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Conventional wisdom rides again. Arafat is buried, but the usual foolish policies rise from the dead
Jewish World Review ^ | 11/19/2004 | Jonathan Tobin

Posted on 11/19/2004 11:43:57 AM PST by Tolik

In much of what we laughingly call the "civilized world," the death of archterrorist and murderer Yasser Arafat was mourned with the usual solemnity given to a distinguished head of state.

Indeed, much of the international media gave Arafat's send-off the "Princess Di" treatment, with lengthy biographies in which platitudes about his symbolic value as the leader of the Palestinian cause were augmented by euphemisms about the tactics employed by his henchmen.

Even many of those who didn't buy into the nonsense about this Egyptian-born former Soviet satellite being a heroic revolutionary leader were still liable to treat him as a major celebrity. In contemporary American pop culture, no higher compliment can be paid.

.....There is no more risible piece of conventional wisdom than the one that tells us that the primary roadblock to peace is the refusal of Bush to force Israel to give more territory and to refrain from acts of self-defense against Palestinian terror.

A decade of Oslo negotiations should have amply illustrated — even for those dimwitted experts — that all American pressure on Israel does is to whet the Palestinians appetite for more. The Israelis, desperate for a respite from terror and willing to go a long way to get it, can't buy peace if the Palestinians aren't selling. And the absence of a Palestinian will for peace is what has always been lacking.

…Bush and Rice are being asked a simple question: What do they believe — the facts about the Palestinians, or the worn-out theories of Friedman and Rubin and company? Here's hoping that Condi Rice is too smart — and Bush too stubborn — to get that one wrong.

(Excerpt) Read more at jewishworldreview.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Israel; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: arafat; bush; jonathantobin; napalminthemorning; religionofpeace; wot

JWR contributor Jonathan S. Tobin is executive editor of the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent. Let him know what you think by clicking here.

Jonathan Tobin Archives

1 posted on 11/19/2004 11:43:57 AM PST by Tolik
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To: Lando Lincoln; quidnunc; .cnI redruM; Valin; yonif; SJackson; dennisw; monkeyshine; Alouette; ...


Moral Clarity PING!

This ping list is not author-specific for articles I'd like to share. Some for perfect moral clarity, some for provocative thoughts; or simply interesting articles I'd hate to miss myself. (I don't have to agree with the author 100% to feel the need to share an article.) I will try not to abuse the ping list and not to annoy you too much, but on some days there is more of good stuff that is worthy attention. I keep separate PING lists for my favorite authors Victor Davis Hanson, Lee Harris, David Warren, Orson Scott Card. You are welcome in or out, just freepmail me (and note which PING list you are talking about).

2 posted on 11/19/2004 11:45:26 AM PST by Tolik
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3 posted on 11/19/2004 11:46:11 AM PST by Tolik
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To: Tolik

Not to worry. The Red States were rather repulsed by the aftermath of the death of the butcher Arafat. The New Media danced on his grave. I personally gave out cake and sweet candy to the children.

Never Forget.


4 posted on 11/19/2004 11:49:53 AM PST by johnb838 (and Allawi replied: "To hell they will go.")
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To: Tolik

Your pings have made an otherwis tedious day interesting, thanks.


5 posted on 11/19/2004 12:20:01 PM PST by BJClinton (42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.)
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To: Tolik

"A decade of Oslo negotiations should have amply illustrated — even for those dimwitted experts — that all American pressure on Israel does is to whet the Palestinians appetite for more. The Israelis, desperate for a respite from terror and willing to go a long way to get it, can't buy peace if the Palestinians aren't selling."

Bravo!


6 posted on 11/19/2004 11:15:48 PM PST by SunkenCiv ("All I have seen teaches me trust the Creator for all I have not seen." -- Emerson)
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To: SunkenCiv
"..can't buy peace if the Palestinians aren't selling"

Its very simple and very true.

For the different reasons Arabs were allowed to remain uncommitted to reconciliation with Israel. In all other conflicts where the world decided to be involved a commitment for peace was demanded from the parties.

Arabs can believe that America is 100% behind Israel, but it does not change the fact that "The World" did not demand from them a change of attitude. (Up until President Bush refused to meet with Arafat, and still he is under tremendous stress from Blair and others to get wobbly).
7 posted on 11/22/2004 5:59:51 AM PST by Tolik
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