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ASIA TIMES


April 19, 2013

Despite all the white noise and cynicism concerning peace between the
Palestinians/Israel and Iran controversy, there is hope. (Israel watches the show beyond Almaty
April 9, 2013). When the President of the United States traveled to
Israel recently, the prime minister of that country, Benjamin Netanyahu,
spoke of "historic compromises in relation to the Palestinians."

And on April 9, in a meeting with the US Secretary of State, the prime
minister spoke of his determination "not only to resume the peace
process with the Palestinians, but to make a serious effort to end this
conflict once and for all." But when the prime minister first came to
office several years ago, he showed his disdain for a two-state solution
by ignoring all advice in favor of a two-state solution, including his
top national security advisers (current and former) by carrying out a
furious settlement expansion.


And, then showing his disdain for facts, the prime minister continued
his hysterical claims of threats from Iran, again not supported by his
national security advisers nor average Israelis. During his visit to
America, the prime minister had the temerity with arrogance and hubris,
to hector the president of the United States, cheered on by his acolytes
in the media, think tanks and Congress.


So what changed? Perhaps, an election that was to be a coronation but
turned out to be almost the prime minister's defeat. Or, perhaps it
finally dawned on the prime minister the devastating effect of future
demographics on his desire for a "Jewish state".


Or, perhaps the prime minister finally figured out that he wasted
several valuable years by ignoring peace with the Palestinians - a quest
that he could have continued by building on the works of former prime
ministers Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert. Or, perhaps the prime minister
saw the error of ignoring the trauma caused by expanding settlements on
lands that Palestinians hoped to build their state. Or, perhaps the
prime minister wants a legacy - that of a peacemaker.


There are many who are skeptical about his conversion. But the prime
minister should be given every benefit to help him turn his words into
action and redeem his previous years in office. There is no doubt that
an overwhelming number of Israeli citizens want peace with their
Palestinian brethren. Elections have consequences and those who ignore
the wishes of the voters, as the prime minister found out, and as in the
United States, his supporters found out, will be doing so at their own
peril.


Fariborz S Fatemi


McLean, VA (Apr 19, '13)


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