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February 13, 2012
Binyamin Rose: Back to the Bunker: How a life-risking act by a Christian family during the Holocaust saved a family and built a thriving community a world away
Menachem Wecker: Business Schools Teach Real Estate Despite Troubled Housing Market
February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Dec. 22, 2003
/ 27 Kislev, 5764
What Sharon knows about talking dogs
By Zev Chafets
Those who were outraged by Ariel Sharon's recent remarks about the future of greater Israel weren't paying close enough attention
http://www.jewishworldreview.com |
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon gave a much anticipated speech last week about his plans for the future. Like all good Sharon clarifications, it confused everyone.
Sharon came out for negotiations based on the American road map (the European-UN version is a dead letter). "We wish to speedily advance implementation of the road map toward quiet and a genuine peace. We hope the Palestinian Authority will carry out its part," he said.
Then came the but. "If in a few months the Palestinians still continue to disregard their part in implementing the road map, then Israel will initiate the unilateral security step of disengagement from the Palestinians."
Israeli hard-liners were horrified because "disengagement" means dismantling some settlements. Palestinians were outraged by what they heard as an ultimatum. In Washington, some administration spokesmen applauded Sharon's fidelity to the two-state road map, while others made "do as we say, not as we do" noises against unilateral Israeli action.
Everyone, it seems, missed the key words in Sharon's speech: "in a few months."
This phrase invokes a Polish-Jewish folk tale that is at the very heart of Sharon's planning.
In the story, a great nobleman decides to expel the Jews living in his domain. The Jews send a delegation to reason with him, but to no avail. As they are leaving the palace, the rabbi points to the nobleman's hunting dog.
"A beautiful animal," says the rabbi. "Can he speak?"
"Of course not. Dogs can't speak."
"In one year, I can teach your dog to speak perfect Polish," says the rabbi.
"Done," says the nobleman. "If the dog talks in a year, you Jews can stay. Otherwise, you go."
On the way back home, one of the Jews asks the rabbi, "Do you really think you can teach the dog to talk?"
"Don't be silly."
"Then why did you say you could?"
"He gave me a year," says the rabbi. "That means we don't have to leave now. And who knows what can happen in a year. The dog could die. For that matter, the nobleman could die."
With the fall of Saddam Hussein, the Middle East is in real motion for the first time since the 1967 Six-Day War. Nobody knows what will happen. Libya's Moammar Khadafy already appears to be switching to the American side. The Syrian Baathists, fearing a similar fate, may also want to cut a deal. The Iranians are scrambling. Saudi royals are terrified by their own terrorists. Meanwhile, the most pro-Israeli President in history is running for reelection.
Sharon knows he can't make the Palestinian dog talk "in a few months." Dogs don't learn new tricks. The Palestinians will continue to bark enthusiastically for Saddam and Osama Bin Laden and the jihad and the extermination of Israel. They will chase after buses and blow them up. And, as they did to Bill Clinton at Camp David, they will continue to bite the hand of any American President who tries to feed them a compromise.
While they do, Sharon won't have to move a single settlement. Or if he does, it will be for his own domestic political reasons; Israelis are sick of sending soldiers to protect outposts of fanatics living in trailers. He'll just fast-forward the security fence he is building in the West Bank.
This is the actual import of Sharon's deadline of "a few months." It is sufficient to complete the fence and, essentially, create a new border Israel can live with.
Sharon knows what the rabbi knew: A few months can turn into forever.
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JWR contributor Zev Chafets is a columnist for The New York Daily News. Comment by clicking here.
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© 2003, NY Daily News
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