Netanyahu Says Arab Spring Pushing Middle East Backwards, Says Won’t Base Policy on ‘Wishful Thinking’
- Posted on November 24, 2011 at 4:41pm by
Sharona Schwartz
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Deriding those who initially viewed the regional changes as positive, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israeli lawmakers the Arab Spring is pushing the Middle East backwards, not forward and criticized those who want policy based on “wishful thinking.”
“I ask today, who here didn’t understand reality? Who here didn’t understand history?” the Prime Minister asked rhetorically in a speech to the the Knesset Wednesday.
According to the transcript from the Prime Minister’s website, Netanyahu said:
“Israel is facing an unstable and uncertain period in the region. This is certainly not the time to listen to those who say – those who have already said, and told us then too, time after time, to follow wishful thinking.”
This tumult in the Arab world is a key reason for his caution in peace negotiations with the Palestinians. The prime minister directed his criticism at left-wing opposition lawmakers for pushing for what he considers irresponsible compromises at this time. According to Ha’aretz:
“I remember many of you urged me to take the opportunity to make hasty concessions, to rush to an agreement,” he said.
“But I will not establish Israel’s policy on illusions. There’s a huge upheaval here…whoever doesn’t see it is burying his head in the sand,” he said.
“That didn’t stop people from coming to me and suggesting we make all kinds of concessions. I said we insist on foundations of stability and security…all the more so now,” he said.
Though he didn’t name them explicitly, according to Ha’aretz, Netanyahu’s criticism was also aimed at European leaders’ and President Obama’s Middle East policies. Additionally, Netanyahu insists to those who he says accused him of fear-mongering earlier this year that subsequent regional developments prove his analysis was correct:
“In February, when millions of Egyptians thronged to the streets in Cairo, commentators and quite a few Israeli members of the opposition said that we’re facing a new era of liberalism and progress…They said I was trying to scare the public and was on the wrong side of history and don’t see where things are heading,” he said.
But time has proved him right, Netanyahu said. His forecast that the Arab Spring would turn into an “Islamic, anti-Western, anti-liberal, anti-Israeli and anti-democratic wave” turned out to be true, he said.
At the same time, Netanyahu said that Israel must maintain good relations with Egypt and Jordan, with whom it has signed peace treaties.
Netanyahu’s themes echoed the blunt assessment he made during the Knesset’s opening session last month, where he said: “If the positions of the religious extreme do not become more moderate, I doubt that any of the high hopes that blossomed in the Arab spring, will come true.”
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Bozi
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:38amI Stand with Israel, May God bless and Keep them safe.
Report Post »BobtheMoron
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:32pmIsrael must survival and so must we. http://www.endoftheworldsupply
Report Post »BobtheMoron
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:31pmAll out war on Israel by late next summer. World wide disaster coming with that war. http://www.survival1-2-3.com
Report Post »Sibyl
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 3:32pmNetanyhu is right. The Arab Spring is not a democracy movement, but an Islamic movement.
It is also a David – Goliath situation. A spiritual problem. The only hope for God’s people is to return to THE BOOK of The LAW….the Bible. We have fallen and throughout Scripture, whenever the children of God fell into sin they were taken captive by Assyria/Egypt/Babylon which is the forerunner of Islam.
II Chronicles lays out the requirements for salvation.
If my people who are called by My Name will
1. Humble themselves
2. Pray and Seek My Face
3. Turn from their wicked ways
I Will hear from heaven and heal their land.
Isaiah 31:8-9 says Assyria will fall by the sword, not the sword of man, but the Sword of God (which is the Word of God.)
This excellent article, The Soul of Islam, talks about the reason for Islam’s hate and rage against Israel and Christianity: http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=14821
God is in control.
We, however, must repent.
Israel, the Western churches and nations (UK, US, Europe, Canada, etc) have abandoned God’s law. We have compromised and engaged in false religions, false worship, witchcraft, occult, idolatry, abortion, promiscuity, dishonesty, greed must be abandoned.
God’s Word is our only hope, our sword, bread of life, our true riches. Jesus is Lord!
Report Post »Arshloch
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 2:47pmThe only disagreement I have with Netanyahu is where the non seeing dolts have placed their heads.
Report Post »lynnissmart
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 12:50pmBibi is a strong leader!! I commend him his no bs policy…I glad the Israeli people have a person of morale values and principles……We need a Bibi!!!!
Report Post »Watchyer6
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 10:24amHe’s right, of course. The “Arab Spring” is being followed by an Islamist Winter.
Report Post »hud
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:54amLet us pray that a Netanyahu like figure will rise up and lead us in the right direction in 2012.
Report Post »burr99
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 8:25amGlenns “Restoring Courage” event could not have been timed better. We must help Israel. Netanyahu is right to be concderned about policy based on “wishful thinking”.
Report Post »eaglesview
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 8:18amWhy can’t we find a true leader like this ?. Truth always trumps political correctness. In a time where almost half of the people in the U.S. seem spellbound by Obama and his line(s) of crap, we must find the one that stands tall and speaks the truth.
Report Post »mule creek ridge
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 8:06amGood For Mr. Netanyahu!!!!! He continues to see and talk with reason about the present situation. He knows PC compromises are self defeating at least,and self destructive at worst.
Report Post »I stand with Israel!!!!
dutchy
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 3:19amMay God bless the Israeli’s and their leaders and give them his infinite wisdom!
Report Post »tzion
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 1:27amI never bought into the Arab Spring. Culturally, no Arab nation is ready for democracy, freedom, republicanism, liberty, or even the idea of limited government. They aren’t the only ones either, just the most evidently so. Netanyahu sees what should be obvious to anyone; that the Arab Spring isn’t about freedom from government and liberty and justice for all. It’s about power, who has it, and what they are doing with it.
Report Post »L8Apexer
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 12:30amWhen you take into consideration that one hundred years ago most Arabs were still wandering the desert, living as tribal groups and hadn’t progressed past the 13th century, it’s not hard to imagine why they are not ready for democracy. Democracy requires sacrifice, the willingness to sacrifice the personal desire for power for the benefit of the republic. That will never happen among the Arabs. It simply isn’t in their DNA, it is not part of the Arab psyche. Their cultural inferiority complex drives their collective ego. That is what makes them dangerous.
Report Post »Rajabear1
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 1:21amMr. Netanyahu, God bless. We are here, praying for you. May God give you the wisdom you need to navigate through such treacherous waters. God’s will be done.
Report Post »FreedomMissMeYet
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 10:55pmBibi is a man of the one true God. God allows his people the ability to see the future. I stand with Israel.
Report Post »Tovia
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 9:27pmMay G-d bless Israel and Bibi and give them peace!!! Chazak V’Amatz!!! “Be Strong and of Good Courage!!!”
Report Post »The10thAmendment
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 9:52pmNetanyahu is on a serious roll with being exactly right.
I pray for the Peace of Israel.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 9:04pmAt least there is one… Realist!
Report Post »KingCanon
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 8:50pmWho didn’t see this coming? If you are Biblically based… there it was. Tomorrow’s headlines are in the Bible today people. Wake up!
Report Post »garyM
Posted on November 24, 2011 at 9:17pmI can see Egypt openly linking together militarily with Palestine, Libya, Syria, and Iran, possibly a couple of more countries that are adjacent to those countries that I just named linking together also. I can invision that Arab alliance possibly coming against Israel soon. It could happen right after Israel strikes Iran’s nukes or it could be before the strike. Watch closely as the last American troops are pulled out of Iraq, it’s just a hunch, I don’t claim to be a prophet, a modern day prophet is only someone who echoes God’s written word, they certainly don’t have any authority from God to add anything to what is writtten although we see some people who would like to believe they are! It’s way past time for all lost people to get things right with the Lord if they have not done so yet!
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