by David M. Weinberg
Over the last 48 hours,
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has issued a series of apocalyptic
warnings. While trying to sound like an analyst and a friend, he has, in
effect, threatened Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with boycott and
isolation and even (Palestinian) violence if Israel doesn't facilitate
the continuation of Kerry's peace process by acceding to Kerry's terms.
In so doing, Kerry is
setting up a situation of self-fulfilling prophecy, and backhandedly
legitimizing the horror scenarios if and when the "peace process" breaks
downs.
"Today's status quo,"
he warned Netanyahu, "absolutely to a certainty, I promise you 100
percent, cannot be maintained. It is not sustainable. It is illusionary.
You see for Israel there is an increasing delegitimization campaign
that has been building up. People are very sensitive to it, there is
talk of boycott and other kinds of things. Are we all going to be better
with all of that?"
Now, Palestinian media
is reporting that Kerry told Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas
that he would "meet the same fate as Yasser Arafat" if he turned down
Washington's proposals for peace with Israel. Abbas is said to be
furious, interpreting Kerry's remarks as a veiled death threat!
Jamal Muhaissen, a
senior Fatah official in the West Bank, is now counter-threatening Kerry
with a suit before the International Criminal Court for threatening the
life of the Palestinian president.
What Kerry probably
meant, if he truly made this remark, is that Abbas would lose American
support and funding, and find himself isolated from the world, if he
fails to advance towards peace -- as happened to Arafat after the Second
Intifada.
In any case, I doubt
that this story out of Ramallah is true. It's probably a smoke-screen
meant to desensitize world opinion about Kerry strong-arming Israel (and
only Israel).
Needless to say, the warnings that Kerry has directed at the two sides are not equal. He is not an equal opportunity threatener.
Israel has borne the
brunt of Kerry's behind the scenes pressures, and his public
exhortations and admonitions. The American secretary of state has
repeatedly returned to the "oy-vey-Israel-is-going-to-be-boycotted"
theme, and more than once threatened our economic prosperity. He used
his now-infamous television interview two months ago (given jointly to
Israeli and Palestinian TV) to hector Israel, not the PA.
By contrast, Kerry has
never once publicly warned the PA leadership that this is their last
chance for a Palestinian state. He has never publicly warned Abbas that
the Palestinian Authority would forfeit its international largesse and
'economic prosperity' if he (Abbas) doesn't "demonstrate moderate
leadership" by accepting Kerry's proposals.
Kerry has warned
Netanyahu that this diplomatic process is Israel's last chance to save
its Jewish and democratic character. Kerry has never once publicly
warned Abbas that this process is the last Palestinian chance to gain
recognized statehood.
Getting real tough with
the Palestinians just isn't politically correct, you see, and it is
anyway so much more fun to beat up publicly on Netanyahu.
The only rational response to Kerry's attempts at intimidation is sangfroid.
With composure and
self-assurance, Israel needs to say to Kerry: "Yes, we truly desire
peace and appreciate your indefatigable attempts to bridge the gaps
between us and the Palestinians. But Israel will manage even if no grand
deal with the Palestinians is currently achievable -- as lamentably, we
knew from the beginning and feared would be the case."
"Israel's international
standing is not going to 'crumble' if it gets censured by you, Mr.
Secretary. Israel will hold together and prosper even if it doesn't
accept Abbas' demand for sovereignty in Jerusalem or your demand, Mr.
Secretary, that Israel rely on American satellites and cameras to hold
the Jordan Valley line."
"So don't threaten us,
Mr. Kerry. You may want a deal now -- this deal on your terms -- more
than Israel does. We're truly sorry and disappointed that you are
prepared to slap down dictated contours of peace and say: accept this or
suffer the consequences -- even though you promised that you weren't
going to impose anything."
"But Israel takes the
long view. Our demands for historical rights, recognition and security
in the Land of Israel are solid and sustainable for the long term. And
we will wait out our adversaries, and weather American impatience, until
conditions and partners for peace improve, thank you very much."
David M. Weinberg
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=7237
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.
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