28 Mar 2024
Sunday 24 September 2017 - 17:21
Story Code : 277050

Benjamin Netanyahu, penguins and the United Nations

American Herald Tribune | BINOY KAMPMARK: While he is very much the traditional politician, whose sheen has been corrupted, whose approach to policy merits suspicion,Israels Benjamin Netanyahu was happy with US President Donald Trump. Trump had just given a rousing display of realpolitik before the United Nations General Assembly, though it was less a case of Machiavelli than an instance of plain, boardroom mannered bullying. America First had made its boisterous debut, andIsraelwas not going to miss out.

Certainly not Sara Netanyahu, who decided that watching Trump in action (a good friend of the family, as is constantly reiterated) would be far better done in the first row of diplomats rather than the balcony, where Trumps wife was left.

Not that people should have made much of a fuss. Policy decisions, prejudices and sentiments are well articulated from the podium of many a UN address, but these tend to be more froth than substance. The diplomats, in time, will clean up the mess, mop the walls and tidy up the stalls. Most analysts will tell anybody who will listen, writes Joshua Davidovich for theTimes of Israel, that speeches at the UN General Assembly are largely pabulum.

This pabulum had to begin with the language of drama, one suggesting that anything personal in the prime ministers life was bound to be globally significant.Israel was facing a revolutionin its standing among the nations. Countries had suddenly woken up to Israeli prowess, its throbbing inner genius.Israel, the innovation nation, the miracle worker in agriculture, cybersecurity, medicine, autonomous vehicles.

Any potion of exceptionalism aUSpolitician offers can be bettered by an Israeli one.Israel, Netanyahu told delegate members, had become something of a clearing house for anti-terrorist expertise. In recent years,Israelhas provided intelligence that has prevented dozens of major terrorist attacks around the world.

And leaders of the world were curious, wondrous, delighted. They came to see for themselves, to taste the heavenly manna and drink its magical waters. Trump had visited in May and stood at the Western Wall and when the president touched those ancient stones, he touched our hearts forever. Then there was the visit by Indian Prime Minister Modi more Israeli ingenuity on show.

It also followed that the Israeli leader would be something of a jetsetter too, racking up his frequent flyer ledger. Africa featured (Israeli innovators increasing crop yields); Asia (the deepening of ties withChinaandSingapore); and advancing cooperation withAzerbaijanandKazakhstan moderate Muslim states, of course.

The time for a comic turn was nigh. One year, six continents. But what ofAntarctica? Yes, the good prime minister was hoping to visit the continent of ice having heard that penguins are also enthusiastic ofIsrael. They had little difficulty acknowledging that some things are black and white, are right and wrong. Remarkable.

Nentayahu could not avoid returning to a theme so worn it is falling off its hinges: theIrannuclear deal, the perception that any arrangement with Teheran made with the international community must smack of conciliatoriness to the death dealing mullahs. Be wary of the sunset clause on restrictions placed on them; be wary of a nuclear-armed Iranian-Islamist empire.

In so doing, he managed to shoot a line of Farsi to the Iranian people, a doffing of the cap. A degree of bootlicking was also offered every Israeli leader needs to be dexterous: President Trump rightly called the nuclear deal withIran he called it an embarrassment.

It was, according to Yossi Verter inHaaretz, the black against all the shining white that is modern, innovative Israel, whose seawater the Indian prime minister drank two minutes after it had been desalinated. As for the Iranian deal, it was fix it, or nix it.

But things have not been going well for Netanyahu. While attempting to keep the show smooth and going on the international road, his domestic affairs are suffering. One version of this is offered by Yoaz Hendel, a soft variant that almost comes across as fawning, apologetic, sympathetic.

Its like there are two prime ministers. One is suitable, proper, managing to wrangle unprecedented support out of theUSpresident and advances ties with moderate Arab states. The other is busy with the former house manager in his residence, takeout trays and the terrible stories about him in the media.

While performing inNew York, Netanyahu was evidently fronting for his audience inIsrael, attempting to shore up sliding positions with is pitch to greatness. Members of the law are keeping an eye on him, those in the Justice Ministry mulling over whether he is worth charging over instances of corruption, abusing former household staff or a scandal over deposits on empty bottles.

Israels citizens are doing likewise. According to Verter, He was trying to appease his people inZionwho, because of the late hour of his speech, 10 p.m., werent able to watch him during the usual hour of 8 to 9.

A truly motley array of positions, then. Netanyahu, the potential suspect pleading for mercy; Netanyahu the great statesman and head of an enterprising, indestructible society thriving against the odds; Netanyahu the wise crack specialist with an inner knowledge of a penguins moral compass. And Netanyahu the singer of praise for a certain Donald Trump.
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