Yossi Melman is a senior commentator for the Israeli daily Haaretz. He specializes in intelligence, security, terrorism and strategic issues. An author of seven books on these topics, his most recent book, The Nuclear Sphinx of Tehran: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the State of Iran was published recently by Carroll & Graf.
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Yossi Melman
Tel Aviv, Israel
Yossi Melman is a senior commentator for the Israeli daily Haaretz. He specializes in intelligence, security, terrorism and strategic issues. An author of seven books on these topics, his most recent book, The Nuclear Sphinx of Tehran: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the State of Iran was published recently by Carroll & Graf.
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I find all the responses to this article fascinating. Is there anyone out there who thinks that Israeli policies are evil but that it will survive? Is there anyone out there who thinks that Israel is a wonderful country but that it will not survive? The correlation between the readers' moral assessment of the situation and their prediction of what is likely to happen is emotional--based on what is most satisfying to your sense of order or justice. Of course, the universe does not obey such laws. It is a child's way of reasoning, which, alas, all too many adults indulge in.
I read this article and comments after I read the article and comments declaring that there might be some racism keeping people from voting for Obama. It amazes me just how much blatant racism exists, and how willing so many of you bigots are to spew this stuff under the anonymity of a blog.
Israel has existed for several thousand years, though in its current state for 60 years. The so-called Palestinians were rejected by every country in the area, inlcuding Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria. It's such a shame that these countries wouldn't allow their 'brothers' immigrate.
As for the lands 'stolen' by Israel... please read some history before you make more of an idiot of yourself. All lands won by Israel were taken as a result of wars started by neighboring countries. Syria attacked Israel and lost the Golan Heights. Jordan attacked Israel and lost the West Bank. For a country so geographically small to have that strong of an army is amazing... it's also a necessity. Israel will be around for years to come; hopefully her neighbors will get over themselves in that time and accept it.
Just as importantly is the question: "Will the United States be around in another 40 years?" True, it is an extreme question, but the US has placed itself in a dangerous position with its military excursions, its bankrupt economy, its loss of domestic manufacturing capability, its ridiculous national deficit, its growing divide between rich and poor, and its president and legislature that has lost complete touch, care for, and understanding of its constituancy. The rise and fall of great nations is a scary scenario, but one that we as a nation MUST be concerned with.
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I find all the responses to this article fascinating. Is there anyone out there who thinks that Israeli policies are evil but that it will survive? Is there anyone out there who thinks that Israel is a wonderful country but that it will not survive? The correlation between the readers' moral assessment of the situation and their prediction of what is likely to happen is emotional--based on what is most satisfying to your sense of order or justice. Of course, the universe does not obey such laws. It is a child's way of reasoning, which, alas, all too many adults indulge in.
May 13, 2008 9:26 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 13, 2008 09:26
I read this article and comments after I read the article and comments declaring that there might be some racism keeping people from voting for Obama. It amazes me just how much blatant racism exists, and how willing so many of you bigots are to spew this stuff under the anonymity of a blog.
Israel has existed for several thousand years, though in its current state for 60 years. The so-called Palestinians were rejected by every country in the area, inlcuding Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria. It's such a shame that these countries wouldn't allow their 'brothers' immigrate.
As for the lands 'stolen' by Israel... please read some history before you make more of an idiot of yourself. All lands won by Israel were taken as a result of wars started by neighboring countries. Syria attacked Israel and lost the Golan Heights. Jordan attacked Israel and lost the West Bank. For a country so geographically small to have that strong of an army is amazing... it's also a necessity. Israel will be around for years to come; hopefully her neighbors will get over themselves in that time and accept it.
May 13, 2008 9:24 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 13, 2008 09:24
Just as importantly is the question: "Will the United States be around in another 40 years?" True, it is an extreme question, but the US has placed itself in a dangerous position with its military excursions, its bankrupt economy, its loss of domestic manufacturing capability, its ridiculous national deficit, its growing divide between rich and poor, and its president and legislature that has lost complete touch, care for, and understanding of its constituancy. The rise and fall of great nations is a scary scenario, but one that we as a nation MUST be concerned with.
May 13, 2008 9:20 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 13, 2008 09:20