By all means, François Hollande, fill that Middle East void

Ami Kaufman By Ami Kaufman November 19, 2013 | Edit

With the U.S. once again failing to forge peace in Israel-Palestine, why not give someone else a shot?

By all means, François Hollande, fill that Middle East void
French President François Hollande with Israeli PM Netanyahu in Jerusalem, November 17, 2013. (Photo: Kobi Gideon / GPO)

There’s been quite a bit of talk lately on how France and Russia are attempting to exert more influence in the Middle East. The claim is that the U.S. has shown weakness in the region, and there is a void that needs to be filled. The most recent example of this so called “weakness” was Washington’s hesitant and clumsy reaction to recent events in Syria.

French President François Hollande is just wrapping up a visit in Israel and the West Bank. During the visit, Netanyahu hugged the man so often, one would hope they would just quit and get a room already. Hollande, visiting on the heels of nuclear negotiations in which he took a staunch position against easing up on Iran, was hailed as a hero by Netanyahu and his government.

But, to be honest, if Hollande and France are going to fill any void, it should be the void of leadership concerning the occupation. Because let’s face it, the U.S. “leadership” hasn’t brought any results. Au contraire: military rule has deepened, the settlements have tripled in size, not to mention that there are now Israeli ministers telling CNN’s Christiane Amanpour that there’s no occupation to begin with(!).

(And can someone please tell me what the deal is with Naftali Bennett holding things in his hand as he speaks (minute 6:50)?)

So, maybe it would be a good thing if France and some other Europeans finally got off their tushes and did something. Wouldn’t that be a good thing? Especially after 20 years of failed talks, and with the latest round deemed by many a failure already?

I say in that case, François, by all means! Come and fill the void!

——————————

Rumor has it Netanyahu has a new single out with his band, the Bibi Boys, about his hatred for Iran. +972 got hold of the lyrics, which were apparently co-written with Beach Boy Brian Wilson. I kid you not. (OK, I kid you, I kid you).

Ran ran, Hate Iran
I hate Iran
Yeah
Hate Iran ran ran I hate Iran
I hate Iran
Hate Iran ran ran I hate Iran
Most the time
Hate Iran ran ran I hate Iran
At almost any cost
Hate Iran ran ran I hate Iran
Avert a holocaust

I’m gettin’ bugged with enrichment, it’s the same old prank
I gotta steer the attention far from the ‘ole West Bank

My generals and I are gettin’ real gun prone
Yeah, the Ayatollahs know they better leave us alone

I hate Iran
Hate Iran ran ran I hate Iran
Most the time
Hate Iran ran ran I hate Iran
At almost any cost
Hate Iran ran ran I hate Iran
Avert a holocaust
I hate Iran, ran oooo
Wah wa ooo
Wah wa ooo
Wah wa ooo

I try to bite the hand that feeds me every day
That’s why I wanna pick a fight with the U.S. of A.

I show them no respect cause it wouldn’t be sane
To let our fate be decided by a guy named Hussein

I hate Iran
Hate Iran ran ran I hate Iran
Most the time
Hate Iran ran ran I hate Iran
At almost any cost
Hate Iran ran ran I hate Iran
Avert a holocaust oooo

Related:
A pro-Israel hawk to draft Kerry’s peace plan?
Recognizing that Europe and the U.S. support the occupation 

Ami Kaufman

Ami Kaufman was chief night editor for Haaretz, for the prominent Israeli financial daily Calcalist, and correspondent on Israeli affairs for 93.6 RAM FM, a joint Palestinian-Israel radio station. His interest in food and cooking led to culinary studies at the "Israeli CIA" (Tadmor, Herzliya) and a brief stint in the restaurant business. Born in Tel Aviv, Ami lives in Bat Yam with his wife and two daughters. In his spare time he blogs at Half & Half.

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