Posted by Dan Ewert : 5/07/2002 12:29:00 AM (Archive Link)
When it comes to Middle-East peace process (a phrase which I increasingly think is a true oxymoron), the pundits always talk about the actions of Israel. They say it’s the responsibility of Israel to form a peace with the Palestinians and that Israel needs to do this or Israel needs to do that. What of the Palestinian side? What do they have to do for peace? You don’t really hear that much about it. Whenever such things are mentioned, they’re usually in the form of Israeli conditions and even then they’re put in the context of harsh, unreasonable demands meant to derail the peace process altogether. As if demanding that the Palestinian factions stop blowing up your citizens is too unreasonable a thing to make a precondition for peace. But again, it’s rarely brought up that the Palestinians need do much of anything. There seems to be this widespread opinion that the Palestinians are entitled to their own state just ‘cause, the Israelis should hand it to them, and any reluctance or stalling by the Israelis is nothing but intransigency on their part.

Israel, however, has very good reasons for not wanting to free up the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem to full Palestinian rule and autonomy. Before the Israelis occupied these territories in 1967, they were only used as launching pads for Arab forces and terrorists to attack Israel. They’ve never stopped producing terrorists, but at least armed forces have stopped coming from them. And now there is virulent Jew-hatred being preached throughout these areas, enflaming the passions of terrorists and many of the people. It is the constant prayer of the Palestinians and all of Arabia that Israel be destroyed. Let’s say that Israel agrees to the “peace plan” recently floated by Saudi Arabia in which the Arab world would recognize Israel and its right to exist in return for Israel enabling a Palestinian state. Let’s imagine this fine fantasy for a moment. Does anyone really believe that peace would be achieved? It is absurd to think so. Instead, more terrorists would pour from these uncontrolled areas, and then it would be soldiers, and it would only be a matter of time before a full war again erupted. Not so many years ago, Israel agreed to a land for peace deal with Lebanon. Lebanon got the land, but Israel’s been shorted. The land they gave up is now used to launch shells from the hills on the farmers down below. What it comes down to is that Israel can make all the concessions and nice gestures it wants, but the attitude of the Arabs will still be the same: the Jews are an unholy evil race that defile the land of Mohammed and must be eradicated. Because this opinion will still be present, Israel will always be in danger. The Israelis are far better off taking the hard-line course of action. At least then they will survive.

It’s clear that Israel has plenty of reasons for not wanting a Palestinian state. Furthermore, they’re under no obligation to give one. Underdog lovers may not like this but the Israelis are in the more powerful position. There is not a pressing necessity for them to make concessions and nothing about potential concessions will work in their best interests. The only thing the Palestinians have to offer is this nebulous peace and under current conditions, that will never be delivered even if Israel does bend. (Personally, I find it disgusting that the Palestinians’ big bargaining chip is violence.) Furthermore, the Palestinian Authority and Yassar Arafat have demonstrated a continual inability or unwillingness to quell the violence. So what reason have the Israelis to make concessions? There are none. It is entirely up to the Palestinians. If they hope for and expect to have their own nation, then they must show good faith towards Israel in providing the one thing they have to offer: peace. Not just words or pleasant rhetoric for the European newspapers, but real solid substantial actions. The PA must crack down on the outlaw groups that threaten peace. They must stop issuing and encouraging the hate-mongering speeches and anti-Semitic teachings that give rise to violence. They must do everything possible on their end to ensure peace. They must meet all Israeli demands because they are in the weaker position in which that is what they must do. Doing so would leave the Israelis with no excuses for denying them a state.

In order to achieve the above goals, the Palestinians need a true government. By this, I don’t mean the sham that is the Palestinian Authority. They had one big election thoroughly controlled and manipulated by Arafat and then went about the usual business of terrorism and anti-Israel rants. Old habits die hard and the PA liked using the Israel as their lightning rod of blame. The people are sure to like you when you’re sticking it to “the man.” What the Palestinians need is an honest, democratically elected government that is ruled by law… an Arab government that is completely unlike any other Arab government in the region. Such a government must adhere strictly to the laws it has created, it must honestly assess the problems of the people and take blame for them, it must have open dialogue with Israel, and it must forcefully assert itself against the factions which threaten both it and its goals. These factions include all the militant groups that produce suicide bombers, gunmen, and Islam twisting, Jew-hate spewing imams. This government needs to lead its people to a better future instead of following the passions of the people and continue on its old bitter course of ineffectiveness.

Unfortunately, this will never come to pass. The Palestinian leadership and the militants are one in the same. There’s nobody who is able to take control and do what must be done. Nobody possesses the intelligence, the bravery, and the life to do so. Anybody who had the first two qualities was or would be quickly deprived of the third by the stupid and cowardly. Nothing will change in Israel unless and until the Palestinians have a sea-change in their thoughts and actions. Given that, it appears nothing will change in Israel for a long time.