Turkey and Israel are at it again

Photo credit: The Economist (also, an article worth reading)

In case you haven’t been following recent developments in the Middle East/North Africa region other than Libya—and let’s face it, it’s my academic guilty pleasure so I can hardly expect everyone to—Turkey and Israel are at it again. The briefest outline goes a little something like this: 9 Turkish citizens are killed as part of an aid flotilla to the West Bank, Turkey demands an apology, Israel refuses to apologize, the UN investigation is leaked which calls the actions of the Israeli commandos unnecessary but also does not call the blockade illegal, Israel still refuses to apologize, Turkey expels the Israeli ambassador, Israeli FM approaches the internationally recognized Kurdish terrorist group the PKK with talk of support, the PKK also demands an apology, Turkish PM visits Cairo, there is an attack on the Israeli embassy in Cairo.  With Turkish threats of warship escorts, and Israel just not being cooperative, the U.S. is stuck between a rock and a hard place this week at the UN.

The Settlement Freeze and the Olive Tree

Somehow I find myself posting Thomas Friedman again.  However it feels good to know that I'm not the only one getting fed up with Israel.  My favorite part of the article:

First — I know this is a crazy, radical idea — when America asks Israel to do something that in no way touches on its vital security but would actually enhance it, there is only one right answer: “Yes.” It is a measure of how spoiled Israel has become that after billions and billions of dollars in U.S. aid and 300,000 settlers already ensconced in the West Bank, Israel feels no compunction about spurning an American request for a longer settlement freeze — the only purpose of which is to help the United States help Israel reach a secure peace with the Palestinians. Just one time you would like Israel to say, “You know, Mr. President, we’re dubious that a continued settlement freeze will have an impact. But you think it will, so, let’s test it. This one’s for you.”

Handing Israel a Deservedly Large Slice of STUF Cake

Or:  When Friends No Longer Act Like Friends

Here you go

          Historically, the United States and Israel (especially Israel) have enjoyed a very close relationship. Harry Truman stuck his neck out in the international system to make the US the first country to recognize Israel (against the advice of most of his cabinet departments), and ever since, Israel has been treated like our kid brother in a school full of Arab/Persian/Muslim bullies. Whenever they attack Israel, we're outraged, and whenever Israel attacks them, we turn a blind eye. This was all well and good when we could count on Israel to support us and follow our guidance in an equally loyal way, but Israel increasingly goes against us. Well, I say, “No more!”.