Author Archives: Soccerdad

About Soccerdad

I'm a government bureaucrat with delusions of literacy.

Rerun, replay, whatever

Meryl was the first (whom I saw) to notice history repeating itself. I responded by blogging about an incident from the Clinton administration, from a 1998 Krauthammer column: But even more significant than the absurd arbitrariness of this number is … Continue reading

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Bullying the neighborhood bully

Well, the chances are against it and the odds are slim That he’ll live by the rules that the world makes for him, ’Cause there’s a noose at his neck and a gun at his back And a license to … Continue reading

Posted in Israel, Israeli Double Standard Time, The One | Tagged | 2 Comments

With friends like these …

Robert Kagan argues that Israel shouldn’t feel like it’s been singled out. Israelis shouldn’t feel that they have been singled out. In Britain, people are talking about the end of the “special relationship” with America and worrying that Obama has … Continue reading

Posted in Israel, The One | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Clinton replay

Meryl writes: Here’s why I think the Obama administration is ratcheting up the pressure over 1,600 new housing units in a Jewish neighborhood of northeastern Jerusalem that will almost certainly remain Israeli in any future agreement with the Palestinians: The … Continue reading

Posted in Israel, The One | Tagged | 4 Comments

When the Washington Post notices

There are three recent Washington Post editorials abour the Middle East worth mentioning. Last July the Washington Post ran an editorial Tough on Israel which observed: But the administration also is guilty of missteps. Rather than pocketing Mr. Netanyahu’s initial … Continue reading

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Drunk on his own eloquence

In Driving Drunk in Jerusalem Thomas Friedman warns PM Netanayahu: In sum, there may be a real opportunity here — if Netanyahu chooses to seize it. The Israeli leader needs to make up his mind whether he wants to make … Continue reading

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Of grievances and perceptions

Last week in an article about the eviction of two Arab families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, Isabel Kershner of the New York Times summed it up: For those who want to see a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, … Continue reading

Posted in Israel, Israeli Double Standard Time, Media Bias | Tagged | 2 Comments

An unbelievable protest

The Lede blog of the New York Times writes in a post, “Palestinians against terror,” that plans to honor terrorist Dalal Mugrabi in Ramallah have been met with opposition from Palestinians who favor the living alongside Israel in peace. Plans … Continue reading

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A matter of trust

Last week Daled Amos wondered: It will be interesting to see just what kind of tone Biden takes with Israel this time–and whether Netanyahu is up to dealing with Biden from strength the way Begin did–or like Olmert. Now we … Continue reading

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Instransigence: a single use word

The Washington Post reports: Mitchell, who in January boasted that a peace deal could be done within two years, said he hoped the indirect talks would lead to direct negotiations as soon as possible and encouraged the parties “to refrain … Continue reading

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When a terrorist is less controversial than a religious shrine

via memeorandum Barak Ravid of Ha’aretz reports on a report apparently circulating among Israel’s diplomats: “The recent American statements point to the adoption of wording in line, even if partially and cautiously, with Palestinian demands in regard to the framework … Continue reading

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Just in case you were still in doubt

From the Mitchell Report: The GOI asserts that the immediate catalyst for the violence was the breakdown of the Camp David negotiations on July 25, 2000 and the “widespread appreciation in the international community of Palestinian responsibility for the impasse. … Continue reading

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Dowd of Saud?

Did Maureen Dowd defend Israel to a Saudi prince? Continue reading

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… and israel’s unpopularity among some americans

Given Israel’s popularity in America, that popularity is not universal. So those who don’t share pro-Israel views need an explanation. Walter Russell Mead explains: While I say nothing because I know nothing about the motives of particular people, it’s impossible … Continue reading

Posted in Israel, Israel Derangement Syndrome | Tagged | 5 Comments

Israel’s popularity in America

The latest Gallup poll on American attitudes shows that by a ratio of 63 – 15, those who have an opinion, favor Israel as opposed to the Palesitnians. The New York Jewish Week opines: Analysts no doubt will find any … Continue reading

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