Kahane tribute may damage Mideast peace talks

[Scurrilous]

US warns Israelis against commemorating anniversary of death of Jewish terrorist.

<snip>

"A plan by right-wing legislators in Israel to commemorate the anniversary this month of the death of Meir Kahane, whose banned anti-Arab movement is classified as a terrorist organisation, risks further damaging the prospects for talks between Israel and the Palestinians, US officials have warned.

A move to stage the commemoration in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, is being led by Michael Ben-Ari, who was elected this year and is the first self-declared former member of Kahane’s party, Kach, to become a legislator since the movement was banned 15 years ago.

The US Embassy, in Tel Aviv, has sent a series of e-mails to Reuven Rivlin, the parliamentary speaker, asking that he intervene to block the event.

According to US officials, pressure is being exerted on behalf of George Mitchell, the US president Barack Obama’s envoy to the region, who is concerned that it will add to his troubles as Israeli and Palestinian leaders clash over a possible move by the Palestinians to issue a unilateral declaration of statehood.

Some Israeli legislators have warned that Mr Ben-Ari and his supporters are gaining a stronger foothold in parliament, in an indication of the country’s increasing lurch rightwards.

"Ben-Ari and the advisers he has brought with him are unabashed representatives for Kach and Kahane’s ideas," said Ahmed Tibi, an Arab legislator and the deputy speaker. "What we have is in effect a terrorist cell in the parliament."

<snip>

"Mr Ben-Ari, one of four members of the National Union elected to the 120-seat parliament, has included two former Kach activists, Baruch Marzel and Itimar Ben Gvir, who are leaders of the far-right Jewish National Front, as his parliamentary advisers. Mr Ben-Ari has never disavowed his support for Kahane, telling the Jerusalem Post newspaper this month that Kahane “dedicated his whole life to Israel … He was a great man and a great leader.”

This month Mr Ben-Ari was the voice on an advertisement on the Israeli radio station Reshet Bet to promote a public memorial service for Kahane held by his family. It was also reported that for the first time posters had been placed in many central areas of Jerusalem publicising the event and declaring "We all know now – Meir Kahane was right."

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[Sezu]

1. Poor idea indeed yet little is

ever said about Palestinians celebrating their terrorists as heroes. And there are a ton more of the latter than the former.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

2. Llittle is said." Are you kidding me?

[LeftishBrit]

3. Huh?

'little is ever said about Palestinians celebrating their terrorists as heroes'

Things are said about that all the time!

[Violet_Crumble]

7. What absolute bullshit!

Of course there's a lot said about Palestinian terrorists being celebrated as heroes. Guess what? It's a poor idea for either Israeli or Palestinians to do it, and how many there are doesn't have anything to do with it...

[Djinn]

8. guess today must be red letter day

because a 10 second news check of "palestinian terrorist celebrated" came up with a SHITLOAD of hits. Never let truth get in the way of your propaganda though huh?

[LeftishBrit]

4. Ben-Ari is disgusting.

[IndianaGreen]

5. C'mon, let them puncture the bullshit balloon that is the peace process

Let them expose themselves for the racist fucks they are!

[Ken Burch]

6. "MAY damage Mideast Peace Talks"?

Gee...Y'think?

:eyes:

[IndianaGreen]

9. Did I miss the news? Are they are having peace talks?

Same old shit!