Progressive Israel

Progressive Israel is the leading pro-Israel blog whose goal is to generate and promote partnership between Zionists who support a Jewish State of Israel with full and equal rights for all its citizens.

[progressiveisrael-blog]

IDF soldier: Burn all leftists, Arabs

_Paratroopers Brigade soldier Amihy Zoaretz publishes Facebook statuses calling for 'death to leftist traitors' prior to arrest over involvement in Ephraim Brigade base raid_ Via [YNet](http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4174512,00.html): > Amihy Zoaretz, a soldier from the Paratroopers Brigade's 890th Battalion was arrested by Military Police earlier this week on suspicion he disclosed information to right-wing activists who were charged with organizing last month's raid on the Ephraim Territorial Brigade base in the West Bank.   > The investigation against Zoaretz is still ongoing. The soldier is not cooperating with investigators and, according to his attorney, has denied the allegations. However, his Facebook page reveals his radical views. Does anybody remember the last time a left-leaning IDF member did this?

[progressiveisrael-blog]

Is there a peace partner?

_Instead of looking at Arabs, Israel should examine its own readiness for peace_ Via [YNet](http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4173662,00.html): > All attempts and discourse aimed at undermining the standing of Israeli Palestinians not only destroys the fabric of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state but perpetuates a narrative of vilification and mistrust toward Palestinians which undercuts any horizon for peace. Only when Palestinians are treated as equals will they be able to be viewed by us as peace partners.   > I don’t know if we have a peace partner. I do know that the possibility of renewed negotiations should be the source of at the very least great interest on our part. We don’t need to teach the Palestinians their responsibilities. **We need to make sure that we are living up to ours.**

[progressiveisrael-blog]

Is Israeli rule of the West Bank really a temporary occupation?

Gershom Gorenburg via [The American Prospect](http://prospect.org/article/forever-after):  > I'd really like to be angry at Dorit Beinisch, the chief justice of the Israeli Supreme Court. On the eve of her retirement, Beinisch abandoned her role of pushing the Israeli government to honor legal restraints in the occupied territories. Instead, in what could be her last major ruling on Israeli actions in the West Bank, she has given a stamp of approval to colonial economic exploitation. > But let's put petulance aside. One message of Beinisch's judgment is that judicial resistance can stretch only so far. Even the highest tribunal in the land cannot reverse a national policy as basic as continuing to rule the West Bank. Another message—whether or not Beinisch intended it—is that treating a situation that has lasted 44 years as "temporary" is _absurd_. **The occupation is not an acute disease; it is a chronic one**.

[progressiveisrael-blog]

Dennis Ross: How to break a Middle East stalemate

 Via [The Washington Post](http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/how-to-unfreeze-a-middle-east-stalemate/2011/12/21/gIQAdhZdfP_story.html): > Dan Meridor, one of Israel’s four deputy prime ministers, said to me years ago that “the peace process is like riding a bicycle: When you stop pedaling, you fall off.” And currently, the Israelis and Palestinians have stopped pedaling. > Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is convinced that this Israeli government cannot make a peace deal — or at least one he can live with — so he imposes conditions on negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sees these conditions as harsh and unprecedented, and doesn’t want to pay a steep political price just to enter talks

[progressiveisrael-blog]

But there should also be no illusions about the prospects of a breakthrough any time soon. The psychological gaps between the parties make it hard to resolve their differences and have bedeviled all the work for peace talks over the past few years

Dennis Ross, Counselor at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, served as a special assistant to President Obama and a senior director on the National Security Council staff from July 2009 to December 2011

[progressiveisrael-blog]

Israel, PA reps to meet again in Amman

_Palestinians have been downplaying significance of second round of direct talks since Jordanians renewed channel last week; officials in Ramallah say they don't expect current talks to achieve a breakthrough_ Via [The Jerusalem Post](http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?ID=252758&R=R1): > Israeli and Palestinian officials are scheduled to meet in Amman on Monday for the second time in a week, though Palestinian officials say the gap between the two sides on security and border issues remains as wide as ever. > Unlike the meeting last Tuesday, this time representatives of the Quartet – the US, EU, Russia and UN – will not be in attendance. Jordan will host the talks at the Foreign Ministry in Amman.

[progressiveisrael-blog]

Netanyahu mulls gestures to keep peace talks going

Breaking, Via [Ha'aretz](http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-mulls-gestures-toward-palestinians-to-keep-peace-talks-going-1.406357): > At the request of American and Jordanian authorities, Prime Minister Benjamin **Netanyahu is considering several confidence-building measures vis-a-vis the Palestinians**. In return, the prime minister expects Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to continue the talks that began in Jordan a week ago, and to refrain from pursuing statehood at the United Nations. > Netanyahu's envoy Isaac Molho and chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat met for the second time in Amman on Monday. Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and representatives of the Quartet - the United States, Russia, the UN and the European Union - also attended the meeting. > One of the Israeli sources says Quartet members intend to make a statement at the end of the month, saying they are **pleased with the progress of the talks so far**. Assuming neither side would be able to refuse, the Quartet plans to call on the parties to continue talking for a few more months, according to the source. "The Americans want to get as close as they can to the presidential elections in November in this way," he said. > To persuade the Palestinians to continue the talks, Jordan, the United States and Quartet envoy Tony Blair told the Palestinian delegation that Israel would take confidence-building measures, the other source said. > Quartet representatives say the gestures, which they call a "stabilizing package," **consist of freeing Palestinian prisoners, expanding the Palestinian Authority's control in additional West Bank territories**, and other similar measures.

[progressiveisrael-blog]

Bahrain to Jewish leader: Iran is a threat to us all

_King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has agreed to hold a Jewish-Muslim dialogue in Bahrain later this year_ Via [The Jerusalem Post](http://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/JewishFeatures/Article.aspx?ID=252770&R=R1): > **Iran is a common threat to Bahrain, Israel and the US**, the King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was quoted as saying by a Jewish official on Sunday. > Rabbi Marc Schneier, vice president of the World Jewish Congress, said the king told him he was alarmed by the Islamic Republic during a 45- minute meeting held in the capital city of Manama late last month. > “I made a point how it’s ironic how we share a common enemy and he acknowledged that Iran has been a threat,” said Schneier, who gave the king a hanukkia at the end of their conversation. > The nation has a troubled history with its northern neighbor across the Persian Gulf, which once laid claim to its territory. > **Schneier said Hamad agreed to his request to host a Jewish-Muslim dialogue in the oil-rich country later this year**. The rabbi, who is also president of the Foundation for Interfaith Dialogue, said there was no set date or list of participants yet but that the conference would aim to improve ties between the Abrahamic faiths.

[progressiveisrael-blog]

MKs slam J'lem for illegal building in e. J'lem

In the absolutely no irony department, via [The Jerusalem Post](http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?ID=252812&R=R1): > The Knesset’s Internal Affairs and Environment Committee slammed the Jerusalem municipality for “losing control” of illegal building in east Jerusalem, especially in areas that are part of Jerusalem but are located on the West Bank side of the separation fence, in a special committee hearing on Monday. > According to Regavim, a right-wing activist group which filed a petition in the High Court of Justice regarding lack of enforcement of demolition orders, said that Jerusalem building inspectors haven’t been into Jerusalem areas on the other side of the barrier since 2005. Without inspections, the municipality cannot issue demolition orders.

[progressiveisrael-blog]

Shas MK: I'd sign the Geneva Accords

Via Geneva Accord: > **In an interview with Kol-Rega radio in Israel, MK and Deputy Speaker from Shas Yitzhak Vaknin, stated that he would sign the Geneva Accord today. See excerpt from his interview below**: > "Whoever reads the Geneva Accord will understand that the right wing should grab it. It preserves almost all the areas we have today in Judea and Samaria. Geneva speaks clearly that 75 percent of the territories, and I have read the entire agreement, and I ask you, this thing is not good for the right wing? Its the best. After all, if there is a peace agreement and and a land swap,  and demilitarization,  I'm telling you that this worth it for our country, our children, for the peace we all want."   > "**It is our duty to do everything even if we have to give up some of the territories**, and I tell you, I would sign the Geneva Accord today with both hands, in order to move forward. Because it actually gives a solution that the settlers and those who live in Judea and Samaria, which I really appreciate, would agree to. "

[progressiveisrael-blog]

Minister: Lapid threatens Likud's rule

_Following popular TV news anchor's decision to enter politics, Minister Eitan says ruling party must 'stress liberal, democratic values' if it wants to keep supporters. Lieberman: New forces good for politics_ Via [YNet](http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4173255,00.html): > On Sunday senior Likud officials said Lapid would not have any influence on the ruling party's power, but Minister Michael Eitan said Monday that the former TV news anchor's move **could threaten Likud's rule**.   > "**We are losing the support of our moderate voters**, and if this continues, we will be overthrown because people will vote for Lapid, who will become more attractive than what Likud currently represents," he said.   > Speaking to Ynet, Eitan said "Lapid could threaten Likud by effecting change within the various blocs." According to the minister, Lapid's move to politics will force Likud to "get back to stressing liberal and **democratic values**."

[progressiveisrael-blog]

Hezbollah says Ban Ki-moon not welcome in Lebanon

 Via [Daily Star](http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2012/Jan-09/159214-hezbollah-says-ban-ki-moon-not-welcome-in-lebanon.ashx#axzz1iyi5Wkgd): > The head of Hezbollah’s Shura Council Sheikh Mohammad Yazbek said over the weekend that U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, who is scheduled to arrive in Lebanon Friday, is not welcome.“**The visit of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to Beirut is not welcome**, neither is the phony [U.N. Special Envoy Terje Roed] Larsen or the messenger of evil [Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs] Jeffrey Feltman,” Yazbek was quoted by local media as saying. This is the part where the far-left starts complaining, right? I wish.

[progressiveisrael-blog]

"Dear Neo Conservatives: Meet the newest ‘anti-Israel leftist.’" Can you explain this quote to me (within the context of your previous post), I'm curious and I don't think I understand completely. Thank you!

To some of the, for lack of a better term 'Israel right-or-wrong [community](http://blog.eretzyisrael.org/)', anything to the left of Likud (for many, left of the banned Jewish racist party, Kach) is synonymous with being a traitor. As you can view on [political factions](http://blog.eretzyisrael.org/) presentation, Labor is a socialist & center-left Israeli party that calls for the "[creation of a Palestinian state].(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_Labor_Party)". Prominent members include [Shimon Peres](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimon_Peres) (who called PA President Mahmoud Abbas "[the best Palestinian President for Israel](http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/peres-abbas-is-the-best-palestinian-leader-for-israel-1.386810)"), the late [Yitzhak Rabin](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yitzhak_Rabin) (who signed the Oslo Accords with Yasser Arafat).The public position of the party, explained by Isaac Herzog:> [Labor] welcomes Obama's vision of advancing human rights and democracy in the Middle East and supports the formula of two states for two peoples **based on the 1967** lines with mutually agreed land swaps. Labor is also the only Israeli centrist party that **accepts the Arab Peace Initiative** as a framework for negotiations.Labor actually [left the current Netanyahu government](http://www.isracast.com/article.aspx?ID=1228&t=Israel---Cabinet-Clash-Over-Settlement-Freeze) when the settlement freeze wasn't extended last fall.All in all, for Noam Shalit to join labor will add lots of popular support and votes, for a party that pro-Israel neoconservatives (who support the racist, anti-Democratic and far-right elements in Israeli society) strongly despise. Good news for Israelis, Palestinians, bad news for racists.

[progressiveisrael-blog]

Noam Shalit announces he will run for Israel's Labor

_Father of abducted ex-IDF soldier Gilad Shalit tells party chairperson Shelly Yachimovich he wants to run for the party list; Shalit has been a party member since 1996_ Via [Haaretz](http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/noam-shalit-announces-he-will-run-for-israel-s-labor-party-list-1.406311): > “Following years of a public struggle, during which I got to know Israeli society thoroughly - both its beautiful and ethical sides - I have decided to join public life,” he told reporters. > “This is out of a desire to serve the public, and to be in a place from which it is possible to influence the character of Israeli society. The Israel Labor Party is a social-democratic party that is pro-peace, and so it is my natural home. I believe that, under Shelly Yachimovich’s leadership, the Israel Labor Party will be able to do important things for Israeli society,” he said. Dear Neo Conservatives: Meet the newest 'anti-Israel leftist'

[baruchobramowitz-deactivated201]

Right-wing Israeli MKs give secret information to Settlers

Second Israeli MK admits to having given settlers information on IDF movements

"National Union's Uri Ariel says, 'If a person who transfers information about IDF movements is a spy, then I am a spy'; Likud MK Ze'ev Elkin was found to have given right-wing activists information on IDF earlier Sunday."

If an IDF soldier can be given a court martial and sentenced to 10 days in prison for posting information on raids to his facebook, then so should these MKs.

Actually, since these right-wing activists have a history of trying to disrupt IDF operations (including attacking an IDF base near Qalqilya and subsequently injuring an officer), rioting (like this incident which occurred when Jerusalem police tried to arrest a price-tag suspect), burning mosques (as in this case which happened the same night as the base break-in), and generally being self-righteous assholes (though that is not a trait unique to right-wing activists) these MKs should get into even MORE trouble than the IDF soldier mentioned above.

[vintageisrael]

Tel-Aviv immigration camp for Jews.

[progressiveisrael-blog]

Israel gave PA outline in Amman, not detailed proposals

Via [The Jerusalem Post](http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?ID=252424&R=R1): > The 21-point document Israel gave the Palestinians in Amman this week dealt with general principles of what will be needed to reach a final agreement, not with concrete Israel proposals, western diplomatic officials said Thursday. > The document was presented to Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat by Yitzhak Molcho, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's chief negotiator.  Molcho was accompanied at the meeting by Daniel Taub, Israel's ambassador to London who was involved in the talks with the Palestinians in August-September 2010, and Netanyahu's communications director Yoaz Hendel.