Post Annapolis Background Sound

I've spent my whole life as a professional cartoonist dealing with deadlines. They are very curious things, these deadlines. When you first get them, and mark them down on a calendar, they seem to be so very far away. No sweat. No pressure. Plenty of time.

And then, suddenly, they jump up and let you know that somehow time has slipped by, the deadline is looming, the squeeze is on, and hysteria sets in.

You'd think that the leadership of the Jewish State would be better at handling deadlines than some Jewish cartoonist. That they'd understand at the start what pressure they've signed up for at the end.

But you'd be wrong.

So when do YOU think that hysteria about the "Palestinian State by the end of 2008" Annapolis deadline will kick in?

Nu?

The 1947 Partition Plan (1975)

Today's "Golden Oldie" Dry Bones cartoon was done way back in 1975. More than thirty years ago! To mark the 28th anniversary of the 1947 UN two-thirds majority vote for the partition of western Palestine into a Jewish and and Arab state. A plan which was then rejected by the Arab states.

Today, November 29, 2007 is the 60th anniversary of the UN partition plan vote.

My guess is that if they had a time machine and could go back to revisit that fateful decision of theirs, the Arabs would reject it again! The weakness of the fledgling Jewish State being too tempting to resist attacking.

So what's your opinion? What do you think?

George W.'s Clever Move

We've been so hungry for good news that it was tempting to listen to the Annapolis speeches, look at the smiling faces, and try to find a ray of hope. But

1. Abbas explained that the terrorism is caused by the occupation.

2. Olmert expressed sympathy for the plight of Palestinian "refugees" with no mention of the Jewish refugees of 1948.

3.George W. changed the goal to one that he can actually pull off: the setting up of a Palestinian State... with no demands for an end to terror, or any demand for recognition of Israel as a Jewish State, or even an end to the ongoing rocket and missile attacks being launched by Palestinians at Sderot and other Israeli towns.

Here in Israel a big deal was made of the fact that the Saudis applauded Olmert's speech. Frankly I was not surprised.

So tell me ...Were YOU surprised?

Cooking Our Goose (1978)

1978. Camp David.
Egypt, Israel, and America.
Sadat represented Egypt. Begin represented Israel. And President Carter was squeezing us. Our goose was being cooked.

2007. Annapolis.
The Palestinians, Israel, and America.
Abbas (Abu Mazen) represents part (at best) of the West Bank Palestinians. Olmert represents Olmert. And President Bush is having a really big photo op. Our goose is being cooked.

Zionist Nightmare

I woke up this morning, flicked on the radio and caught the middle of BBC news coverage of the about-to-begin Annapolis thing (meeting? conference?, event?, gathering?).

I groaned as I heard the traditional demands for even more "painful concessions" from Israel which would be required for "progress". The interview was given by some woman who obviously could not hear my groans and clever retorts.

I stomped out of the bedroom ...and when I returned, my wife (who had continued to listen) said "Did you know that that was Olmert's spokesperson?"

The Olmert government is a Zionist nightmare.

Sunday Mail: November 25, 2007

Posting a cartoon every weekday leaves no room for me to simply share news, ideas, and other stuff with you. So welcome to 'Sunday Mail: Letters from Dry Bones', the new, once-a-week Dry Bones feature.

Item One: Last Minute! Americans: Impact Annapolis NOW!!
Americans have a way to send a loud and clear message about what is happening in Annapolis right now. CCJ (the Coordinating Council on Jerusalem) has set up a fantastic system to enable Americans to call the White House, the State Department and/or the Israeli Embassy. The CCJ is subsidizing both the system and all of the calls, so it's completely free!! If you are in the States just click here and then type in your name, state and phone number. In moments your phone will ring and you will be connected to the White House, State Department or the Israeli Embassy. There's even a suggested script for a short, effective message... and please let us know how it goes!! Free Annapolis Phone Calls.

Item Two: Chanukka? Already?!!
Wow! With Chanukka starting so early this year (December 5) the
holiday season has really come on fast!! Are you ready? Got gifts for everyone? No? Well, I've got a tip for you.

For quality gifts from Israel, check out JewishSoftware.com: They have all kinds of different products related to Israel, Judaism and the Jewish people, learning Hebrew and more ...and right now they're having a Chanukka sale ...but I recommend that you look through the whole site because there really is a lot to offer.

A word to the wise though: You need to make your orders ASAP to get your order in time for Chanukka. There is very little time left! Click here.

The Madness Continues . . .

Yup. The latest is that our incompetent Prime Minister has now decided to arm our enemies... over the objections of the army and our security forces.

According to YNet:

Olmert approves supply of 25 armored vehicles to PA

Despite IDF, Shin Bet's warning that equipment could reach terror organizations, prime minister agrees to hand over to Palestinians armored vehicles from Russia, 2 million bullets as goodwill gesture to Palestinian President Abbas ahead of Annapolis summit - more

The situation is becoming more and more bizarre. How is Olmert surviving the practically unanimous Israeli wish for him to just go away?!

Your thoughts?

The Last Windup

Although Hamas has "taken" Gaza, their "rival" Abbas's Palestinian Authority does not seem to be in control of the West Bank. The "Moderate" Abbas is a convenient fig leaf for the monster that lays in wait for us.

Of course I could be wrong and Annapolis is really a slick and clever trick by Dr. Condoleeza Rice, the Bush administration's Secretary of State which will bring peace and security to the region.

Yeah, right.

So what do you think?

Olmert's Solution

Jerusalem does not belong to the State of Israel. Jerusalem belongs to the Jewish People. My question is this: Do the Jews of America have the courage to stand up at this incredible turning point in history and stop this runaway Israeli government?

It looks like we, the Jews of Israel, can't do it alone.

Negotiations With Non-Democracies (1987)

Kingdoms and dictatorships are easy to deal with. There's one guy, or a small group of guys whom you have to please. Democracies are not so easy. Maybe that's why American Secretaries of State find it so frustrating trying to deal with Israel. Here in our democracy, like in America, we each get to have our say. And what most of us are saying is that we are worried about what's being set up for the meeting in Annapolis. If that makes it more difficult for Dr. Rice to push through her plans, well... it's a free country!

Danger Ahead

Caution! Danger ahead at Annapolis! Events are unfolding like a movie scene of a horrendous crash, shown in slow motion! How do we stop this farce? We probably can't? So get ready.

We're about to go over the falls.

The Two Palestines

Qassam rockets continue to rain down on the Negev town of Sderot. And the world, including the Israeli government, continues to ignore it. And so we will cede more of the land of Israel to the "good" terrorists.

Does anyone not understand that after the Annapolis appeasement concessions we will face an even hungrier and more aggressive foe?! ...and probably a Hamas-run West Bank as part of a reunited "Palestine"?

* * *

For further info on our concessions to the terrorists, watch your front pages and TV screens... For further info on the largely unreported war that is going on in the southern part of Israel, the Western Negev and in the city of Sderot, you'll have to check with SderotMedia.com.

Annapolis Game Plan

Haaretz, Israel's left of center "intellectual" daily broke the story this morning:

"According to Shin Bet analysts, there are concerns of a Palestinian "trick" during the negotiations, in which Israel will be tempted to offer recognition, in principle on East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital, and delay discussion on the details and the arrangements for administering the holy sites there." - the full story

It Just Keeps Getting Worse

Like the cartoon says, as we get closer to what's now being called the Annapolis meeting, things just seem to be getting worse.If consulting with Clinton and Carter is any indication of what's awaiting us at the "talks", I'd say we, and the chances for peace, are now in serious trouble.

But, hey... What do you think?

Trick or Treat?

In the rapidly shifting sands of the Middle East, with the reality of Iranian infiltration into the area, and the establishment of Hamas and Hezbollah as their puppet forces, perhaps the Americans (or some Israelis) think they can buy off the Palestinian terrorists with a pound of Israeli flesh.

If that's what's looming ahead of us at the "talks" in Annapolis, then we are indeed about to be scared silly!

So what's your take on the "talks"? Are we in for a treat? or will it be the same old tricks?