Israelis Denounce Robertson's Terroristic Call for Assassination

Israelis Denounce Robertson's Terroristic Call for Assassination
Press Release

Contact: Reuven Kaminer – rkaminer@netvision.net.il

Put Robertson on Trial!

One hundred Israeli academicians and peace activists have signed an urgent letter to the Venezuelan Ambassador to Israel, Dr. Angel Rafael Portolero, in order to express their solidarity with President Chavez and Venezuela. The letter is in response to the criminal incitement by a prominent U.S. fundamentalist Christian politician, calling for the assassination of Chavez. The text of the declaration follows:

On his widely broadcast television program of August 24, 2005, Pat Robertson, the founder of the Christian Coalition, openly called for the assassination of President Hugo Chavez, of Venezuela. The Christian fundamentalist activist politician and media figure – who is also an enthusiastic supporter of the Israeli settlers and the Greater Israel movement - had the temerity and impudence to explain the ‘advantages’ of such a murderous step for the United States

Public opinion in the United States and all over the world was justifiably shocked and dismayed. Robertson’s declaration is an open and unalloyed act of terror. It is a dangerous and inflammatory criminal act in every sense. It is the duty of international public opinion and every concerned citizen to condemn this brazen act and demand that Robertson face the full weight of both international and domestic law. .

Among the signatories:

Academicians: Altman, Colman; Ben Ami, Eyal;
Bresheet, Haim; Cohen, Veronika; Dascal, Marcelo; Freund, Elizabeth; Giladi, Avner; Goldreich, Oded; Gozansky, Tamar; Katriel, Jacob; Law-Yone, Hubert; Leibner, Gerardo; Matar, Anat; Raz-Krakozin, Amnon; Ram, Haggai; Reinhart, Tanya; Shabtai Aharon; Shuldiner, Zvi; Wesley, David.

Peace activists: Bar, Iris; Berger, Tami; Blanc, Judy; Hamad, Rola; Kaminer, Matan; Katriel, Tamar; Matar Haggai; Noach, Haiya; Peter Dani; Polak, Monika; Ravon, Ada; Steinfield, Nurit; Swirsky, Gila; Traubman, Lily; Shachar, Itamar.
Journalists: Davidi, Efraim; Naffa Hisham; Baram Haim; Warchawsky Michael.

Beilin between Geneva and Givat Ram

Yossie Beilin sureyed the post-disengagement political scene in a short op-ed piece in today's Yidioth Ahronoth. The substance of his message was the necessity for renewing the peace process as soon as possible. The problem is that he, under the influence of his party's needs, determined that nothing is possible until after elections in Israel and for the Palestinian Authority. This means freezing the process for another six months. A very dangerous piece of advice. There should be absolutley no linkage between the two issues - peace initiatives and elections to the Israeli Knesset. It is not absolutley clear why Beilin handled this contradiction so clumsily.

It is a Shame, but it is all a Sham

This is the decision that was not adopted yesterday:“The government of Israel announces its full and unconditional support for the Road Map and agrees to implement it.”

The government decision that was adopted yesterday is replete with loop holes, conditions and reservations. This decision can serve as a source for endless debates as to its meaning, and if the need arises, it will provide a lot of work for lawyers. As a matter of act, nothing of any real importance happened yesterday in the meeting of the Israeli cabinet. Sharon can now say that he adopted his version of the road map. Bush can issue a statement about a ‘positive step’.

One can only remark about the deepness of the need of so many honest and sincere people to believe that maybe, perhaps, possibly there is some basis for hope and optimism. No one can blame them. Even so, it is strange that this need can still be satisfied by the strutting and empty words of prominent people in air conditioned offices. We have seen too many comings and goings and press conferences and endless reams of commentary on too many occasions to allow ourselves to believe – in the absence of real forward movement on the ground – that something important has really happened.

This government cannot and will not make any real concessions regarding settlements or even illegal outposts. Meanwhile, this is the only thing happening: Before, during and after yesterday’s cabinet session, Sharon is supplying his friend and ally, George W. Bush, with a bit of space for a public relations campaign featuring Bush, the renowned warrior, in his new role as peace maker. Watch Bush get a lot of international spin out of totally ambiguous statement by Sharon to the Israeli cabinet.What is amazing is how this game is played out with absolutely nothing positive happening on the ground. To the contrary, Israel, pursuing ‘security interests and fighting terror’ continues to make life hell for more than three and half million people under occupation. Sharon and his ultra right partners continue to slither and to blather. So far, nothing else is happening.