* On Economic Class and Political Choice in Israel

* Written by Shir Hever, Alternative Information Center (AIC)

*Oslo-Period Analysis Missing the Mark*

The relation between economic wellbeing and political opinion is a topic
that has sparked interest among many scholars---Israelis, Palestinians
and internationals---who have studied the political peace process
between Israel and the Palestinians since the early 1990s.

During the 1990's, the prevalent opinion amongst a majority of local and
international researchers was that economic prosperity is highly
correlated with the desire for peace in both Israeli and the Palestinian
societies. It was also believed that reducing the levels of violence
would quickly lead to investor confidence, job creation, trade and
economic prosperity. It has therefore been argued by numerous economists
and political analysts that there exists a reciprocating synergy between
advancing the peace process and economic prosperity, an idea that has
contributed to an optimistic outlook for the political and economic
prospects of the region.

This approach, however, has encountered challenges. The Palestinians
have chosen to accept the personal and economic sacrifices necessitated
by the second Intifada, protesting the unjust and patronizing approach
of the Israeli government. The Israeli recession following the outbreak
of the second Intifada was transformed, at least in aggregate terms,
into a boom within only a few years. The high growth rate of 2004-2007
came at a very tense political and military period, a time that even
included a war (the 2006 Israeli war against Lebanon). As a result,
Israeli economists began to discuss the disconnect between the political
and economic situations, and about the marginal impact of the
Palestinian economy on Israel.

In order to make a meaningful analysis of the relations between class
identity and political choice in Israel/Palestine, one must look beyond
the aggregate indicators of economic prosperity, examining the effects
of political events on the economic wellbeing of different classes of
each society.

[...]

To read the whole article, click here
<http://www.alternativenews.org/news/_english/_on-economic-class-and-p...>.

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*
Indeed, Another War in the Middle East is on the Horizon*

Written by Michael Warschawski, Alternative Information Center (AIC)

While I risk being considered an Israeli Cassandra, I reiterate my claim
that war is on the agenda in the Middle East. In other words, I take
very seriously the statements of Ehud Olmert and company that a war is
unavoidable, in order to remove the threat of  radical Islam and the
risk of a full nuclearization of Iran. The fact that Ehud Barak---the
most irresponsible adventurist in the Israeli ruling
establishment---sits in the Israeli cabinet as Defence Minister, makes
the eventuality of such a war even more probable.

Foolhardy but not very brave, the Israeli PM doesn't intend to strike
Iran, which has powerful means of retaliation, but rather Syria, or,
once again, Lebanon.

Easy targets?                                          

Easier than Iran, obviously, but the last war on Lebanese soil should
have taught us that there are no longer easy and unilateral wars, and
even a country as weak as Lebanon or a relatively small militia such as
Hezbollah can hit back and provoke heavy damages as retaliation for any
Israeli aggression.

[...]

To read the whole article, click here
<http://www.alternativenews.org/blogs/_michael-warschawski/_indeed-ano...>.