Yes, Israel is a banana republic

Moshe Arens
Haaretz
23 November '10

In December 1981, in response to Washington's criticism of Israeli policies, Prime Minister Menachem Begin summoned the U.S. ambassador and told him that Israel was not a "banana republic." As for the American demand that Israel repeal the Golan Heights Law, Begin said to the American ambassador that "there is no force on earth that can bring about its rescission."

Surprisingly enough, U.S.-Israeli ties improved following Begin's determined stand in defense of Israel's interests. U.S. President Ronald Reagan and his Secretary of State, Alexander Hague, learned to respect Begin for his steadfastness and honesty. Yitzhak Shamir, as well, who was not prepared to give an inch when it came to Israel's interests, earned the respect and even admirations of U.S. Secretary or State George Shultz.

Those were times when Israel asserted its independence and was really not a banana republic, even though it was considerably weaker economically than it is today.

But now, every time our prime minister visits Washington or receives a message from there, he backtracks on principles he has sworn to defend. His promises that brought him victory in the last elections are gone with the wind.

(Read full article)

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