Palestinian/Israeli Peace: A New Approach
Mahmoud Abbas's spokesman just tore a strip off Ahmadinejad, and all kinds of gears in my head starting turning. (Politics makes my metaphors mix.)
Iran recently weighed in on the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, accusing all those supporting the negotiations of "betraying their nations." Abbas's spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, responded by saying that Ahmadinejad "does not represent the Iranian people, forged elections, suppresses the Iranian people and stole the authority. [He] is not entitled to talk about Palestine, or the president of Palestine...We did not repress our people, as did Iran led by Ahmadinejad."
Tell me that isn't exhilarating.
Ahmadinejad is arming and bankrolling Hamas and is therefore the enemy of the Palestinian Authority. It's encouraging that Abbas is taking him on so directly, not just for the satisfaction of it but for what it could imply. I see peace here coming in stages: the Palestinian Authority making peace with Israel, joining forces with her to confront the common enemy of Hamas, and then -- eventually -- joint victory over Hamas and a subsequent peace with Gaza. This could effectively amount to a three-state solution, which is hilarious when you think about the dimensions of the territory we're talking about here, but it could work. The key is the wresting free by all parties from the idea that the Palestinians are a single unit. They are not. Conventional wisdom states that it's inconceivable for Abbas to sign an agreement that leaves Gaza out, but I'm not convinced. It might not be a play the Western powers feel they can support, but it might be the play that actually breaks the deadlock.
From an Israeli standpoint, I can easily imagine public support for a deal with Abbas that sorts out the West Bank, establishes us as nations and friends, and clarifies what we all already know: that Hamastan is the problem, not the Palestinian people as a whole. The question is whether such an idea can seriously be mooted. It's surely superior to the one-state solution, which doesn't work for anybody over the long term.
What say you? Am I whistling into the wind here, or is this an idea?
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Comments :
Aug '10
Re: Palestinian/Israeli Peace: A New Approach
It's an idea worth pursuing and cultivating. Perhaps, finally, the old Arab/Persian split is reasserting itself. Arabs resent and are suspicious of Iranian (Persian) attitudes and conceits; and the Iranians go out of their way to fuel distrust. They're not Arabs, and are famous for their delusions of grandeur and narcissism, all based on a few ancient accomplishments.
More than a few experts see the possibility of a coalition of Arab states backing Israel against a nuclear Iran; which is far and away a bigger threat to them than Israel.
Jul '10
Re: Palestinian/Israeli Peace: A New Approach
I dunno. It's like when one gangster is shooting at another gangster. You're relieved that he isn't after innocent people, but he's still a gangster.
Jul '10
Re: Palestinian/Israeli Peace: A New Approach
Abbas is in no position to lecture the Iranians about elections irregularities. His term ended in '09 and he is clinging to office by ignoring Palestinian law. His precarious status needs a boost, besides wch, he has nothing better to do with his time. So posturing and appearing to talk tough wins him brownie points and money from gullible Americans and the EU. Sure, he is unhappy with the Iranians for funding his enemies, Hamas, but he does not speak for the Palestinians and any peace he is after is merely hudna. The West propped Arafat for decades, now it is Abbas's turn. Sorry, I am not terribly optimistic about this round of talks.
Jun '10
Re: Palestinian/Israeli Peace: A New Approach
If I were an Israeli Jew, I would grasp at every straw to avoid having to deal with the awful reality... Them or Us, bottom line. Abas is old and will be out of power soon. Who is to come, and will they be powerful enough to fend off Hamas? I do not think so. I see reports of an upgrade in living conditions in both the West Bank and Gaza. This flies in the face of the propaganda perpetrated on the world of the inhumane degradation being suffered by the Muslim Arabs living in those areas. Yet even though any inhospitable conditions are brought on themselves, they still seem to be raising their children to hate Jews, especially Israeli Jews. They still idolize, create honorarium parks, and dance in the streets to laud those amongst themselves who murder Israeli women and children. Judith, you are much closer to this than am I. I pray you are able to see more clearly than myself and am not suffering the distorted vision of being too close to the subject. This is a time when I would love to be wrong.
Edited on Sep 5, 2010 at 6:30amRe: Palestinian/Israeli Peace: A New Approach
Judith, I'm not as well versed on the differences between the Palestinian entities as I should be, so I defer to your judgement on that one and hope you are right. But I do find it a sad and shabby commentary that Abbas makes a stronger condemnation of Iran's Ahmadinejad than the US President.
Re: Palestinian/Israeli Peace: A New Approach
Judith, did you get a chance to read Karl Vick's article? I was wondering what you would make of it. In the unabridged print version--which is much longer--he mentions commercials made by Saeb Erekat, in which he addresses himself directly to Israelis saying, "I know we have disappointed you." Apparently he and six other PA officials star in these commercials, in which they look into the camera and say, "I am your partner. Are you mine?"
Have you seen these? Whatever their motive for making them, and whether or not they're sincere, I think this is significant. It says that they're being advised by strategists who have some grasp of the Israeli perspective, and that they're taking the advice. (I sense perhaps the influence of Tony Blair.) I suspect you can't do this for too long without coming to believe it's what you really mean--it's human nature to begin to believe one's own propaganda. What do you think?
May '10
Re: Palestinian/Israeli Peace: A New Approach
Judith, the West wouldn't like it, but it's worth a shot. Wylee Coyote is right. Still, Israel has no good options, only less bad ones.
Re: Palestinian/Israeli Peace: A New Approach
Wow. Abbas not merely putting distance between himself and Ahmadinejad, but denouncing him. That's huge. And if you hadn't noted it, Judith, I'd have missed it completely.