The “intellectual” Israeli daily Ha’aretz, while having some fine writers and analysts, has long been widely criticized for also promoting leftist views so extreme that they virtually amount to Jewish self-hate. Some of its more virulent anti-Israeli articles are regularly reprinted on Jihadist websites and have even appeared, with approval, on the sites of western Holocaust deniers.

Its articles often contain pseudo-facts that provide fuel and support for the enemies of Israel the world over and give both the extreme left and extreme right a good conscience about attacking Israel.

Now criticism of Ha’aretz has come to a head after its editor, David Landau, told Condoleezza Rice that America ought to “rape” Israel in order to ensure a peace settlement. The comments caused such a stir among the 20 or so high profile attendees at a confidential briefing with the secretary of state on a recent visit to Israel that they have been leaked by some of the others present. The incident took place at the private residence of America’s ambassador to Israel, Richard Jones.

Landau, who was seated next to Rice at the dinner, described Israel as a “failed state” and told her that the Israeli government wanted “to be raped” and that it would be like a “wet dream” for him to see this happen.

Rice’s response to his remarks, Landau said, was “fantastic” in that she was “completely unfazed” by them, and remained “urbane and diplomatic.”

Landau denied making the “wet dream” remark but stood by everything else he was reported to have said. He told The Jewish Week that he had no regrets and that, on the contrary, he was pleased, adding that he was later congratulated by “several professors” in the room.

Landau, a British-born Jew, is renowned for his outspoken views. He formerly wrote anonymously (and some would say in a very anti-Israel manner) as the Jerusalem correspondent for Britain’s prestigious Economist magazine.

In fact Landau’s new message to the U.S. is suicidal. What it is saying, by implication, is: Please destroy me, America. And if you are not going to destroy me yourself, then please make sure my enemies are in a position to destroy me.