From top: Billboards showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left), who has pledged to annex Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank if re-elected tomorrow; Conor O’Neill, a researcher with the Civil Engagement Group in the Seanad, addressing the UN last week on the ‘Question of Palestine’

As Israel goes to the polls…

Conor O’Neill writes:

[Benjamin] Netanyahu’s saying openly that he plans to formally annex the Palestine West Bank if re-elected. I was lucky enough to get a chance to speak last week (alongside Senator Frances Black) at the UN about practical steps we can take to stop that from happening….

As Netanyahu Seeks Re-election, the Future of the West Bank Is Now on the Ballot (New York Times)

Last week: ‘We Call On The International Community To Come With Us’

Conor O’Neill

Pic: Reuters

Related posts:

Letter From Gaza You And Whose Army? Dystopian An Irish Solution

27 thoughts on “Bank On It”

  1. Starina

    There’s a candidate running there with the tagline “no to ceasefire. It’s time for continuous fire” eg advocating for genocide.

    Netanyahu’s party also sent people with body cameras to polling stations in Arab areas to “monitor” polling sites. *hard eye roll*

    good times.

  2. millie st murderlark

    That’s scary stuff. We’re living in times of extremism and utter madness.

    1. realPolithicks

      Very true millie, the rise of the right in countries like Israel, Hungary, Poland, Italy, Britain and here in the US is alarming.

        1. Basil Brush

          The rise of fascism in the 30s was a direct result of austerity in Germany post WW1…the people had enough and were willing to follow any despot with a simple solution.

          1. mick

            And a final solution
            Seems strange the Israeli’s would go down that route
            Bit like us going back to the British empire

        2. Ian-O

          If you cannot listen to Ogle, I’d suggest you listen to this guy:

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Blyth

          He makes a compelling argument linking the rise of extremism to austerity, among other things and he is fascinating to listen to – both in content and delivery. I’d keep an eye out for him and his commentary quite a bit.

          2. mick

            I cannot listen to the problem with our public sector unionised mentality that is a luxury we cannot afford bit he is bang on about what he says

            Europe is going down a dark path and if you look you see
            Everything from le pen and her gillet jaundice to oban and his anti Muslim
            I watched a news feature on rtoday with some polish minister screaming no Muslim and flooding Poland with cheap Ukrainian workers for the fields

            The EU elections should be a very interesting and disturbing indication to as how right ogle is
            The fact micron wants to establish a media unit rings alarm bells

  3. Andyourpointiswhatexactly?

    I was listening to a Guardian Long Read on (sort of) this topic. Obama (unwittingly), by being critical of the Saudis or the Israelis, pushed them into a sort of understanding. The sands have shifted in the Middle East, empowering the Israelis.

      1. Andyourpointiswhatexactly?

        I dunno—I’m a complete dilettante. I gather he didn’t lick their asses enough—they thought he didn’t offer the requisite amount of support they felt they deserved.

  4. bisted

    …zionist elections are pretty much like US elections…a lose:lose for everyone…zionist project has failed…the only way peace will return will be with the re-establishment of a secular Palestine…

    1. shitferbrains

      you realise that to ” re-establish ” implies that something had a previous existence ? When was there ever a secular Palestine ?

      1. Ian-O

        Before Abraham and his get started with the whole ‘god’ thingy?

        Or perhaps they were pagan/animists before that?

        Who knows?

Comments are closed.