by Zalman Shoval
--conditions have now ripened for pragmatic rapprochement between Israel and Sunni Arab states.
While
the selection of Israel to head the United Nations' legal committee,
backed by the Western European and Others Group (one of five unofficial
regional groups in the United Nations that act as voting blocs and
negotiation forums), has largely symbolic and procedural significance,
chairing a permanent U.N. committee signifies yet another milestone in
Israel's expanding foreign relations.
Local and international
media tend to focus on Israel's growing isolation, economic and
cultural boycotts and so on. Indeed, these phenomena do exist, but in
reality, the economic and practical harm caused by initiatives like the
boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, for example, is marginal at
best.
However, as we all
know, good news doesn't sell newspapers and frankly, most of the Israeli
media will not go out of its way to highlight the positive impact of
government decisions or the government's foreign affairs victories.
Israeli news commentators tend to devalue these types of positive
developments. For instance, back when Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor
Lieberman was foreign minister, the media dismissed his official visit
to Africa, without giving any thought to the fact that at some point in
the future, a seemingly minor African country that happens to be a
member of the U.N. Security Council could tip the scales against a
dangerous anti-Israel resolution (as indeed happened).
Among this government's
notable achievements is the imminent resolution of the conflict with
Turkey. This resolution is a good example of Israel's ability to harness
global conditions that aren't directly connected to us -- in this case
Turkey's growing international isolation both in the East and the West
-- to serve our interests.
In the international
arena, nothing happens in a vacuum. Hence, in light of the Iran nuclear
agreement and the general chaos in the Middle East, conditions have now
ripened for pragmatic rapprochement between Israel and Sunni Arab
states.
Nevertheless, along
with the good, comes the bad, and the most prominent example is Israel's
deteriorating relationship with Europe on most issues concerning the
Palestinians, from boycotting Israeli settlement products to the
adoption of the French peace initiative.
Meanwhile, one
important achievement for the government of Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu is the burgeoning relationship with Russia. Here, too,
national interests play a key role on both sides, and here, too, Israel
was wise enough to harness geopolitical conditions both in its immediate
vicinity and on the international plane. This relationship must be
closely cultivated and nurtured.
But naturally, Israel
and Russia do not see eye to eye on all issues, underscoring even more
the fact that there is no substitute for Israel's relationship with
America in almost every relevant aspect -- strategically, diplomatically
and economically.
Israel-U.S. relations
have seen their share of ups and downs in recent years, mainly due to
disagreement on the Iranian nuclear issue, but in no small part because
of U.S. President Barack Obama's views on America's role in the Middle
East.
The latest debate
surrounding the new defense aid deal represents both the positive
aspects of U.S.-Israel relations -- the U.S.'s unwavering, years-long
commitment to Israel's defense -- and the negative aspects -- the
administration's reluctant attitude toward the Israeli government's
positions and political assessments.
Indeed, in recent
years, the Israeli government has made considerable strides in the
foreign affairs department, but nevertheless, there are challenges ahead
that must not be overlooked, both regarding the differences with
Europe, and, perhaps more importantly, maintaining the essential ties
with the U.S., for better or for worse, on the Palestinian issue.
Zalman Shoval
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=16457
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