Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to the U.S. Congress on Tuesday full of “No’s will not give the Palestinians the state they aspire for and will not achieve the security and peace the Israelis so badly need.
For the Palestinians, negotiations under Netanyahu’s terms would seem futile. Their choices are to go to the United Nations to seek recognition for a state on the 1967 borders, or take to the streets in non-violent protests demanding an end to the 44-year-old occupation, or both.
Netanyahu insists that Israel is not a “foreign occupier” because the land is the Jews’ ancestral homeland.
He has told the Palestinians:
- Recognize Israel (borders to be determined by Israel) as the state of the Jewish people
- No to the right of return of refugees
- No to the return to the 1967 borders
- No to a unity pact between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas
- No a divided Jerusalem
(http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-to-congress-ready-to-make-painful-compromises-but-jerusalem-will-not-be-divided-1.363802)
(http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-to-congress-ready-to-make-painful-compromises-but-jerusalem-will-not-be-divided-1.363802)
The standing ovation and the extensive applause Netanyahu received from members of the Congress made the Palestinians wonder whether the Israeli leader represented the Americans more than U.S. President Barack Obama.
Congressmen applauded as Netanyahu challenged Obama’s speech that outlined the parameters for peace between the Palestinians and Israel.
The Palestinians’ experience tells them that Obama is serious about ending the conflict and helping the Palestinians achieve self-determination, though he might mean well, he is unable to press Israel to make the compromises required to return to meaningful peace talks.
The Palestinians’ experience tells them that Obama is serious about ending the conflict and helping the Palestinians achieve self-determination, though he might mean well, he is unable to press Israel to make the compromises required to return to meaningful peace talks.
Does Netanyahu understand the factors that led to the popular explosions in Tahrir Square in Egypt, the mass protests that led to the toppling of Tunisia’s president, and protests elsewhere in Yemen, Syria, and Libya?
Has Netanyahu not been informed of far-reaching proposals made by former Israeli prime ministers such as those made by Ehud Olmert and the understandings reached at Taba in 2000 between negotiators from both sides?
The Israeli leader may have won a diplomatic battle in Congress, but how will he win when his country becomes more isolated in the region? Egypt is moving away from Israel. The departure of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has brought about huge changes that have a great impact on Israel. One example is the effect the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza will have on Israel.
How will Netanyahu react when the Palestinian masses move towards the checkpoints in non-violent protests and the refugees march towards the borders from neighbouring states?
The scenario is more conflict and death.
Obama has asked the Palestinian and Israeli leaders to make the necessary compromises to restart talks. It is obvious Obama understands the changes that are reshaping the Arab World and has rushed to support the peoples’ quest for freedom and dignity. It seems obvious that Obama understands better than Netanyahu where the strategic interests of Israel lie.
There is still a chance for talks to begin but as Obama said, peace cannot be imposed, it must be negotiated.
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