While President Clinton was in Gaza, drawing equivalence between Arab assassins and Jews assassinated by them, the American Congress was deliberating his punishment--impeachment or censure. The local Arabs and those in Judea and Samaria were hoisting the American flags that were distributed in "honor" of the first American President to pay an official visit to Gaza.
One short week later, the same flags were used for burning by an inflamed mob protesting the American mini-war on Iraq. The rioters, both in Gaza and in Judea and Samaria, shouted "Death to America and to President Clinton" for his attack on the "peaceful" nation of Iraq.
The residents of Damascus, capital of Syria, reacted to the American attack by rioting and chanting "down with America" as they hurled stones and shattered the windows of the American Embassy. The mob of intruders actually scaled the walls of the embassy and tore down the U.S. flag. Furthermore, they broke into the residence of the American ambassador Ryan Coker, destroying his car, rampaging through the ground floor,
The Arab rioters shouted "Death to America and to President Clinton" for his attack on the "peaceful" nation of Iraq.
According to William Safire (New York Times, December 24), the attack in Syria could not have been carried out without the blessings of President Assad, who keeps a tight rein on any demonstrations in his country.
In Saudi Arabia, where all rioting, and in fact, all assembly is forbidden, the kingdom made its displeasure with the United States known by making it clear that no American military planes could land or take off from Saudi soil. America avoided a confrontation, according to a government source, by "not asking for landing rights." Such good friends all around.
Arab volatility, especially in response to
the West, is nothing new. Neither is State Department
cowardice and pro Arab bias. What is new, is the
craven response of Israel's leaders, who continue to assure
the Israelis that concessions will bring about "peace"
with the Arab world. And, when they are faced with the inevi-
table terrorism that follows each "agreement," they
insist that even more concessions are necessary.
Most incredible of all, the Israeli public and their effete
American supporters continue to buy the same snake oil.
Whatever one's opinions as to the outcome of the debate regarding the impeachment of President Clinton, the debate itself--both in the judiciary committee and in the full House--was impressive. Even along party lines, legislators discussed the meaning of the Constitution and the impact for America. They dissected every word of the Constitution and the intent of the founding fathers of our nation. "Voting one's conscience" was the mantra of the whole proceeding.
By contrast, the parliamentary debate in Israel seems to be about only one issue--holding one's seat. The intent of Israel's founders and the history of the state are not discussed. The dismal future and the abandonment of Zionism do not even seem to make a difference. Israeli members of parliament simply want to remain glued to their seats. And, for the glue, they are willing to cast aside all thoughts about the security concerns of their nation. While they are willing to overturn an election, they do not even discuss overturning the Oslo agreement. Their only perceived foes are their parliamentary opponents as they turn a blind eye to Israel's Arab enemies.
The news of the electoral follies in Israel is not without some amusing episodes. It appears that James Carville, President Clinton's savage spokesman, has agreed to manage the campaign of Ehud Barak. Now Carville has a "take no prisoners" style. He speaks often of getting even with President Clinton's detractors and is perfectly willing to drag all opponents through the mud, using every means, including private investigation, innuendo, and outright insult. It may actually be fun to watch Barak's erstwhile opponents get on Carville's hit list. However, it is not very likely that Carville will attack the right people for the right reasons. For example, let's take Yitzhak Mordechai, who is scrambling for turf and is an ostensible opponent of Carville's client. (To be sure, given his total lack of principles, by the time this appears Mordechai may well be sitting at Barak's right hand.) As Defense Minister, Mordechai, it will be remembered, came to the Wye plantation as part of the Israeli delegation. When Netanyahu, in an atypical burst of strength
(Continued on p.11)
Outpost - 10 - January 1999