By his own standard, Chuck Schumer is insane
By Gary Willingis
If repeating the same thing and expecting different results is a sign of insanity, as Schumer claims, how do we classify those who still tout the Two-State-Solution? Op-ed.
The Senate Majority Leader called for the removal of Israel’s democratically-elected prime minister, saying that doing the same thing and expecting a different result is insanity, while he himself was pushing the same policies that have failed for decades.
"They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”
These words were spoken by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in his unprecedented speech last week calling for the end and replacement of Israel’s democratically elected government.
How ironic is it then that the policy Schumer championed so much during his speech is precisely that.
Th two reasons Schumer claimed Benjamin Netanyahu can no longer remain the Prime Minister of the State of Israel and must now be considered an “obstacle to peace” are his empowerment of parties to the right of the Likud and his current rejection of the Two-State Solution.
The Two-State Solution has been the policy of the US for decades, implicitly during the 90s and the period of the Oslo Accords, and explicitly since the early 2000s. Schumer, in basing all his hopes for peace on the Two-State Solution, is himself guilty of “doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”
The idea of the Two-State Solution dates back to the 1930s and the Peel Commission, whose recommendation that mandatory Palestine be split into an Arab and a Jewish state, with the Jewish state being too small to be viable, was rejected by the Arab side. The 1947 UN Partition Plan, which would have created an Arab state, was similarly rejected by the Arab side even as the Jewish side celebrated it.
The reason the Israeli government no longer accepts the Two-State Solution is because it is attempting to learn from past mistakes. Prime Ministers Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert did all they could to create a Palestinian Arab state alongside Israel, only for their offers to be met with more terrorism. Ariel Sharon, in what turned out to be a blunder of historic proportions, withdrew all Israeli civilians and soldiers from the Gaza Strip in 2005. Rather than prove they were ready for or capable of responsible statehood and build a Mediterranean version of Singapore, Gazans elected Hamas, which deliberately turned Gaza into a failed state whose only purpose was to wage war on the Jews.
Without the Oslo Accords, the horrors of October 7 would not have happened.
Without the Disengagement, the horrors of October 7 would not have happened.
Israelis have learned this the hard way, which is why support for the Two-State Solution has dropped from about two thirds a decade ago to two thirds opposing this ‘solution’ today.
While he claims that it is Netanyahu who is “stuck in the past,” Schumer and all those who are pushing for a Two-State Solution now have learned nothing from this history. They are stuck in the 90s, living in a world before the campaign of suicide bombings, before the thousands of rockets fired from Gaza and Lebanon, and before thousands of terrorists stormed southern Israel in an orgy of death and destruction.
The insanity of Schumer’s position can be seen in one of the few good parts of his speech, when he admitted that Hamas and Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas are also “obstacles to peace” and the achievement of his beloved Two-State Solution, and need to be removed.
In other words, everyone is an obstacle to peace in Schumer’s world. How can a solution be viable if literally everyone is an obstacle to it?
Even the left in Israel has largely turned away from the Two State Solution. That is how 99 out of 120 MKs voted for a resolution condemning international attempts to force the creation of a Palestinian state.
Even if a left-wing government were established in Israel, Hamas destroyed, and Abbas replaced with a new leader who represented the Palestinian Arabs, it would still take time to rebuild the kind of trust necessary to begin to allow Israelis to consider the Two-State Solution again. And this is without taking into account the very serious problem that the vast majority of Palestinian Arabs support the atrocities of October7.
Any peace will require not only the eradication of Hamas, but a complete change in the very culture of the Palestinian Authority, a change that will likely take decades even if handled perfectly.
By refusing to acknowledge this, by pushing the same policies that have failed again and again and have only resulted in thousands of deaths and will only result in thousands more if Israel does what he wants, Schumer proves that he is the one who is guilty of “doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”
Advocating for a policy whose only possible result under the current circumstances would be more death and more war seems insane. But then again, if held to the standards of his own definition, Chuck Schumer would be deemed insane.
Gary Willigis a member of the Arutz Sheva news staff
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Radical Islamists have burrowed their way into every aspect of our society and unless pursued they are able to do significant damage. Attached is a brief story of one such pursuit that was successful.
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How the Nation of Islam Joins the Mainstream and How It Iwas Expelled by Dexter Van Zile's Efforts.
It took almost a year, but a Middle East Forum exposé published in May 2023 prompted the recent departure of True-See Allah from his position at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office in Massachusetts. Allah held this post despite being a vocal supporter of Louis Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam leader notorious for his anti-white racism in general and antisemitism in particular. How did Allah achieve mainstream status in Boston politics despite his radicalism? What does the reluctance to fire him reveal? What lessons can be learned from this episode
Dexter Van Zile, MEF's Violin Family Research Fellow, is managing editor of Focus on Western Islamism (FWI). He previously worked at the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (CAMERA), where he dealt primarily with Christian journalism concerning Israel. Mr. Van Zile’s writings have appeared in the Boston Globe, Jerusalem Post, and elsewhere. He holds a BA from the University of Puget Sound and an MA from Western Washington University.
And:
Michael Pregent on How Turkey, Qatar, and Iraq Are Exploiting Their U.S. Military Assets
by Marilyn Stern-Middle East Forum Webinar
Michael Pregent, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and former U.S. Army intelligence officer, spoke to a March 4 Middle East Forum Podcast (video). The following summarizes his comments:
In dealing with Turkey, Qatar, and Iraq — U.S. allies "in name only" because each "give[s] our adversaries advantage" — the Biden administration's "weak foreign policy team" has "ceded" U.S. leverage to our "frenemies." Although these countries take advantage of our military bases located in the region, "we should be able to use U.S. power to pause and change the minds of our adversaries, and we're not doing that."
Qatar presents itself as a mediator representing Washington's interests in conflicts with regional adversaries. However, in each instance, Doha-brokered deals handed our adversaries an "advantage." Qatar brokered on behalf of, and to the advantage of, the Taliban in Afghanistan, and it is currently negotiating on behalf of Hamas with Israel.
"[Qatar] cannot host a U.S. base and host Hamas leadership, fund terrorism, [and] foment violence" in the U.S. and abroad, or silence Israel experts in Washington think tanks since October 7 because of the billions it poured into D.C. institutions. A telling example is how Qatar shrewdly wields influence with U.S. politicians. Doha "injects economic stimulus into South Carolina," and weeks later Senator Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) is "praising Qatar" as a mediator and ally while "condemning Saudi Arabia."
Qatar speciously claims leverage on behalf of the U.S., but the only leverage Qatar has with any terrorist group it funds is "telling the terrorist group that they have leverage with U.S. politicians." The U.S. should deny Qatar its "major U.S. non-NATO status" and threaten to sanction its key entities for funding Hamas. "The mere threat of U.S. disfavor from U.S. sanctions ... would knock our frenemies back on their heels."
In Iraq, U.S. bases "cannot conduct attacks against militias inside of Iraq." Instead, the U.S. had to launch a drone strike from the United Arab Emirates, not from Qatar or Turkey. Yet Washington would have leverage if it would exert smart power over Iraq's former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki and Hadi al-Amiri of Iraq's Badr Corps. Both al-Maliki and al-Amiri know ahead of time when U.S. bases will be targeted. Threatening to impose sanctions on their assets would give them pause.
U.S. administrations that fail to threaten sanctions give our adversaries an advantage, as U.S. foreign policy failures since 2020 demonstrate. Our military in Iraq is defending itself against the Iranian regime's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)-backed Shia militias, and it ceded Afghanistan to the Taliban. The Biden administration squanders its leverage in Iraq to the Iranian regime and to the Iranian-sponsored militias that endanger American troops. If "we can't be tough with our allies, we are certainly not [going to be] tough with our enemies."
Turkey, "a NATO ally," continues to bypass U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil and undermines U.S. interests by empowering Moscow with technology Russia uses in its war against Ukraine. Hamas's leaders, fearful of being targeted by the Israel in Qatar, relocated to Turkey. Turkey's president Erdoğan taunts Israel with repercussions if it dares to make good on its threat to target Hamas leaders while ignoring the dual-citizen Americans who are still held hostage in Gaza. The "Biden/Obama foreign policy team" eschews using the "levers of power" to gain the advantage for the U.S. Instead, it pressures Israel to agree to a ceasefire.
When it comes to gathering and assessing intelligence, the administration is stuck in a "Cold War mentality that the only proof is an intercepted phone call between two leaders." But today, that's not how it happens anymore." Instead, intelligence is gathered via monitoring the chatter and in-person meetings. Hamas commandos were trained in Iran, Hamas officers by Qatari police, and Hamas and IRGC officials met in Beirut two weeks before October 7 — "you have to see all the things that are in front of you."
The U.S. military bases in Qatar and Turkey are unnecessary. Our air base in Qatar was built for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, both of which are over. It can now be moved to Bahrain or Dubai. In Turkey, during the invasion of Iraq in Desert Storm and during the ISIS campaign, the U.S. was unable to use the Incirlik air base.
Our air base in Qatar was built for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, both of which are over. It can now be moved to Bahrain or Dubai.
Given Erdoğan's animus towards U.S. interests, Turkey should be disqualified from voting on whether to allow a member into NATO, "especially under Erdoğan." Under both the Trump and Biden administrations, Turkey was allowed to skirt sanctions because the U.S. feared Turkey would lean towards Russia and China. "Until they are told they can't" skirt sanctions, Turkey, Qatar, and Iraq will continue to have the advantage.
In the current election year, the Iranian-backed Houthis are "testing red lines" by firing missiles and conducting drone strikes on global shipping traversing the Bab al-Mandab strait. IRGC and Hezbollah advisors on the ground in Yemen enable the Houthis to launch attacks and are designated by the U.S. as legitimate targets. The U.S. should eliminate two targeting platforms, the Iran-linked Saviz and Behshad cargo ships. Once those are destroyed, Houthi missiles that strike Russian and Chinese flag vessels will result in "immense pressure" from these countries on Tehran to "shut down" the Houthis.
At present, our adversaries believe they have a "green light" to get away with as much as they can. "The U.S. needs to send a strong signal," and U.S. Army Commander, General Kurilla, "a force," could communicate to Iran that the U.S. will "target high-value targets" unless the regime reins in its proxies. "When Iran feels pain, this will stop, and Iran has not felt pain yet."
Marilyn Stern is communications coordinator at the Middle East Forum.
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Now that the Houthis have begun to rocket Israel, the longer BIBI waits to attack Iran the threat to Israel will escalate. Biden is only going to avoid every opportunity to protect America, shipping in the area as well as Israel.
It is easy to be hawkish. However, everything I have feared has come to pass, albeit later than I predicted.
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TPUSA Faith
Richard,
What scares the devil
A room FILLED with over 2000 pastors and ministry leaders.
Strong Church Dream Conference
AND that's exactly what happened at the Strong Church Dream Conference 2024, and it was a sight to behold!
Thanks to your unwavering support, we witnessed the LARGEST gathering of pastors for TPUSA Faith. Your dedication to our mission made it possible for these ministry leaders to come together, learn from one another, and be equipped to stand BOLDLY for the Kingdom
One panel that I deeply enjoyed was on Biblical Masculinity, featuring Josh Chumley, Shane Winnings, and Victor Marx.
Dream Conference Panel
Make the Devil Mad
These men offered practical guidance on how men can live out their faith and make the devil mad. If you missed it, I highly recommend watching the full panel
In a world that often seems to be straying from God's design, it's more important than ever for men to embody the characteristics of a biblical man - humble, empathetic, bold, patient, self-reflective, charismatic, and wise.
By controlling their emotions, providing for and protecting their families, and following God's plan for true masculinity, these men are shining examples of what it means to live out faith in action.
At TPUSA Faith, we're committed to equipping pastors, empowering men, reaching the next generation, and highlighting those who have courageously stood for righteousness. Your support allows us to continue this vital work, and we couldn't be more grateful.
As we reflect on the success of the Strong Church Dream Conference 2024, I'm convinced that we can change the future of America. Together, we're making a real difference in the American Culture War for Christ.
God bless you,
Charlie Kirk -TPUSA Faith
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