MK's to boycott US embassy celebration
Citing "a certain mood and style in Washington that makes it hard to go and celebrate," Likud MK Danny Danon has called on fellow MK's to boycott the annual Independence Day celebration at the Herzliya home of US Ambassador James Cunningham, which is being held on Wednesday night. Danon's call came hours before sources close to Defense Minister Ehud Barak revealed he had failed in his attempt to reach an agreement with the Americans regarding the future of the settlements.As of this morning, Prime Minister Netanyahu is planning to attend, but many other MK's from his own party may not. Danon, for example, is a Likud MK.
"American independence is the model for western nations, including for Israel. As the Americans would rise up against any attempt of outside involvement in their internal affairs, so too will Israel ignore all types of involvement on the part of America and others," said Danon.
"The statements recently heard by representatives of the American government regarding Israel's commitment to stop building in Judea and Samaria, including natural growth, and the statements that accuse Israel of lying over the years to the White House, seriously damage Israel's honor. I call upon MKs to boycott the event at the ambassador's house, to deliver to the American administration a clear message - that the State of Israel is independent and not President Obama's pet."
In his letter, Danon argued that it was America that "was trying to call into question the State of Israel's independence."
The annual reception, held at the ambassador's Herzliya Pituah residence, was described by at least one lawmaker as "a see-and-be-seen event," to which politicians usually flock.I agree with Danon. Given the current state of relations between Jerusalem and Washington, it is difficult to go on as if nothing has happened. The Obama administration seems to determined to all the damage it can to the US - Israel relationship, if not to destroy it entirely. Enough is enough. Let them party with their friends the 'Palestinians' and leave us out of it.
But this year, said MK Danny Danon who wrote the letter calling on other legislators to stay away from the gathering, "the majority of coalition members will not attend."
Danon said he was certain most of his fellow Likud members would be absent, as would representatives from Shas. A number of MKs from his own party, he said, already approached him in the hours after the letter was sent to tell him they would not attend.
"There is a certain air of bitterness these days - whether it was the picture of [US President Barack] Obama with his shoes up on the table while he spoke with the prime minister or the statement by [US Envoy George] Mitchell that Israeli 'doesn't stop lying' - there is a certain mood and style in Washington that makes it hard to go and celebrate," Danon explained.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 7:14 AM
4 Comments:
Agreed. The reason for boycotting the US embassy celebration is because the US treats Israel in a hostile and degrading manner. It doesn't exactly lead Israelis to be warm and solicitous of America, given the circumstances. What goes around comes around. Obama needs to learn Israel is not a banana republic that exists for his personal convenience.
Its heart-breaking but letting go can be the right thing to do. The US is not that indispensable to Israel as it might think.
There's some serious disagreement about Mitchell's supposed accusation of "lying."
In addition, a valid counter response would be for the US embassy not to celebrate Israel's independence; Israel would be hurt far more than the US.
I'm not sure this boycott is the best idea.
Thermblog said...
In addition, a valid counter response would be for the US embassy not to celebrate Israel's independence; Israel would be hurt far more than the US.
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Disagree. If the US is mascarading, let Israel see it with the facade removed.
Shy Guy is correct. A boycott sends the message that Israel is a sovereign country and not any one's servant. A century ago, the British could impose their will on the Yishuv. Today Israel will not take orders from any one and too many Jews have died to relinquish Israel's hard won independence.
94% of Israeli Jews do not see Obama's America as considerate of and friendly towards Israel.
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