The Jewish Chronicle

Israel's Supporters Should Push for Talks with Iran

Ron Tang — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500

At last week's Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert politely asked his colleagues to shut their mouths about the recently released U.S. National Intelligence Estimate on Iran.

Olmert's gag order followed two weeks of unhelpful, knee-jerk reaction by some Israeli politicians caught off guard by the reports' conclusions, which found that Iran suspended its covert nuclear weapons program in 2003 and that it acts as an essentially rational player pursuing traditional national interests of "security, prestige and regional goals."

The release of the NIE report should prompt more than silence from Jerusalem, however. It should prompt a… more

Why Melanie Phillips is So Wrong About Hamas

Articles — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:56:00 -0400

Having lived in Israel for the past 15 years and now being on a brief sabbatical in Washington DC, the name Melanie Phillips, apparently known in London, is unfamiliar to me. That lack of familiarity is, it seems, not mutual, as Ms Phillips saw fit to attack me on these pages last week as being "dangerous", "naive", and an "idiot". Her style is not mine and my response will address substance, rather than ugly personal slurs.

My apparent "crime" is to support engagement with Hamas as part of a strategy for enhancing a ceasefire, security in the region, and… more

Daniel Levy Reponds to Criticism in The Jewish Chronicle

Communications — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 07:47:00 -0400

New America in the News:

...To clarify; neither myself, nor I imagine other advocates of engagement, are Hamas enthusiasts or sympathisers. Let’s call it the realist school of Zionism and contrast it with say, apocalyptic Zionism — characterised by scare-mongering, paranoia, and “gewalt-style” hysteria.

Zionist realism accepted the 1948-9 ceasefire lines, preferred Begin’s peace with Egypt over settlements in the Sinai, and today recognises the need for agreed secure borders for Israel that end the occupation of about four million Palestinians. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert recognises this in his current negotiations.

For apocalyptic Zionists, this is all chopped liver. Israel’s destiny for them is to live by the sword in perpetuity; generation after generation of warrior super-Jews fending off the invading hordes of Mohammedans. Great as a Hollywood epic, but less so as a lifestyle choice or an Israeli future with any hope on the horizon. For apocalyptic Zionists, settlements, occupation, economic blockade and humiliation are irrelevant. None of it matters. They will always hate us anyway. Genocide is always just around the corner. And there is never a real partner.

Feeding on fear and exploiting stereotypes, this view often finds more popularity in the diaspora than in Israel itself...

For Daniel Levy's complete response to columnist Melanie Phillips, please follow this link to The Jewish Chronicle web site.