Norway, Ireland, and Spain decide to recognize Palestine. We also talk about the good news we just received about the Afghan family we’re trying to get to Canada—and how Milei offended the Spanish.
Hamas has not won but they are winning what they want: the degradation of Israel’s support in the West. They know that Hamas will never be loved and aren’t trying for that.
I am assuming this was taped before the UK election announcement. My general assumption is while I don't believe the UK election directly affects what might happen in the US, I do have to believe a Labour party blowout(and what I mean by blowout is when someone like Michael Gove who Claire reposted a speech from today loses his own constituency) as many are expecting is bad for Israel and bad for a certain type of National Review reading Nikki Haley type conservative like o'h Thomas M Gregg and Steve Fleischer(I am pretty confident that WigWag is on Team Nigel Farage). Anyways excitedly awaiting Jon's thoughts tomorrow.
More specifically on the subject of Israel perhaps we should not be speculating on Bibi being replaced by a more "moderate" leader but being replaced by a full throated Kahanist like Bev-Gvir or Ben-Smotrich. Would a Starmer blowout in the UK cause Israel to go even further right in anger towards the UK election result?
I'm glad to note that "The Elephant Cage," which owes its name to my brain wave, has so far maintained a high standard of commentary, leavened with a pinch of snark. The one thing that has always worried me about Claire is that she might succumb to that deadly virtue, earnestness. You flirt with it, Caire, but so far you haven't gone over the edge. Just be careful.
It should surprise no one that Spain recognized a Palestinian State. Spain has been vitriolic in its antisemitism at least since it expelled its Jews in 1492. Half of Spain’s Jews left and many died in their sojourn to new homes. Half remained and converted to Christianity but many, perhaps most, continued to secretly practice their old religion.
A good case can be made that the Don Juan story (later used as the motivation for Don Giovanni by Mozart and Da Ponte) and even Don Quixote were sub rosa critiques of the Spanish character. As critiques, they were viciously critical.
In 2011, David P. Goldman published a fascinating discussion of this in “Tablet” magazine. It is well worth a look for anyone interested in Mozart or Shakespeare.
By the way, the librettist for Don Giovanni was an Italian Jewish convert to Christianity, Lorenzo. Da Ponte. That he should feel no love towards the antisemitic Spanish should be no surprise. His lyrics are a biting criticism of Giovanni who is a character that originally appeared in a Spanish novel. Ironically, Da Ponte eventually left Italy and settled in New York. He was employed as a shop keeper for a while before ultimately becoming a faculty member at, of all places, Columbia University.
It’s too bad that Da Ponte is no longer around to write operas about his old employer which is doing its best to exile Jews in the same style as the Spanish royalty.
Take a look, Thomas. I think you will find it interesting.
Here and there I detect it in your tone of voice. Such are the perils of podcasting, Claire. I, on the other hand, shelter behind a rampart of fluent prose.
But can anyone watch it and not recognize the difference between the Israeli Army and Hamas?
These five women have been in Hamas hands for almost eight months. Why isn't the world up in arms about this? Why isn't their immediate return (and the other hostages) a precondition of any discussion?
Ireland, Spain, and Norway have recognized the Palestinian state. WTF???
The west, for all its flaws has a shared value system that is worth saving. These descendants of Quisling have clearly stated that fascism is OK.
But worse, they have just given Trump the excuse that he wants to leave NATO. And it is hard to argue that Western Europe deserves America's unqualified support.
Yes. I would have mentioned it had I seen it before recording. I thought of including it in the show notes. Perhaps I should have. I'm glad you mentioned it.
Hamas has not won but they are winning what they want: the degradation of Israel’s support in the West. They know that Hamas will never be loved and aren’t trying for that.
I am assuming this was taped before the UK election announcement. My general assumption is while I don't believe the UK election directly affects what might happen in the US, I do have to believe a Labour party blowout(and what I mean by blowout is when someone like Michael Gove who Claire reposted a speech from today loses his own constituency) as many are expecting is bad for Israel and bad for a certain type of National Review reading Nikki Haley type conservative like o'h Thomas M Gregg and Steve Fleischer(I am pretty confident that WigWag is on Team Nigel Farage). Anyways excitedly awaiting Jon's thoughts tomorrow.
More specifically on the subject of Israel perhaps we should not be speculating on Bibi being replaced by a more "moderate" leader but being replaced by a full throated Kahanist like Bev-Gvir or Ben-Smotrich. Would a Starmer blowout in the UK cause Israel to go even further right in anger towards the UK election result?
Do we have a general idea what Starmer’s policies would be?
My sense it would be a British Joe Biden so if you don't like Joe Biden as many here do not you are not going to like Starmer.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali for example seems to strongly oppose Starmer and seems quite angry that Starmer will win.
I'm glad to note that "The Elephant Cage," which owes its name to my brain wave, has so far maintained a high standard of commentary, leavened with a pinch of snark. The one thing that has always worried me about Claire is that she might succumb to that deadly virtue, earnestness. You flirt with it, Caire, but so far you haven't gone over the edge. Just be careful.
It should surprise no one that Spain recognized a Palestinian State. Spain has been vitriolic in its antisemitism at least since it expelled its Jews in 1492. Half of Spain’s Jews left and many died in their sojourn to new homes. Half remained and converted to Christianity but many, perhaps most, continued to secretly practice their old religion.
A good case can be made that the Don Juan story (later used as the motivation for Don Giovanni by Mozart and Da Ponte) and even Don Quixote were sub rosa critiques of the Spanish character. As critiques, they were viciously critical.
In 2011, David P. Goldman published a fascinating discussion of this in “Tablet” magazine. It is well worth a look for anyone interested in Mozart or Shakespeare.
By the way, the librettist for Don Giovanni was an Italian Jewish convert to Christianity, Lorenzo. Da Ponte. That he should feel no love towards the antisemitic Spanish should be no surprise. His lyrics are a biting criticism of Giovanni who is a character that originally appeared in a Spanish novel. Ironically, Da Ponte eventually left Italy and settled in New York. He was employed as a shop keeper for a while before ultimately becoming a faculty member at, of all places, Columbia University.
It’s too bad that Da Ponte is no longer around to write operas about his old employer which is doing its best to exile Jews in the same style as the Spanish royalty.
Take a look, Thomas. I think you will find it interesting.
See,
https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/arts-letters/articles/divine-justice
First time anyone has *ever* suggested I might be tempted by an excess of earnestness.
Here and there I detect it in your tone of voice. Such are the perils of podcasting, Claire. I, on the other hand, shelter behind a rampart of fluent prose.
I think I'm touched.
The attached video is hard to watch.
But can anyone watch it and not recognize the difference between the Israeli Army and Hamas?
These five women have been in Hamas hands for almost eight months. Why isn't the world up in arms about this? Why isn't their immediate return (and the other hostages) a precondition of any discussion?
Ireland, Spain, and Norway have recognized the Palestinian state. WTF???
The west, for all its flaws has a shared value system that is worth saving. These descendants of Quisling have clearly stated that fascism is OK.
But worse, they have just given Trump the excuse that he wants to leave NATO. And it is hard to argue that Western Europe deserves America's unqualified support.
https://x.com/BillAckman/status/1793305298125344936
Yes. I would have mentioned it had I seen it before recording. I thought of including it in the show notes. Perhaps I should have. I'm glad you mentioned it.