Message to Perry: Stop Banging on About Israel

Global communications put US politicians and presidential candidates on the world stage with constant scrutiny. Attempts by Texas Governor Rick Perry, a Republican candidate for US president, to blast President Barack Obama’s Middle East policies and support Israel, may have backfired, revealing an ignorance of history, US policies and security issues that’s alarming, argues author Simon Schama, writing for the Financial Times. Schama expresses frustration with candidates who try to appeal to Christian fundamentalists by boxing Israel into suicidal policies that mesh with Biblical prophecies. “There is, of course, another Israel, increasingly impatient with the settlers and with the ultra-orthodox who bear none of the burdens of serving in the military, yet sustain their religious schools from public funds while the rest of Israel’s people live in increasing economic distress,” he writes. Ignorance and extremism contribute to war, poverty and other dangers. Muslim, Christian and Jewish pragmatists must unite against their own and one another’s zealots. – YaleGlobal