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The Difference Between Bibi & Abbas

By Aaron Goldstein on 11.8.11 @ 8:32PM

With regard to President Obama and French President Sarkozy's diss of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Reid Smith takes me to task for not mentioning that Obama and Sarkozy were in disagreement over Sarkozy's decision to support Palestinian membership in UNESCO.

Well, I'm not sure what Benjamin Netanyahu has to do with Sarkozy's decision to support Palestinian membership in UNESCO. What we do know is that the discussion turned to Netanyahu and Sarkozy called him a liar while Obama responded by saying in essence that Sarkozy was lucky that he didn't have to deal with him everyday. Obama certainly didn't say anything to disagree with Sarkozy's assertion. Naturally, I would be curious what evidence Sarkozy has regarding dishonesty on the part of Netanyahu. Somehow I don't think he will share that with us anytime soon.

Yet it seems that Mr. Smith is inclined to believe that Netanyahu is less than honest in his dealings citing a slogan from Kadima and the word of an Labor MK. Well, I have news for Mr. Smith. Like America, Israel is a democracy and just as Democrats were inclined to question the honesty of President Bush over Iraq, opposition politicians in Israel have been known to question the honesty of Netanyahu and members of his cabinet.

Now where it concerns the Middle East peace process, Mr. Smith states, "We can all agree that Abbas isn't trustworthy. Maybe it's time to consider whether Netanyahu isn't, himself." Well, only Israelis can consider Netanyahu's trustworthiness and Israelis have the power to vote Bibi out of office. They did so once before and there's not stopping them from doing so again if they see fit. Palestinians in the West Bank on the other hand are stuck with Abbas who has remained in power two years beyond the end of his term with no new vote in sight.

View all comments (7) | Leave a comment

Occam's Tool| 11.8.11 @ 9:15PM

Smith is a bit of a fool, as his articles reveal him increasingly.

Incidentally, have you noted the brou-ha-ha over Woods' ex-caddie's nasty comments about Woods that were somewhat racial in nature? Williams' comments stated that New Zealand is the least racist society in the world, or words to that effect. To which I say Ha! Kiwi land is prejudiced against Asians in a way in which I have NEVER seen in the US, for example. And don't get me started on their anti-semitism, please.

Occam's Tool| 11.8.11 @ 9:19PM

Abbas, by the way, is a consumer of porcine fecal products at his best, and he's usually not that good.

Nite| 11.8.11 @ 9:43PM

Bibi is a strong decent man, and Abbas is a terrorist. Big difference.

Reid Smith| 11.8.11 @ 10:15PM

Thanks for the head's up about Israeli democracy. I actually lived over there. You?

Aaron Goldstein| 11.8.11 @ 11:07PM

I spent a summer there.

I think you're coming down with the snarks. There are a couple of specialists who could help you out with that.

Reid Smith| 11.8.11 @ 11:38PM

Good. Then you can appreciate the fact that I don't require a primer on Israeli governance.

I'm not saying Bibi is a liar. I'm not saying Bibi is unreliable. I'm saying he's subject to scrutiny, both at home and abroad. Please remember America's special relationship with Israel, our most important ally in the Middle East. Perhaps you'll rethink your statement that "only Israelis can consider Netanyahu's trustworthiness."

Aaron Goldstein| 11.9.11 @ 4:36PM

Where it concerns the governance of Israel, only Israelis can consider Netanyahu's trustworthiness. Only Israelis can re-elect him or remove him.

As to scrutinizing Netanyahu aboard, if Sarkozy believes Bibi to be so dishonest then let him spell out his allegations in public and Netanyahu can respond to those charges directly. As for Obama, if he finds dealing with Netanyahu too frustrating a task then perhaps he should turn over the keys at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to someone more temperamentally suited to the job.

The fact that Sarkozy and Obama not only spoke ill of an ally but failed to exercise the discretion of taking off their microphones before they engaged in their badmouthing says a great deal more about them than it does about Netanyahu.