I agree with your assessment. I thought she expertly balanced the Biden administration’s position on Israel as well as acknowledging the humanitarian concern for Palestinians - which is a huge issue for many voters, particularly among the college age demographic.
Thank you David for continuing to give your perspective on this awful situation in the Middle East. Hope people are monitoring Bibi’s other inevitable attempts to interfere in the upcoming election to help his buddy Old Don the demented felon get elected
You need to proofread these - I’m sure you meant to say “no doubt that SHE was in charge” - great piece otherwise. Netanyahu is a snake - Israel’s version of Trump - hope they both end up in jail for their crimes and their total failure to serve as responsible leaders.
Bibi is far more dangerous than Trump. I don't see a bigger threat to the nation of Israel\Palestine, people and diaspora of Israel\Palestine. Not for any policy weakness of Bibi. Simply because he has substituted his personal (political) fortunes for those of the nation whose Public Interest he is sworn to serve. His willingness to co-opt (with a cabinet full of theocratic fascists like Smoterich and Ben Gvir among other close allies from those so-called True Believers who are actually personal opportunists writ large) the very activists who oppose him by claiming they are aiding those who would lynch gays and violate other socially liberal principles is the best illustration of Bibi's own Modus Operandi. Always be closing on Bibi's Deal.
Trump could never touch the insider rhetoric that comes so easily to Bibi, as he had actual close relatives to appropriate his rhetoric from. He has done this his whole escalated political career as Bibi doesn't exactly come from any Israeli People's military or Humanist\Activist background himself. Just for the value of studying the finer arts of manipulation via political rhetoric, organize a study group and discuss the artistry Bibi shows in this address that earned every breakthrough congressional applause and willing collaborator standing ovation of those that attended and chose not to boycott this uncalled for Special Congressional Audience by not only a foreign nation's leader but a self-serving Private Interest at the helm of a free and a captured nation-state's fortunes in a land that needs some examples of Public Interest service. Not like the Bedouin soldiers whose heroism Bibi appropriates here for his own politically personal fortunes.
If you can escape Bibi's rhetorical psychic hold, you are stronger than me. However, this analysis by Ariella Lahav (published academically in French and English) of Bibi's rhetorical skills separates the orator (of undeniable skill) from any Public Interest content within the context of Bibi's public record in office which are ever and always focused on his own personal fate and fortunes:
Don't confuse Trump's aspirations to be Bibi with any such abilities to mask his own elevation of his personal aspirations above the Public Interest which is what Public Servants should be serving, after all.... Neither of these shameless Misleaders should be given access to our attention spans without first paying full and critical attention to their track records in office.
As for their usefulness to Daddy Warbucks (that complex of military and high tech state security suppliers and private contractors), we most lamentably do have similarities of the actual root problems that plague US and Israel\Palestine, while all Misleaders of either on-the-ground reality are mere symptoms of our larger anti-social pathologies.
I first wrote an open letter to Netanyahu l more than two decades ago (not that I had an audience other than a handful of friends). It has been so painful to watch him rise and rise again.
Israel's worst enemies have been administrations that supported him the most unequivocally. It is time for a leader who can speak strongly, but with nuance, about the issues. Kamala Harris is off to a great start
This is encouraging for sure. I hope Nyetanyahu [sic] gets the message that his influence in the U.S. is waning, but I continue to wonder about the feasibility of a "two-state solution" as long as Israel controls virtually all the water in the West Bank, not to mention the illegal settlements. Some of my colleagues in the Palestinian solidarity movement are far less critical of Hamas than I am, but at the same time it's important to remember that Hamas didn't come out of nowhere, and that indeed Bibi's government has enabled Hamas in some ways. They are dueling patriarchal systems, and the outcome is, not surprisingly, ongoing death and destruction. I listen to Yael Deckelbaum's "Prayer of the Mothers" video a lot. https://youtu.be/YyFM-pWdqrY?si=G68zhvzf6MnTyPGX
The Israeli people are tired of this war that seems on the verge of escalation with each passing day.
The hostage families are in despair, as each passing day brings news of more hostage deaths.
The Arab world is weary of the regional instability, as there is neither a clear definition of success or a post-war plan that Netanyahu's fanatical Cabinet will approve.
It's also important to remind people that:
1) prior to 10/7, it was Netanyahu who was propping up Hamas, in a bizarre 'divide and conquer' strategy to mitigate Palestinian demands for a 2-state solution and to better focus on occupying the West Bank, and
2) Netanyahu has yet to release any report detailing why the IDF ignored intelligence/warnings re 10/7, why the perimeter was left virtually unguarded, and why it took hours for the IDF to finally respond.
It’s about time an American politician stood up to the self-serving Netanyahu. I have long viewed Netanyahu as essentially, just another Republican and I’m not a big Republican fan.
So much reporting, on this very delicate topic, jumps right over my head! I appreciate the effort to keep the discussion, in this article, easy for the reader to digest. Much appreciated.
You have done it again. You bring truth so clearly, so that those who lie should be silenced. Thank you again.
Will say one thing, Not as Many Black Folk Rolling with Kamala Harris as Pundits Think or Say. https://torrancestephensphd.substack.com/p/what-can-be-unburdened-by-what-has
I agree with your assessment. I thought she expertly balanced the Biden administration’s position on Israel as well as acknowledging the humanitarian concern for Palestinians - which is a huge issue for many voters, particularly among the college age demographic.
Great write up.
Thank you David for continuing to give your perspective on this awful situation in the Middle East. Hope people are monitoring Bibi’s other inevitable attempts to interfere in the upcoming election to help his buddy Old Don the demented felon get elected
Agree, David.
You need to proofread these - I’m sure you meant to say “no doubt that SHE was in charge” - great piece otherwise. Netanyahu is a snake - Israel’s version of Trump - hope they both end up in jail for their crimes and their total failure to serve as responsible leaders.
Fixed.
Bibi is far more dangerous than Trump. I don't see a bigger threat to the nation of Israel\Palestine, people and diaspora of Israel\Palestine. Not for any policy weakness of Bibi. Simply because he has substituted his personal (political) fortunes for those of the nation whose Public Interest he is sworn to serve. His willingness to co-opt (with a cabinet full of theocratic fascists like Smoterich and Ben Gvir among other close allies from those so-called True Believers who are actually personal opportunists writ large) the very activists who oppose him by claiming they are aiding those who would lynch gays and violate other socially liberal principles is the best illustration of Bibi's own Modus Operandi. Always be closing on Bibi's Deal.
Trump could never touch the insider rhetoric that comes so easily to Bibi, as he had actual close relatives to appropriate his rhetoric from. He has done this his whole escalated political career as Bibi doesn't exactly come from any Israeli People's military or Humanist\Activist background himself. Just for the value of studying the finer arts of manipulation via political rhetoric, organize a study group and discuss the artistry Bibi shows in this address that earned every breakthrough congressional applause and willing collaborator standing ovation of those that attended and chose not to boycott this uncalled for Special Congressional Audience by not only a foreign nation's leader but a self-serving Private Interest at the helm of a free and a captured nation-state's fortunes in a land that needs some examples of Public Interest service. Not like the Bedouin soldiers whose heroism Bibi appropriates here for his own politically personal fortunes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQzT27062xw
If you can escape Bibi's rhetorical psychic hold, you are stronger than me. However, this analysis by Ariella Lahav (published academically in French and English) of Bibi's rhetorical skills separates the orator (of undeniable skill) from any Public Interest content within the context of Bibi's public record in office which are ever and always focused on his own personal fate and fortunes:
https://journals.openedition.org/aad/6490
28 | 2022
La légitimité et l’autorité à l’épreuve : les premières allocutions sur le coronavirus
Health Crisis and Political Crisis: Benjamin Netanyahu's Double Rhetorical Maneuver during COVID-19
Crise sanitaire et crise politique : La double démarche rhétorique de Benjamin Netanyahou pendant la COVID-19
Ariella Lahav
https://doi.org/10.4000/aad.6490
https://journals.openedition.org/aad/6490
Don't confuse Trump's aspirations to be Bibi with any such abilities to mask his own elevation of his personal aspirations above the Public Interest which is what Public Servants should be serving, after all.... Neither of these shameless Misleaders should be given access to our attention spans without first paying full and critical attention to their track records in office.
As for their usefulness to Daddy Warbucks (that complex of military and high tech state security suppliers and private contractors), we most lamentably do have similarities of the actual root problems that plague US and Israel\Palestine, while all Misleaders of either on-the-ground reality are mere symptoms of our larger anti-social pathologies.
Mitch Ritter\Paradigm Sifters, Code Shifters, PsalmSong Chasers
Lay-Low Studios, Ore-Wa (Refuge of Atonement Seekers)
Media Discussion List\Looksee
This is good.
I first wrote an open letter to Netanyahu l more than two decades ago (not that I had an audience other than a handful of friends). It has been so painful to watch him rise and rise again.
Israel's worst enemies have been administrations that supported him the most unequivocally. It is time for a leader who can speak strongly, but with nuance, about the issues. Kamala Harris is off to a great start
This is encouraging for sure. I hope Nyetanyahu [sic] gets the message that his influence in the U.S. is waning, but I continue to wonder about the feasibility of a "two-state solution" as long as Israel controls virtually all the water in the West Bank, not to mention the illegal settlements. Some of my colleagues in the Palestinian solidarity movement are far less critical of Hamas than I am, but at the same time it's important to remember that Hamas didn't come out of nowhere, and that indeed Bibi's government has enabled Hamas in some ways. They are dueling patriarchal systems, and the outcome is, not surprisingly, ongoing death and destruction. I listen to Yael Deckelbaum's "Prayer of the Mothers" video a lot. https://youtu.be/YyFM-pWdqrY?si=G68zhvzf6MnTyPGX
The Israeli people are tired of this war that seems on the verge of escalation with each passing day.
The hostage families are in despair, as each passing day brings news of more hostage deaths.
The Arab world is weary of the regional instability, as there is neither a clear definition of success or a post-war plan that Netanyahu's fanatical Cabinet will approve.
It's also important to remind people that:
1) prior to 10/7, it was Netanyahu who was propping up Hamas, in a bizarre 'divide and conquer' strategy to mitigate Palestinian demands for a 2-state solution and to better focus on occupying the West Bank, and
2) Netanyahu has yet to release any report detailing why the IDF ignored intelligence/warnings re 10/7, why the perimeter was left virtually unguarded, and why it took hours for the IDF to finally respond.
It’s about time an American politician stood up to the self-serving Netanyahu. I have long viewed Netanyahu as essentially, just another Republican and I’m not a big Republican fan.
So much reporting, on this very delicate topic, jumps right over my head! I appreciate the effort to keep the discussion, in this article, easy for the reader to digest. Much appreciated.
Agreed!!
Thank you for your credible reporting on this matter. Kamala is showing the leadership needed in today’s unhinged world.
Fixed. Typo.