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About Ari Bussel
In the series "Postcards from Israel," Ari
Bussel and Norma Zager invite readers throughout the world to
join them as they present reports from Israel as seen by two
sets of eyes: Bussel's on the ground, Zager's counter-point from
home. Israel and the United States are inter-related - the two
countries we hold dearest to our hearts - and so is this "point
- counter-point" presentation that has, since 2008, become part
of our lives. |
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Past Articles
The New
Middle East
A Splintered
Reed of a Staff
Supporting
One's Friends
War of
Biblical Proportions
Israeli
McCarthyism?
I Will
Apologize No More
Recognizing
Palestine
A New Code
Word for Anti-Semitism
Obama's
Secret Plan?
What's in Store for Us?
Let the
People Suffer
Coexistence: Building Unsustainable Bridges
Gone
in a Snap: Will Israel Be Saved?
Israel's
Audacity of Being
The
Elusive Peace
Ifs,
Ands & Buts
Disillusionment
Why
Worry?
Middle East Mirage
The End
of Times
Paradigm Shift
The
Occupation
The
Absurdity of Existence
A Holy
War: Outside the Walls of the Temple Mount
A
Holy War: The Al Aqsa Mosque on Temple Mount
The Last
Game
Delegitimization from Within
The
Slaughter of Israel
Who
Would Stand By Israel
Israel
Hijacked
A
Well Coordinated Attack
Stand
& Speak Out
Keep the
Course
The
Perfect Recipe
Strange
Bunch These Jewish People
Once
They Burned Books
Indicators of Our Time
Candles of Darkness
Israel, A
Nation Lost
Israel,
December 1, 2009
Blaming
America
Exporting
Terror
The Report
Repentance
Cry
Palestine, Stand Proud Israel
Fighting
for Israel, But Why?
Stop
Blaming the Messenger
A Changing
Reality
Fighting
for Our Country, Fighting for our Lives
The Second
Disengagement |
Ari Bussel
The New Middle East
February 2, 2011
If what we currently see is the face of "Democracy" in the Middle East, most
would prefer dictatorships. Stability in this area of the world is not derived
from freedoms, rather from very strict controls. There is only one exception to
this observation, and that is Israel. Yet, even there, in the cradle of sanity,
things can become quite insane.
The United States of America, supposedly surprised by the developing events from
Tunisia via Egypt eastward, is not losing any sleep. President Obama is
dispensing advice, the wrong kind.
During the first two years of his presidency, Obama was determined to force an
end game to an 18-year long peace process on Israel. He learned the hard way
that his will has little effect in the Middle East, Israel is too weak and the
Palestinians are not interested in "peace."
President Obama's utter failure left him undeterred to once again force his will
and vision, this time on Egypt. First he dismissed a decades long friend, then
he left another when he was most needed. In the Middle East, one does not forget
the desertion by and betrayal of friends.
The major media networks have already pronounced their forgone conclusion: The
end of Mubarak, former ruler of Egypt. They seem to echo the wish and goal of
the White House.
To the West, it is the call of the masses for Democracy, and yet, there is
nothing beneficial or benign about Democracy for the Middle East. It is actually
a highly misunderstood concept.
Buzzwords, like the right of peaceful assembly do not apply when people are
looting, setting property on fire and otherwise expressing their sentiment in
the only way known in the Middle East – extreme violence. President Obama would
be the first to show the highest degree of intolerance for such behavior if it
happened in Downtown Los Angeles or Washington, DC.
Even in a democracy, there must be law and order. The American President, so
readily dispensing guidance to others, should assess what would he do in similar
circumstances. This is not a moment of "Hope," and this "Change" may only be for
the worse.
But President Obama is focused now on achieving his goal: Physically ousting
President Mubarak from Egypt. He would accept nothing less. The masses' will are
of little concern, the goal must be achieved at all costs. Are American assets
involved in accomplishing this Presidential task?
Interestingly, the vast support base of President Mubarak, the Egyptian
villagers, away from Cairo, Suez and Alexandria, are not rioting. Has anyone
asked why not?
Western labels like "social networks uprising" have no bearing to the reality on
the ground. Egypt was—and is—good for the Egyptians. Egypt under Mubarak was—and
still is—good not only for Egypt, but also for the stability of the entire
Middle East. It was a center of power, in addition to being a center of culture,
history, archeology, trade and commerce.
The Egyptian Revolt is not a cry for democracy, nor will one be tolerated or
allowed to thrive in Egypt as it evolves. Have we not learned the lesson from
Iraq, which was an oppressive regime under Saddam Hussein?
After Iraq's so-called "liberation" from dictatorship, what ensued? Iran is
almost the de facto ruler and Muslims murder Muslims (and Christians) on a daily
basis. Nothing is sacred, neither human lives nor places of worship. Any "hope"
for the future does not look enticing.
Roadside bombs, homicide bombings, explosions and killings are rampant as
"democracy" is taking root. Democracy was short-lived, so ineffective that
Iran's influence spread and is now dominant. Mayhem is at its best and if the
United States leaves, I dread to think what will happen.
Egypt is altogether another story. It was not aiming and launching missiles at
others. It was not planning to overthrow the West or our way of life. It did
have to deal, much like the rest of the Arab World, with demographics of a very
large base of unemployed young and a spreading influence of radical Islam.
The USA, rather than standing firm with President Mubarak at his time of need,
wasted long hours on phone calls, President Obama providing the path to the
abyss.
If the networks, feeding from the White House, are correct in their prediction
that the current regime in Egypt is in its final moments, then Israel must call
reservists and mobilize three divisions to the south, protecting her border.
Hamas, the military arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, will unite with its mother to
create a new monster: Egypt-Gaza, now all that is necessary is to topple Israel.
Gaza, never wanted by either Israel or Egypt, would become one with Egypt, a new
front line in the war to exterminate the Jewish State. The Peace Accord between
Israel and Egypt will be a thing of the past, definitely not obligating either
the Muslim Brotherhood or Hamas.
The Palestinians in Israel are quiet, very quiet. Hamas is the truly democratic
representative of the people, their dreams and aspirations to exterminate the
Jews. Thus, the Palestinian Authority knows what would come next.
The truth will be discovered: The Palestinian "people" and "refugees" – that
never interested anyone in the Arab World – are of no concern to Hamas. They
will serve their purpose no longer. A new map is being drawn—Gaza becoming part
of Egypt and Egypt facing Israel, intent on destroying the Zionist regime once
and for all.
If successful, there will no longer be a Palestine, rather it will become
Greater Egypt.
Thus, Israel must defend her southern border. She will be, at the same time,
defending the Jordanian regime as well from the spread of Egypt, for the
eventuality will be Greater Egypt vs. Greater Iran, where the reward for the
winner is a global Islamic caliphate. The Suez Canal is a giant win for both
sides to covet.
Many commentators are pleased to point out that in the current "social revolt"
that is sweeping the Middle East, Israel appears blameless, her flags not being
burned. There is no mention of "Zionism," "Occupation" or "Peace." This is an
earthquake, a shakedown of the Arab World, and Israel, at the moment, is only a
very interested observer. It would be a grave mistake for Israel to sit idly.
It is also a moment of great revelations:
If "Peace" and "Two States for Two People" are not the cause of the unrest, as
is clear to any onlooker, then the arguments of the Left become void of content.
Democracy is incompatible with the Middle East.
The United States of America, once the superpower, along with Germany, France
and Great Britain, is the past. Today's real powers in the "West," Russia and
China remain silent for now.
America cannot be trusted as a friend, for in a time of need, she is the first
to flee, like rats leaving a sinking ship.
Israel, with her brutal "Occupation" was an anchor of sanity in a region prone
to upheaval. The world still relies on Israel, now more than ever, for if only
two players remain on the chessboard, namely Greater Egypt and Greater Iran,
Israel is the tiny pawn in the middle, standing between the two giants-to-be.
Will Israel survive?
When will the United States learn the lessons of the past?
What price will be paid as the Free World is calling for "Democracy" in a place
that neither wants nor is able to comprehend Democracy?
Mubarak must remain strong. He must not leave. In fact, he will not leave for
his is only one country, his home and his life's work: Egypt. He is the people,
as long as his heart beats. He is Egypt's soul. He is Egypt's father, lest we
forget it.
We came to his home and we stirred up trouble. We told him it is time (for him)
to leave. Some would call it "Chutzpah," I call it an outrage. Others would call
it the usual American arrogance. |