Too often, I read about what's happening in Israel and get the feeling that Israeli politicians are no different from ours here in the States. When they need to make bold moves, they back down from the heat and allow the status quo to stand... leaving a mess for the next generation.
I fear that the failure of Israel to remain a strong and vital democracy in the Middle East will mean a failure for all of us in the years to come. They face trials daily that we have never known here at home. Strong leadership there will be meaningful to us all.
With that in mind, I occasionally browse for websites and blogs that will provide insight into the mindset of people in the Middle East. I had yet to run across this particular blog so it was certainly interesting to find this note in my Inbox the other day:
Given the busy holiday season, I haven't had the time I would like to have to delve deeper just yet but, at first blush, the blog is an extremely different voice on the situation in the Middle East. It's almost refreshing to read strong words that are clearly labeled "Machiavellian" in nature. I hate to say it but it may just be time for Israel to put some of that philosophy into practice for their sake and that of other democracies who would like to see the Middle East conflict resolved in our favor.
I fear that the failure of Israel to remain a strong and vital democracy in the Middle East will mean a failure for all of us in the years to come. They face trials daily that we have never known here at home. Strong leadership there will be meaningful to us all.
With that in mind, I occasionally browse for websites and blogs that will provide insight into the mindset of people in the Middle East. I had yet to run across this particular blog so it was certainly interesting to find this note in my Inbox the other day:
... "I'd like to welcome you to look at Obadiah Shoher's blog. Obadiah - an anonymous Israeli politician - writes extremely controversial articles about Israel, the Middle East politics, and terrorism.
Shoher is equally critical of Jewish and Muslim myths, and advocates political rationalism instead of moralizing.
Google banned our site from the AdWords, Yahoo blocked most pages, and Amazon deleted all reviews of Obadiah's book, Samson Blinded: A Machiavellian Perspective on the Middle East Conflict. Nevertheless, 170,000 people from 78 countries read the book.
Various Internet providers ban us periodically, but you can look up the site on search engines. The mirror www.terrorism-in-israel.org/blog currently works." ...
Given the busy holiday season, I haven't had the time I would like to have to delve deeper just yet but, at first blush, the blog is an extremely different voice on the situation in the Middle East. It's almost refreshing to read strong words that are clearly labeled "Machiavellian" in nature. I hate to say it but it may just be time for Israel to put some of that philosophy into practice for their sake and that of other democracies who would like to see the Middle East conflict resolved in our favor.
(My thanks to Eugene Gershin for the information.)
Comments
Good luck out there in the Middle East. We went cycling to Lebanon last year, it makes my heart weep when I think what Israel went and did to them.
Goog luck
Israel is the canary in the coal mine, our early warning system. Their trials today will be ours tomorrow. Unfortunately, not many people see it that way. A strong, prosperous Israel is in everyone's best interests. Including the beleaguered Arabs in neighboring regions.
Not that Israeli leadership is above criticism, mind you. I think your post proves that, Dawn. As does El Pato's comment.
El Pato -
I don't have any notion of revisiting the Mid East (not out of uniform and absent my M-16, anyway) without significant improvements in the security scene there. But I've always wanted to see Lebanon. Do you have any pictures of your cycling trip?
El Pato, I googled Eugene Gershin's name and found that he has spammed his message to blogs all over the globe. And, those were just the blogs that actually posted his message! I can't help but think that he is simply desparate to get the word out. So, I don't fault him for that. Quite to the contrary, I admire his enthusiasm if not his technique.
I hear that Lebanon is beautiful. I would imagine that was a neat trip to take. However, "what Israel went and did to them," cannot be solely Israel's blame. They have been attacked so many times from Hizbullah while Lebanon harbors them and allows them to remain a volatile and unpredictable force in their country. Something must be done by the Lebanese to acquire independence from that terrorist organization. If terrorism were annihilated and all the religion-based haters with it, the Middle East would be as beautiful and productive on the world stage as she once was. The true shame of what is happening there is that it is allowed to continue.