Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today delivered a major policy speech to the US Congress. It is about the easiest audience in the world for an Israeli official, and virtually each statement of policy of slogan he barked from the podium was met with a standing ovation by the assembled Congressmen.
But of course the Israeli government isn’t trying to make peace with the US Congress – and the indications are that they won’t get far with the Palestinians on the basis of this speech. Netanyahu’s speech was met with uniform condemnation from Israel’s left and right and top Palestinian officials.
Israeli opposition MPs referred to it as an “election commercial,” while the settlers who back the right-far-right coalition government condemned the suggestion that Israel might even end the occupation of even a fraction of the nation’s 1967 conquests.
Palestinian leadership insisted that the prime minister’s comments, despite being couched as part of a march toward peace, actually made even more onerous demands on the Palestinians, and make the situation even more difficult.
A particular issue is the Palestinian unity government, which Netanyahu demanded be split up. Israeli officials have repeatedly insisted they could not negotiate peace with the Palestinians since they were split up. but now insist that united they are unacceptable.
Another key obstacle is Netanyahu’s demand that all of Jerusalem, including the occupied East Jerusalem, remain eternally part of Israel. He insisted only Israel allows all religions access to the holy sites in the region. This netted massive applause, but came just a week after Israel severely curbed access to the Muslim holy sites in the city to prevent public protests.
I was totally embarrassed to watch our eminent Congress members sit, stand and applaud the lecture they were given by Netanyahu today. Should historical claims going back 2000-3000 years determine who should live in a land in 2011? Where do the Americans, Canadians, Austrailians, etc.return to? The UN ceded British occupied lands to the Jews several years ago with defined boundaries. If Israel does not want ot try to defend that land, and make a unilateral claim for more, you can be sure that a billion surrounding Arabs will take it all back even if it takes another humdred years. Please Netanyahu, take the Arab League at its word, move back to your 1967 borders and make peace with your neighbors. And in spite of what the American Kooky Kristians think, that is the right thing to do for world peace.
I will not be making a donationn to antiwar.com this time around since lately most of my comments submitted in response to various articles have never been psoted.
JDonald
to quote bernard henri levy "democracy says that we must treat everyone in the same way, but not everyone is everyone."
The US democratic party and those belonging to this party saying the same thing.., we are democrats.., by being in senate and talk about things that is good for us.., things that gives us power and money.., who are they to say that they are democrats.., if democracy would work for them then what are we going to do.., find a job…
To have our job we need to have crises.., Israel and Arab nationals are two of those matters that assure us of keeping our job and be reelected by either one.., depending on how much commitment we would promise them.., if that doesn’t work then we take advantage of the situation and praise one over the other, thus far Israel been a better choice.., so we keep the trend and cheer even the most hated regime in this world…, because they own us and they have a atomic bomb.., we think that one day they might use it against the USA.., but off course we always can blame the Iranian for that or who ever we want to bomb.
It’s hard to believe that American congressmen could applaud a patently racist warmonger as he lectures them on how he intends to demean everything the US stands for. The UN gave zionists half of Palestine in 1948: that should have been the borders for Israel. But, time has shown just how impotent successive US administrations have been to Israeli aggression. Is it any wonder that Netanyahu refuses to even contemplate a return to 1967 borders? With active US support, Israel has flouted every UN resolution to date over the issue of returning stolen land. And the poodles in Congress give a standing ovation to the the snubbing of their own President! Please, I need to puke.
No, it is easy to believe when their history is reviewed. In my youth I believed our leaders were honest and there for us, now I believe they may start that way but quickly turn into self serving arrogant clowns. Their disgusting display was of trained monkeys.
Israel only claim to Palestine is within the borders of the Jewish State as per its unilaterally declaration enshrined in the UN181; prior to that date Israel nor its Jewish State ever existed.
Jesus might have changed water into wine but the American Congress can't make a silken purse out of sows ears nor turn and illegal, belligerent, racist occupation in violation of over 200UN resolutions into a legitimate entity. The Geneva Convention ratified by Israel says occupation by war or annexation is illegal without the explicit recognition of the stakeholders.
Congress showed how little they care for America today
As a Canadian concerned about Zionism's hold on U.S politics, I urge all Americans to write, email phone their respective Congressmen – and let them know(where applicable) how disgusted you are to see an American congress join a foreign leader in attacking and insulting the POTUS; as well as siding with apartheid Israel at the expense of America(and the world).
These traitors need to know that their subservience to Israel is not appreciated…
In the British type parliamentary monarchies the two legislative bodies assemble together to hear a speech from the throne. Except in contrast to this one the monarch has no real power.
In the last week i’ve posted many pieces about 5 per day and about 2 show up I’m not sure why but have seen other comments say similar things.I spend time giving my respectfull thoughts on the evils going on in the world and enjoy it but they should be shown unless a person is swearing or threatning can we no why Angela has my number.Thankyou.
[Moderator’s note: Jamie, When one of your comments gets caught in our automatic moderation filters, a human has to look at it and decide whether to let it go to the trash or to publish it. I can’t speak for all of our moderators, but the main thing I think of that could explain why some of your comments may end up unpublished is if they seem to be “repeats” of the same comment. But then, looking through some of your comments that are in moderation right now, I’ll tell you straight out — as soon as you start referring to “the Jews” and “goyim,” my anti-Semitism antennae go up. If you want to talk about Zionism, that’s fine. If you want to slam “the Jews,” do it somewhere else. – TLK]
Just say the J-word and you are automatically censored. I know.
Netanyahu is an evil man and the American congress lets him disrespect their president and also lets people including a former Jewish citizen a women to get throughn in jail and hurt for telling him to end the wars.Not how the citizens that pay your wages should be treated better remember for the people or even your constitution.Not for a long time it seems.She was probably talking about all the American deaths fighting wars that are in Israels intrest way more than American but gess it politics as usual Americans wake up to the way the everyday citizen get treated and your government send your kids to die and torture people in illegal wars.Lots of comments I spend time writing havent been getting through like they used to I hope this on does because I use my time trying to do thing to help the world see evils in the only way I know how since I'm not famous.Thanks.
Congress swore a fealty oath to a foreign govt this week They should be arrested
We need to take america back. Kick out almost every member, except those who put us first, barack included!
The ovations was drama at it's best! It was to keep the american people believing that israel is genuine! If you watch the whole charade you will see that it was an attempt to continue with brainwashing techniques to keep us oblivious to the truth which is israel is bringing our nation down!
The ovations were just whores cheering for their pimp.
I watched less than 10 minutes of the speech and have to say that was the most embarrassing display of kowtowing I've ever seen – and to a foreign head of state. How low we've fallen. There were a few faces in the crowd that showed obvious disdain but instead of doing the right thing and getting up and walking out, they remained, and stood to applaud. It was painfully obvious that they were being lectured with an arrogance beyond belief. He was enjoying it – you could see flashes of "I OWN YOU ASSHOLES" barely concealed. And some of those in the front rows actually looked like they were in thrall – probably hard with excitement….sick.
What have we come to when our own President is denigrated and derided while a foreign head-of-sate is fawned over. Who are they trying to impress? The Israelis? The Israeli citizens don't give a rats behind whether Boner and Can'tnor kiss Netanyahoo's butt. Maybe they're constituents? But I can't imagine the farmers of Virginia or Ohio actually caring about the Israel borders when their communities are crumbling and their retirement funds are being devoured by avaricious banks and increasing "fees". So, who? Ah, of course, it's them that fund the campaigns demanding that their "special interests" – like destroying medicare, destroying the public education system, destroying the middle class, and destroying Obama (or any democrat) – these are the reasons.
Why, as citizens of this great country, do we as voters allow our elected to disrespect our country, our heritage? I don't agree with much that our elected have done to our country over the past 50 years but allowing a lying, arrogant, despicable human being such as Netanyahu stand at the podium of the People's House and lecture the nation is beyond malfeasance. Everyone who stood and applauded should be voted out. Unfortunately those standing in line to replace them are no better.
We, as a nation are in a real bad place.
But, that's just this old Curmudgeon's opinion…
You don't have to be so modest as to say "But that's just this old Curmudgeon's opinion" — whoever you are, it can stand on its own.
"Profiles in Courage" was about the moment in politics in which you swim against the tide, even if it means losing your career. Not to stand and applaud at every word from Netanyahu's lips could have been that fatal moment for someone in the Congress. It would have started a conflagration, from a small point of light. Whether or not it would have destroyed a career is the question.
When the person was ejected from the gallery for yelling "Rights for Palestinians", the boos and catcalls from the floor of the Congress were a further sealing of the deal with Netanyahu. Rights for Palestinians will not be on the table. Then, with bland approval of the police methods for ejecting her so swiftly, Netanyahu went on to praise this "democracy" in which someone cry in protest without – what? — fear of being shot in a crowded room? As she was dragged away, Netanyahu's praise of non-existent dialog met with thunderous standing ovation. Irony eludes our Congressmen.
The woman hauled away was an Israeli-born Jew, a member of Codepink. Like so many Jews in Israel, she dislikes Netanyahu's lying face. She did not say "You lie" but that is what she meant.
Netanyahu is a LIAR and the reincarnation of Hitler.
In the US Congress we have 535 TRAITORS to the American people.
Israel is NOT now and has NEVER been a 'friend' of the US – it is really our only enemy in the Middle East.
When will the 'goyim' Americans wake up to the fact that the 'Master Race' in Israel considers all of us to be lower than animals to be enslaved by them?
Remember the USS Liberty!
Our founding fathers set up a system were the congressman was to represent part of a state and the senator was to represent the interest of the entire population of the state. Yesterday you had 535 congressman and senators prostrating the interest of the public who elected them for the interest of those that provide the good life to those senators and congressman. I found it interest yesterday they made public a study that our congressman and senators had a much better gains at stock picking than one would expect. In short the study pretty much stated our congressmen and senators are taking bribes via stock picks. I do not know about the rest of the nation but I can tell you I felt like I was kicked watching those prostitutes in elected office doing everything but providing public oral sex to a representative of a foreign nation who yelled that they are not going to talk test and you as an American have no say in the matter. As proof look at these corrupt scumbas that hold your public office. Not one bit of the public work was done by these people yesterday. One individual congressman actually did take a few seconds to insult those who suffered so much in the recent storms. Eric Cantor stated that no money would be going to help unless they accept the demands the eric cantor demands for the help. Eric a very up front Israeli firster has never even suggested that it might be a good idea to put some conditions on the trillions we give Israel .
I am not sure why it is necessary for there to be a change and something "new" in his speech. Compromises are made at the negotiating table when there is a give and take. Why would he agree to anything and move the negotiable items further in the direction of Israeli compromise? I challenge anyone to come up with one compromise that any Palestinian leader ever came out and said, one! Remember, the negotiations are total based on Israels giving up what they have control of, and the Palestinians giving up nothing but their expressed desire to destroy Israel. The Arabs are the ones teaching their children to hate Israel and the goal is it's destruction. They would be much better off with neighbors that trust them and join the world economically and socially. They would get all that if they would not insist on things that would only make Israel more vulnerable to lead up to there ultimate stated goal and that is Israel's destruction.
Who has been under an illegal, and brutal occupation for tha last forty-four years? Who is the thief, the subjugator, and the power here?? Israel. You have no idea, nor do you care about their plight..why should you? If someone came to your home in the middle of the night with guns in your face, and demanded you leave your house, because it was not yours anymore would you lie down like a rug?? This is what the IDF do daily to the Palestinian people. Wake up!
The pals would very willingly give up their poverty and being murdered by zionists along with being tossed from their houses, having their orchards chopped down, having building permits turned down for decades while jews get one overnight. Oh sorry you only wanted one, but while I am at it remind me whose children it was writing "a gift from…" on bombs. And the shame of letters like yours is young people now look at zionists and say no wonder the nazis went to work.
i HAVE ONLY SEEN SUCH TOTAL SUPPORT FROM A CONGRESS IN STALIN’S USSR, HITLER’S GERMANY AND RECENTLY IN ASSAD’S SYRIA, AND FOR THE SAME REASON-FEAR. DID YOU LOOK CLOSLY AT THE CONGRESSMEN’S FACES AND HOW THEY ATTEMPTED TO NOT BE THE LAST ON THIER FEET.
[Moderator’s note: You don’t have to yell. We can all hear you just fine – TLK]
Look people.., Hussein Barack Obama was handpicked and elected as US president because of two thing.., one for US to announce to the world that USA is not about the new fascism.., as Dick Cheney and George W. Bush were presenting it.., second.., he is a good talker where he can mimic many of freedom fighters in US as Dr. Martin Luther king and others.., yet those who chose him new that his not Dr. King nor he is a socialist or even close to the idea.., they new that his able to fool people by promising anything and everything but in reality he is their man. That what the time in history required for such man to be at the whit house.., Now after almost three years non of his promises’ been materialized.., yet in practical terms he have shown the fact that he is the Capitalism/ Empire/militarism/regime – System man doing what a commander in chief would do.., continue with wars, create new one, lie to his own people and now this.., he just repeated what already have been said many times.., but he never said that US will vote with Palestinians when they go to UN and demand for the recognition of their land.., he just asked what everyone knew that is not going to be accepted by Israel to go back to 1967 borders.
So from the beginning all been oratory, politics and rhetoric and a continued publicity in being reelected.., now even the senate laughing in his (Obama) face where his new policies been to work with the warmongers from both sides.., so not only his been humiliated by Netanyahu and AIPAC but also by his own senators.., they think that all this is just a joke.., and that’s where the problem with the US democracy is.., that’s what the problem with the democratic party is.., senator Kerry is not there to conduct any democratic issue help solving the homeless problems in US.., he is there to get paid and make money by dealing in where there is a war and when he vote for that or another war.., so goes for other senators from republican or democratic isle. Look.., the system is based on Capitalism.., for Capitalism to exist then the system requires for its senators to be corrupt.
The reason only congress was "pleased" is because they are the ones getting the money.
I watched the speech of Netanyahoo as long as I could yesterday. It was such a propagandized speech, on par with the Osama bin laden propaganda of late.
At one point, a heckler interrupted the speech (although I saw that individually on a youtube video).
Bibi basked in the moment by stating that "where else can people use free speech so freely than Israel and the U.S.?" (something to that affect).
These are stunning comments, that only the most ignorant people could believe. Only about a week ago, Israel opened fire on unarmed Nakba protesters, killing a few.
It just takes a thinking persons breath away. Likewise, it is stunning to listen to Obama/Cameroon/SoreKozy when they speek of Humanitarian missions in North Africa, while Cynthia McKinney (bless her heart) has been reporting about the bombing going on in Tripoli..Live.
That article is at the following if you are interested….She's great! (I broke the link so it goes thru):
http://www. americanpendulum .com/2011/05/cynthia-mckinny-dispatch-from-tripoli-natos-feast-of-blood/
I see that my comment is waiting for approval. It may be because the link I included to the article by Cynthia McKinney (she is in tripoli).
The article is at americanpendulum dot com should be safe to go there as I go in their frequently.
the article is called:
Cynthia McKinny Dispatch From Tripoli: NATO’s Feast of Blood
I think you can read it elsewhere on the Web also.
Hi I'm writing to respond to my responce to why my post were not getting through.When I speak of Jews I speak with respect unless I'm refurring to Zionists that claim to be Jewish.Also when I use the word goyim it's right out of ther book the Tora.But if you at Antiwar find it offensive I will discontinue the use of that language.But I repeat when I say Jews refuring to none ZIONIST I'm very respectful the last thing I am is racist but like I said if it's offensive I will discontiue the use of them words even though when they were used I explained what I was refuring to.Thanks.Just so people don't get the wrong impression can this be posted please the last thing I slam is a race of people What I am refuring to is ZIONISTS that pretend to be Jews never real Jews.Sorry for the misunderstanding.
Our mistake is allowing our Congress to lose sovereignty, control of our own government (and if one really studies it, only a faction of a foreign government). There are a thousand nuisances to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Yet, when our representatives can not act independently without fear, we suffer.
I'm wondering if the "Heckler Incident" wasn't a totally stage-managed publicity grabber. Bibi was a little too slick for his own good in 'handling' the event.
On another note, though, I am completely disgusted by the fawning and hero-worship by our so-called 'leaders'- by their slavish devotion to Israel, they prove they are not acting in our best interests and many times in direct conflict with our best interests. They are serving THEIR best interests quite nicely, though, for whatever gold they have sold their souls for.
To paraphrase the lament of King Henry II, "Will no one rid me of these troublesome politicians?"