There are many governments in Europe coming to the realization of Israels growing value to the democratic world as a giant aircraft carrier in the heart of the Arab Spring. There are those who accept it as a fait accompli. Even the fading memory of the Holocaust still plays a role for some. On the other hand, there are Muslim elements gaining strength in Europe too. At the same time, they are adopting anti-Semitic themes while working to undermine the state of the Jews. Foreign policy is a delicate matter. One does not say freely whats on his or her mind, nor does one think whatever he or she says. Diplomacy is exhibiting the ability to speak smoothly and to play along with protocol and routine niceties. Not everyone is cut out for it. While Avigdor Lieberman may have read "The Prince" by Machiavelli, its evident that he is incapable of playing the game it prescribes. When comparing Israels predicament to that of Czechoslovakia and Europes betrayal of Prague in 1938 as a precursor to what it is planning now against Jerusalem in 2012, Lieberman paints an erroneous picture. What makes matters worse is that his statements play into the hands of Israels enemies. Initially, the Europeans are stunned by the comparison and are quick to protest. Afterward, they express their anger. Lastly, they warn that unlike the other Israelis, the residents of the settlements in Judea and Samaria will be required to carry special entry visas upon setting foot on European soil. Liebermans style also doesnt win voters for the joint Likud-Beytenu list. Polls released yesterday show that if elections were held today, all of the upheaval and intrigue taking place within and between the rival political blocs are having no effect on the final tally. The foreign minister is forcing his government and his party to pay a hefty price in exchange for nothing. The world according to Netanyahu My identity card is testament to my adamant opposition to draft-dodging or refusal to follow IDF orders, so I am sympathetic to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus objection to Professor Rivka Feldhays presence at a round-table discussion last week featuring a number of academics alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Feldhay, however, was invited to the event by the German Embassy in Tel Aviv. The topic of conversation was scientific cooperation between Israel and Germany, an issue completely unrelated to draft-dodging. Perhaps the Israeli government should have requested to see the list of invitees in advance. Instead, the list was seen only after the invitations had been sent. Feldhay, a professor at Tel Aviv University, and her colleagues, are not official representatives of the state, and the discussion dealt solely with their academic work. Her exclusion was unjust and served no benefit. Despite Netanyahus pledge to Hebrew University President Menahem Ben-Sasson that freedom of speech in academia will be preserved, at the far end of the long tunnel one can notice a red light, a warning that carries with it the echoes of book-burnings.
