[Israelis are still reeling from their own Nixon-goes-to-China moment.] No other politician had the toughness and the determination to do what he did in the face of the kind of opposition and criticism he faced, ... He's a tough guy. |
At a minimum, there will be a radical reduction in contacts and this will affect the Israeli political scene by pushing people away from the notion that we have a partner to negotiate with - and closer to unilateralism or an even harder right-wing position. |
Broadly speaking, what we've seen sends a message to the international community, to the Palestinians and to Israelis, that more is possible, whether by agreement (with the Palestinians) or not by agreement. |
Clearly it's escalation, and also an attempt by Iran to flex its muscles as it goes into a new phase of the diplomatic struggle with the U.N. Security Council. |
He was able to project charisma and give people a sense of security and stability at a very difficult time. |
In order to move the Israelis and Palestinians into an agreement on something, you need the big guns from the administration, the ones who can speak for the president, to twist arms, ... I would hope that Rice would get an appetite for this and want to come back. |
In the name of participatory democracy, President George W. Bush's Arab reform policies are actively enfranchising radical Islamist parties with armed militias: in Iraq, where they form the government; in Lebanon, where Hezbollah now holds government ministries; and now, potentially, in Palestine, |
In the name of participatory democracy, President George W. Bush's Arab reform policies are actively enfranchising radical Islamist parties with armed militias: in Iraq, where they form the government; in Lebanon, where Hezbollah now holds government ministries; and now, potentially, in Palestine. |
Iran doesn't want peace and quiet here. If the Palestinians want a right-wing government, there will be more terrorism, because terrorism always helps the right. |
It will send a signal to the Israelis. |
It's a revolutionary situation. This the first time that the Muslim Brotherhood or any Islamic group has been elected to run an Arab polity, and there are no real precedents. Are we looking at a hardcore movement that may make some tactical gestures but remains totally committed to destroying Israel and transforming Palestinian society, or are they pragmatists and will change these beliefs? |
Sharon gave Israelis a sense of security and unity. He was the prime instigator of the settlement movement and the prime mover to rectify the damage it caused. His nickname 'Bulldozer' best describes his role in the military and politics, a non-ideological aggressive doer. |
The settlements in the West Bank have a stronger ideological value for settlers, and even non-settlers, for that matter, than those in the Gaza Strip. The election was clearly a setback for the settlers. But I don't think they are going to lie down and play dead. They still have some considerable ability to resist. |
The ultimate reaction on our part is that you seal the borders and let them starve, but of course that's impossible. |
They go about their business, we'll remove settlements and build fences. |