The US is wasting a glorious opportunity to send a clear message to the Arab/Muslim world that it does indeed support democeratic values, human rights and that it does so unequivocablly, whether it's Arab or Israelis, or Christians or Muslims or Jews; Egyptians or Palestinians or Iranians, Libyans or Tunisians,whoever.
That is not what its recent veto of the resolution calling on Israel to halt settlements expansion,do. The US cannot on the one hand say the settlements are "illegal and unhelpful' to the peace process and then turn around and veto this resolution on the grounds that it will "shatter"the peace talks. The US cannot on the one hand support and encourage, very clearly, the protests in Iran and Libya and then send dilly-dally when it comes to its "friends" in Egypt, Algeria and Jordan and Bahrain(home of the 5th Fleet). This is sheer hypocrisy and double-standard. You either are for democratic values or not. You are either for the respest of international law or not. Even the US cannot any longer have it both ways.
Rights are righte , are rights, are rights; Laws are laws, are laws, are laws.
Israel is treated differently and deferentially. Why? Is it quilt? Is it AIPAC and the Jewish lobby? Are they superior to the Arabs/ Muslims in the eyes of the American Administration and of Americans? This "special treatment" is not good for the US or for Israel. In the case of the US, it loses its credibility and respect and therefore weakens it. In the case os of Israel, it empowers the Settlers and their religious supporters , but weakens Israel, which has become a garrison state, spending too much on security and too little on society.
Israel unquestionably has the right to security and peace, but its policies vis-a vis the Palestinians and its bankrolling of the rich life-style of the Settlers, are detrimental to its security and to peaceful co-existence with its neighbors.
The Arab autocrats have long use the Palestinians to beat up on the Israelis. It served their purposes while denying the Palestinians the rights and dignity they need and deserve. Now they, the autocrats, are on the run and their policies and their tacit support of the continued displacement of the Palestinians are unravelling. This is little comfort for the Americans( who have been complicit in this policy) and the Israelis (who have benefitted from, and exploited it...stalling for time, while building settlements, grabbing more and more land, and placing all manner of impediments, because Uncle Sam is paying).
That is not what its recent veto of the resolution calling on Israel to halt settlements expansion,do. The US cannot on the one hand say the settlements are "illegal and unhelpful' to the peace process and then turn around and veto this resolution on the grounds that it will "shatter"the peace talks. The US cannot on the one hand support and encourage, very clearly, the protests in Iran and Libya and then send dilly-dally when it comes to its "friends" in Egypt, Algeria and Jordan and Bahrain(home of the 5th Fleet). This is sheer hypocrisy and double-standard. You either are for democratic values or not. You are either for the respest of international law or not. Even the US cannot any longer have it both ways.
Rights are righte , are rights, are rights; Laws are laws, are laws, are laws.
Israel is treated differently and deferentially. Why? Is it quilt? Is it AIPAC and the Jewish lobby? Are they superior to the Arabs/ Muslims in the eyes of the American Administration and of Americans? This "special treatment" is not good for the US or for Israel. In the case of the US, it loses its credibility and respect and therefore weakens it. In the case os of Israel, it empowers the Settlers and their religious supporters , but weakens Israel, which has become a garrison state, spending too much on security and too little on society.
Israel unquestionably has the right to security and peace, but its policies vis-a vis the Palestinians and its bankrolling of the rich life-style of the Settlers, are detrimental to its security and to peaceful co-existence with its neighbors.
The Arab autocrats have long use the Palestinians to beat up on the Israelis. It served their purposes while denying the Palestinians the rights and dignity they need and deserve. Now they, the autocrats, are on the run and their policies and their tacit support of the continued displacement of the Palestinians are unravelling. This is little comfort for the Americans( who have been complicit in this policy) and the Israelis (who have benefitted from, and exploited it...stalling for time, while building settlements, grabbing more and more land, and placing all manner of impediments, because Uncle Sam is paying).
