Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu,
On March 17 I posted an open letter to you (http://jgcaesarea.blogspot.com/2010/03/jerusalem-open-letter-to-prime-minister.html) in which I noted that we're neighbors, and although I didn't vote for you in the previous election, other members of my family sided with you.
Do you remember the 2006 war with Hezbollah? I do. I remember "commuting" from Caesarea, where we both live, to my reserve unit on the Lebanese border: a one and a half hour drive in either direction. And I will never forget how during those critical days Israel lacked the proper prime minister, defense minister and chief of staff to direct the fighting.
Here we are in 2010 facing a far graver danger: a potential four-front war with Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria and Iran, which threatens our very existence. Adding to the crisis is an American president, whose sympathies plainly do not lie with us. In this time of crisis, have you surrounded yourself with the persons best capable of serving Israel's interests? You cannot do the job alone.
No need to bow to Obama's pressure. There is, however, a necessity to put Israel's best foot forward in the current public relations war that might well precede an actual confrontation. Although the Yisrael Beytenu party is important to your coalition, Israel cannot afford a foreign minister who is incapable of best presenting our perspective to a hostile world. You might want to shift him to the housing or interior ministry and give us a fighting chance with a person better suited to arguing our case in the U.S., Canada and Europe. If ever there was a time for unity, it's now.
By the way, you're invited for coffee if you have the time.
Your neighbor,
Jeffrey
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Your lovely Bibi had managed to screw up the relations with Obama all by himself, without any meddling from Liberman. Who knows - maybe, given a chance, Liberman could perform better, because clearly matters couldn't go any worse.
ReplyDeleteAt least I am glad you support Netanyahu. But what do you have against Lieberman (who you prefer not to mention by name)? What is wrong with him, in your view? How should Israel Foreign Minister present Israel to the hostile world? It is strange that you ask Netanyahu to remove his Foreign Minister without any argumentation.
ReplyDeleteWhat is your feeling, can somebody argue the case of Israel with current US administration and Europe? It appears, nothing comes from Israel's attempts of negotiating with USA other than humiliation. How can a replacement of Foreign Minister change this fact?
Demimond and Marina, thank you for your comments.
ReplyDeleteI suppose I should first observe that I do not adhere to the right or left (perhaps I'm a "radical" moderate - an oxymoron?) and disgracefully I often lack the motivation to vote. Nevertheless, I enjoy speaking with everyone, including, for example, Shimon Peres and Yossi Sarid, whose perspectives, of course, differ from those of Bibi.
Demimond, I don't think that Bibi "screwed up the relations with Obama". This was a made-to-order crisis brought on by the Obama administration and brewing since day-one of Obama's presidency. Query: If Obama had made a point of visiting Jerusalem after stopping in Cairo, might relations and Middle East peace progress have taken a different course?
"Matters couldn't get any worse"? Having seen much worse in the past, I disagree. Moreover, often as a result of a crisis in interpersonal relations, solutions ensue.
Marina, I have listened to Lieberman speak from "up close", and although I don't agree with his politics, he is very bright. Unfortunately, his politics prevent him from being seen as an effective speaker capable of influencing international opinion or even being invited to speak.
Yes, I believe someone, for example, Ambassador Mike Oren, can effectively argue Israel's case. But here in Israel we are talking about a ministry with the attendant power, reserved for politicians.
Jeffrey,
ReplyDeleteWhat is the difference between "Lieberman politics", "Netanyahu politics" and "Oren politics"?
If crisis was "brought on by the Obama administration", how could Oren help being a Minister? It does not look like he is very successful as an ambassador - and it is not his fault. Do you think, Obama would change his mind, if only somebody presented him Israel's case right?
Hi Marina,
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't think anyone can change Obama's mind. However, I do think a person with Mike Oren's charisma can affect the world's perception of Israel, when he/she talks on CNN, lectures on campuses, writes op-eds for leading newspapers, etc.
Moses had charisma. God told him, what to say. It was not enough to move Pharaoh.
ReplyDelete