Has Israel Jumped The Shark?

[cali]

By M.J. Rosenberg - January 30, 2009, 6:33AM
Israel is just days away from elections so it is no surprise that its people are not focusing on whether or not the Gaza war was worth the price. But the polls reveal that well over 90% are satisfied with the way the war went.

They also show that Bibi Netanyahu will be elected prime minister on Feb 10th with the race-baiter Avigdor Lieberman -- he says that Israeli Arabs must sign oaths of loyalty to the Jewish state or lose their rights as citizens -- running a strong third. He will probably win more seats in Knesset than the Labor Party. He is the Israeli George Wallace, not a crazed extremist from outside the system like David Duke or Meir Kahane, but an insider who echoes Kahanist themes. With his 15 or 20 Knesset seats he replaces Ariel Sharon as the political establishment's iron fist, except that his views on Arabs (any and all) make Sharon look like Eleanor Roosevelt.

It is no wonder Israelis are satisfied with the war. It was the clear "winner" while Gaza, still burying its dead, was the loser. Unfortunately, it is not clear that Hamas lost-- a critical distinction. The people of Gaza are not Hamas. They are just people; many of the dead were children. Hamas, however, is surviving.

In one area, Israel clearly lost: public opinion. In the past, a distinction could be made between how America reacted to a Middle Eastern war and how the rest of the world did. Judging from media coverage, this time there was little difference between America and everywhere else.

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http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/01/30/has_israel_jumped_the_shark/

[AndyTiedye]

1. Looks Like Israel is about to Jump INTO the Shark Tank