I just got through watching Neil Cavuto’s interview with Benjamin Netanyahu, and I must say, were Netanyahu eligible to run for President of the United States, I’d vote for him in a heartbeat. He’s the kind of guy who eats waffling diplomats for lunch — a Rumsfeld with political ambitions. Political Correctness cringes at the sound of his voice.
Here’s a rough paraphrase of one of the exchanges from the interview:
Cavuto: “The Saudis have offered a peace plan. Do you trust the Saudis?”
Netanyahu: (after a long, incredulous pause) “I don’t know how to answer that. Are you kidding? Do you trust the Saudis? They produced 15 of the 19 terror bombers from 9-11, and they finance the majority of Islamist terror in the world. Of course I don’t trust the Saudis.”
Cavuto: *Gulp*
Damn right…
Seriously. Here’s him talking to Russert on “Face the Nation” (<A HREF=”http://www.msnbc.com/news/744173.asp”>full transcript here</A>
:
MR. RUSSERT: How concerned are you that you
But how popular is Netanyahu with most Israelis? Don’t they think he’s corrupt? (that’s at least what one of my relatives says, and she has friends in Israel)
Anyway, Barak would be a fine replacement for Sharon (I can’t believe I’m saying this!), but he’s come to a much more hardline position (he’s said he would no longer favor negotiations while violence is ongoing). And he would be able to offer his old peace agreement again, as a starting point for future negotiations.
If Israel is unwilling to return to the occupation, or hand the country back to Jordan (which probably doesn’t want it), unilateral separation will be the only answer.
From what I understand, he’s regained his popularity.
Regardless, I’d vote for him. He’s about as plainspoken and clear-headed about what’s going on (and what needs to happen) in the Mideast as anyone I’ve heard. Barak’s new hard-line stance seems forced. Everytime I see him I cringe a bit. Not with Netanyahu, though. When he’s representing the Israeli cause, he’s never bullied or pushed around or condescended to.
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of the canned “interview” schematic many news/opinion shows have taken to using—an Israeli spokesperson and a “Palestinian” spokesperson squabble, and the U.S. moderator chastises both of them, suggesting that it would be best for the world if they could just get along.
None of that bullshit with Netanyahu.