Anti-Semites and Self Haters Gone Wild.

It must be the phases of the moon or the end of spring fever or something else.. But lately it seems like there has been a surge of nuttiness that is not just restricted to the Republicans in the U.S. who all of a sudden seem to absolutely hate the policies that President Bush put in place that are now being utilized by the Obama Administration. No, the stunning hypocrisy there is not the worst of it. 

Lately it seems like the anti-Semites are out in droves. Of course, they and their self hating allies in Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) are all in a flutter about the Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions Movement… so what did they come up with? Camp BDS.

Where students will get:

• Extensive campaign development coaching
• Grassroots organizing skill building
• Media & Messaging trainings
• Anti-oppression analysis workshops
• Nonviolent direct action planning
• Historical overview of Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions
• Relationship building with activists on campuses nationwide
• Strategy sessions with BDS movement leaders
• Two tracks for existing and new campaigns

Plus: fun in a summer camp-like environment!

And just imagine… all of that PLUS – “fun in a summer camp-like environment”. Somehow, I think this would be different from the summer camps that I attended as a kid that stressed swimming, arts and crafts, sports, and generally getting along with your neighbors. I am not sure how messages of “Destroy Israel” and “Boycott Jews” are going to translate into a rollicking good time.

Perhaps though one of the first things they should do is probably pull their ad off the internet. After all, if they are boycotting Israel and Israeli goods they might not want to use those Intel chips in their computers (if they are using Microsoft). IF they are using Apple’s well… they better drop those too, as Apple is also involved with Israel. Oh well… should be an interesting camp. I would be looking forward to the parts of camp where they don’t use first aid kits, or cell phones, or Teh Google or a hundred other things all because well… they are boycotting Israel and companies that deal with Israel.

One thing comes to mind as well… How do they know that the buildings they are sleeping in, didn’t get built with Caterpillar equipment. I mean they should be boycotting that as well. Right? I mean if these guys are going to boycott… then let them really boycott.

Anyway, but that isn’t some of the rest of things about us pernicious JOOZ! Apparently we are everywhere. So here are some of the great things from around the intertoobz where the whack nut anti-Semites seem to be having a field day.

First, we have the Phil Weiss – proprietor of the hate site Mondoweiss (or better known as MondoFront since it combines all the elements of conspiracy theories with the rabid hate of the Neo-Nazi StormFront site) actually stating that the only reason that the Robert Kraft, Superbowl Ring, Vladimir Putin story resurfaced was… Because Israel hates Syria and we are beholden to Israel. Here is Weiss:

As for imputing an Israel motivation to Kraft’s decision, well, that’s the problem with the Israel lobby, it implicitly raises the question. And Kraft supports Israel in many ways. Riding through Jerusalem on the light rail, I often see the Robert Kraft stadium built to promote football. I have often gone to the Robert Kraft center for Jewish life at Columbia to see pro-Israel events. “A taste of home” is the promotional slogan at Nana, the cafeteria there that serves Israeli foods. Kraft’s late wife once said that her sons could fight for Israel, she wouldn’t want them in American uniforms.

Am I accusing Kraft of blabbing now because he’s trying to help Israel? I certainly wonder. Maybe Kraft will tell us, in another 8 years…

In short, everything in the world revolves around Israel and the Jews. And since Jews and Israel control the Western World we wanted Kraft to bring out this story so that we can stir up bad feelings for Russia because they don’t like Israel… or some such nonsense.

But Weiss is just someone running a small meeting site where haters of Jews, and their self hating Jewish sycophants can hang out and swap ideas about how Jews really run the U.S. and Israel runs the world. It’s not like he is a world leader or Head of State or anything.

No.. for that we have Ankara Mayor and close friend (and member of the PM’s Party) of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to play that role. In a note on Twitter – Ankara Mayor İbrahim Melih Gökçek, a member of Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party, claimed that the protests now raging in Turkey are part of an effort by the American “Jewish lobby” to undermine Turkey’s government.

Now to be fair to Erdogan (who had said that Zionism is the equivalent of “war crime” – he didn’t directly blame “The Jewish Lobby”, he simply used code words saying:

Addressing the crowd from atop a bus outside the airport, Erdogan accused speculators of encouraging the protests, saying that an “interest-rates lobby” is “threatening Turkey with speculation in the markets.” He said that “no power can stop Turkey’s rise except God,” while supporters chanted: “Open the way and we’ll crush Taksim.”

So far… Got a problem with Russia… Blame Israel or “the Jewish Lobby”, Got a problem in Turkey… why who else but the Jews are too blame? Is there anywhere else safe from the Jews or Israel? Any country, any place that is not susceptible to our world control. Well the answer of course is a resounding NO!!!!! Why do I say that? Well here you – from North Korea:

Senior North Korean officials received copies of “Mein Kampf,” Adolf Hitler’s rambling prison memoir, as gifts for Kim Jong Un’s birthday this January, according to a report by New Focus International, a North Korean news organization that sources from defectors and volunteer citizens within the country.

The famous Nazi autobiography was reportedly distributed as what’s called a “hundred-copy book,” which refers to Pyongyang’s practice of circulating an extremely limited number of copies among top officials, though most books are forbidden in North Korea. Gifts marking the leader’s birthday are typically imbued with special political significance.

The book was apparently not distributed to endorse Nazism so much as to draw attention to Germany’s economic and military reconstruction after World War One. A North Korean who works on behalf of the country in China told New Focus that Kim gave a speech endorsing Germany’s inter-war revival and encouraging officials to read “Mein Kampf.”

Because what better describes a nations “pulling itself up from its bootstraps” better than an inspirational tome regarding Hitler’s struggle against Jewish Oppression? I mean how much more simple can it get?

Anyway, maybe this is just a momentary upswing in lunacy caused by tides, the moon or some other environmental factor. BUT most likely, I don’t think that is it at all. I think it is a reflection of the difficult times we are living in and  I think that we can expect to see a lot more of this kind of nonsense to come as conflicts in the world heat up and people that have antipathy for the Jewish people look to blame all ills on Israel in order to “take eyes off” their own failings and policies – as has been the case throughout history

Whoa... PM Netanyahu just apologized to Turkey over the Mavi Mamara - Relations back to normal?

Well now, the web of Middle East Politics gets even thicker... According to reports out of the Middle East, Prime Minister Netanyahu just apologized to Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan.

Ynet Reports:

In what can be called the first direct result of US President Barack Obama's visit, minutes after his departure, news of a US orchestrated reconciliation between Israel and Turkey breaks.

Reuters reported that Israel apologized to Turkey on Friday for killing nine Turkish citizens in a 2010 naval raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla leading Israel and Turkey, both US allies, to agree to normalize relations.

Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed an apology to the Turkish people for any error that may have led to the loss of life, and agreed to complete the agreement for compensation," an official Israeli statement said. 

Netanyahu and Erdogan "agreed to restore normalization between the two countries, including returning their ambassadors (to their posts)," the statement added.

A US official said "Erdogan accepted the apology on behalf of Turkey."

In addition at the Times of Israel

Erdogan also “withdrew” recent comments calling Zionism a crime against humanity, though he did not apologize for them, an informed source said.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke today with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two men agreed to restore normalization between Israel and Turkey, including the dispatch of ambassadors and the cancellation of legal steps against IDF soldiers,” Netanyahu’s office said in the statement

.

Netanyahu told Erdogan that he had “good talks” with Obama “on the issue of regional cooperation and the importance of Israeli-Turkish relations. The prime minister expressed regret over the deterioration in bilateral relations [with Turkey] and noted his commitment to working out the disagreements in order to advance peace and regional stability,” the statement added

.

“The prime minister made it clear that the tragic results regarding the Mavi Marmara were unintentional and that Israel expresses regret over injuries and loss of life. In light of the Israeli investigation into the incident, which pointed out several operational errors, Prime Minister Netanyahu apologized to the Turkish people for any errors that could have led to loss of life and agreed to complete the agreement on compensation,” the statement continued.

 So now the guessing game begins... What does this all mean?

My  take is that Iran and Hizbollah just got served a severe notice. You may ask "What does Iran have to do with this?".. Well let me tell you. This is an exercise so far in U.S. diplomatic power. First Kerry to Egypt.. and Egypt then immediately cuts off the tunnels at Rafah, and arrests Seven Palestinians planning a terror strike after stealing some Army uniforms.

Now we have this reconciliation with Turkey. This is starting to look like a regional agreement to stop Iran in it's tracks. With the Assad regime teetering and involved in a brutal Civil War (Syrian forces near the Golan were just recently overrun), Iran is running out of allies. And Israel and Turkey have been taking steps (independently) to control that.

IF Israeli and Turkish reconciliation could hold, this would be a powerful stopgap against both Hizbollah and either the Assad Regime (should it survive) or the Jihadi / Muslim Brotherhood State that seems to be emerging from the wreckage of the Assad Regime.

It is a bit curious that Erdogan would immediately promise full reconciliation though in light of his recent rhetoric (that earned a hearty "FUCK YOU") from this site. For those unfamiliar, Erdogan claimed that that Zionism was as bad as anti-Semitism and other "crimes against humanity".

Given this, I think we can assume that the U.S. either put heavy pressure on both Erdogan and Netanyahu, or he did something behind the scenes that made this all "magically disappear".

Please feel free to discuss. 
:

Secretary Kerry speaks out against Erdogan's hate

Kudos to new Secretary of State John Kerry who took Turkish PM Erdogan (who got a hearty F.U. from this site yesterday) to task about his sickening commentary that Zionism was akin to racism and anti-Semitism.

In Ankara today, Kerry had this to say::

Speaking at a joint news conference in Ankara with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Kerry stressed the “urgent need to promote a spirit of tolerance, and that includes all of the public statements made by all leaders.”

Kerry said he had raised the comments “very directly” with Davutoglu and would do the same when he saw Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan later on Friday...

....Kerry said the on the US side, “we not only disagree with it (Erdogan's speech - vb1 note), we found it objectionable.”

He added: “I believe there is a way forward, but it obviously gets more complicated in the aftermath of a speech such as the one we heard in Vienna.”

 Of course Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu had this too say:

 ...(Davutoglu) denied that Turkish officials were using hostile or offensive language, referring repeatedly to the deaths of nine civilians at the hands of Israeli commandos aboard a Gaza-bound Turkish aid ship in 2010.

He added: “If Israel wants to hear positive statements from Turkey, it needs to review its attitude. It needs to review its attitude toward us, and it needs to review its attitude toward the people in the region and especially the West Bank settlements issue.”

Erdogan's commentary was so offensive that the U.N. even felt necessary to condemn it:

A UN statement said: "If the comment about Zionism was interpreted correctly, then it was not only wrong but contradicts the very principles on which the Alliance of Civilizations is based." 

The statement said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon "believes it is unfortunate that such hurtful and divisive comments were uttered at a meeting being held under the theme of responsible leadership."

 Later, the statement was reported in Turkey WITHOUT the term "Zionism" in it.

Either way, good for Secretary of State Kerry to stand up for the Jewish people in this manner. Going to a foreign nation and standing up for your allies to their highest officials is a sign of great character. It just goes to prove (ONCE AGAIN) that this administration is a solid friend to both Israel and the worldwide Jewish Community.

FRY'DAZE - Progressive Zionist Style

Welcome to the return of Fry'd Daze. Fry'd Daze has been a long running series on Daily Kos dedicated to dialogue in the Middle East. For a while I pulled it, but recently was asked to bring it back and decided that I should. These articles are not intended to be a flame forum, but rather something where community members can meet and exchange ideas about I/P and/or issues that concern the Middle East.
Generally, these articles take the form of four to five news articles and short commentary selected by the diarist. These stories however, are just a platform to get discussion going.

Our lead this week is:

Abbas: Palestinians to seek full UN membership:
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Friday that the Palestinians plan to approach the United Nations Security Council for full recognition, clarifying that they are seeking to delegitimize the occupation, not Israel, by taking the UN route for Palestinian statehood.

He stressed that Israel is a legitimate state, but that by continuing to build in the settlements and rejecting the internationally recognized borders of a future Palestinian state, they are engaging in illegitimate activity.

"What I will take to the UN will be the suffering and concerns of our people that have been taking place over 63 years living under the occupation," Abbas said, adding that the Palestinians, like every nation, deserve independence, adding that the Palestinians want a state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

So, President Abbas is determined to take this to the U.N. Security Council where the U.S. has promised that it will veto the move.

Ynet further reports Abbas as saying the following:

I’m going to the UN in order to demand our legitimate rights and secure full membership for the state of Palestine," the Palestinian president said in Ramallah. "We hope to secure full membership."

We are not going to annul Israel's legitimacy," he said. "Nobody can annul Israel's legitimacy. It's a recognized state," he said. "We wish to isolate Israel's policy."

Israel's policy of occupation is the Palestinians' "catastrophe and nightmare," Abbas said, slamming Israeli arrests and attacks by settlers.
"We wish to isolate the legitimacy of the occupation, but not Israel's legitimacy," he said.

He also does go on to say that he does not advocate violence and he did urge that all marches and demonstrations be peaceful.  Rumors in the area talk of the P.A. buying crowd control devices/weapons (the P.A. denies)  from the Israelis so that they can better handle crowds and not allow for clashes between Israeli Settlers and Palestinians.

One thing about about Abbas' comments stands out to me. It is when he talks about 63 years of occupation. The 1967 war was 44 years ago so the 63 years he talks about is the founding of the State of Israel (1948). YET... he says that he doesn't want to delegitimize the State, he just wants to delegitimize the occupation. However, he considers the State of Israel as an occupation. So... What does this mean?

To me it says that he refuses to consider Israel as the National State and Homeland of the Jewish People. He seems willing to accept that there is a State of Israel but he also seems to want to insist on Palestinian Right of Return to that State. Hence the comment about occupation. In effect it seems that Mr. Abbas is talking about recognizing Palestine now and negotiating for Palestine within Israel of 1967.

The second question I have is where are the Palestinians going to get their funding for their State? By going to the U.N. Security Council, they force the U.S. into a corner. This move is obviously going to succeed in the United Nations General Assembly. Despite a promise of ethnic cleansing from Ambassador Areikat and the P.L.O. this move will pass. So the U.S. now needs to do something completely against regional and world general opinion.  In doing this the U.S. puts its various alliances at risk and opens itself to losing regional influence to Turkey and Iran, two countries trying to force their own hegemonistic visions on the area.

Given that the U.S. is the largest single funder of the Palestinian Authority ($400 - $600 million per year), and is contemplating cutting off all funds to the P.A., exactly where do they think that money is going to come from? Their brother Arab States have been notoriously bad at keeping debt promises and the European Union simply doesn't have the kind of continual flow of money that the P.A. needs to sustain itself. Haaretz covers the myriad of congressional responses here:

Congress mulls closing PLO mission in light of UN bid -

Congress is considering taking punitive measures against the Palestinian Authority or closing the Palestinian Liberation Organization's mission in Washington should it go ahead with plans to seek full membership at the United Nations Security Council next Friday.

The Americans were frustrated that years of financial aid, currently comprising 600 million dollars annually, intended to promote peace negotiations and stability did not yield many material results.

At the discussions, which took place at the House of Committee on Foreign Affairs, some experts called to cut the aid, while others warned it might undermine the Palestinian-Israeli security cooperation, and would thereby undermine Israeli security.

Both President Abbas and PM Netanyahu will be addressing the U.N. next week AND President Obama will be meeting with both Israeli PM Netanyahu and Turkish Premier Erdogan in NY, so look for a great deal of movement on both sides in the coming seven days.

Our second story comes from Maan:  Israel calls in Egypt envoy, says peace deal vital -

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -- Israel's Foreign Ministry called in the Egyptian ambassador on Friday to stress the importance of the two countries' historic peace accord, an Israeli official said, after Egypt's prime minister said the treaty was not "sacred".

Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf told Turkish television on Thursday that the 1979 peace accord with Israel could be changed for the benefit of the region.

An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Foreign Ministry Director General Rafi Barak told Egyptian envoy Yasser Reda that treaties must be honored to the letter.

and Haaretz delves into further depth here with:

The Foreign Ministry summoned Egypt's ambassador to Israel to a meeting on Friday morning, in order to clarify remarks made by Egypt's interim Prime Minister that the Israel-Egypt peace treaty should be revised.

A source in the Foreign Ministry said that Foreign Ministry Director General Rafi Barak requested clarifications over the remarks, especially considering previous contradictory remarks made by the Egypt's military council that the peace treaty should be preserved.

Earlier in the week Egypt's ruling cabinet had called for an emergency meeting to deal with the aftermath and diplomatic repercussions of the incident when protesters had stormed the Israeli embassy and Egyptians commandos had to rescue the besieged Israelis.

Finally,

Erdogan: Those in Syria who inflict repression will not survive 

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan stepped up his rhetoric against Syrian President Bashar Assad on Friday, saying those in Syria who inflict repression on the people will not survive.

Erdogan, who is visiting Libya, told a cheering crowd in Tripoli's Martyrs' Square, formerly Green Square, that by ousting Muammar Gadhafi the Libyan people had set an example to others seeking to throw off oppression.....

....The Turkish prime minister added, "do not forget this: those in Syria who inflict repression on the people will not be able to stand on their feet because oppression and prosperity cannot exist together."

In yesterday's column called "Suggested Reading" there is an article about Erdogan as the rising star of Middle Eastern politics. It is well worth a read after this.

Please participate. The only thing we ask is that you keep comments respectful, reality based and please no use of Anti-Semetic or Anti-Arab memes. Enjoy!