I’m not even going to bother pointing out the anti-Israel spin. Really. The whole article blames the failure of the peace process entirely on Israel. It’s not worth parsing.
Compare and contrast, Obama version: Let’s take a look at why Obama thinks the peace process is failing, and who is to blame. Although he did admit that he set the bar far too high. Gee. Wonder if it might have had something to do with the Cairo speech, which enabled the current Palestinian intransigence?
… from Abbas’ perspective, he’s got Hamas looking over his shoulder and, I think, an environment generally within the Arab world that feels impatient with any process. … although the Israelis, I think, after a lot of time showed a willingness to make some modifications in their policies, they still found it very hard to move with any bold gestures.
As has been said: From the Arabs, words. From the Jews, deeds. That’s what’s wrong with this process.
The Obama administration backs off Israel, blames Bush: Hillary Clinton followed up the statement above by pointing out that peace is, ultimately, in the hands of the Palestinians and Israelis. And may we congratulate the Obama administration for its (belated) keen grasp of the obvious. However, if America and the EU exerted pressure on the Arabs for a change—well, no. I’m sorry. What was I thinking? Geez. I think I just had a senior moment in public.
The other Islamic terrorist attack on U.S. soil in 2009: The man who murdered a soldier outside a recruiting station in Little Rock last year says he’s a member of Al Qaeda. Of course the AP downplays it and pulls the “lone nutjob” excuse. But how many soldiers have to die in jihadi attacks on American soil before we realize we have a problem?
“From the Arabs, words; from the Jews, deeds.” Clever, pithy, insightful. I thought it was original with me, Meryl, but perhaps it isn’t. What is not original with me, unfortunately, is: “Anti-Catholicism used to be the anti-Semitism of intellectuals. Then anti-Americanism was the anti-Semitism of intellectuals. Now anti-Semitism is the anti-Semitism is the anti-Semitism of intellectuals.” I first read that in a letter in Standpoint magazine but I don’t know if the writer originated it.