Anshel Pfeffer
@AnshelPfeffer · Israeli journalists — political, diplomatic, legal
Anshel Pfeffer writes for Haaretz and The Economist and is the author of a major Netanyahu biography.
There’s also a realization that a conference on diplomacy between Israel and Arab states is something of an anomaly in today’s America. “We can do this in DC” one veteran told me, “but in plenty of other places in America we would be run out of town by anti-Israel protesters” 4/4
In previous MEAD conferences over the past 3 years there was a feeling of urgency. That the situation in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria had to change & was changing urgently. Now there’s an atmosphere of resignation, nothing changing soon until there’s a different political landscape 3/4 >
The consensus is that nothing will change in the Middle East until there’s a new Israeli government after the election, without an end to the deadlock between the US and Iran and unless the Gulf countries come up with a coordinated defense policy, until then we all wait 2/4 >
A few thoughts after the MEAD conference in DC 2 days of talks, panels and meetings with Arabs, Israelis and Americans focused on the Middle East, leaves the impression of a region in a holding pattern, not so much in flux, but stuck, waiting for developments on all fronts 1/4 >
Dan Ben-David’s research on Israel’s educational and employment issues has influenced and informed the policies of the main opposition parties running in the October 27 election. In this By Invitation essay in @TheEconomist he sets out the challenges https://t.co/rFDVULsGf3
Earthquake ahead of the closing of the lists! In Shas and United Torah Judaism, all the candidates are men
Translated from HebrewMeanwhile, the “sanctions” on the settlements look like having it both ways. The British foreign secretary talks about sanctions “against those who provide construction and financing services to the settlements,” which in practice means the Israeli government, the banks and major companies in the economy. At the same time, he says he has no intention whatsoever of isolating Israel and “wants trade with Israel within the Green Line.” An empty declaration
Translated from HebrewMiliband says he “couldn't have been more clear in my statement about our friendship with the Israeli people and indeed our wish to have trade with Green Line Israel” but there’s really no way to differentiate. It’s a muddled empty gesture policy which won’t achieve anything
Sanctions on Israeli settlements fully justified, but empty gesture unless “comprehensive sanctions regime against providing services such as construction or financing for Israeli settlements” means sanctioning Israeli government and Israeli banks doing just that. Which I doubt
Today’s @haaretzcom report is an earthquake for a number of reasons. 1 @shlomieldar literally wrote the book on Hamas and Israel and his sourcing is impeccable. 2. We’ve had several reports of Netanyahu being warned of an impending attack but this was specifically about Sinwar >
The resounding scoop by @shlomieldar in Haaretz this morning is a very important addition to the picture of Netanyahu’s conception that enabled the October 7 massacre, but actually the most important and disturbing story of the day should be the collapse in the achievements of Israeli students
Translated from HebrewMaybe Netanyahu and Sa'ar will send him to be ambassador in London now?
Translated from HebrewNetanyahu was woken up again and again, but he only opens his eyes when it concerns his personal fate - @peretzsami
Translated from HebrewHow many Knesset members need to move from Otzma Yehudit to Likud (May Golan and Almog Cohen) and from Likud to Otzma Yehudit (Tali Gottlieb any moment now) for it to become legitimate to call the movement founded by Ze’ev Jabotinsky Kahane Chai?
Translated from HebrewI strongly support the principles of the Declaration of Independence becoming the basic guidelines of the next coalition, as Eisenkot says, and becoming a Basic Law, as Bennett promises. I am somewhat less convinced that they are really ready to run the country accordingly and even pass legislation that upholds these principles. If only.
Translated from HebrewHis coalition lagging in the polls, Netanyahu’s trying to sow discord among the opposition. My report in @TheEconomist https://t.co/zjDaEebuNf
Netanyahu and his right-hand man Dermer boast of their understanding of America. The result: Israel’s standing in America has never been better.
Translated from HebrewLike any public figure who was active for such a long period as Rabbi Ovadia, one can find many examples of his contradictory statements. He had an original, fascinating, and fairly consistent method in halakhic rulings, but when it came to public leadership, he was fickle, susceptible to pressure, amenable to flattery, and made opposite decisions according to personal and political interests.
Translated from HebrewLet us put it this way. If the presence of a female paramedic in a Namer justified canceling an operational mission, then apparently many of the IDF’s missions deep in the Strip are not really necessary, and it is time to discuss the effectiveness of staying there. It is highly desirable that it not take 15 years, as happened with the security zone in Lebanon. Also, it is interesting that when it comes to attacking a Palestinian village in the West Bank, it is permissible to desecrate Shabbat.
Translated from HebrewBy the way, regarding the Altalena, Netanyahu grew up with a deep aversion to Begin. His father refused to be a member of Herut or Likud during Begin’s days (and even supported a rival Revisionist party). He saw him as an unworthy successor to Jabotinsky. Today Netanyahu is a follower of Erez Tadmor’s view that Begin was a weak prime minister who grovelled before the Left. He mentions Begin only during election periods
Translated from HebrewThere was once an opposition leader who demanded Shin Bet protection. The Shin Bet did not think there was justification for it. The prime minister nevertheless decided to grant the opposition leader’s request. Who was the opposition leader? Who was the prime minister? And which of the two was ultimately assassinated?
Translated from Hebrew“This Israeli government may be in its final months. Its potential to cause damage remains” - our @TheEconomist leader on the situation in the West Bank https://t.co/Aj1oSSOiQS
What should the next government do about the national-strategic failure of having a single international airport buckling under the strain? The “Tzikalag” plan of Netanyahu’s government cannot be implemented for at least the next decade. Haifa International Airport cannot physically expand, and Ramon Airport is too far away. The only location that would provide a solution within 3-4 years is civilianizing one of the Air Force bases >
Translated from HebrewThe doctor of hatred repeatedly ignores the basic truth that there is no boycott. A principle has been established in Israeli politics that a person indicted on criminal charges cannot serve as prime minister. Rabin acknowledged this and resigned. Olmert acknowledged this. And Netanyahu too vigorously preached this principle when it concerned another prime minister. Not a boycott, not hegemony, not oppression. A basic norm
Translated from HebrewThere are lots of jokes here about Silman soon working at the pumps at Sonol or becoming a shift manager at Aroma, and that’s nice as schadenfreude, but the truth is that, as someone who served for four years as environmental protection minister and had hundreds of favors for companies and business projects pass through her hands, she’ll be rewarded handsomely in the not-too-distant future with sham jobs, board seats, and “consulting” contracts. That’s the system.
Translated from Hebrew
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