This week the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken visited Israel amidst increasing tensions with the Palestinians, resulting in deadly terrorist attacks in Jerusalem and an ever-increasing number of Palestinian deaths. And while Blinken, in his discussions with the new Israeli government, expressed his concern over the escalation and urged for calm and restraint on both sides, it appeared that the real concern of Blinken, and of the American Administration at this point, is not the Israeli-Palestinian question, or even the Iranian issue (even though Netanyahu continuously attempts to push this onto the front), but the attacks on the Democratic system in Israel by the new government and the consequences of the “Reform” Netanyahu and his cronies are attempting to push through.
Blinken, in several public statements, hinted at the importance of democratic values, at the need for broad consensus, and both after meetings with President Herzog as well as with Netanyahu, remarks pointing to disapproval of the planned Judicial overhaul in Israel were heard. It remains to be seen what was said in the closed meetings but it is clear that the U.S. is worried about political developments in Israel and it is doubtful they will remain silent in public for long.
And while Netanyahu talked about the “Unbreakable Bonds” between the U.S. and Israel, the complete cooperation between two “Vibrant Independent Democracies” and the “Unrelenting Support” of the United States, he knows he is lying.
It is unprecedented that a United States Secretary of State, even hints at his country’s displeasure of political developments in Israel, (with likely much more than hints during the private conversations). Blinken would not think for one moment of interfering with internal matters in countries like Holland or France, because it would cause a political crisis of immense proportions.
Similarly, Israel, and Netanyahu, would never allow even the slightest hints of interference by foreign States, without condemning it in the fiercest way possible. So what is “hinted” at here?
Netanyahu knows that when he talks about two “Independent vibrant Democracies”, he is misleading the Israeli public in a big way. Israel is not an independent State anymore. (If it is a vibrant democracy, remains to be seen). Today, Israel is not much more than the undeclared 51st State of the United States and this is becoming clearer almost daily.
The United States is currently paying Israel the astonishing amount of 3.8 billion dollars a year for “joint projects” (including 500 million dollars in direct military aid). Money that Israel will not be able to go without. The American congress discusses Israel at a frequency and a level of involvement that is unprecedented; while in particular Jewish Congressmen are mostly actively arguing in favor of Israel and Congressmen (and women) with an Arab background, argue against the 51st State. Israel is supported to the tune of additional billions of dollars by donations from various organizations, both Jewish and Christian, which is money that Israel needs in all sectors of life, including health.
Israel has become the frontline for the United States, in the Middle East and beyond, and the U.S. definitely needs this frontline. But one of the pillars of that frontline is the fact that Israel is a “Vibrant Democracy”, and in fact will only remain such a pillar as long as the Democracy remains “vibrant”.
Thus, Blinken will not hesitate to be more explicit and outward about the demands of the United States on the political discourse in Israel and Israel will need to be extremely well aware of this. Israel cannot move forward with security issues such as the Khan al-Ahmar removal even while the High Court has long decided that Israel is allowed to remove this Palestinian village in the West Bank. And consecutive Israeli governments, including the current ultra-right one, have for years now, repeatedly requested from the court an extension of the deadline and refrained from removing the village. The “Boss” in Washington apparently will not be pleased with such a move and thus it is being postponed until hopefully, at some point the people and the fascist politicians representing them, get tired of the whole affair, or even better, forget about it.
Should we be pleased that the United States is pulling the strings in Jerusalem? Many would say that if these strings will prevent the destruction of the Israeli democracy, it is not that bad. Others may claim that as long as the U.S. pays, it has a right to demand a return on its investment. But the dependency of Israel on the United States, and in particular on its money, is a very unhealthy situation in which Israel may be forced to do things that are not in its own interest and may cause very serious damage.
A “Vibrant Democracy” does not need a ”Big Brother”. And the inhabitants of this “51st State” still need a visa to enter the other fifty States, so maybe the time has come to rethink this whole situation and maybe become a real Independent State (Jewish and Democratic………..).
I hope you found this article interesting and I welcome any comments you may have.
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