Media-ocrities of the Week
“A distinction should be made between traditional anti-Semitism, which should be condemned, and Muslim hatred for Jews, which stems from the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.”—US Ambassador to Belgium, Howard Gutman, at a conference on anti-Semitism organized by the European Jewish Union, justifying Islamic Jew-hatred as a reasonable reaction to Israel’s policies towards the Palestinians. Despite drawing sharp criticism from several Jewish organizations, U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner confirmed that the Obama administration stands behind Gutman, saying “the ambassador was expressing his views on an issue. He subsequently issued a statement expressing regret if his remarks were taken out of context.” (Haaretz, December 5.)
“I understand the view that this is not the time to pursue peace, and that the Arab awakening further imperils the dream of a safe and secure, Jewish and democratic Israel. But I disagree with that view.… The problem right now is we can’t get them to the damn table, to at least sit down and begin to discuss their differences.”—US Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta, in a major address on U.S. Middle East policy to the Brookings Institution, blaming the Jewish state for the impasse in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, and calling on Israel to “just get to the damn [negotiating] table.” The Palestinian Authority has since reiterated its opposition to holding direct peace talks with Israel, despite explicit calls by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. (FrontPage, December 6.)
Weekly Quotes
“Nobody believes President Obama when he claims, as he did last week, that he ‘has done more for the security of the state of Israel than any previous administration.’ That’s because he hasn’t—and because President Obama and his administration keeps acting to weaken the security of the state of Israel. For example, as reported in the Israeli press, the U.S. ambassador to Belgium, Howard Gutman—a top Obama fundraiser in 2008—told a conference in Brussels this week that Muslim anti-Semitism ‘stems from the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.’ Pardon us for retaining our belief that Muslim anti-Semitism in the Middle East predates 1967, and even 1948—and in any case is the fault of the anti-Semites, not of the Jews. At another conference, this one in Washington, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta surveyed the Middle East and discovered that at every turn, the Jewish state is to blame for problems in the Muslim world. Are there Arab uprisings that are bringing Islamists to power and endangering peace with Israel? Israel must placate the radicals. Are there constant provocations and taunts from Turkey’s Islamist government? Israel must beg for better treatment. Do Palestinians refuse to negotiate? ‘Get to the damn table,’ Panetta thundered twice.… The Obama message is loud and clear: the world would be a safer, simpler, and more peaceful place if not for the troublesome Jewish state.…”—Chairman of the Emergency Committee of Israel, Bill Kristol, responding to disparaging remarks made last week by high-ranking Obama administration officials. (Weekly Standard, December 3.)
“No government in the world kills its people, unless it’s led by a crazy person.”—Syrian President Bashar Assad, in an ABC News interview with Barbara Walters, denying responsibility for the murder of anti-regime protestors by his security forces, and attributing the deaths of more than 4000 Syrians to rogue acts perpetrated by “individuals.” (Jerusalem Post, December 7.)
“The youth feel let down. They don’t feel that any of the revolution’s goals have been achieved.”—Egyptian presidential candidate Mohamed ElBaradei, conceding that Egypt’s liberals were “decimated” in last week’s parliamentary elections, and expressing concern about the rise of hard-line Islamists. (Huffington Post, December 4.)
“It is a very good result.… It will mean more and more support for Palestinian issues.”—Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum, lauding the Muslim Brotherhood’s victory in Egypt’s elections and asserting that “the relationship [between] the next regime in Egypt [and] the Palestinians will be very good.” (Independent Media Review and Analysis, December 4.)
“We discussed everything, particularly political developments facing the Palestinian cause in all its details. We want very much to work as partners and we have a joint responsibility toward our people and cause.… We would like to tell you that there are no differences between us at all on any of the issues.”—Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, following a meeting in Cairo with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, confirming that the PA and Hamas have reconciled and will work together towards a shared goal. (Independent Media Review and Analysis, November 24.)
“They [Jews] have a common mistake, or misconception by which they fool themselves, assuming that Fatah accepts them and recognizes the right of their state to exist, and that it is Hamas alone that loathes them and does not recognize the right of this state to exist. They ignore the fact that this state, based on a fabricated [Zionist] enterprise, never had any shred of a right to exist.…”—Palestinian Authority Ambassador to India, Adli Sadeq, in the official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, reinforcing both the PA and Fatah’s utter rejection of the Jewish state’s existential legitimacy. (Palestinian Media Watch, December 1.)
“How many missiles have they prepared themselves for? 10,000? 20,000? 50,000? 100,000, 150,000 or more?”—Iranian Defense Minister, Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi, claiming the Islamic Republic currently has over 150,000 missiles pointed at Israel. (Jerusalem Post, November 27.)
“There is no doubt that the moment that tested Ben-Gurion the most was the decision to establish the country. Anyone who grew up after that moment tends to believe that it was a natural development, that the declaration of the State was obvious, but that is not so; far from it. Both domestically and abroad, within the Jewish community in Israel and across the world, tremendous pressures were exerted on Ben-Gurion not to take this step. Everyone told him: this is not the time; not now.… They warned Ben-Gurion that declaring the establishment of the State would lead to an invasion by Arab armies into the nascent Jewish state and to a bitter and difficult campaign. Ben-Gurion did not ignore these warnings. He well understood that there would be a heavy cost to this decision, but he believed that the cost would be even heavier if he did not make the decision.… Today we all agree that it was a reasonable, proper and responsible decision, but it must be remembered that Ben-Gurion had difficulty—even great difficulty—passing the resolution in the People’s Administration, the government at the time, to establish the State. The result of the voting was six in favor, four against.… If Ben-Gurion had not been determined enough, if he had missed the moment, who knows what would have happened to our people and our country. In this place, where the great leader who declared the establishment of the State and called it ‘Israel’ is interred, I would like to believe that we will always act with discretion, courage and determination to make the right decisions to ensure our future and our security.”—Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, at the Annual Memorial Ceremony for David Ben-Gurion, lauding Ben-Gurion’s courage to declare Israel’s independence in 1948 despite widespread opposition at the time. [The Israeli media believes that Netanyahu’s remarks, while not explicitly mentioning “Iran”, represents a major policy statement explaining why he believes he must act against the regime in Tehran.—Ed.] (Independent Media Review and Analysis, December 5.)
The common perception that in a few years there will be more non-Jewish Israeli newborns than Jewish ones appears to be detached from reality. According to Immigration Authority data, the number of Jewish newborns in Israel has increased by nearly 20% since 2001, while during this time the number of Muslim and Christian newborns has dropped by five and 10%, respectively. Statistics show that over the past decade a total of 1,568, 938 people were born in Israel, including 1,157,517 Jews, 387,308 Muslims and only 24,113 Christians. Since the beginning of 2011, 107,207 Jewish babies were born, a significantly higher number than the 30,341 Muslims and 1,864 Christians who were born this year.According to statistics, in 2001 69% of all newborns in Israel were Jewish, while 28% were Muslim and 1.9% Christian. However, in 2010, 76% of all the babies born in Israel were Jewish, while only 22% were Muslim and 1.3% Christian.”—Telem Yahav, in “Demographic Threat? Not According to Statistics,” describing Israel’s surging Jewish birthrate. (Ynet News, December 7.)
“Gilad has gained weight and has returned to normal. He’s just as he was before.”—Zvi Shalit, grandfather of ransomed Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, in a meeting with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, informing the head of state that Gilad is adjusting well to life at home. The 25-year-old Gilad returned to Israel in October after spending over five years in Hamas captivity. (Ynet News, December 1.)
Short Takes
MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD CLAIMS EGYPT ELECTIONS—(Jerusalem) The Muslim Brotherhood has won the first round in Egypt’s parliamentary elections, the country’s first free vote in six decades. The elections saw the Islamic fundamentalist Brotherhood claim approximately 40% of the vote, with the radical Salafi al-Nour party winning nearly 25%; Egypt’s liberal bloc garnered a mere 15% of the vote. According to the London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Hayat, Egypt’s ruling Military Council was “vexed and concerned” by the landslide Islamist victory. In a statement issued last weekend, the Muslim Brotherhood called on its rivals to “accept the will of the people…and accept their choice.” (Ynet News, December 3.)
MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD RALLY VOWS TO ‘KILL ALL JEWS’—(Jerusalem) A Muslim Brotherhood rally at Cairo’s al-Azhar Mosque, the Sunni world’s most prestigious center of learning, has turned into a call for genocide, with protesters pledging to “one day kill all Jews.” According to reports, approximately 5,000 people attended the event, which organizers said was aimed at rallying Egyptians behind the “battle against Jerusalem’s Judaization.” Speakers at the demonstration condemned “Zionist occupiers” and “treacherous Jews,” and maps were distributed highlighting areas of the Old City where “Zionists are aiming to change Jerusalem’s Muslim character.” Muhammad Ahmed el- Tayeb, the imam of al-Azhar Mosque, told the crowd: “Al- Aksa Mosque is currently under an offensive by the Jews.… We shall not allow the Zionists to Judaize al-Quds [Jerusalem].” Meanwhile, Egypt’s Youm7 newsweekly reported this week that the Brotherhood’s spiritual leader, Yusuf al-Qaradawi, has permanently returned to Egypt despite being exiled in 1961. The 85-year-old has been described as the spiritual leader of Hamas, and has justified suicide bombings against Israeli civilians. (Jerusalem Post, November 27.)
DOZENS OF BODIES DUMPED IN FLASHPOINT SYRIAN CITY—(Beirut) According to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a surge in violence in the restive Syrian city of Homs has killed up to 50 people, whose bodies have been dumped in the streets by forces loyal to President Bashar Assad. For nearly nine months, the Syrian government has been attempting to crush an anti-regime uprising, which, coupled with mounting sectarian tensions, is pushing the country toward civil war. This week, Syria agreed to allow Arab League observers into the country as part of a plan to end the bloodshed, but placed a number of conditions, including the cancellation of deeply embarrassing economic sanctions by the 22-member organization. Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby swiftly rebuffed Damascus’ demands, and the Syrian opposition accused Assad’s regime of wasting time. Syria has already failed to meet several Arab League ultimatums to end the crackdown, which the UN says has killed more than 4,000 people. (Associated Press, December 6.)
EMBATTLED ASSAD MAY START CONFLICT WITH ISRAEL—(Jerusalem) Israel’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman, Shaul Mofaz, has warned of a potential armed conflict with Syria. “The closer the Assad regime in Syria gets to death’s door, the bigger the threat against Israel becomes,” the Kadima MK told Army Radio. “It can be reasonably assumed that in the twilight of his rule, Assad will try to deflect attention from the massacre of his own people by starting a conflict with Israel,” Mofaz added. The comments came after the Syrian army tested cutting-edge missiles over the weekend, which Israeli military sources said was aimed at showing the international community what the beleaguered regime is capable of. (Jerusalem Post, December 5.)
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PREVENTING SANCTIONS ON IRAN CENTRAL BANK—(Washington) The US Senate has unanimously voted to penalize foreign financial institutions that do business with the Islamic Republic’s central bank, the main conduit for its oil revenues. The Senate voted 100-0 for an amendment sponsored by Senator Robert Menendez (D), and Senator Mark Kirk (R), that would allow the US to sanction foreign banks found to have carried out a “significant financial transaction with the Central Bank of Iran.” The Senate acted despite warnings from the Obama administration, which to date has opposed efforts to censure Iran’s Central Bank. According to Senator Kirk, the US President is urging lawmakers to soften the proposed sanctions, preferring to “take no effective action against the central paymaster” of the mullahs’ nuclear architecture. A similar proposal to target Iran’s central bank has been approved by a US Congressional committee and is expected to be taken to a House vote shortly. (Ynet News, December 2 & Jerusalem Post, December 6.)
IRAN THREATENING TO CUT HAMAS FUNDS, ARMS SUPPLY IF IT FLEES SYRIA—(Jerusalem) According to Palestinian sources, Iran is applying intense pressure on Hamas in an effort to persuade the terrorist group not to leave Damascus, going so far as to threaten a cut off of funds and arms. Recent reports claim Hamas’ leadership has decided to abandon its headquarters in Syria and that the organization is now looking at other Arab states, including Egypt, as an alternative location for its political command center. Iran’s growing concern over Hamas’ potential relocation appears to have been fueled by recent comments by a Syrian opposition spokesman, who asserted that if President Assad is topple, his successor would not preserve the strategic alliance between Damascus, Tehran and Hezbollah. (Haaretz, December 5.)
US UNSURE WHAT MIGHT PROMPT ISRAEL TO ATTACK IRAN—(Jerusalem) According to a senior US national security official, the Obama administration does not know Israel’s intentions regarding potential military action against Iran, and the uncertainty is stoking concern in Washington. Both Democratic Senator Carl Levin, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Senator John McCain, the senior Republican on the committee, this week acknowledged that there are gaps in US knowledge about Israeli leaders’ thinking and intentions: “I don’t think the administration knows what Israel is going to do,” Levin said, while McCain affirmed, “I’m sure (administration officials) don’t know what the Israelis are going to do. They didn’t know when the Israelis hit the reactor in Syria.” (Ynet News, December 7.)
BOMB ATTACKS ROCK IRAQ ON SHIITE HOLY DAY—(Baghdad) Multiple bomb blasts have killed more than 20 religious pilgrims in Iraq, in what has become an annual spilling of blood and stirring of sectarian anger on one of the most sacred holidays of Shiite Islam. The attacks came as hundreds of thousands of worshipers flocked to the city of Karbala to celebrate Ashura, which commemorates the death of a foundational figure in Shiite Islam. The holiday, which was suppressed under Saddam Hussein, has become a touchstone of sectarian identity for Iraq’s Shiite majority since the American intervention. Although attacks on worshipers are not new, the blasts this week come at an especially sensitive time for Iraq, less than a month before the last US forces are scheduled to leave the country. (NY Times, December 6.)
ISRAEL RELEASES PA FUNDS UNDER GERMAN PRESSURE—(Jerusalem) Yielding to pressure from Berlin, Israel has resumed the transfer of tax revenues collected on behalf of the Palestinian Authority. According to German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, Chancellor Angela Merkel threatened Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu with the halting of a plan to deliver an additional submarine to Israel if the latter continued its two-month freeze on the distribution of a major source of PA funding. Immediately following Israel’s acquiescence, a government official announced that Germany would build and pay up to one-third of the cost of a sixth Dolphin-class submarine to be delivered to the Israeli navy. The submarine is considered an essential component of Israel’s second-strike capability since it can carry nuclear warheads. The total deal will cost between 372m. and 520m. euros. (Jerusalem Post, December 4.)
AL-QAEDA: WE KIDNAPPED JEWISH AID WORKER IN PAKISTAN—(Jerusalem) Al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping in Pakistan of Jewish-American contractor Warren Weinstein, and has demanded the US release prisoners and end air strikes in Muslim countries in exchange for his freedom. According to reports, assailants captured Weinstein, 70, in the city of Lahore in August, where he was working on a project in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal areas. US State Department spokeswoman Joanne Moore confirmed the kidnapping, saying the US “remains concerned for Mr. Weinstein’s safety and well-being.” (Ynet News, December 2.)
