The US and Israel are allies Thomas Friedman to the contrary not withstanding

By Walter E. Block

Thomas Friedman of the New York Times is at it again. He represents the same Newspaper of Record that bought us Walter Duranty, famous for assuring the public that Stalin was a pretty good guy, in the midst of his infamous mass murders. What pray tell is Friedman’s message for us plebians today?

It is that Israel is not a good ally of the United States. Why ever not? This is due to the fact that the only civilized country in the Middle East does not welcome the Gazans as neighbors. Instead, this world class journalist avers that the Jewish state seeks to expand, to take over the enclave located immediately to the west of it, plus Judea, Samaria, which he mistakenly labels as the “West Bank.” Even more egregiouys Israel does not relish the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) as a partner in a two state solution.

Why is this country so obdurate? Why so unreasonable and uncooperative with clear US interests, its supposed ally? This is all due to ingratitude on the part of Benjamin Netanyahu. This, in turn, is traceable to his fear of imprisonment over a few expensive cigars.

Could there be any other possible reason for Israel to be reluctant to have these Arabs as close neighbors? Well, yes, as a matter of fact. Does anyone remember the atrocity of October 7, 2023? Then, more than 1200 innocent civilians were slaughtered by these “good neighbor” Hamas fighters, while Gazans were dancing in the streets in celebration.

What about the “moderate” PLO? Why else might Israel not want to work hand in glove with this terrorist group? That is because it is a terrorist organization!

Several times in the past its leaders, Yasser Arafat and Mahmoud Abbas turned down offers of a second state. The goal was a single state, theirs, and the annihilation of Israel. Does our intrepid journalist offer any evidence to the effect that the PLO has turned a new leaf? To ask this is to answer it: of course he does no such thing. Instead, very much to the contrary, he blatantly contradicts himself and thus gives the game away.

Consider this statement of Friedman’s: “Indeed, this strategy [the displacement of the Gazans], if executed, may not only trigger more war crime accusations against Israel, but will also inevitably threaten the stability of Jordan and the stability of Egypt. Those two pillars of America’s Middle East alliance structure both fear that Netanyahu aims to drive Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank into their countries, which would surely foment instability that would spill over their borders”

This, indeed, is a veritable “smoking gun.” Friedman is outrageously saying that Gazan immigration into Arab countries such as Jordan and Egypt will “foment instability” there. True enough. But if this is so, however more likely is it that they will do so for their sworn enemy, the Jews. If this does let the cat out of the bag, nothing does.

Further, If Egypt and Jordan cannot abide these people, why is our author so intent and insistent to thrust them down the collective throats of the Hebrews? These Arab countries would not unreasonably be reluctant to accept these Gazan Palestinians. They have a habit of biting the hand that tolerates them, that welcomes them. Just ask King Hussain about Black September and all that.

But our New York Times opinion writer is not at all concerned about the risk, the burden, his policies would place upon Israel. He is not inviting these terrorists to live next to him in the Big Apple. Oh, no, their best location is cheek by jowl with the Jews in the Middle East, thank you very much.

This is by no means the first epistle Mr. Friedman has written which if implemented, will have the effect of undermining Israel. Why is he continually attacking the safety and even very existence of this country, which only wants to live in peace?

Only his psychiatrist, if he has one, may know a bit about his motivations in this regard. But this will not stop us from hazarding a few guesses.

One possibility is that he is a self-hating Jew. Why, in turn, are there so many of his ilk around. This, too, is unclear, very much so. Maybe they feel guilty about being a member of the Chosen People? Perhaps it is that they do not relish joining the People of the Book? Possibly, Friedman wants to keep his job at the newspaper of record? He full well knows that supporting the only decent nation in the Middle East will be the kiss of death, employment wise there.

Hey, if he can speak derisively about Netanyahu (“Jewish supremacist,” “not our friend,” “undermining our interests,” “run over past presidents,” “forestall a possible jail term,” “put his personal interests ahead of Israel’s and America’s,” “spinning everyone for two years”) I can return the favor regarding him.