Comments on: Don’t mention the war…writes Michael Kuttner

By: Otto Waldmann

Otto Waldmann — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 13:33:21 +0000

Michael, how about we engage in a little game of using all your well perceived realities and place them in a fairly different perspective.
What if, instead of operating with criticism, we use the data you provide as tactical and even strategic “implements” designed to address and attack the very menace of a quasi universally insurgent islam That “quasi” will hold for a while in rational suspension while articulating the unique purpose of the exercise.
The CONCERTED intent of all those factors you mentioned is to encircle from vast, I’d say comprehensive, directions the seemingly infinite array of problems within the islamic world, that including the islamic world resident well within the NON islamic world, take France and UK for example.
We are dealing with what may appear as conflicting purposes aiming in the same direction. Obviously UAE have a clearly distinct agenda to France or even internal USA. I will also add what you missed altogether, our Russian friends. I will only add the most important ingredient into this most unlikely mix and that is the necessity for a high degree of secrecy . And right here, by revealing this bloody inaccessible – here I come with a clear tautology – secrecy, we unlock the “mistery” of all you have been miserably unhappy with, Israel’s stance included – or was it Gil again about HIS mindless Israelis !!!
Modified rhetoric designed to protect the loose coalition against pernicious strands of islam is just a part of the global strategy in a)deflecting attention from the actual target i.e. islam, albeit in a variable form and an implicit b)protecting the FORMAL overt and covert members of this “coalition” from accusation of abandonment of their own existential profile i.e.islam once again, but of the affable, useful nature.
Reuse your perfectly perceived info MY way and let’s see if we can better read/hear what is written and said directly or otherwise in relation to this bloody obsessive notion we have about a duplicitous world determined to destroy us.

By: Gil Solomon

Gil Solomon — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 12:36:03 +0000

In reply to Michael Kuttner.

Hi Michael,

The difference with all other parliamentary democracies is that only Israel faces existential threats day in day out and therefore only Israel cannot afford to make a mistake.

In relation to foreign policy, the politicians of those other nations generally speak with one voice even on the most mundane of matters, whereas Israel never speaks with one united voice even when faced with terrorism and threats of extermination on a daily basis.
I regard this as insanity.

To me the “20 Jews and 50 opinions” mantra is a reflection of this insanity. It is not a strength but the sign of the age old argumentative ghetto rabble who can agree on nothing, even when a gun is pointed at their head.

The bottom line is that journalists like yourself are invaluable in that they point out what is going on in Europe and elsewhere and highlight the relentless stream of lies being told.
But only Israel can correct this.
Only Israel has access to the world stage.
Only Israel can set the record straight.

But unfortunately Israel is only interested in the status quo. On the world stage it is always reactive, never proactive and on internal issues cannot even decide if Tibi and Zoabi should be thrown out of the Knesset, let alone incarcerated for life for treason, which is what I would like to see happen.

By: Eleonora Mostert

Eleonora Mostert — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 08:58:31 +0000

In reply to Gil Solomon.

I agree 99.9% Gil, I believe Michael IS doing his best to get the truth out under impossible circumstances. I remember someone mentioning that the “Media/News” were scavengers in a dung heap, and use this terminology all the time now. Here in Australia it’s an epidemic amongst “Journalists”.
Unfortunately the Politicians can do nothing about it, “Freedom of the press” etc. Ooops unless it’s against Muslims that is.
It was once a profession that was based on facts only and Who, What, Where and When doesn’t exist. They have all become authors of fairy tales and deception.

By: Michael Kuttner

Michael Kuttner — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 08:01:53 +0000

In reply to Gil Solomon.

Gil,

I share your frustration at the inability of Israeli politicians to articulate consistent, pro active and forceful policies. This is the price we pay for being a democracy and as we are a Jewish democracy the old problem of 20 Jews and 50 opinions is magnified in the political arena. Contrary to your belief, in actual fact there are many journalists who daily challenge this seemingly chaotic situation. It would indeed be more effective if we all spoke with one voice but, Gil, then we would be no better than all the despotic regimes in our area.

Parliamentary democracy has flaws but it is still the best we have. Even in good old Australia you have a flawed system whereby people representing one person crackpot parties can hold the Senate to ransom and paralyze Governments. Within the 2 main parties you have factions pulling and speaking in different directions. Within the Australian Jewish Community you have various groups and spokespersons doing the same so translate that to a Jewish country and don’t be surprised by the same results.

By: Gil Solomon

Gil Solomon — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 22:42:09 +0000

Michael,

You say that: “bear in mind the culpability of all those whose denial and refusal to mention hard truths contributed to the current climate of hate.”

How do you ever expect anything to turn around when Israel, that “Light unto the nations” never opens its mouth to correct the false historical narrative that is bandied about ad nauseam.

An Israeli leadership that aspires to only maintaining the status quo, with never once going on the offensive, will ensure that this sorry state of affairs will continue with no end in sight.

It is time that conservative journalists like yourself, WITHIN Israel, took the Israeli leadership to task. Their lack of any Hasbara is an act of gross negligence that can only be corrected if they cumulatively developed a spine, spoke with ONE voice and got up off their knees, or have they been so long on their knees that they have forgotten what it means to stand up straight.

The way Israel is going is a disgrace. So many parties, Governments made up of useless coalitions who barely agree on anything, politicians who forever knife each other in the back, is a recipe for disaster and national suicide.

The bottom line is that the one power that is capable of telling the true story and setting the record straight to a hostile world keeps its mouth shut.

Israel is akin to a train on a fast track to nowhere at best or headed for a cliff at worse.