August 20th, 2006
Representation without Taxation – French Audacity in the Lebanon Crisis.
In the aftermath of the of the Cuban Missile crisis, when the French discovered NATO was an American-run show, they slammed the door and left the Alliance. Stephen Ambrose once memorably described the move this way: the French thought there should be no annihilation without representation. They had a case back then. But they stumbled on a bad lesson all the same: in the Cold War context their political gestures have no consequences. What did the gesture mean anyway? Would America not protect Western Europe in the event that a Soviet attack would begin with France?
The bad habit remained with the French. High rhetoric is divorced from responsibility and consequences. The French are quick to preach to everyone about moral standards, but feel absolutely no need to make even the faintest excuse for breaking them themselves. A Washington Post editorial barely restrained its sarcasm when it noted that after great fanfare about brokering the deal in Lebanon, after supporting the idea of an international force (up to 15,000 soldiers according to Resolution 1701), it turned out the French were willing to send some 200 advisors. Presumably these would advise the Hezbollah about the virtues of peace.
Perhaps it is time the international community began to reconsider the role it is willing to grant France in global affairs. All nations, George Washington once observed, could be trusted only as far as their own interest goes. But French egotism surely exceeds even this grim assessment. If France wants to be represented in any important global forum, it should perhaps be taught that there is no representation without taxation. Proportionality applies not only to military retaliation. It also applies to the ratio between pompous presumptions and political responsibility.
August 20th, 2006 at 7:32 am
Interesting blog. I will be following it on a regular basis.
August 20th, 2006 at 11:00 am
Hi Gadi,
Just wanted to say congrats on the new blog. I found the link through Lisa’s blog (she was kind enough to mention my blog as well
). I was wondering if perhaps you would like to join us in the new Middle East Forums? It’s a new initiative, where I hope to allow people from all over the Middle East (as well as thouse with an interest in the region), to get together and talk in what I hope will remain a friendly atmosphere (so far it is).
The forums are at http://www.metalks.com and you are more than welcome to join us!
August 20th, 2006 at 4:05 pm
Thank you for the “french egotism” ! I’m french and it is really great to read that from an Israelian blogger. As we say in France : “c’est l’hôpital qui se fout de la charité”. (I’m not able to translate that in english).
In this case, for us, yes the problem is the cost. But not in money : in blood and dead soldiers and it’s a good “egotism”.
However I will come again, with your authorisation, because I’m always curious to know what are thinking our Israelians friends
Sorry for my bad english.
August 20th, 2006 at 9:18 pm
hi from spain,
congratulations for the blog,i really enjoyed your article about leftists arrogance.
xavier, the francophone africa is full of gendarmes and good egotism haha
August 21st, 2006 at 12:51 pm
Hi Gadi,
Good article BUT you are funny: in the Middle East, France does not gesticulate. It has since 40 years the same coherent politic: expell the Americans, sell weapons, increase their influence, become popular among the Arabs…
Peace in the Middle East or the future of Israel does not interest France.
In fact they dream since so many years TO SHOOT on jewish soldiers. It would make them so happy. The same for the U.K and some others…
If the rules of engagement and the U.N. mandate would allow them to shoot on Jews, France would send to Lebanon not 15.000 soldiers but 150.000
Believe me my friend, the popularity of the French Governement and Jacques Chirac was very low before the 12 juli 2006. Since their anti-israeli ” gesticulation ” their popularity among the French went up in non negligeable way…
No one loves Israel in Europe .
2000 years of european christiano-fascism does not vanish so easily…
It is a sad thing but it is the daily reality.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:27 pm
Today was a nice day, but now it’s looking glimm.