So I forget Philip. Israel has admitted (boasted???) that we are responsible – again – for attacking the Natanz centrifuge factory for producing uranium, the key component of a nuclear bomb. These clearly planted “leaks” bring credit to the beleaguered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the director of the Mossad, Yossi Cohen, who apparently has political aspirations.
The IDF chief of staff, Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kohavi, more or less admitted (boasted?) that the attack on the Iranian intelligence ship was carried out by his (our) military forces, that is not by the Mossad.
Israel’s air and missile strikes on Iranian warehouses, posts, and weapons’ transfer sites to the Hezbollah – our commanders regularly talk about this.
This is a new kind of warfare, a Tepid War, neither Hot nor Cold. Hot War is declared or undeclared open warfare between combating armies, navies and air forces. Cold War is undeclared but prevalent in almost all major states’ relationships. It uses enhanced espionage operations , trying to infiltrate opposition countries’ governments, industries and military to steal secrets, plant disinformation, etc. On occasion, but not too often, except lately under President Putin of Russia, it involves assassination.
The Tepid War uses a country’s military in an undeclared war, sometimes to enforce a red line that a nation or group of nations have set, such as sanctions. In our case, that line is not to permit Iranian or pro-Iranian militias such as Hezbollah in Syria or other Shi’ite militias, to establish themselves near our Golan border, and obviously not to permit Iran to develop nuclear weapons and dangerous missiles. It is Tepid because the use of force (Hot) is sporadic, even if frequent, and includes ongoing Cold War, that is: instant espionage or clandestine operations including assassinations.
This is historic, even if only a first swallow of the spring, even if Ra’am members decry him. Are we blind, not to see how important this is? Yes, Ra’am members object, but this is a man ready to cooperate, if the price is right for the Arab communities.
Back to Iran. The Tepid War is conducted by the Mossad and the IDF. The Mossad reports to the prime minister, the IDF to the Minister of Defense. The first, Netanyahu, and the latter, Benny Gantz are barely on speaking terms. The head of the Mossad, Yossi Cohen, is Netanyahu’s crowned successor. He is stimulating too much publicity, self-promotion. Kohavi, who may have his own long-term ambitions, has struck back praising his elite units. If I write here, THIS MUST STOP, it would be hypocritical. True it must stop, but who is listening to us? Coalition negotiations and political survival or advancement, you think should be second to national interests?
Look back at the Israelite and Hasmonean kingdoms. It was that way then. Human nature does not change. Only the naive believe in “unity” or really mean “think like me, act like me” unity.
“I am! When will Netanyahu learn to respect his agreements? When will he stop using state instruments as personal fiefdoms? When will my country change this impossible parliamentary system? Dammit, I am now 90-years-old. How long can I wait?”
As I write this, Naftali Bennett, the leader of the Yamina party and Netanyahu are meeting. Bibi is doubtless revealing top secret intelligence mixed with his own frustrations and hopes in the military and economic fields. On his knees, he is trying to blandish Bennett into accepting partnership with the fascist Itamar Ben-Gvir, and the racist and dangerous Bezalel Smotrich.
First the background. The United Jewish Appeal in the United States and Keren Hayesod-United Israel Appeal in all other countries together sponsored an International Gathering of major donors. Those who contributed US $250,000, or the equivalent in their home currencies, were eligible to be invited (at their own expense) to such a gathering. To create an attractive program, sessions would include meeting with royalty (London), or the president (Washington), with Nobel Prize winners and future secretary of state George Schultz (San Francisco), and so on.
The story moves to 1979. St. James’s Palace. Prince Philip, in exchange for a hefty contribution to one of his favorite British charities, is the nominal host at a cocktail reception for a few hundred couples – the major contributors – at a royal reception. I found it amusing to see these well heeled leaders and their wives pushing forward for a photo-op with the Prince. Powers of trade and industry. Shaking hands, taking pictures. Star-struck. Royalty-struck! The Americans, spiritual descendants of the Revolution against a British King were the most avid fans, cameras flashing, wives simpering.
It took another Canadian and “natural” Jew to put it all in perspective.
Phil Granovsky was the first chairman of the Board of World Trustees of Keren HaYesod. Short, very smart, and with a unique sense of humor. He knew just how to put everything into its proper place.
Granovsky begins: “Your Royal Highness, we have a great deal in common.” (What an opening, only Phil could have done that!)
First, Sir, your name is Philip, and my name is Philip.
Second, you, Sir, are royalty. My middle name is Melech – which means King, also royalty.
Third, Sir. I have a daughter and you have a son.”
Philip, to his royal credit, threw back his head and roared…
It seems that historically Americans particularly needed the assurance of title. During George Washington’s term as president of the fledgling United States of America, John Adams was vice-president. In his capacity as presiding officer of Congress, much of his term was taken up by a committee’s debate as how to refer to the president of the United States. Ideas ranged from His Highness, Electoral Highness, Excellency and so on.
It makes fascinating reading, the need of a people for some form of obeisance.
Scream of Consciousness: Does this explain the Bibi phenomenon? Do his supporters not sing “Bibi Melech Yisrael” – Bibi, King of Israel? Just as they did for “Arik” – the nickname of Ariel Sharon. In the Bible, very few of the kings were good people. Then as now, power corrupts.
Maybe we need to coronate President Reuven Rivlin. King Ruby the First?
And finally will Bennett really trust Bibi and enable him to turn Balfour Street, the prime minister’s residence, into a White House?
Jewish tradition does not permit a reading to end on a bad note. So let’s consider what would have happened if Prince Philip had accepted the alliance proposed by Philip Melech Granovsky.
“Sir, you have a son and I have a daughter.”
Mazal tov!!