Ari Bussel

How Dare You, Mr. President?

With much righteous indignation, reporters and revolutionaries around the world asked President Mubarak: How Dare You Defy the World! They could not comprehend the audacity, the “Chutzpa,” the nerve of the Egyptian President refusing to leave his country, defying their very wish, command and instructions.

House Demolitions

Let us remember the number: 24,000 house demolitions by Israel. He was not a Zionist. In 2011 he calls himself an anti-war “revolutionist,” from the '60's generation. He avoided the draft, allowing others to serve, get maimed and die. He believed he was something greater, something different. He deserved better than his fellow Americans. Apparently, the rules that applied to everyone else did not apply to him. First he escaped to rabbinical school, although he was not religious (he does claim to be Jewish), thus getting a deferment. Then he left for Israel, where he lives to this day.

Let’s Blame Israel

I am reminded that many thought (and some still do) that the United States went to war in Iraq on Israel’s request and for her sole benefit. President Bush, close with the Saudis, apparently cared so much more about Israel that, notwithstanding any threat to his friends the Saudis, he mobilized the entire US military to protect and defend Israel against an enemy she knew well how to handle. We can use as an example Israel’s 1981 bombing of the Iraqi nuclear reactor.

The New Middle East

If what we currently see is the face of “Democracy” in the Middle East, most would prefer dictatorships. Stability in this area of the world is not derived from freedoms, rather from very strict controls. There is only one exception to this observation, and that is Israel. Yet, even there, in the cradle of sanity, things can become quite insane.

A Splintered Reed of a Staff

It seems everyone gave up on Mubarak. Rulers under duress mistakenly believe that keeping quiet and protecting their individual turfs is the necessary remedy, but it is not. While Iran talks about the shockwaves reeling through the Middle East, there is no united front of the Arab League, or for that matter, of any of the major Arab leaders.

The Report

A local group of Israel Deniers calling itself “Jews for Peace” has taken upon itself to analyze, once a month, a portion of the Goldstone Report. The Report is highly critical of Israel’s conduct during Operation Cast Lead (12/2008 – 1/2009), accusing the Jewish State of “serious violations of international humanitarian and international human rights law.”

I will Apologize No More

Israel is good for the Palestinians. It supplies them electricity. It fulfills any order of the Palestinian Authority as a conduit into Gaza. It allows tens of thousands of them to go for medical treatment in Israel. It provides drinking water, assists with the water infrastructure and treats their sewage.

Recognizing Palestine

Five Latin American countries have already recognized Free, Independent Palestine: Chile, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. American Friends for Peace Now estimates that 30 more countries around the world will recognize Palestine by the next United Nation’s General Assembly in September.

Israelis, Haters of Israel

A two-day Arab Film Festival was held recently at the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California. The event was part of a yearlong program of USC’s Arts and Humanities Initiative called Visions and Voices.

The Prime Minister’s Update

Following are Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks earlier this evening (Saturday), 4.12.10, at the Haifa University forward command center:

A National Day of Mourning

It is not clear at this stage if the fire storm raging in the Carmel Mountains in Israel was deliberately set as an act of terrorism or not.

Let the People Suffer

Elected officials seem to be exempt from what we, commoners, have to endure. They have their own health plan, and will not subjugate themselves or their family members to what they force down our throats.

Coexistence - Building Unsustainable Bridges

A friend of mine is a development director for a Jewish university in Israel, in other words, she raises funds for that university.

Gone in a Snap – Will Israel be Saved?

We are told to trust God, that everything will be OK. We will do what we want, behave any way we see fit, expect no consequence for our actions and everything will be forgiven, forgotten, passed over and ignored.

Disillusionment

“Abu Mazen has no right to represent the Palestinian People. We will not honor anything he agrees to in Washington DC.” Hamas Spokesperson, Southern Palestine. One of the most memorable slogans of the 2009 parliament elections in Israel was Avigdor Liberman’s “I Speak Arabic.”

The Wednesday Ritual

Yitzchak (Isaac) and Talia Emes, 47 and 45 year old, recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with their six children, the oldest 24, the youngest 5. The family was looking forward to a golden anniversary in 25 years.

Israel’s Bill of Rights

“Who is happy and blessed? He who is content with what he has!” Israelis have so many rights that I almost envy this tiny democracy along the Eastern shores of the Mediterranean. She is only 63 year old and yet her people have amassed so many rights in such a short period of time.

Why Worry?

I was asked each day following the activation of the nuclear reactor in Iran why there is nothing about Iran in the Israeli media. There may have been a small news item somewhere, but the news is not really of much interest to anyone.

Why Systems Crumple

We were going out to dinner in Tel Aviv, where there are thousands of restaurants catering to every taste and pocketbook. Living the moment has its benefits – midweek, eleven o’clock at night and all the restaurants are full.

Middle East Mirage

The overall picture is frightening: Iran activates a nuclear reactor with Russia’s help. The USA is engaging in a new silent diplomacy to appease those who are worried: “We still have another year.”