Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] [POLITICS] Israel's actions are lawful and commendable

["Jonathan King" <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On Sun, Jan 4, 2009 at 9:11 PM, Stephen Montgomery-Smith
<EMAIL:PROTECTED> wrote:
>
> On Sun, 4 Jan 2009, Jonathan King wrote:
>
>> On Sun, Jan 4, 2009 at 8:12 PM, Stephen Montgomery-Smith
>> <EMAIL:PROTECTED> wrote:
>>>
>> The really big concern I have been hearing about Israel's recent
>> actions have to do with the totally disproportionate response and the
>> fact that so many people who are obviously non-combatants have been
>> killed. Even if the action was completely appropriate in a legalistic
>> sense, I cannot imagine Israel doing anything more potentially harmful
>> in terms of world opinion or that has more potential to weaken their
>> position in the future. That said, I am hardly an expert on the
>> subject.
>
> Your response shows that you didn't read the article.  Alan really does a
> very good job of arguing against the points that you made.  I could add my
> two cents to the discussion, but I really don't think I would do as good a
> job as Alan has done.

But I did read the article. The problem for me is not with this
argument but the fact that the argument *never changes*. No matter
what Israel does, in Dershowitz's mind it is always completely
justified. One would have to conclude that Israel is the most
infallible government on the planet, but I have not been able to
adduce much other supporting evidence for this position. Again, I
point out that I am not especially well-informed on the current
situation, but I can say that no number of brilliantly argued
statements like this one is going to do anything to move public
opinion in Israel's favor. And, at the end of the day, that's really,
really important. In the longer term, Israel faces a demographic
situation they cannot possibly shoot themselves out of. It's not an
easy situation by any means, but I think you need a better strategy
than this to preserve your position for the next several decades.

jking


>
> Stephen
>
>
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