Thursday Jul 05, 2007
My Truth: Israel does have friends in Europe
Posted by Avigdor Lieberman
Comments: 36
Comments: 36
One would think from everything we hear that Israel has no friends in Europe and that Europe, as a whole, is inherently anti-Israeli and pro-Arab – a lost cause for Israeli hasbara.
Last week I visited several European capitals and held meetings with various European leaders and high-ranking EU and NATO officials, and discovered that we have many passionate, ideological friends in Europe. There are many political groups, mainly from the ideological center-right, who consider Israel an integral part of the free world.
It is surprising that on the one hand, the Middle East conflict is the number one priority on Europe’s foreign-policy agenda, yet on the other hand there is a shocking information gap on Middle East issues. There is a general lack of factual knowledge – both on current events and, more importantly, history.
Even our friends told me they find it hard to defend Israel for the lack of objective facts and information. These are political groups who are prepared to stand up for Israel and use their political influence and power to balance out the anti-Israel agenda that is the underlying narrative for most EU foreign policy decisions.
In today’s mass-media world, public opinion is decided by the perception of reality, not reality itself. Israel has to turn this around, and drive home the truths: That Israel acts as a shield between Europe and radical Islam; that Israel represents the free world in the Middle East - the forefront of the world-wide clash with radical Islam; and that the Jewish State’s existence is moral, just and never to be questioned again. It’s just a matter of proper dissemination of Israel’s case to public opinion and decision makers.
Israel needs increased involvement in the European arena. Unfortunately, over the years the EU has put all its eggs in the Israeli left wing “peace camp” basket, believing that only they can advance a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Reciprocally, the Israeli right wing has always regarded the EU as a hostile body whose positions on the Middle East are a foregone antri-Israel conclusion.
My party, Israel Beytenu, has taken upon itself to shift the balance of power in Israel-EU relations. We are committed to strengthening ties with like-minded center-right European parties, and advancing the accession of the State of Israel into the EU and NATO.
In a world that is quickly dividing over values – the free, democratic world versus the radical Islamic world – we must not allow ourselves to be positioned in the grey zone. We have been at the forefront of this war for a hundred years, we should lead the free world, not lag behind it.
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| Comments: |
1 | Ben Zalman, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
With the long history of Anti-Semitism in Europe, it is understandable why many European Govts. don't like Israel. Jews are supposed to be victims not victors. Europe's Ghetto history is replete with harassing and the murder of Jews. It was a "pogrom" mentality! Now we have a new tough, fighting Jew in Israel. It wins wars and (although difficult) even stops most terror. However, when the IDF strikes back hard, it seems to Europe they are too cruel to the poor Palestinans who are the "neo-Jewish" victums. Bulldozing their homes and restricting their travel. I guess Israel should make it easy for people to come in to kill Israelis! And yes, Israel doea a poor job of PR. The article does say (thank God) that many European citizens are pro-Israel...but it doesn't seem to infect the national Govts. Maybe it's oil...maybe its the old false addage.."blame everything on the Jews"....
2 | Ted, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
I wish I could believe what you see; particularly now that Europe has declared America as the greatest threat to peace. Previously, Israel had that distinction! And this in light of evidence literally blowing up in their faces! Brown in the UK has prohibited the use of the word 'Islamic' by his government; the same that removed references to the Holocaust from its books.
3 | Igor L, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
Good article. Take a look at the recent history - USSR collapsed not only for economic reasons (a budget breaking arm race with US and declining oil prices at that time) and military (moral draining war in Afghanistan), but because most citizens lost any belief in a system. We cannot underestimate an influence of radio stations such as Voice of America, BBC and Free Europe shaping soviet citizens' perception of the world. I brought this example to highlight the power of a correctly executed propaganda war.
In fact, Arabs using their friends in Western liberal (left-leaning) media quite skillfully utilize this power by bending the truth and often falsifying the facts. They portrait themselves as victims of aggressive Israel, an ally of "imperialistic" USA.
Mr. Lieberman quite correctly talks about an importance of framing the perception of reality in terms conducive to Israel's interests.
4 | SK, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
Liberalism, as freedom of thought/religion/movement, exists in Israel and does not in Islamic states. What other evidence does Europe require? Ah, there is the key word: "evidence." Truth can be held as such if one is willing to challenge it. Once challenged and rechallenged, then an event or paradigm can be considered true.
Europe allows itself to be manipulated by the Hezbollah "photo-shop" propaganda and Hamasistan slander.
Hopefully, Mr. Lieberman's friends in Europe will prevail. I fear Israel and America will stand alone.
5 | Samuel Weiffenbach, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
It is not only a clashes of ideologies but of interests.Israels enemies do not respect israeli interests. Palestinians hardly ever questioned their leaders effectevely for choosing war over peace.
Nevertheless Israel proclaims to be different. I know it is. Not everyone does. Never stop respecting your enemies, never stop caring for the interests of the palestinians/ arabs for they do not have a democracy and bitterness will never enable them to establish one. Show the diference, be different, always.
6 | Observer, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
I believe that among enemies of Israel the first place is held by Israeli leftist, liberals and Israeli impotent government corrupt with political correctness, coward-ness and plain stupidity. The very first who should learn lessons of history are those Israeli morons who brought down this beautiful country by mindless politics and fear of anti-Semitic world around them.
7 | Samuel Weiffenbach, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
It is not only a clashes of ideologies, but of interests-keep in mind that there are the territories. Palestinian leaders did not protect and respect israely interests. Palestinians/ Arabs people hardly ever challenged their governments effectively for chosing war over peace. We know this is due to education, ideology and interests (power). Israel proclaims to different. I know it is, mostly. Strengthen everyone who speaks about palestinian interest! Do not allow anyone to show a lack of respect to your enemies. Respect and diversity are fundamental conditions for peace and democracy. Underline the moral difference! Make it even more obvious. Help to heal the bitterness of palestinians even it was self caused, for bitterniss will not enable them to reach democracy nor peace. Show them even more respect for them and their interests, make it publically! The values of israls society are not always adequately transferred to decisions and announcements of israeli politicians/ government.Try to keep the balance. Keep that in mind.
8 | Melvin Schnell, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
With England, it is already too late. The United Kingdom has been renamed the Islamic Republic of England, and all Brits must submit to sharia law or immigrate. I urge them to do so before the shmad (forced conversion) is instituted
9 | michel cahier, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
my conviction is that Israel does not do well its PR job. Jews are still the victims of terror but Arabs pause as bullied by the Israelis and the gullible Europeans swallow that lie.
10 | Philly Jew, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
I wish I could believe this but having lived in France, I believe it's a lost cause. Israel should focus more on developing ties with E. Europe than W. Europe. W. Europe is quickly losing clout in the world and their inability to understand the reality in Israel has doomed them to side with the Arabs.
11 | Dr.Zechariah, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
I used to be cautiously approving of Lieberman's tough position on security matters, and would have considered voting for him had he been a serious candidate for PM. That was years ago, when he still had the shine of a newly minted coin. He has long since lost that glitter and has become just one more self-serving political hack. He has missed the career- altering chance of a lifetime to engineer the fall of this government for the good of Israel but chooses to keep his yashvan in this gov't.
12 | Richard, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
If Lieberman was anything other than a dishonest fraud, he would stop spouting the pieties he does (such as this self-serving article) and instead of talking the talk he would walk. He is propping up a dangerous government for his own self-serving reasons, which he rationalizes, and is accordingly just as responsible for the decline of the State of Israel as is Olmert or Livni. He has reduced himself to a big flatulent mouth, without substance or meaning who basks in his own meaningless words.
13 | Dr. Ari Nir, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
I am a Jew from Russia. He used our new immigrants to vote for him, but by supporting Olmert % Co. he lost our votes. Halas, konetz. Puste diburim.
14 | Richard, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
Lieberman is 100% right and stating the obvious. Keep up the good work Lieberman and ignore those who criticise you for standing up for Jewish rights.
15 | Kenneth S. Besig, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
Lieberman has lost any standing he ever enjoyed among nationalist Israelis by selliing out to Kadima and it's godfather of crime, Olmert. No one takes LIeberman seriously anymore, about anything, since he has proven he is willing to sell out to the highest bidder whenever possible.
16 | abe, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
Israel is living in a fantasy world where katyushas don't exist, Iran is not a threat, and Europe is full of love for Jews. Dream on. Europe is what it's always been, but now England has joined the others.
17 | stevenkarmi, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
Yes, I'm afraid that Mr. Lieberman has come to look like nothing other than another fraudulent politician. The man we should turn to as the leader to rejoin the parted waters and instill sanity, security and policy sense to Israeli political culture is Moshe Ya'alon. Matai, matai, matai?
18 | Phil S, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
All of these politicians fold like a cheap suit when the prospect of losing their government job appears. What do they get for serving in Government that they cannot walk away from. Livni said Olmert should resign but became a compliant political whore when he threatened to take her job away. Lieberman should have left his government years ago (should never have joined). What does Olmert have that these people cannot live without. Is free use of a Volvo so important?
19 | Rene - Non Jew Italian, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
Bad idea about wanting Israel to join the EU and Nato. Here is why: The EU and Nato work by committee. Each Country that's a member of one of these organizations has to follow decisions made by a commitee of all other member nations. If the other Nations are against one nation wants to do than than nation can't do it. By becoming a Member Israel would loose all the freedom to act the way it chooses against the Palestinians or other Arab Countries. It must first get permission from the EU or Nato. That would be suicide for Israel in the current envirement.
20 | Michael, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
Bashing Israel is a popular fashion in Europe. When a terrorist blows himself up in Israel, killing dozens of innocent people, the Europeans sympathize with the terrorist saying that "he must be desperate because of Israel's brutal occupation". When a bomb kills many in London or Madrid, again the Europeans blame Israel for angering the Muslims. No matter what happens, bad weather, high oil prices, stock market crash, Israel and the Jews will always be guilty in the eyes of the Europeans.
21 | S Judah, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
There is a massive misunderstanding of what goes on in the UK.
Firstly there are principal elements of the media that are Anti Israel , primarily the BBC, The Independent and The Guardian. However the amount of viewers and readers of these media outlets is not large. They may think that they form Opinion but actually they do not.This same group is actually Anti West and Anti USA.
The mass readership market ie The Sun, Times, Telegraph, Mail and their Sunday equivalents are either neutral or Pro Israel. The British people as a whole may have no great love for the Jews, but their views of the Arabs are much more negative
22 | David Katcoff, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
Very wise move. As Europe experiences more Islamic immigration, they will come to empathize with Israel more. There's nothing like first hand experience with something to get somebody to know what being in the other guy's shoes is like. The recent al Qaeda Doctor's Plot is a case in point. One bomb is worth ten-thousand words.
23 | eric, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
Most Europeans have always been friends of Israel.
It's the increasing number of muslims in Europe which might give you the impression that Europe is hostile toward the Jewish state, but native Europeans have generally a positive view of Israel and the Jewish people.
24 | Dan, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
"Ad Matay Tarootzoo la'goyim" yes good PR and marketing are important - that said we must hold our own destniy in our own hands - that means focus our energies on self sufficiency in every capacity as the nation strategic priority of our Jewish Nation Israel. In that way our PR and marketing will make them come to us asking for wisdom rather than us knocking on the doors of the capitals of Europe - the same capitals that have expelled, pogromed, inquistioned, and holocausted us into near extinction
25 | Axel Muessigbrod, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
"held meetings with various European leaders and high-ranking EU and NATO officials" -- Oh my, what a bragger. I would like to see a list of these leaders and officials.
26 | Zalmi, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
Forget about phoney European friendships and focus on the reality of why you were elected. It was not to support this unworthy government. Redeem yourself and walk out.
27 | W L, Thursday Jul 05, 2007
Mr.Lieberman, knows what he is talking about: moral values are Israel strength to the corrupt world. Israel existence depends on only two things: it moral values (specifically, love thy enemies as thou love thyself) and military strength (Hisbullah can testify here for the lessons learned last summer!). The two are compatible with each other. IDF strength depends on the moral values of its men and women in the "theaters of operations". Bravo Mr. Strategic Mind! We are on the same wavelength of thinking!!
28 | Chris J, Monday Jul 09, 2007
Mr Lieberman....you have got to be kidding! But you aren't...and that is scarey.
Everything you say isn't necessarily discounted by your loss of touch with reality, regarding your comment on one of the aspects of the nation of Israel, "That Israel acts as a shield between Europe and radical Islam; that Israel represents the free world in the Middle East - the forefront of the world-wide clash with radical Islam; and that the Jewish State's existence is moral, just and never to be questioned again."
Your motive is not so cleverly disguised in the sentence that led up to that pipe dream, "In today's mass-media world, public opinion is decided by the perception of reality, not reality itself. Israel has to turn this around, and drive home the truths:"
Are you trying to present another layer of perceived reality? If not, how do you explain the part about Israel being a shield against "radical Islam" to anyone?
Regards,
Chris J
29 | Chris J, Monday Jul 09, 2007
Mr Lieberman....you have got to be kidding! But you aren't...and that is scarey.
Everything you say isn't necessarily discounted by your loss of touch with reality, regarding your comment on one of the aspects of the nation of Israel, "That Israel acts as a shield between Europe and radical Islam; that Israel represents the free world in the Middle East - the forefront of the world-wide clash with radical Islam; and that the Jewish State's existence is moral, just and never to be questioned again."
Your motive is not so cleverly disguised in the sentence that led up to that pipe dream, "In today's mass-media world, public opinion is decided by the perception of reality, not reality itself. Israel has to turn this around, and drive home the truths:"
Are you trying to present another layer of perceived reality? If not, how do you explain the part about Israel being a shield against "radical Islam" to anyone?
Regards,
Chris J
30 | Apartheid, Monday Jul 23, 2007
"Israel acts as a shield between Europe and radical Islam." Yea, the radical Islam that wouldn't be there if Israel didn't exist.
Free world countries don't wall up entire populations to die the way the narrator walled up Fortunado in "The Cask of Amontillado."
The Jewish State rests on foundations of ethnic cleansing, terrorism and massive (and ongoing) theft of private property.
31 | Isaac Haskiya, Tuesday Jul 24, 2007
To No. 30 "Apartheid" in Boston.
For your information Islamic radicalism began in 632. How do you think all the territories north, west, south and east of the Arabian Peninsula (3,1 square kilometers by itself) were islamized? Please stay out of the Israeli debate! Eat an ice-cream ...or something!
32 | Isaac Haskiya, Tuesday Jul 24, 2007
To No. 25 Axel in Germany.
This is the second time you have been abusing your right of free speech by your childishly insolent comments.
Mr. Lieberman is the Vice Prime Minister and the Minister of Strategic Affairs of Israel.He owes you no explanations. As a matter of fact your comments are published only as a token of Israeli democracy and nothing else.