NY TIMES: Bush appeasement attack directed toward Israel as well Posted by Max Bergmann

The New York Times has a truly stunning editorial today. The paper makes the very important point that when Bush made his appeasement remarks in the Knesset it is almost certain that he knew that Israel was negotiating with Syria. Thus, his appeasement attack was directed not just against Obama, but the leadership of the Jewish state of Israel as well. The Times writes:

Everybody knew President Bush was aiming at Senator Barack Obama last week when he likened those who endorse talks with “terrorists and radicals” to appeasers of the Nazis. But now we know what Mr. Bush knew then — that Israel is in indirect peace talks with Syria, a prominent member of Mr. Bush’s list of shunned nations — and it seems as if the president was going for a two-for-one in his crack about appeasement.

If so, it was breathtakingly cynical to compare the leadership of the Jewish state with those who stood aside in the face of the Nazi onslaught, and irresponsible to try to restrain this American ally from pursuing a settlement that it judges as possibly being in its best interests.

Outrageous.

Comments

[KYJurisDoctor]

There is NOTHING wrong with meeting with your "enemy" to try to find common ground -- provided your "enemy" is one that you can reason with.

So Bush' appeasement remarks are, sometimes and in some places, MISPLACED.

[Dan Kervick]

I think you and the Times are giving Bush way too much credit for political chutzpah. He's just not that engaged. And he lives in a world of cognitive dissonance, where Israeli talks with Syria existed on the dimly cognized outskirts of consciousness, unrelated to his hawkish, no negotiations political message that he no doubt believes Israelis are all solidly behind.

This editorial seems like a bit of an overly-clever ploy by the Times to make political points for the Democratic side, and help Dems troll for Jewish votes, by painting Bush as insultingly anti-Israel, and grotesquely and deliberately willing to paint the survivors of the Holocaust as Chamberlain-like appeasers on Israel's 60th birthday. That's just absurd. Bush may be an idiot, but you can't convince me that he and his team are not doing everything politically possible to help McCain by sucking up to Israel and the pro-Israel vote.

[Simmons]

I think it is actually more likely the quote WAS directed at the Knesset and the rest of the Israeli government more than at Obama, actually. One Israeli general was quoted as saying afterwards that there would be no peace agreement between Israel and Syria until the current administration left office, if that only enforces the point at all.

[Soldiernolongeriniraq]

According to the guy who apparently wrote the Knesset speech, the dig was intended for Jimmy Carter.

http://thepage.time.com/friday-press-gaggle-with-dana-perino/

If that's true, then is it so "outrageous?"

I won't expect it to be mentioned in this forum, but much of the Israeli/ME press has noted that the slated negotiations involving Syria and Israel come at a time when Olmert and Assad are facing criminal investigations (Israel's highest court just cleared the way for the corruption probe involving Olmert to go forward, and Assad is awaiting the findings of the UN's Hariri tribunal).

In Israel, it's something of a given for negotiations to be called by embattled leaders. The press and opposition in the Knesset tend to back off to allow the "peace process" to continue, no matter what they suspect its cynical origins to be.

But if you want that sort of historical analysis, this blog isn't your best bet. Try Haaretz or any Lebanese newspaper, no matter how partisan.

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[sesli sohbet]

This editorial seems like a bit of an overly-clever ploy by the Times to make political points for the Democratic side, and help Dems troll for Jewish votes, by painting Bush as insultingly anti-Israel, and grotesquely and deliberately willing to paint the survivors of the Holocaust as Chamberlain-like appeasers on Israel's 60th birthday. That's just absurd. Bush may be an idiot, but you can't convince me that he and his team are not doing everything politically possible to help McCain by sucking up to Israel and the pro-Israel vote.
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The Israel is in indirect peace talks with Syria, a prominent member of Mr. Bush’s list of shunned nations — and it seems as if the president was going for a two-for-one in his crack about appeasement.

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Breathtakingly cynical it may have been, but it must be remembered that no one has ever accused Bush of reasoned thinking, considered judgment, or any degree of subtlety.

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One Israeli general was quoted as saying afterwards that there would be no peace agreement between Israel and Syria until the current administration left office, if that only enforces the point at all.

[Nightly Business Report]

Let's just say no to nationalist socialism and the neo cons. Let Israel and America work together for peace, not never ending war against think tank created boogie men. Cheney, Bush, Feith, Podhoretz, Boot, Libby, and their comrades betrayed both nations.

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In Israel, it's something of a given for negotiations to be called by embattled leaders. The press and opposition in the Knesset tend to back off to allow the "peace process" to continue, no matter what they suspect its cynical origins to be.

[Cathy Cassells]

thanks info in this article is very good and interestin article, Bush's remarks earlier in Jerusalem as an attack on him, although the White House said they were not directed at the leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.

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One Israeli general was quoted as saying afterwards that there would be no peace agreement between Israel and Syria until the current administration left office,if that only enforces the point at all.

[Al Dacascos]

Well the painting Bush as insultingly anti-Israel, and grotesquely and deliberately willing to paint the survivors of the Holocaust as Chamberlain-like appeasers on Israel's 60th birthday.Thanks

[Gatehouse Academy Reviews]

The New York Times was having a truly stunning editorial..

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Bush was aiming at Senator Barack Obama when he likened those who endorse talks with “terrorists and radicals” to appeasers of the Nazis.

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I think Israel and America for together for peace, not never ending war against think tank created boogie men. Cheney, Bush, Feith, Podhoretz, Boot, Libby, and t

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It was breathtakingly cynical to compare the leadership of the Jewish state with those who stood aside in the face of the Nazi onslaught.

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e who stood aside in the face of the Nazi onslaught.