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The Differences Between a Politician & A Statesman

Reader comment on item: Assessing Binyamin Netanyahu's Speech at Bar-Ilan University
in response to reader comment: A Jewish Response to Netanyahu's Speech

Submitted by Adina Kutnicki, Israel (Israel), Jun 15, 2009 at 08:32

In times of national crisis it is often revealed who is merely a politician-adept or otherwise-and who is truly a statesman.It must be noted that one can be both a brilliant politican and a statesman. It is not a zero sum game.

This is important to recognize particularly during this moment of truth for Israel. The fact that world leaders are for the most part aligned against Israel is tragically nothing new. It would be surprising if they acted differently.

That being said, while PM Netanyahu spoke eloquently and passionately about Jewish rights and title to our homeland, he undid all his eloquence by behaving like Obama. In no uncertain terms, after trumpeting our rights to our land, he segued into what amounted to an 'on the other hand'. Even though he didn't use those exact words, his meaning was very clear. He stated for the record and before the entire world that Israel was ready to give up its heartland ! on the condition that the PA met certain stringent requirements.

Now, there are many who are hailing this as a win-win for Netanyahu and by extension for Israel. They understand that in all likelihood the PA leaders won't accept any of the parameters set out. This is most likely true. More importantly, Netanyahu's statement revealed that DESPITE the fact that we are Israel's legitimate owners we are still willing to give it up. Color me ignorant, but no leader agrees to give up their land under ANY condition, unless they lose said land in war. The symbolism of his gesture/gambit constitutes alot more than wily politics.

At this juncture his words only accomplished a short respite from Obama's dictates, yet most tragically served to push PA demands to an even more frightening pitch. IF I were listening to this speech from the confines of Ramallah or Gaza I would surely tell my fellow jihadists that our jihad had to continue, if only because the (right wing) Israeli PM agrees that we have rights to the land too.

What is forgetten in all this is that several hundred thousand, zionist, courageous Jews, our frontlines in this struggle-tax paying citizens no less-have been told from their PM that their communities are illegitimate, and their existence there is truly temporary-if the Arabs behave themselves.

A true statesman would never had made such a bargain with the devil.

Submitting....

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Reader comments (45) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Comments on PM Netanyahu's speech - from Israel [617 words]Chana GivonJun 28, 2009 19:26158147
A reaction to Chana Givon comments. [263 words]batya daganJun 29, 2009 20:11158147
A Note to Israel Advocacy Organizations [327 words]Ron SingerJun 21, 2009 14:15157728
A Cup of Reeling for the Nations [184 words]WB KellyJun 20, 2009 23:00157698
1NETANYAHU'S SPEECH [181 words]JACQUES HADIDAJun 18, 2009 21:06157611
Natanyahou speech is a call for WAR! [60 words]Karam H AL-HashmiJun 18, 2009 17:48157598
Netanyahu is trying to navigate in a mine-field. [276 words]Isaac HaskiyaJun 17, 2009 08:32157524
The root of the problem [63 words]JoeJun 16, 2009 06:29157465
Those who are merciful to the cruel will end up being cruel to the merciful [262 words]David OleskerJun 16, 2009 03:52157459
Ommision of various statements by Netanyahu [94 words]Gerald KreadenJun 16, 2009 00:39157451
Bibi's Blunder [165 words]Rebecca MouldsJun 16, 2009 00:18157449
PM Netanyahu's speech was just political. [89 words]M.D'SouzaJun 15, 2009 20:07157435
Behind the duelling speeches of Obama and Netanyahu [446 words]Ron ThompsonJun 15, 2009 19:36157429
Shakedown [96 words]Dr.BobbyJun 15, 2009 18:16157427
The lobotomy option [342 words]Richard K.Jun 15, 2009 17:27157424
"Palestinians" cannot have wealth [141 words]Sabba HillelJun 15, 2009 16:26157421
Netanyahu's Speech [166 words]Christopher VenturaJun 15, 2009 12:59157408
Israel a Jewish State [76 words]dannykidJun 15, 2009 12:49157407
All that Bibi stated is both theoretical and moot. [159 words]Don SaarJun 15, 2009 10:20157401
The Palestinians won't even yield to the extent sought in the speech [72 words]PeterJun 15, 2009 07:15157395
Why Did He Do It? [40 words]Bill NarveyJun 15, 2009 06:19157391
Points of high importance in Netanyahu speech which were omitted from your article [953 words]Refael LaufertJun 15, 2009 03:02157387
Two important responses to Bibi's speech [13 words]Joe SettlerJun 15, 2009 03:01157386
Why Did He Do It? [180 words]Sofa SogoodJun 15, 2009 01:56157384
1A Jewish Response to Netanyahu's Speech [1415 words]Prof. Paul EidelbergJun 15, 2009 01:07157382
The Differences Between a Politician & A Statesman [396 words]Adina Kutnicki, IsraelJun 15, 2009 08:32157382
Response to Netanyahu's Speech [408 words]Kim SegarJun 15, 2009 10:39157382
Still Small Voice in all this... [211 words]WB KellyJun 16, 2009 23:25157382
Cunning vs. Wisdom [101 words]Prof. EidelbergJun 17, 2009 21:24157382
Netanyahu's Priorities [1144 words]Prof. Paul EidelbergJun 18, 2009 01:05157382
Whack job [117 words]EricRomanoffJun 14, 2009 23:37157381
Palestinian unreasonableness makes me cry [208 words]GunjanJun 14, 2009 23:35157380
Bibi is not weak. [398 words]batya daganJun 14, 2009 22:41157376
Netanyahu is darned if he does, and darned if he doesn't [70 words]AnneJun 14, 2009 20:54157374
The end of Israel [150 words]Alan NitikmanJun 14, 2009 20:33157373
Alan Nitikman [171 words]orange yonasonJun 15, 2009 03:44157373
Addendum... [139 words]orange yonasonJun 14, 2009 20:12157372
Overall, It's About The Best We Can Expect... [90 words]orange yonasonJun 14, 2009 19:56157371
West Bank Arabs face only 2 real options: (a) Hamas rule, (b) Jordanian rule [267 words]G MarcusJun 14, 2009 19:33157369
Conditions [250 words]NiraJun 14, 2009 19:31157368
If ... Then ... [198 words]CanaanJun 15, 2009 04:56157368
A Fine Speech On Many Points [197 words]AmerisraelJun 14, 2009 18:55157367
Road Map [73 words]asherJun 15, 2009 17:00157367
a roadmap to where [590 words]pete murrayJun 14, 2009 18:21157363
Political Posturing and Rhetoric [65 words]KafiristJun 14, 2009 17:39157356

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