Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., November 29, 2009 Kislev 12, 5770 | | Israel Time: 00:52 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Jewish World Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Focus U.S.A. Strenger than Fiction Business Travel Magazine Week's End Anglo File Books
Share |
Last update - 00:00 21/11/2007
Barak -suspected saboteur
By Haaretz Editorial
Tags: Annapolis, Ehud Barak

Defense Minister Ehud Barak has said on a number of occasions that he is "praying for the success of the Annapolis summit." It is good to see Barak placing his trust in God. It is even better to see him wishing for the summit to succeed. However, a defense minister is expected to do much more than just pray.

For months, Barak has been silent as a monk. His performance as defense minister has hardly been felt. He seems to be finding it hard to leave his mark on the ministry, despite his wealth of experience in the field.

He recently broke his silence, but what he said did not sound like something coming from the leader of the country's second largest party - which is supposed to pursue a distinct political and security agenda that sets it apart from other parties.
Advertisement
All the while, his office is making pessimistic noises on the chances of success the summit, which Barak will attend, has of succeeding. Barak's speech last Sunday at a party meeting strengthened the impression that Barak does not believe in its chances of success. Barak threw Annapolis only a few casual sentences.

Additionally, according to a leak from Monday's cabinet meeting, he spoke in favor of the settlers - including those living in illegal outposts.

The defense minister has the right not to believe the summit will succeed, but he is absolutely forbidden from sabotaging it while working for a government that has decided to strive toward its success.

The defense minister could have had a far-reaching effect on events on the ground before the summit. He could have given orders to make life considerably easier for the Palestinians living under Israel occupation, as a token of Israel's intentions to move ahead toward peace. Barak could have released as many Palestinian prisoners as possible and opened up roadblocks instead of merely appearing to do so. He could have checked mass arrests and granted work permits to Palestinians, to mark the opening of a new chapter. Barak did none of the above.

He is also the minister entrusted with supervising the settlers' activity. His reported support for people living in illegal outposts and his quoted refusal to freeze construction in the settlements (saying it was "impossible") will only make it harder for Annapolis to succeed. And so, Barak's pessimistic prophecy could end up fulfilling itself.

His colleagues in the Labor leadership have good reason to complain. "We are keeping silent and leaving the arena open to pressure from the right wing," Ami Ayalon said recently. Others complained of their party's passive line. Labor is supposed to constitute the government's most influential bloc regarding progress on negotiations with the Palestinians. For this very reason, voters cast their ballots for it.

"We will leave no stone unturned on the way to peace," Barak said this week in an attempt to recapture his days at Camp David when he dared to bring up the real core issues for discussion. Now it seems Barak is seeking to leave no stone unturned to find a away to thwart prospects for peace.

Barak's actions are highly suspect: Is he willing to leave no stone unturned for peace only when he is prime minister? Is he unwilling to assist the drive toward a peace agreement - and possibly even hamper it - simply because he is not at the helm?
PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Hezbollah heads divided
Militants slam civilian leaders amid fears of IDF attack.
Israel-Iran war?
Israel must prepare for the chance that if it strikes Iran, not all of the pilots will return.
  1.   Better no partner than having deceiving-lying-thieving Arab"partn 19:28  |  Genuine Tosefta 21/11/07
  2.   Ye and he should also permit suicide bombers to enter Israel ... 19:45  |  Norman 21/11/07
  3.   perhaps Barak learned 19:50  |  Larry 21/11/07
  4.   I must admit I am flabbergasted by this article. 19:58  |  S 21/11/07
  5.   Ehud "Burgerking" Barak, autistic defense minister 22:42  |  Andreas 21/11/07
  6.   Barak must be doing something right.. 23:01  |  Bob 21/11/07
  7.   No wonder this article is unsigned 23:20  |  Major R 21/11/07
  8.   He just took out Syrian nuclear reactor 23:40  |  Shulamit Batel 21/11/07
  9.   God Bless Ehud Barak 00:03  |  John Isenhower 22/11/07
  10.   Better no partner than lying thieving etc... 00:21  |  Isca 22/11/07
  11.   Barak was burned 00:53  |  Manny 22/11/07
  12.   Haaretz anonymous editor suspected traitor 02:15  |  Genuine Tosefta 22/11/07
  13.   5 Andreas from Basel 05:24  |  Simon 22/11/07
  14.   Knock it off, he`s the only realistic one 05:43  |  Gabe 22/11/07
  15.   Who wants Anapolis...? 06:20  |  Jerri i 22/11/07
  16.   D M Barak 06:33  |  Sol 22/11/07
  17.   Editorial manipulate for more than arabs rejection of Camp David 07:06  |  Joseph E . 22/11/07
  18.   I AM SURE THAT BARAK IS DOING WHAT 09:07  |  Robert 22/11/07
  19.   From #1 to17 everyone is of the opposite opinion 09:14  |  S 22/11/07
  20.   Should have granted work to Pals, very funny.. 09:50  |  maurice 22/11/07
Special Offers
Advertisement
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
Award-Winning 'Obsession'
Watch 'Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West' Online FOR FREE!
Protea Hills
A Retirement Village in Nature Nestled in the Foothills of Jerusalem
Date Local Jewish Singles
Ready to meet your match? Join Jdate today!
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
 Haaretz Hot Topics
Iran elections
Obama speech in Cairo
The Pope in the Holy Land
Durban II conference
Israel vs. Hamas
More Headlines
00:00 Likudniks blast 'enemy of the Jews' Obama over settlement freeze
00:21 2,000 protest Haredi religious coercion in Jerusalem
21:21 Top Iran lawmaker: We could leave the NPT
21:43 Shalit deal / What would Israel do if Iran captured an IAF pilot?
16:30 Report: Security beefed up at Gaza-Egypt border ahead of Shalit transfer
21:23 Hezbollah leadership split amid fears of fresh IDF attack
15:07 IN PICTURES / Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha
00:24 TV ROUND-UP: Israel: Peace talks may lead to settlement evacuation; Grant's first Portsmouth match
21:27 Tourism Min. pledges to keep developing West Bank sites, despite freeze
17:56 Security officer for IDF General Staff suspected of attempted rape
22:27 Shas to fight bill that would help find women draft dodgers
12:12 Hugo Chavez: Israel plans to 'terminate the Palestinian people'
11:21 Muslim pilgrim dies of swine flu during annual haj
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
| Advert: Recommended Restaurants | Makom: Engaging on Israel
| Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved