O Daughter Zion
To what can I compare you that I might comfort you
O daughter Zion?
Your wound is as deep as the ocean;
who can heal you?
Arab leaders, specifically Palestinian and Saudi officials and diplomats have refused to entertain the potential behind Ehud Olmert's invitation for a regional conference. It is, they say, political posturing. And so? Perhaps it is actually political positioning. And if so, why can it not be accepted as a starting point for gainful bargaining on the issue so dear to the hearts of all in the landscape of the Middle East anxious to finally see an end to war between Jew and Arab?
To sit together at the bargaining table as national equals among political equals to advance the potential for gain on behalf of all parties should be uppermost in the minds and intent of all seriously committed partners in this debate ostensibly and desirably leading to peace. Yet Saudi officials insist the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will consider such talks only if Israel agrees to accept the Arab peace initiative without conditions.
That condition in and of itself brings the potential for understanding to a grinding halt. It is exceptionally diplomatically obtuse, a complete non-starter. As for the rhetoric that accompanies this diktat, "Israel should realize that peace requires that it ends its constant violations and inhuman aggression toward the Palestinian people before anything else, and accept legal decisions passed by world bodies" - it too is unacceptable.
For an example of a tolerable expression of willingness to debate and come to workable conclusions for all parties involved in this protracted conflict, it becomes instructive to look at another point of view, that of Nonie Darwish, founder of 'Arabs for Israel', who says: "We should begin to view the Palestinian Arab cause in a different manner. For 58 years we have been fighting Israel, so how can we resolve this problem and put it behind us? Enough, we must resolve this problem, because it hinders the progress of the Arab peoples."
Her unequivocal view is that the long Arab pursuit toward the destruction of the State of Israel should be put to rest once and for all in the greater interests of the region and the furtherance of Arab prosperity and progress. "We want reconciliation with Israel. But in order to resolve this problem we must begin to view the Jews in a forgiving light. There must be forgiveness and justice, not just for the Palestinians, but for our enemies as well." A practical voice of reason, for a reasonable move toward justice and peace.
Critics of Israel's moves and Mr. Olmert's suggestion claim that "He is proposing normalization measures with Arab countries without a solution to the Palestinian problem that would restore their rights to the Palestinian people and allow them to create their independent state", according to PA information minister Mustafa al-Barghouti. However, it is normalization between Israel and other Arab states that will set the stage for restoration and statehood for the Palestinian people.
With 'normalized' relations between Israel and the Arab states, they will have no further interest in fomenting violence against Israel, in arming and encouraging Islamic militants to attack the state for the larger purpose of destroying it. Once Israel can be assured she will no longer be under constant duress of attacks she can withdraw her occupying troops which now protect her vulnerable population, and the process of setting firm boundaries and settling the issues between Israel and the PA can commence.
But the Palestinian Authority, in tandem with other Arab states must first restrain the Islamist militias now threatening Israel before these additional and final steps can be taken.
Again, to listen to Nonie Darwish: "As Arab countries, we must grant Israel some security. From the days of Abd Al-Nasser until today, with Ahmadinejad in Iran, all they hear is that we want to throw Israel into the sea. All they hear are ugly things. Can you believe that we accused Israel of 9/11? In mosques in America, Egypt and the Arab countries, they say that Israel was the cause of 9/11. It is wrong for the Muslims to say such things about Israel."
The Arab plan for peace must reflect a reasonable formula for all involved parties. As it has been presented it lacks balance and the insistence that the protocol worked out by the Arab states without consultation of any kind with the country before whom this formula for peace has been placed for unconditional acceptance - or war - is unreasonable in the extreme. It represents a sure-fire formula for the status quo, a condition which the Arab states led by Saudi Arabia claim they wish to bring to an end.
"The Arab initiative ... is asking too high a price from us, an intolerable price," Tzachi Hanegbi, chairman of a key Israeli parliamentary committee and a senior member of Mr. Olmert's Kadima party told Israel Radio. Still, Mr. Hanegbi said it would be a mistake "to close the door before the start of talks". So it is evident that hope and goodwill can be offered on one side of the divide - how about the other side?
If the sincere desire that the Arab states espouse is really there, why does its actual existence appear so elusive to the critically hopeful onlooker?
Labels: Middle East
posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, April 04, 2007
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