Eretz Israel is our unforgettable historic homeland...The Jews who will it shall achieve their State...And whatever we attempt there for our own benefit will redound mightily and beneficially to the good of all mankind. (Theodor Herzl, DerJudenstaat, 1896)

We offer peace and amity to all the neighbouring states and their peoples, and invite them to cooperate with the independent Jewish nation for the common good of all. The State of Israel is ready to contribute its full share to the peaceful progress and development of the Middle East.
(From Proclamation of the State of Israel, 5 Iyar 5708; 14 May 1948)

With a liberal democratic political system operating under the rule of law, a flourishing market economy producing technological innovation to the benefit of the wider world, and a population as educated and cultured as anywhere in Europe or North America, Israel is a normal Western country with a right to be treated as such in the community of nations.... For the global jihad, Israel may be the first objective. But it will not be the last. (Friends of Israel Initiative)

Tuesday 29 April 2014

"The Most Risible & Incompetent Secretary of State in Living Memory": Kerry & the A word

See Congressman Ted Cruz (Republican, Texas) here in an articulate denunciation of John Kerry's use of the "Apartheid" word in relation to what, according to Kerry, Israel risks becoming; why Kerry's use that word is intolerable; why he should offer his resignation as Secretary of State; and why Obama should accept it.

On the same theme, Canadian broadcaster Michael Coren, more forthright in tone than Cruz (Coren calls Kerry "The most risible and incompetent Secretary of State in living memory") is completely on form here, in excoriating John Kerry's use of the "apartheid"word and pointing out that Kerry "owes Israel and the thinking world an apology"for using an entirely inappropriate word that plays right into the hands of Israel's leftist and Islamic enemies "for their own sordid ends".

Coren's is a must-see video that, unfortunately won't load on my blog.  I dare not attempt to embed it because, as experience has shown me, that manoevre can lead to my blog's format going awry!

The Coren video includes an interview with Professor Aurel Braun, who cogently explains at length why Kerry's remarks were unconscionable.

Amid the widespread condemnation of Kerry's remarks, the State Department has gone into damage control.

He says:
"I will not allow my commitment to Israel to be questioned by anyone, particularly for partisan, political purposes, so I want to be crystal clear about what I believe and what I don’t believe.
 First, Israel is a vibrant democracy and I do not believe, nor have I ever stated, publicly or privately, that Israel is an apartheid state or that it intends to become one.  Anyone who knows anything about me knows that without a shred of doubt.
 Second, I have been around long enough to also know the power of words to create a misimpression, even when unintentional, and if I could rewind the tape, I would have chosen a different word to describe my firm belief that the only way in the long term to have a Jewish state and two nations and two peoples living side by side in peace and security is through a two state solution."

4 comments:

  1. Considering we just had Hillary Clinton as Sec. of State, that is saying a lot.

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    Replies
    1. Most Obama voters probably don't remember that far back :-)

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  2. what difference does one 'poof' make? what a state? department indeed.

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  3. Good articles:
    http://thefederalist.com/2014/04/29/the-real-problem-with-kerrys-apartheid-myth/
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2014/04/29/the-problem-is-what-kerry-doesnt-say/

    ReplyDelete

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