In the latest bit of insanity to come from the left in foreign policy, some people want to prosceute Israel for defending herself. Fortunately, the Israelis aren’t stupid enough to let that happen.
Israel hardens opposition to calls for Gaza inquiry
By Josef Federman, Associated PressJERUSALEM – Israel yesterday hardened its opposition to international calls for an independent inquiry into its fierce offensive last winter against Palestinian extremists in the Gaza Strip, saying it would urge the United States to prevent the issue from advancing at the United Nations.
The decision came at a special cabinet meeting called to discuss a U.N. report that has accused Israel and Palestinian extremists of committing war crimes during the three-week operation. The report, adopted last week by the U.N. Human Rights Council, recommends war-crimes proceedings if the sides do not conduct credible independent investigations into their actions.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak, a fierce critic of the report, blocked a planned discussion yesterday on whether to begin an investigation.
“There is no need for a committee of inquiry,” Barak, a former military chief, said, according to a statement from his office. “The Israeli military knows to examine itself better than anyone else.”
It should be remembered that Mr Barak was Prime Minister of Israel in 2000, when he tried to negotiate, with the help of President Clinton, a peace agreement with Palestinian President Yassir Arafat. Mr Barak made some major concessions, and former President Clinton said that Mr Arafat turned down the best deal the Palestinians could ever hope to get. It’s not like Defense Minister Barak is a hard-line irredentist, but he does have some very real experience in what it’s like to try to deal with the Palestinians.
Of course, I’ve said it before: war crimes trials are simply the excuses used by the winners to hang the losers. Israel didn’t lose, and thus her leaders aren’t locked up in jail awaiting trial; it’s unlikely that the Israeli government would be stupid enough to punish its defense leaders for protecting the nation.
But, of course, there will always be the idealists and dreamers who think that “international law” actually means something, and that sovereign states should somehow be subject to it. Israel’s biggest concern is that President Obama, still something of an enigma when it comes to foreign policy, might just be one of those starry-eyed idealists. Israel expects the United States to use its Security Council veto power if necessary, but there’s at least some worry that President Obama will instruct our ambassador to the United Nations not to do that.
Me, I don’t think so. Jews are the second most loyal Democratic voting demographic, and Jews tend to vote in higher percentages than average. Jewish donors are also a major component of Democratic Party fundraising. It would take an extraordinary event to push Jewish voters out of the Democratic camp, but President Obama not protecting Israel in the UN would be just such an event.
Israel should tell the UN to go fuck a duck. And we should be right by their side! Indeed, we should just bulldoze the UN building, and replace it with something useful, like a golf course or football stadium.
But, of course, there will always be the idealists and dreamers who think that “international law” actually means something, and that sovereign states should somehow be subject to it.
Ok, so international law doesn’t exist in your mind.
This means when Hamas bombs Israel, you’ll stop complaining. If Iran pursues nuclear weapons, you won’t complain. If other countries capture and torture American soldiers, you won’t complain. If Al Qaeda attack the US again, you won’t complain.
If Hamas bombs Israel, I won’t complain. Because Israel will deal with it the right way, by eliminating the threat.
If Iran doesn’t stop pursuing nuclear weapons and the US doesn’t put them out of business, Israel will.
Typical wingnut response here, having no concept of historical lessons, or of unintended consequences, or of viable diplomatic resolutions, because of utter ideological reverence and stupidity! And he has the gall to call himself pro-life.
How’d that “Land For Peace” thing work out? And how’s that Hamas charter revision coming? Or the Hezbollah charter revision?
Again, you are pro-life, correct? Just checkin the chicken!
Project much? I mean, since I gave you some historical context which shows unintended consequences and the viability of diplomacy with terror groups bent on annihilating Israel.