printed by the M&G - is shown below.

Dear Editor Your editorial of 3 March included the gratuitous and wholly untrue comment that the S A Jewish Board of Deputies automatically equates criticism of Israel with antisemitism. The SAJBD is in fact careful to distinguish between attacks on Israel, however unjust, and racist abuse of Jews per se. It goes without saying, of course, that it regards unreasonable prejudice against Israel as being as much a form of bigotry as it does prejudice against Jews. As for Chris McGreal's extended attempt to equate the State of Israel with apartheid South Africa, a deeply unpleasant aspect of this is the inordinate extent to which he dwells on the response of the South African Jewish community to apartheid, as if this is somehow relevant to his main argument. The result of this disproportionate focus on the behaviour of a small ethnic minority who never constituted more than 3% of the white population, has the effect of making Jews uniquely guilty of benefiting from apartheid. Every other white ethnic and faith group of the time seems to have gotten off scot-free. Predictably, McGreal hauls out the Percy Yutar example to illustrate this collective Jewish complicity. Somehow, the Jewish origins of Yutar, the only Jewish lawyer of any note who supported the apartheid government, have been raised time and again. By contrast, one never finds mention of the Jewishness of such great anti-apartheid lawyers as Isie Maisels (a former President of both the S A Jewish Board of Deputies and Zionist Federation, by the way), Sydney Kentridge, Arthur Chaskalson and many others. This kind of gross selectivity pretty much tells its own story. McGreal's attempt to equate Israel and apartheid also fundamentally misses the mark. Apartheid was an all-encompassing system of social engineering that, on the basis of arbitrary racial differentiations, imposed controls on every conceivable facet of daily life. From the workplace to the bedroom, in the classroom, legislature, judiciary and other areas to numerous to mention, South Africans were divided from one other, with the system blatantly favouring the white minority. It is true that a degree of discrimination exists in Israel (it exists in South Africa too, of course, being generally referred to as "affirmative action"), but to compare this to what constituted the reviled apartheid policy not only grossly exaggerates it but by implication also diminishes what apartheid was. Had McGreal subjected other Middle Eastern countries - Saudi Arabia and Iran are obvious examples - to the same kind of nitpicking scrutiny that he has applied to Israel, he will have uncovered examples of religion-based discrimination far more overt than that which exists in Israel. However, these countries are never even mildly called to book for this, let alone accused of practising apartheid. The reality is that the "Israel equals apartheid" equation has been concocted by those bent on Israel's complete eradication and who are hoping to achieve this by turning it into a pariah state just as apartheid South Africa was. David Saks (Associate Director S A Jewish Board of Deputies)

But what do you expect from a newspaper that runs articles celebrating the death of Israelis - like this opinion piece in 2002...

Finally, let us now be honest. Who on the left did not feel a sense of Schadenfreude at the sight of the World Trade Centre towers crashing to the ground? It is the same instinct that now leads us to quietly celebrate the news of an Israeli casualty. In the end, oppression and its appeasement can bring out the "terrorist" in all of us.