Unsolicited Advice for Israel

Bibi Netanyahu's won a clear majority

Because most Israelis trust him with security.

Wants a coalition formed with parties to his right

Making any chance for peace with Palestine seem slight.

Bibi's withdrawn his support for the 2 state solution

Even though his new position could spark revolution...

Even though the world believes there's gotta be 2 states

Bibi wants to keep on building walls and closing gates.

'though I'm not from Israel and don't walk in their shoes,

I can't see how that improves security for Jews.

Killing hopes of Palestinians still talking peace

Seems to guarantee that fighting there will never cease.

"No-one's Ever Lost Money Betting Against Peace in the Middle East"

(Courtesy of Truthdig.com)

Israelis and Palestinians are on the outs...

Secretary Kerry wants to soothe them.  I've my doubts.

Israel's reneged on deals to set some prisoners free.

Talks are breaking down because the 2 sides can't agree.

Netanyahu doesn't trust Abbas (who feels the same.)

Currently, they both insist the other guy's to blame.

Palestinians are angry, and they have a right

Watching new Israeli settlements grow overnight.

Now Abbas is saying he'll appeal to the U.N.

That derails the framework talks and nothing happens then.

Kerry's gone to see if there's another thing to try;

Rumor says we might release an old Israeli spy.

If we plan to free their spy we should get something back;

Major issues needing breakthroughs aren't a thing we lack.

Make them stop the settlements and honor deals they've made;

If there aren't concessions then it isn't worth the trade.

Dear Secretary Kerry... Sincere Sympathies on Your Dream Job

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry...  Poor bastard.

Secretary Kerry has his work cut out for him;

Situation in the Middle East is pretty grim.

Civil war in Syria; the circumstances dire.

Innocent civilians getting caught in the crossfire.

Plus 2 million refugees have packed their things and fled.

Assad's neighbors have to try and keep those people fed.

War's been dragging on for 2 years now; no end in sight.

The United States stayed on the sidelines of the fight.

Now - so rumor has it - CIA is helping out;

Shipping arms to rebels so the battle's not a rout.

Trying hard to pick and choose who's gonna get the guns

In a region that's known warfare since Attila's Huns.

Egypt's on the brink of a collapse...  They're out of cash.

Thus, their fragile government may hit a wall and smash.

Even with intentions that are pure as driven snow,

Morsi's in a bind if the economy won't grow.

And, of course, there's Israel and Palestine, as well.

You call that the Holy Land?  It's more akin to Hell.

It's no wonder Hillary decided that she'd quit;

Let poor Secretary Kerry try to deal with it.

Across the Pond - Pharaoh Morsi

Figured that Thanksgiving was ideal to take a break.

Thought it would be quiet; that was clearly a mistake.

Egypt has a Pharaoh now; the Muslim Brotherhood

Placed itself beyond the law and that, my friends, ain't good.

Morsi says his actions won't be subject to review...

Neither judges nor the law can tell him what to do.

Says it's only temporary; his intentions pure.

Demonstrators back in Tahrir Square don't seem as sure.

Morsi was elected as the President because

The reformers couldn't choose which candidate theirs was.

Liberal choices split the vote; Conservatives stepped in.

Feels as if the Arab Spring released an evil djinn.

Middle East is frightening with Syria, Iran,

(Not to mention our poor troops still in Afghanistan)

Israel and Palestine and Turkey's bomb request...

Almost every one of them wants something from the West.

Across the Pond - Israel: A Conversation With My Son

Graphic credit/homran.wordpress.com

Yesterday my youngest son and I were in the car

And (as is per usual) were tuned to NPR.

With the news about Hamas and Gaza on the air

He asked me if I'd explain the problem over there.

Sure, my love...  No worries - and we'll do string theory next.

Once upon a time there were these three, religious sects...

And, depending how far back in history you go,

They all have a claim to land.  Who's right? I do not know.

And, it's hard to say exactly who owned what stuff last.

Many folks want vengeance there, for wrongs done in the past. 

Israel believes they face an existential threat...

That, my son, means it's as big as these things ever get.

Problem is that threat applies, as well, to Palestine.

Both sides shooting missiles; each has crossed the other's line.

Israel's surrounded by a troubled neighborhood.

I'm afraid there may be war and that, my love's, not good.

They must find a path to peace - there has to be a fix.

Find it fast before Egypt and Jordan join the mix.

Don't ask me what they should do.  I haven't got a clue.

Should have gone with quantum physics darlin'.  I warned you.