“Stay strong Israel,” Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter. “January 20th is fast approaching!”
Mr. Netanyahu responded warmly. “President-elect Trump, thank you for your warm friendship and your clear-cut support for Israel!” he wrote, adding Israeli and American flag emojis.
This is all so bizarre. Twitter, emojis, no diplomatic protocol, leaders of states communicating like giddy 11-year-old boys. Trump is consistent, at least. He’s all about the death of the nation-state and is dismsntling it as effectively as ever.
But Netanyahu? The only way for Israel to keep existing is to maintain the mystique of the nation-state as if today were year 1920. And instead of cultivating that mystique, he makes a mockery of it in order to make a dig at a completely irrelevant Kerry. Yes, Netanyahu has no control over his moods but that’s not all that is happening here. The logic of events is stronger than individual wishes and carries everybody in the same direction.
This minor event is one more sign that the nation-state model cannot survive. Twitter and everything it symbolizes are stronger and more attractive.
Clarissa's Blog 
Did they spend too much time binging Hetalia: Axis Powers episodes?
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Thanks! Writing about Israel has been like a New Year present to me. 🙂
Another reason for Netanyahu’s behavior is following “talk to each in his own tongue” rule. Trump is all about Twitter and emojis, so Israel, a weaker partner, has to follow suit.
Will you put a New Year post? Either way, Happy New Year to you!
Philip Bobbitt’s “The Shield of Achilles” was a revelation to me, when I read the book myself after hearing about it on your blog. So for the New Year, I wish you (and us all on this blog) to discover something groundbreakingly new and exciting that will change, even a little, the way we view the world.
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There will also be a belated New Year’s gift in the form of the MLA meeting on the boycott of Israel next week. 🙂
I’m glad you liked Bobbitt and I very much hope that your wish comes true!
The photos of the New Year’s feast are forthcoming!
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So what do you see as Israel’s future? Bobbitt writes of a form of the market-state that is concerned with the perpetuation of its national culture so could that not be a possibility for us after the nation-state?
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The trick for Israel is to make sure that everybody except the haredim doesn’t leave in search of better opportunities. Market-state is also a market of states, meaning that people go to the one (s) that offer the best chances to flourish.
Are you also from Israel? I’m very glad to have two Israelis here if that’s true.
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That is a good point. For the moment at least Israelis leave the country at no higher rates than the OECD average 🙂 I still have trouble understanding the mechanics of the market-state. And yes, I am Russian-American-Israeli, or Russian-Israeli-American. Or simply a Jew
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I call us “Soviet Jews”. ☺ Great to have you here.
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Glad to be here. Small note, I bought the productivity planner you posted about a bit ago and am loving it! So thanks again and I hope to read more about the market-state soon. 🙂
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It’s really a great planner. Especially for those who are headed towards the market-state.
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