generalspeaking

Back-Pedalling? Well, Great!

It's simply too difficult to be all things to all people. Or all nations. Not when you're that powerful that your every pronouncement is taken as black-and-white, no nuances nor in-betweens. But then it all depends on who deciphers what. Statements not clearly defined or which hang in the balance between commitment and backing away leave behind a befuddled and confused audience. In the Arab and Muslim world which President Barack Obama has so recently addressed as kin, the reaction has been hopeful and yet suspicious.

That door certainly has been edged a little closer to being opened, and a toe in the crack is better than a slammed door. On the other hand, the world has no argument with Islam, the religion of over a billion people, world-wide. Rather it is fanatical Islam, the political ideology that hankers to return to an era long gone when it saw itself on the winning edge of world domination in an advance, hundreds of years ago, that seemed unstoppable, that political Islam now devotes itself to.

And as was done in those early years of militantly-obsessed Islam waging its international jihad of domination through benign and not-so-benign governance, metaphorical swords are once again clashing and slashing at the necks of infidels and deniers of Muslim superiority. Hard in the wake of real bloody violence being meted out by Muslims to Muslims and by Muslims to non-Muslims. Offering friendship and understanding to those of the Muslim world who harbour no ill feeling toward non-Muslims is one thing.

Conveying to the fundamentalist-driven jihadist-dedicated governments and non-government agencies that talk between equals can accomplish much in satisfying the needs and ambitions of the spreading international insurgency against peace in the world merely tends to convince those to whom placatory words of understanding are addressed that their perceived enemy is ripe for assault, and easily defeated. This is tribalism at its most elemental state.

In the process of offering conciliation to an Islamist state of theocratic tyrants determined to possess nuclear weaponry and not shy to offer to rid the world of a neighbouring nation of Jews, much discomfiture has been experienced by Jews the world over, let alone those resident within the State of Israel. The American president, mindful of the unfortunate fall-out among his Jewish constituency who supported and funded his presidency met with their representatives, denying they have been abandoned.

And now, voila! Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has taken up a new songbook, and sings a far different tune. Forgotten is the peace-breaking issue of West Bank settlements, and the intransigence of the government of Israel in not bowing down low enough and eagerly enough to meet the demands of the Palestinian Authority on the merits of its unassailable logic of returnees, possession of Jerusalem and territorial lines.

Suddenly, attention is turned once again on the Arab world, to urge them urgently, to recognize Israel, the Jewish state, and to make friendly overtures to their neighbour, in a civil and non-threatening manner.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is elucidating a sudden change of vision. Pointing out the Arab world's responsibility in seeking a durable peace with Israel, the state they have long committed themselves to overturning and routing from the Middle East. During a news conference in the White House she stated with high definition that it is the responsibility not only of Israel and the United States to reach for peace, but a dedicated and sincere effort to be made by the larger Arab community. In so doing, perhaps the Palestinians might also see the reason in reasonableness.

As for Iran, that country has a limited window of opportunity to open itself to discussions on its nuclear program. Repeating the oft-repeated phrase that the world is not prepared to accept a nuclear-armed Iran, and that Tehran would do well to address itself to that issue. Making oblique reference to the recent election charade and the response of the Iranian public, she spoke of a "shifted" prospect for engagement, even while the United States would prefer to keep options for dialogue open. But at least the issue is now addressed, without obsequiousness.

The Obama administration is concerned with the impression left within the Jewish community before his meeting with Jewish leaders at the White House, blaming media-driven 'misperceptions' of his agenda as a result of the peace process being stalled, with the blame laid solidly on the settlement issue. Interesting, coming hard on the heels of Palestinian negotiator Saeb Ereqat, in an interview scorning Israel's concessions, claiming that if the Palestinian Authority holds out, waits long enough, Israel will agree to all the PA's conditions.

Warning that if the Obama administration does not press Israel on the settlement issue, and to resolve other issues like the returnees, the possession of Jerusalem, the borders, what will ensue would be 'an abyss of violence, chaos, extremism'. Which describes precisely what the Palestinians visited upon Israel each and every time previous peace efforts were concluded, leaving Israelis and their interlocutors incredulous that what they took for assent was instead an intention to wreak bloody havoc within Israel.

In speaking before the Council on Foreign Relations following President Obama's assurance to Jewish leaders that they have not been abandoned, Mrs. Clinton sought to reassure Israel and to relieve the Palestinians of the perception that the United States had chosen to 'favour' the PA and dump their interests in Israel's security and well-being. Which is immensely reassuring to the American Jewish community, not to mention Israel. And doubtless vexing in the extreme to the PA whose propaganda machinery has been working overtime.

Doing their utmost in the international community to convince their supporters that Israel has no heritage value in the Middle East for not even the Dead Sea Scrolls have legitimacy as original Jewish documents of great antiquity, let alone the insistence by Jews that the Al Aqsa Mosque is located squarely on top of the site of the ancient Temple of Solomon. Mere interlopers are the Israelis, nothing more, nothing less.

Secretary of State Clinton urges the PA to get serious about security reform, and to react forcefully against violence and incitement to violence - at the very time when they themselves are actively engaged in that incitement to further augment their situation from a position of strength, which is the continuation of instilling terror in the minds of Jews. Arab states, she stresses, have an obligation to improve their relations with Israel, and, moreover, to educate their public that peace with Israel is desirable and inevitable.

Welcome, welcome.

Labels: Israel, Middle East, Troublespots, United States

posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, July 15, 2009