Posted on 12/27/2007 6:51:51 AM PST by Nachum
(IsraelNN.com) Haaretz’s Chief Editor asked US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to “rape” Israel, using other unsavory terminology as well in his request for American pressure.
The comments were made during a confidential briefing by Rice on September 10, during one of many visits to the Jewish state. The meeting was attended by about 20 heads of the most senior Israeli think tanks and media leaders, including Landau, at the residence of US Ambassador Richard Jones.
Following the briefing, those present at the dinner offered their views and comments on the state of affairs in the Middle East.
Landau, who was seated next to Rice, referred to Israel as a “failed state” politically, and said that a US-imposed settlement is the only thing that can save it. He asked Rice to intervene, going so far as to say that the Israeli government wanted “to be raped” and that it would be like a “wet dream” for him to see this happen.
The comments were first revealed by Channel 2’s Arab-affairs expert Ehud Ya’ari, who refrained from naming who spoke them, but confirmed them with colleagues who were present and termed them “embarrassing” in his report. Former World Jewish Congress leader Isi Leibler then went public, saying it was Landau and was joined by New York Jewish Week Editor Gary Rosenblatt, who criticized Landau in his weekly column.
“What is contested is not the raw language Landau used but the context of his impassioned comments,” Rosenblatt wrote.
Contacted by the Jewish Week, Laundau confirmed the statements, but said his views had been delivered “with much more sophistication.” He admitted: “I did say that in general, Israel wants to be raped — I did use that word — by the U.S., and I myself have long felt Israel needed more vigorous U.S. intervention in the affairs of the Middle East.”
Landau acknowledged his other crass remark as well, though said it was aimed at the experience of influencing US policy and not at seeing Israel be pressured to make concessions. “I told [Rice] that it had always been my wet dream to address the secretary of state [on these vital matters –added by Jewish Week],” Landau said.
According to Landau, Rice’s response was “fantastic [in that she was] completely unfazed” by his remarks, and remained “urbane and diplomatic.” Others present said Rice proceeded to say the US has no intention of imposing a settlement on Israel. Landau told Rosenblatt that he had been congratulated by several professors at the dinner who felt he “articulated what many Israelis feel.”
“By any benchmark, Landau’s behavior as an Israeli citizen would be deemed unacceptable,” wrote Leibler of the affair. “But it is surely unconscionable that the editor of one of Israel's most influential newspapers, which also appears in an English and global Internet version, could urge an American Secretary of State to ‘rape’ his own government. If ever there was a crossing of every red line in terms of propriety, national integrity, and civic responsibility, this extraordinary intervention tops the bill. This is surely not behavior befitting the editor of a major newspaper.”
The former World Jewish Congress official who made Aliyah (immigrated to Israel) from Australia, continued: “For the US Secretary of State to partake in such an exchange with the editor of a major Israeli newspaper is mind boggling. Whilst Ms. Rice rejected Landau's entreaties for the United States to force Israel to act in what he perceived to be Israel's best interest, there is little doubt that his remarks would have subsequently been widely aired in US State Department circles.”
“Of course, Landau is entitled to his personal opinions. But it is surely a staggering act of reckless arrogance and a reflection of utter contempt for the democratic process when the editor of Haaretz newspaper at such a venue to have passionately conveyed such views to the American Secretary of State at this most sensitive diplomatic juncture. I have no doubt that the vast majority of Israelis across the entire political spectrum would condemn his action as irresponsible and immoral. Mr. Landau should apologize or resign.”
Whaaat? Landau probably doesn’t realize how vulgar his language sounds to English speakers. Perhaps his piggish comments will be a wake up call to Rice about just exactly who wants to erase Israel.
I never thought I’d be saying this, but: “Sigmund Freud, where are you when we need you?”
All of the very good contrasts you made about Israel could be applied equally to the United States.
The sad fact is that both countries have a strong left-wing component -- from which the more perverse contradictions arise.
Seeing how he has wet dreams of being violated, perhaps he should relocate his office to the West Bank where such dreams come true on a daily basis.
Please, the Garden State has enough problems without importing any.
This looks like it might be suitable for your ping list.
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According to Intrade, the winner of the December 12th GOP debate was... Duncan Hunter.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1938773/posts
Why the smart money is on Duncan Hunter
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1926032/posts
In this poll Hunter is up 3% and even with Paul and Thompson.
http://www.wxyz.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=3481ef60-8195-46a9-af04-b87b907bcfdd
What you have in Israel is a study in contrasts. The founders were generally far to the political Left, and also non-religious (or, in some cases, anti-religious). These were out-and-out Socialists, running from the Czar’s secret police in many cases. Their descendants form the elite of Israel’s power structure.
There are many Orthodox, and they wield some power because of their numbers. Oh, and their numbers are increasing, as they don’t abort their kids (I just found out last night that my SIL is pregnant with #7). The secularists in Israel are doing to themselves what the secular Left is doing here - aborting themselves into political oblivion...all the while decrying their political enemies as being worse than their ACTUAL enemies (Arabs there vs. illegals and worse here).
This guy Landau is a traitor. I don’t wish him ill, but the only thing that may shut this uber-Leftie up (him and people like him) is being put in a box and buried. I never cease to be amazed (in a very negative way) at the self-hatred that the Left everywhere espouses, and at how they seek to impose the consequences of that self-hatred on entire nations and civilizations. If they hate themselves so much, there are bridges and tall buildings located all over the place - they should spare us from having to put up with them.
israel doesnt have much hope.
its a great country. been there many times."
So is the US (by leftist traitors). Then we have state department officials who are pro-terrorist/anti-American.
America IS hope.
It's the best country. I'll never leave.
No.
Please explain what confused you.
The paper should be named Am Haaretz..
Thanks for your suggestions. I’m going to order a used book or two on Israel. God bless you.
Hillary has found her running mate!
There is much woe awaiting those who would attempt to destroy Israel according to the bible.
Apparently this Landau person is considered important enough that he need not be identified by other than his last name. I, much to my shame, am ignorant of who he is and why he is so well known. Could someone help me?
Not to the leftists in Israel. He is in a position of power because he speaks for as much as 30% of the country. That group desires an "egalatarian" democracy which can by fiat destroys any power the religious Jews may acquire by sheer numbers.
His rape comment is in complete sync with baton swinging soldiers who beat the living daylights out of settlers in Judea and Samaria, run them over with horses, point their tanks in their direction as back up, or arrest them at will for invented charges simply to destroy families to force them to give up.
If one was to take a positive from this:
a) the comment was made public, making it a PR problem
b) the comment represents the success his opposition is having
c) the comment forces the US state dept. oil-money loving entrenched Arab lovers to back off for a moment to distance themselves from the comment
My pleasure. There are lots of good things about Israel out there. I’m sure our Jewish FR friends can also help you out.
Thanks, Alouette! Mrs. Don-o, you will find a lot of great things at Alouette’s book store (she has other great things besides books as well at her online store).
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