Thomas Friedman, the New York Times columnist, has an idea. That happens to him quite often. One might almost say — too often.
It goes like this: The US will turn its back on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The entire world will follow. Everybody is fed up with this conflict. Let the Israelis and the Palestinians sort out their problems by themselves.
Sounds sensible. Why must the world be bothered with these two unruly children? Let them kick each other as much as they like. The adults should not interfere. But in reality this is an outrageous suggestion. Because these two children are not of equal strength. When an adult sees a 14-year-old mercilessly mistreating a six-year-old, can he just look on?
Israel is materially a hundredfold, indeed a thousandfold, stronger than the Palestinians. The fourth strongest army in the world (by its own estimate) dominates the life of a helpless people. The Israeli economy, with some of the most advanced technologies in the world, dominates a people whose resources are next to nil. A 42-year old occupation dominates every single corner of occupied Palestine.
THIS did not come about by a miracle. The huge gap between the strength of the two peoples has also been created by the support of the US for Israel — billions of dollars in annual aid, access to the most advanced weaponry in the world, the political immunity assured by the US veto in the Security Council.
Friedman does not propose ending this support, which itself is a massive intervention in this conflict, and is given to the stronger side. When he suggests that the US withdraw from the conflict, he is actually saying: Let the Israeli government do what it is doing — continue the occupation, set up new settlements, withdraw the land from under the feet of the Palestinian people, go on with the murderous blockade that denies the 1.5 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip — men, women and children — almost all the necessities of life. Benjamin Netanyahu could not wish for more in his wildest dreams. In the meantime the Israeli prime minister is satisfied with something less: President Barack Obama’s acceptance of his latest trick. The entire world applauded. How wonderful of Netanyahu to sacrifice his most sacred principles on the altar of peace. Now it’s up to the Palestinians in their turn to respond with a grand gesture. But something is wrong in this picture and needs explaining.
To return to the great Sherlock Holmes, who spoke about the curious incident of the dog in the night-time: “But the dog did nothing in the night-time!” he was told. “That was the curious incident,” the detective answered. It could have been assumed that after such a dramatic announcement by the Likud leader, the settlers would let out a deafening roar. But the dog did not bark. Not even a growl, just a token yelp. Settlers know what every Israeli knows: That it is all phony. Building will continue everywhere, with the officials cooperating on the quiet and the army closing its eyes.
It might have been expected that Yossi Beilin at least would expose the fraud, but no. Beilin lauded Netanyahu for his brave act and saw in it a promising new beginning. It would be difficult to imagine a sadder example of the collapse of the “Zionist left”. The Geneva Initiative has turned into the Jerusalem Deception. The largest opposition party, too, joined the chorus. Tzipi Livni, who bears the impressive official title of “leader of the opposition”, mumbled something unintelligible and went back to sleep.
And Obama? He capitulated again. One could almost pity him and his assistants. Such an impressive, such a tough, such an experienced group — and they are returning from Jerusalem like Napoleon’s army from Moscow.
We saw poor George Mitchell. The man Came again and again and again. Came as the representative of the world’s one remaining superpower to tell Israelis and Palestinians what they have to do. He was tough. He dictated terms.
ISRAELI officials laughed at him behind his back. They are used to the likes of him. They have eaten them for breakfast. Remember William Rogers, Nixon’s secretary of state and his peace plan? And the great Henry Kissinger? And even James Baker, who tried to impose economic sanctions on us? And Bill Clinton’s “Guidelines”? And the “vision” of George W. Bush?
The political graveyard is full of American politicians who tried to impose limits on Israel, without being able or willing to use the necessary force. Welcome, George. Nice to see you, Hillary. This is a great victory for Netanyahu, his second over Obama.
But every Palestinian understands Netanyahu’s announcement only too well. He has only to look out of his window to see what is happening. After all, Israel would not invest billions in new building if it had any intention of dismantling the settlements for peace within a year or two. There is hardly a place in the West Bank where one cannot see a settlement on a hilltop, near or far. And, most importantly: There is no Palestinian leader who could possibly agree to the continued building in East Jerusalem.
When Obama capitulates to Netanyahu, there is nothing Mahmoud Abbas can do. When the Americans demand that the Palestinians answer Netanyahu’s “important” step with an important step of their own, it is nothing but a sad joke. The Americans help Netanyahu to put the ball into the Palestinian court, and with a pious rolling of their eyes ask why, after such a momentous Israeli gesture, the Palestinian do not agree to resuming the “peace process”. But Abbas cannot start negotiations without a total freeze of the settlements, especially in Jerusalem. The only dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians that is taking place now is with Hamas. The prisoner exchange deal is nearing the point of decision. The main remaining bone of contention is the freeing of the Fatah leader, Marwan Barghouti, who was sentenced to five life terms.
If the deal is clinched and Barghouti freed, it will be another humiliation for Abbas. The freed Barghouti will act to mend the split between Fatah and Hamas and will be a credible candidate for the presidency of the Palestinian Authority. Then, a new chapter of the conflict will begin. It is worth reading the full text of Isaiah’s prophecy: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.”
The role of the little child, so it seems, falls to Obama. If he accepts, God forbid, Friedman’s advice and leaves the picture, the vision will turn into a nightmare.
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