In the early hours of Saturday morning on October 7, Israel was invaded by Hamas terrorists by land, air, and sea, which The Free Press has been covering all week in detail. With over 1,300 Israeli civilians dead, hundreds taken hostage into Gaza, and many more in critical condition, this catastrophic and barbaric attack has been labeled “Israel’s 9/11.”
Thank you for this powerful reminder from Condoleezza Rice about the history of the Israeli / Palestinian conflicts. Her thoughts about the peace keeping role of the USA are an important reminder to me to carefully evaluate the Republican presidential candidates positions on our nation’s role in the world. Her thoughts about petty(my words) and divisive governments, like our own, are a good reminder of what we see happening in this country. Division, like in Israel, leads to perceived weakness and opportunity for our enemies. The Biden administration’s constant bumbling and the bumbling, short sided behavior of our congress, show the world our very vulnerable position. Condoleezza for President!
I haven't followed Ms. Rice's (I noticed you called her "Secretary", but I'm not sure that's proper protocol) career, but I've read some of her articles and listened to some of her speeches over the years. She has always seemed like a serious and decent person; a steady hand.
Still, there was what to not like here.
I agree with Ms. Weiss that the time it took for Stanford to make a half-baked condemnation indicates a moral problem. Ms. Rice says she's satisfied with it and justifies the delay because it's "complicated". Were I less respectful I would "call BS".
There was also the typical insistence on separating Hamas from the Gazans -- as if Hamas invaded them from somewhere over the horizon. Yes, the Gazans have learned to regret electing them, but polls have always shown that they overwhelmingly approve of their attacks on Israeli civilians. That isn't important because it means all Gazans are fair game for military reprisals -- they're not. Civilians are still civilians and Israel knows that better than anyone, of necessity. But it does mean that a) extirpating Hamas and leaving the Gazans to restructure themselves will probably not end well and b) responding after Hamas's defeat with Israeli concessions to somehow goose the peace process just incentivizes barbarity.
Then there were the usual accusations of Israeli mistreatment of the Palestinians and the usual ideas about Israeli concession, of land and who knows what else, to lure the Palestinians to the negotiating table. Shany Mor of the Israel Democracy Institute has a great piece on why that's an insane negotiating strategy, one which nobody would dream of using in any other context. And regarding the horrors of The Occupation, the fact that that concept was brought to you by the same people who are now justifying the murder of babies should maybe give you pause and think about looking into what actually goes on.
Let’s be realistic about Israel’s vulnerability with regard to adjacent Gaza that is controlled by terrorists who repeatedly attack Israel. Can you imagine China, the USA or many other countries tolerating such a violent neighbor for so long? “Israel Derangement Syndrome” demands the impossible from Israel, while employing a grievance framing for any and all scenarios. That is intellectually dishonest and we can do better.
Excellent work! Really appreciate that we now have a news source that is doing real journalism.
Thank you!
Thank you for this powerful reminder from Condoleezza Rice about the history of the Israeli / Palestinian conflicts. Her thoughts about the peace keeping role of the USA are an important reminder to me to carefully evaluate the Republican presidential candidates positions on our nation’s role in the world. Her thoughts about petty(my words) and divisive governments, like our own, are a good reminder of what we see happening in this country. Division, like in Israel, leads to perceived weakness and opportunity for our enemies. The Biden administration’s constant bumbling and the bumbling, short sided behavior of our congress, show the world our very vulnerable position. Condoleezza for President!
Thank you Bari for this insightful interview and all the hard work you do to get honest journalism out there.
I haven't followed Ms. Rice's (I noticed you called her "Secretary", but I'm not sure that's proper protocol) career, but I've read some of her articles and listened to some of her speeches over the years. She has always seemed like a serious and decent person; a steady hand.
Still, there was what to not like here.
I agree with Ms. Weiss that the time it took for Stanford to make a half-baked condemnation indicates a moral problem. Ms. Rice says she's satisfied with it and justifies the delay because it's "complicated". Were I less respectful I would "call BS".
There was also the typical insistence on separating Hamas from the Gazans -- as if Hamas invaded them from somewhere over the horizon. Yes, the Gazans have learned to regret electing them, but polls have always shown that they overwhelmingly approve of their attacks on Israeli civilians. That isn't important because it means all Gazans are fair game for military reprisals -- they're not. Civilians are still civilians and Israel knows that better than anyone, of necessity. But it does mean that a) extirpating Hamas and leaving the Gazans to restructure themselves will probably not end well and b) responding after Hamas's defeat with Israeli concessions to somehow goose the peace process just incentivizes barbarity.
Then there were the usual accusations of Israeli mistreatment of the Palestinians and the usual ideas about Israeli concession, of land and who knows what else, to lure the Palestinians to the negotiating table. Shany Mor of the Israel Democracy Institute has a great piece on why that's an insane negotiating strategy, one which nobody would dream of using in any other context. And regarding the horrors of The Occupation, the fact that that concept was brought to you by the same people who are now justifying the murder of babies should maybe give you pause and think about looking into what actually goes on.
Let’s be realistic about Israel’s vulnerability with regard to adjacent Gaza that is controlled by terrorists who repeatedly attack Israel. Can you imagine China, the USA or many other countries tolerating such a violent neighbor for so long? “Israel Derangement Syndrome” demands the impossible from Israel, while employing a grievance framing for any and all scenarios. That is intellectually dishonest and we can do better.
Finally finished this excellent interview. I learned so much and so appreciate strong journalism!