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Stupidity Runs Rampant
By MosheYaroni / April 20, 2009
Mahmoud Ahmedinejad fulfilled all the promise he brought with him to Geneva for the Durban II conference.
He rambled about Israeli racism (whilst one wonders what a Baha’i observer might have been thinking) and said that the “pretext of Jewish suffering” was used to cover Israeli crimes. Ahmadinejad firmly re-established his bona fides as an anti-Semite and a demagogue, and in so doing seriously undermined the good efforts at Durban II.
The conference organizers really wanted to get past the 2001 conference. But their own short-sightedness doomed them. There was every reason to believe that the Iranian leader’s speech was going to be just what it turned out to be – a full rehash of all the 2001 problems. Yet they welcomed him to the podium anyway. Now they have an even more formidable task of trying to overcome both 2001 and Ahmedinejad’s appearance.
In an interesting coincidence, the European Commission had just chastised some of its own member states for boycotting the conference in anticipation of Ahmedinejad’s appearance. And then most of the rest of the EU states walked out on the speech. Ahmedinejad, as this response demonstrates, dealt a serious blow to those who are advocating engagement with Iran and bolstered the case of those who contend, incorrectly, that the Iranian regime cannot be dealt with rationally.
Iran’s history, even under the Islamic Revolutionary regime, has been one of a rational actor pursuing, in many cases with criminal and objectionable means, rational goals of enhancing its own position and power. They can be dealt with. But Ahmedinejad, who is not the head of the Iranian state, has repeatedly shown himself to be an unreasonable figure. In these tense times, with Israel rattling its military sabers, this is a very stupid move.
Once again, the foolish singling out of Israel has undermined the Durban process. This time, it was due to a really stupid decision on the part of the UN conference’s organizers, and despite the fact that this one decision stood in marked contrast to the vast efforts made to avoid just this outcome.
But not be outdone, Israel recalled its ambassador from Switzerland because their prime minister met with Ahmedinejad before his appearance at the conference. The Netanyahu government wanted, apparently, to make sure that Ahmedinejad didn’t corner the market on looking foolish. The Swiss have a long tradition of staying out of others’ disputes and trying to engage and mediate.
Israel knows that very well. Surely they cannot reasonably expect the Swiss government to snub a visiting head of state they are not in conflict with, however objectionable that head of state may be. That’s simply unrealistic. It’s just another move by Bibi to win populist points at home and never mind the expense to Israel’s image in the rest world.
Originally posted at Realistic Peace
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I don;t think I would want to be in the same room with that person. something bad is bound to happen.
Re what ‘Ezra’ said:
No, Israel recalled their ambassador to Switzerland because Switzerland has been speaking with a man who calls repeatedly for Israel to be ‘wiped off the pages of history’. As far back as five years ago, Ahmadinejihad organised a conference entitled ‘A World Without Israel’. He would dearly love to finish what Hitler started. Why on earth wouldn’t Israel react passionately to that???
Switzerland might rationalise that it is being ‘neutral’. But this is not correct. When you entertain and enter into dialogue with a man who calls for the death of Jews, you are not being ‘neutral’. You are being an anti semite. Simple as that.
More to the point,why is a brutal theocracy like Iran even at an anti racism conference? It makes a total mockery of the entire thing!
It’s sad to see how those people have to suffer under someone who is so strict and cruel. I wish there was a way to help them.
I’m guessing that Israel recalled their Swiss ambassador to heighten pressure on the EU, and beef up the case that Ahmedinejad is not to be dealt with. Clumsy but effective – not such a stupid move.
Surely every sane person is wondering: why was a wannabe Hitler like Mahmoud giving a ‘guest speech’ at an Anti Racism conference in the first place?
It’s the equivalent of asking Holocaust Denier par excellence, David Irving, to give a History lecture!
Iran abuses human rights day in, day out. Christians are, right now, languishing in prison, purely because they ARE Christians. Mad Mahmoud has repeatedly vowed to destroy Israel. Indeed, back in 2005, he held an entire conference entitled: ‘A World Without Israel’.
And this is who gets to give a speech on Anti Racism…? It defies all logic.
Kudos to the countries that have boycotted the farce that is Durban II. Shame on those that have not – especially Britain.
I also disagree with the author of this post. I think Israel had every right to recall their ambassador from Switzerland. Mad Mahmoud espouses the exact same sentiment as Hitler. Why is it too much to expect – to demand even – that the free world REJECTS OUTRIGHT any and all dealings with Mahmoud UNTIL AND UNLESS he recognises Israel’s right to exist?
http://ajewwithaview.wordpress.com
politicians are doomed from the start. they are very narrow minded and only able to work with people who will help them in return. who cares about the greater good!
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