They’ve happened in virtually every other nation across the Middle East. They’ve brought down the regimes in Egypt and Tunisia, and are on the verge of doing the same in Yemen. They’ve started a massive civil war in Libya, and have led to mass arrests and massacres in Bahrain and Syria.
They are non-violent pro-democracy protests, and in a region used to dealing with violent protests with equally violent crackdowns, they are a terrifying prospect for those in power. That fear of masses of peaceful civilians expressing reasonable demands extends everywhere, including Israel.
That is the message coming out of Israel’s military, where top officers are expressing concerns that a march as small as 4,000 civilians would be virtually unstoppable, so long as it remains peaceful, in the West Bank. They have learned the lesson of the other regimes, that “determined people cannot be stopped by tear gas and rubber bullets.” Indeed, another official warned that “if we are to face protests similar to those in Egypt or Tunisia, we will not be able to do a thing.”
The fear is a realistic one, as Israeli officials say the Palestinian effort at UN recognition in September could spark such rallies. Pro-democracy protesters, seeking the right to elect their rulers instead of living under perpetual occupation, would not be out of place in the Arab Spring, and as with every other regime, Israel would have no good answer.
To be honest, I don't think Israel has anything to worry about. If a peaceful protest looked like it was going to challenge the status quo, the IDF would just crack down. The moment a single protester resisted by doing so much as throwing a stone, Israel would declare that the protesters were never peaceful and that it was all just a violent mob orchestrated by Hamas, Hezbolla, Iran, or some other bogeyman. The western media would run with this spin, and the Palestinians would be portrayed as violent attackers that are only trying to take advantage of the arab spring, rather than as legitimate colleagues in it.
The only way the Palestinians would have a chance is if they were willing to lay down their lives by the thousands without raising a finger to resist, and then pray that the west noticed. The minute they fought back in any manner Israel would bury them with propaganda.
Which says that we have very serious problems in the west with our governments, politicians, media, …. being controlled by Israel-firsters whose first loyalty is not to the countries where they reside. To say nothing of the blatant racism inherent in their actions in our countries.
Indeed, one might even conclude that many of our other problems, e.g. endemic financial/economic corruption, also have their roots in an "elite" whose first loyalty is not to the countries and populations where they reside.
I think it will be useless as the israelis are too defiant for them ti kill civilians is honer,like americans they are both brutal and butcher nations with little respect of human life.
I don,t understand if Jews were victims of Nazis why they are doing worse than Nazis in Israelis.
Although Germans deny as they say now it,s all lies.
I don,t know why? as the palestinians are from Jews and some or the others are blood relatives but maddness will follow as the politicians needs these lies.
I agree with Jack Carson. Ths is briar rabbit begging not to be thrown unto the briar patch. This is where Israel would like the protests to stay, peaceful and controlled. Show me a peaceful revolution for an injustice without at least a visible threat of violence that worked. And AIPAC has the megaphone, not the Palestinians.
'The only way the Palestinians would have a chance is if they were willing to lay down their lives by the thousands without raising a finger to resist, and then pray that the west noticed. The minute they fought back in any manner Israel would bury them with propaganda.'
It saddens me to have to agree with you, but I think you're right.
If Israel can get away with murdering children in Gaza and shooting American citizens on the high seas I don't think they would balk at gunning down peaceful protesters. Congressional traitors and compliant White Houses don't care about US citizens let alone Palestinians.
Jack Carson said it all. In Kosvo, the US intervened to help. In the Isreali-Palistinian confict the US government says "The parties have to decide". Some contest, a whale (Isreal) vs. a minnow (Palistinians), must decide who gets what part of the fish bowl.
So you support American imperialism in the Middle East? Any time the US is trying to impose a solution on the people and countries in the Middle East, it is a form of imperialism. The best thing the US can do for both Israel and the Arabs is to stay out completely. Israel and the Arabs can get along much better without any western intervention. Arab-Israeli journalist Khaled Abu Toameh recently took a poll on Jerusalem Arab residents, and the vast majority of them preferred living under Israeli sovereignty than under a Palestinian state.
Until the Zionist throw them out of their homes so they can build condos for Jewish settlers. Sadly they are between a rock and a hard place. At least there are services in Jerusalem. Your kids may be beaten up but they are still better off then the Palestinians in the Gaza Gualg being starved and shot.
Israel will just keep on killing Palestinians until it is destroyed sometime this century.
Israel or Palestine or both?
Wait. Are you promoting the destruction of another country? I could be wrong, but that doesn't sound so anti-war to me.
Libertarian, if The Americans ditch Israel, then Israel’s days will be numbered. No more free planes, bombs and $$$$ in aid. Who is going to veto the UN resolutions in fever of Israel? And it’s Israel that makes the US do its bidding and not the other way around.
Yes, that's why I don't like the UN. The UN is a tool for countries to use as coalitions to promote imperialism against other countries, like Israel. I support Ron Paul and his bill to end US membership in the United Nations. That would be a blessing for Israel. Once the US leaves the UN, the UN will collapse. Israel doesn't need the US aid. Israel is at a point of development where aid probably hinders its growth. Again, Ron Paul would be the best president for Israel and the rest of the Middle East.
As for Israel making the US do its bidding, you are partially incorrect. Both countries influence each other, which manifests the "entangling alliance" which George Washington preached and warned against. I think we should be true friends with Israel like we are with Canada and every other country that is willing to openly trade with us. Israel has a lot to offer the US in trade.
Israel will find a way to respond to any demonstration, peaceful or not, with deadly force. They always have, and always will, when Palestinians are marching.
I just wonder what they will do when it's Israeli Jews who are doing the protesting.
Yes, the Israeli propaganda apparatus is good at turning unarmed civilians and peace activists into a potiantial threat to Israel, but naturally after the IDF shoot them in the heads at point blank range.
Did i say destruction? The days of Israel as it now is and behaves would be numbered. A paranoid military state with a history of preemptive aggressions against it’s neighbors, not interested in peace and also not caring about what the rest of the world thinks.
Are you suggesting that supporting such a state is antiwar? Israeli exports are largely based on arms and military equipment, fueling wars globally. The US and Israel may be influencing each other, but Israel dominates US foreign policy (endless wars) completely.