By Vic Rosenthal
All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding danger (it’s impossible), but calculating risk and acting decisively. Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer. – Machiavelli
Recently, in response to my saying that the Palestinian Authority was more trouble than it is worth, a reader asked “what exactly is the alternative?”
To broaden his question a bit, we might ask “what is the alternative to what Israel is doing now,” which is essentially as little as possible — reacting to threats, but taking no initiatives.
I hate to disappoint him, but I don’t have a detailed solution worked out. I don’t know enough to develop one. I will leave the details to the experts, like Caroline Glick, Yoram Ettinger, and others.
I am a former logic teacher so I am not good at coming up with new plans. What I am good at is showing where ideas are contradictory, and deducing the implications of facts. So here is some logical thinking about Israel and the Palestinian Arabs.
Logic can tell us where a solution does not lie, and one place is negotiations with today’s Palestinian leadership for another partition of the land into Jewish and Palestinian states. A truly sovereign Palestinian state in the territories is inconsistent with Israel’s security, and anyway there is insufficient overlap between the bottom lines of the parties to reach an agreement.
Even more so (a fortiori or adraba) is it not possible to reach such an agreement in the framework of mediation or arbitration by entities hostile to Israel, like the Arab League, the UN or the Obama Administration. If somehow a partition were imposed by external powers, it would certainly, sooner or later, lead to the end of the Jewish state.
Since most of the nations of the world seem to favor partition, either they consistently believe that there should not be a Jewish state, or they — for various political reasons — assert two contradictory propositions: that the Jewish state should exist and that the land should be partitioned. The latter is the public position of the Obama Administration.
My analysis of the thinking of Obama and his circle is that they can make these contradictory statements because they simply ignoreconsiderations of Israel’s security. The reversal of the outcome of the 1967 war is top priority — it is the only priority in this connection — and their thinking stops there. So they can go on to say that they are committed to Israel’s security because they don’t think about what that means in practical terms. This, anyway, is the most generous interpretation I can come up with.
In any event, it’s clear that if Israel is to survive, it will have to go against the wishes of almost the entire world, including its ‘ally’, the US. The reason that Israel is presently behaving in an entirely reactive way and taking no initiative is that Israeli leaders believe that any positive action will bring about retaliation from its allies and enemies alike.
This is the excessive prudence in avoiding danger that Machiavelli warns us against. It is psychologically and diplomatically a dangerous tactic, because it broadcasts weakness and invites more pressure to conform. If Israel stays put as Palestinian positions become more extreme, the ‘consensus point’ moves away from Israel.
The Left continually says that ‘the status quo is unsustainable’ because the world will ultimately step in and sanction Israel. I think they are correct in this, but their conclusion — that Israel should make further concessions to achieve an agreement with the Palestinians — is a non-sequitur, and its implementation would be disastrous.
My argument is that Israel should move in the other direction — for example, take steps that increase, rather than decrease, its degree of sovereignty in Judea, Samaria and eastern Jerusalem (I know that legally it is fully sovereign in all of Jerusalem, but de facto it is another story in many areas).
It should respond disproportionately to terrorism, without overly restrictive rules of engagement.
It should move forward with the understanding that the world will notapprove of its actions, but it should act in accordance with its security needs, not the desires of external powers. After all, most of these powers do not wish it well as it is.
It should also present the reasons for its actions transparently in public diplomacy. For example, there is no reason to pretend that a “two-state solution” is its objective.
There could be economic and diplomatic retaliation, but Israel’s economy is strong and its leverage will improve with the development of its natural gas resources. Anyway, if we do nothing the pressure will only increase.
From a security point of view, it is better to be respected, even feared, than liked (Machiavelli said something like this too). The Jew among nations cannot expect to be liked, but it could be respected.
yamit82 Said:
And this is his squaw: http://music.famousfix.com/tpx_24173800/i-m-an-indian/
@ honeybee:
Did you know of Don Solomono, Jewish Indian Chief
@ yamit82</a
The German communities of Texas have a very interesting history. They were utopians and anti- slavery. The people of Fredericksburg have the only treaty with an Indian tribe that has never been broken and is still celebrated to this day. German speaking Jews lived in these communities and prospered.
honeybee Said:
Always wondered what Nietzsche would think of America and Texas of course????
yamit82 Said:
This is true in life, nature and football.
yamit82 Said:
TX is collateral descendent of the Nietzsche Family in New Braumfels, Texas.
@ M Devolin:
Good lesson!!!! I know it well and have often posted it on this forum. Good to know someone has watched it.
Rabbis emphasized humility for a reason: stiff-necked Jews could be extinguished. Given the weakness of Jews compared to the imperial powers and the host nations of the Diaspora, it seemed to make sense to accept humiliations in order to survive, rather than be killed outright in unequal struggles. Though logical, the argument might not be correct. From the Babylonians to the Germans, hostile nations have almost annihilated weak Jews many times in our history. Desperate resistance could have saved more Jews than humility by deterring the aggressors from pressing too far. In the war of 66-70 C.E. Jews mostly hid from the Romans in town fortresses—a tactic which likely provoked the Romans to further depredations. After the defeat of 135 C.E., when Jews under Bar Kochba fought the Romans valiantly, the victorious Romans left the remaining Jews alone to such an extent that Talmudic rabbis praised Roman justice. Jewish strength in 132-135 allowed for the survival of a larger part of the Jewish nation than when the Jews met their killers with humility. In terms of social evolution, humility cannot be a beneficial trait. Jewish weakness provokes antisemitism.
Strength inhibits assimilation. For American Jews, in the 1967 war “we won,” but in the peace process “We are giving the land away.” The Diaspora identifies with strong Israel, and dissociates from the weak.
I fell in love with Nietzsche the moment I read him praising the crowd of club-wielding Hebrews.
For Yamit (this reminded me of his comments):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dr7UjHLb58
dove Said:
Good I understand.
I once gave an extended interview in the NYT and received Mail sacks of hate mail for almost a month. Should have kept the best ones in a scrap book. Burned them instead.
@ yamit82:
Just before Linda died.
I will be there in due time. Not wise to get into too much detail on a public forum.
honeybee Said:
I do. I DO?????? 😉
yamit82 Said:
You should known you ask enough.
honeybee Said:
A leading question, considered not answering but in a word yup and without strings and attachments. I had more work than I could handle I had to refuse a lot of Jobs. Didn’t advertise either it went by word of mouth. After two years I was worn out and my wife made me quit. Goodmoney and tips though.
yamit82 Said:
Do you get sleep with your employer,,,,I do !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ honeybee:
I cook and do housework too. I was a house cleaner professionally for 2 years. great with windows.
@ dove:
@ dove:
Yes awesome. What year?
One of the perks of living here is no antisemites. Almost forgot what you are experiencing. Get your but over here pronto. Good for your soul…and mental well being. We are a large quarrelsome family but wouldn’t have any other way. When you need some one there is no shortage.
Last concert I went to was Leonard Cohen in TA. That two was awesome. Almost went to Lady Gaga concert last week but I decided I would rather spen the time here with HB. More interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvGdrNv5hEg
yamit82 Said:
Hummmmmmmmmmmmm
honeybee Said:
I think what ever your computer got is catchy. Must be careful of viruses. Mine is starting to cough and sneeze.
Maybe it’s the Smirnoff? Think I’ll switch to scotch with beer chasers.
@ honeybee:
Yes to all except computer repairs
yamit82 Said:
Shoe stores, dress shops, jewelers. art supplies, computer repairs ???????????
yamit82 Said:
How I feel myself ??????????????
Computer went down AGAIN
@ yamit82:
ea
This is also one of the many times of the year when anti-semites check in and try to lay guilt trips as they are soooooooo good and finding flaws. Then they expect us to wipe the slate clean without being held accountable. NOT A CHANCE!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=JK2hKzZss5Y
I saw this live! It was awesome!!! 🙂
dove Said:
Yom Kippur is our safety net. Many times we sin and offend people inadvertently so we cover every eventuality just in case. I was riding in a town cab today my car in is the shop and over the radio the drivers were asking each other forgiveness if the had done anything to hurt or offend each other. They were very serious.
I really love these people. We yell and curse each other and five min later all is forgotten and they are patting each other on the back…. They love me here in Dimona mention my name and it’s a free pass to everything. Wanted me to run for mayor but that’s not me. I like to watch observe and give advice if asked. Not afraid to say I don’t know (very un Israeli)either.
honeybee Said:
@ honeybee:
Ahora ya Sabes Como Me Sentí mi preciosa abeja de la miel 😉
yamit82 Said:
Shurnuff,,, surfluff !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yamit82 Said:
To much Smirnoff for surefluff ????????????????? It happens to best..Borracho
@ yamit82:
dove Said:
Preparing for Yom Kippur already?
No sweatheart I’m not offended, I was pulling your chain. 😉
btw my brother in law played goal for RPI. Those were the days almost the whole team were Canadian. Played McMaster and MaGil and U Ontario. Lost mostly to Midwestern big ten teams. I had season ticket for 4 years and listened to the games every week on radio. Loved Hockey as much or more than football. Could never skate though. My delicate ass couldn’t take the bruising…. 🙂
@ yamit82:
Yamit…..lighten up…I was just joking around.
Your right I do. It’s a G-d given strength that I am very thankful for even though I don’t like people looking at me with fear in their eyes UNLESS they are an anti-semite. I know my ‘best work’ is yet to come.
Some Jews look at me as bait that they would like to use. Don’t even try it! I know where I’ve been, I know where I am and I know where I am going.
I hope this was not directed at me.
I don’t know why I am so cocky sometimes. I like the orthodox because it takes some pressure off. The men daven and pray (a very daunting task).
As we approach Yom Kippur and I reflect on the past year I don’t find a need to ‘beat my chest’ in repentance. I am somewhat puzzled and perplexed by that.
honeybee Said:
Lately it’s SMIRNOFF!
dove Said:
You know that’s not true just persona btw friends. I believe I was always supportive of your intentions and never criticized or mocked them.
I know you’ve had it tough and I don’t envey you that but it seems you have strength that most women or men don’t have and I respect that. I like true Grit in anyone man or woman and detest wimps.
I hopeyou know that if there is anything you think I can be helpful that I’m here. (Sincerely)
I hope this was not directed at me.
@ yamit82:
Of course you love me…..You love EVERY woman on the planet……even if most of them it is only for 5 minutes!!
A long way indeed! One of the yiddish die hards at a former shul said to me “So, has your life gotten a whole lot worse since becoming a Jew? hahahaha”
@ yamit82:
SNURNUFF, or surefluff
@ honeybee:
You know how it is when you’re reading a book and falling asleep, you’re reading, reading… and all of a sudden you notice your eyes are closed? I’m like that all the time.
yamit82 Said:
See above !!!!!!!!!!! Darlin
M Devolin Said:
O.M.G. you didn’t just post that statement on a blog full of “want-to-be” Jewish comedians.
M Devolin Said:
Lucky for them they never practiced what they preached.
Tell the folks what happens when you don’t slip a punch.
M Devolin Said:
If we had a Bush (any Bush) here in the desert I’d be there too.
btw, what’s a Bush?
“On the sidewalk, bareass naked except for some cheap sandals and a stolen bottle of booze.”
Been there, done that, except that I had clothes on and the booze was paid for. But then, later on in life, “HE pulled me from the dung heap.”
Yamit, a friend of mine once said, “The Christians say, ‘Turn the other cheek.’ So watch out when I run out of cheeks!”
The only time I turn the other cheek is when I’m slipping punches.
I look younger than 60? Well, thanks, Dove, my dearie. I appreciate that. Or as they say back home, “Thanks for the compliment and we’ll have another round.” LOL Appreciate it, Dove. I spend a lot of time in the bush, maybe that keeps me looking young and fit.
yamit82 Said:
@ honeybee:
Quieres una explicación?
reemplazar amor por igual !!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA4ppvp2IzY
yamit82 Said:
Que es eso!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ honeybee:
Maybe this will cheer you up.
@ yamit82:
Thank you very much for the photos, I already have painting in mind.
@ dove:
my philosophy of life.
I like it better than turn the other cheek, because after you’ve turned all four cheeks where does that leave you? On the sidewalk, bareass naked except for some cheap sandals and a stolen bottle of booze.
M Devolin Said:
The Torah forbids it.
@ honeybee:
https://www.google.com/search?q=national+geographic+native+american+portraits&num=20&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=yQcrVPm3MZDB7AaOrYHADg&ved=0CDsQ7Ak&biw=1440&bih=718#facrc=_&imgdii=SS9Vq6jg4MNVpM%3A%3B0eNP1Pic_m6ZxM%3BSS9Vq6jg4MNVpM%3A&imgrc=SS9Vq6jg4MNVpM%253A%3Bpg2TSy2O3k7HhM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fproof.nationalgeographic.com%252Ffiles%252F2014%252F03%252Fproof-sky-dogs-larsen-04.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fproof.nationalgeographic.com%252F2014%252F03%252F06%252Ferika-larsen-in-search-of-a-horse%252F%3B1600%3B1066
http://www.wall321.com/thumbnails/detail/20120513/mountains%20animals%20national%20geographic%20horses%201600×1200%20wallpaper_www.wall321.com_30.jpg
@ honeybee:
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQosTLmGmdzZX5a-AnYKzXN-Tco1CroOZJNcHL3cv_9nO6yxXs8
http://blog.rottenecards.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/national-geographic-traveler-photo-contest-2013-3.jpg