I try to avoid commenting on this topic on Tildes because, you know, the likelihood of actually changing anyone's mind about this conflict is extremely slim -- but it really is sobering and quite...
I try to avoid commenting on this topic on Tildes because, you know, the likelihood of actually changing anyone's mind about this conflict is extremely slim -- but it really is sobering and quite amazing to read what is at the furthest left of the Overton Window in Israel at the moment.
Not one mention of the civilian toll of the military operation in Gaza. It's not even a concern, other than mentioning that the far-right coalition seeks to "seeks to transfer Gazans out of the territory," which is well, literal. The entire worry appears to be that Netanyahu is actually just a bad military leader and is causing Israel PR damage and pursuing unsustainable long term solutions, and repeating the Netanyahu cabinet's talking points about the one agency currently keeping Palestinians alive, that even their greatest ally's intelligence was like "alright, you're blowing this way out of proportion." But hey, I suppose this is what happens when you just get to arrest Israeli citizens who do not toe the government line on the war.
I don’t think that’s entirely fair — what qualifies as part of your Overton Window? I haven’t been following Israeli domestic politics super closely, but for example I occasionally check Haaretz...
I don’t think that’s entirely fair — what qualifies as part of your Overton Window?
I haven’t been following Israeli domestic politics super closely, but for example I occasionally check Haaretz and see plenty of concern reflected in the op-eds there although they do have foreign contributors as well.
Sorry, Overton Window was perhaps the wrong term. I suppose I just mean people with a shot at the driver's seat. Part of me has kind of been hoping any non-Netanyahu candidate would be better but...
Sorry, Overton Window was perhaps the wrong term. I suppose I just mean people with a shot at the driver's seat. Part of me has kind of been hoping any non-Netanyahu candidate would be better but here we are with a former Labor Zionist Prime Minister-- historically, ideologically opposite Revisionist Zionism that has become the mainstream- attacking Netanyahu on execution and barely on ideology. That scares me.
I'm speculating here (writing based on things I have read and heard over many years) but Israel has a narrow width and a boundary in the ocean. Physical security against attack and the long term...
I'm speculating here (writing based on things I have read and heard over many years) but Israel has a narrow width and a boundary in the ocean. Physical security against attack and the long term survival of the country is a policy priority that all sides will have.
I lived through two national rage episodes in the US, one in response to the Iran hostage crisis and one in response to 9 11. Israel and Israelis are still individually and collectively angry about the Hamas attack. I don't support flattening Gaza but I remember how popular it was in America to talk about glassing countries in response to Bin Ladin. During the Iran hostage crisis, this song was played on popular radio stations. Bomb Iran - Vince Vance and the Valliants I was a preteen and that song is burned into my memory. Carter saved many many lives and likely lost an election by not allowing the government to channel that rage into a war.
Agreed. I think it's a lot more doable to convince a current Netanyahu supporter that Netanyahu is actually screwing the security of Israel up due to incompetence. Try convincing that person...
Agreed. I think it's a lot more doable to convince a current Netanyahu supporter that Netanyahu is actually screwing the security of Israel up due to incompetence. Try convincing that person instead that Israel's ideology on the whole conflict is screwed up, see how that goes. I'll wait. Considering Israel's recent history, I doubt that'll go well.
I know this will be controversial (for some people, and perhaps stating the obvious for others) to say but I think Netanyahu is the Israeli equivalent of Victor Orban – he is entirely self...
I know this will be controversial (for some people, and perhaps stating the obvious for others) to say but I think Netanyahu is the Israeli equivalent of Victor Orban – he is entirely self obsessed and cares only about his personal position. Basically any other potential Israeli leader would be better. Making a deal with the far right, including appointing a self-declared "fascist homophobe" (source: Haaretz) as finance minister, shows just how lacking in moral scruple he really is.
The sooner Netanyahu leaves, the better, and I think Biden is realising that Netanyahu is one of his biggest problems.
Honestly, I don't know how controversial your opinion will actually be on here. I have yet to see anyone here who really thinks highly of Netanyahu, even among those who are on the "pro-israeli"...
Honestly, I don't know how controversial your opinion will actually be on here. I have yet to see anyone here who really thinks highly of Netanyahu, even among those who are on the "pro-israeli" side of the issue.
Interestingly enough, Foreign Affairs' podcast, The Foreign Affairs Interview, released an episode a few days ago with Aluf Benn, the editor-in-chief of Hareetz. He draws a parallel between...
I know this will be controversial (for some people, and perhaps stating the obvious for others) to say but I think Netanyahu is the Israeli equivalent of Victor Orban
Interestingly enough, Foreign Affairs' podcast, The Foreign Affairs Interview, released an episode a few days ago with Aluf Benn, the editor-in-chief of Hareetz. He draws a parallel between Netanyahu, Orban, and Modi as leaders who are reshaping their nation's democracies to be centered more on them personally.
I try to avoid commenting on this topic on Tildes because, you know, the likelihood of actually changing anyone's mind about this conflict is extremely slim -- but it really is sobering and quite amazing to read what is at the furthest left of the Overton Window in Israel at the moment.
Not one mention of the civilian toll of the military operation in Gaza. It's not even a concern, other than mentioning that the far-right coalition seeks to "seeks to transfer Gazans out of the territory," which is well, literal. The entire worry appears to be that Netanyahu is actually just a bad military leader and is causing Israel PR damage and pursuing unsustainable long term solutions, and repeating the Netanyahu cabinet's talking points about the one agency currently keeping Palestinians alive, that even their greatest ally's intelligence was like "alright, you're blowing this way out of proportion." But hey, I suppose this is what happens when you just get to arrest Israeli citizens who do not toe the government line on the war.
I don’t think that’s entirely fair — what qualifies as part of your Overton Window?
I haven’t been following Israeli domestic politics super closely, but for example I occasionally check Haaretz and see plenty of concern reflected in the op-eds there although they do have foreign contributors as well.
Sorry, Overton Window was perhaps the wrong term. I suppose I just mean people with a shot at the driver's seat. Part of me has kind of been hoping any non-Netanyahu candidate would be better but here we are with a former Labor Zionist Prime Minister-- historically, ideologically opposite Revisionist Zionism that has become the mainstream- attacking Netanyahu on execution and barely on ideology. That scares me.
I'm speculating here (writing based on things I have read and heard over many years) but Israel has a narrow width and a boundary in the ocean. Physical security against attack and the long term survival of the country is a policy priority that all sides will have.
I lived through two national rage episodes in the US, one in response to the Iran hostage crisis and one in response to 9 11. Israel and Israelis are still individually and collectively angry about the Hamas attack. I don't support flattening Gaza but I remember how popular it was in America to talk about glassing countries in response to Bin Ladin. During the Iran hostage crisis, this song was played on popular radio stations. Bomb Iran - Vince Vance and the Valliants I was a preteen and that song is burned into my memory. Carter saved many many lives and likely lost an election by not allowing the government to channel that rage into a war.
Agreed. I think it's a lot more doable to convince a current Netanyahu supporter that Netanyahu is actually screwing the security of Israel up due to incompetence. Try convincing that person instead that Israel's ideology on the whole conflict is screwed up, see how that goes. I'll wait. Considering Israel's recent history, I doubt that'll go well.
I know this will be controversial (for some people, and perhaps stating the obvious for others) to say but I think Netanyahu is the Israeli equivalent of Victor Orban – he is entirely self obsessed and cares only about his personal position. Basically any other potential Israeli leader would be better. Making a deal with the far right, including appointing a self-declared "fascist homophobe" (source: Haaretz) as finance minister, shows just how lacking in moral scruple he really is.
The sooner Netanyahu leaves, the better, and I think Biden is realising that Netanyahu is one of his biggest problems.
Honestly, I don't know how controversial your opinion will actually be on here. I have yet to see anyone here who really thinks highly of Netanyahu, even among those who are on the "pro-israeli" side of the issue.
Interestingly enough, Foreign Affairs' podcast, The Foreign Affairs Interview, released an episode a few days ago with Aluf Benn, the editor-in-chief of Hareetz. He draws a parallel between Netanyahu, Orban, and Modi as leaders who are reshaping their nation's democracies to be centered more on them personally.
I'll go further — Likud is an existential threat to Israel and world peace.
by Ehud Barak Ehud Barak
This is an Israeli, primarily writing to Israelis.
I agree somewhat although I think you generally write things in Foreign Affairs when you want people involved in US foreign policy to read them.
Good point.