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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivering his policy speech on Sunday.
 AP
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Last update - 13:57 17/06/2009
Netanyahu's message is there will be no peace
By David Grossman
Tags: Barack Obama, Palestinians 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech was indeed, as it has been decribed, the speech of our lives. Our bogged-down, hopeless lives.

Once again, most Israelis can snuggle up around what appears to be a daring and generous offer, but what is in fact, as usual, a compromise between the anxieties, the weakness and the self-righteousness of the center just-to-the-right and the center a-little-left. But what a great distance between them and the harsh demands of reality, as well as the legitimate needs and rightful claims of the Palestinians, now accepted by most of the world, including the United States.

Now, after every word of the speech has been analyzed and weighed, we should step back and look at the whole spectacle, the big picture. What the speech exposed, beyond all its juggling and parities, is the desistance we have come to, we Israelis, in the face of a reality that requires flexibility, daring and vision. If we turn from the skilled orator to his audience, we will see how passionately it barricades itself behind its anxieties, and we will feel the sweet stupor from pulsating nationalism, militarism and victimhood, which were the heartbeat of the entire speech.
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Other than acceptance of the two-state principle, which was wrung out of Netanyahu under heavy pressure and sourly expressed, this speech contained no tangible step toward a real change of consciousness. Netanyahu did not speak "honestly and courageously" - as he had promised - about the destructive role of the settlements as an obstacle to peace. He did not look the settlers in the eye and tell them what he knows full well: that the map of the settlements contradicts the map of peace. That most of them will have to leave their homes.

He should have said it. He would not have lost points in future negotiations with the Palestinians; rather, he would have allowed these negotiations to begin. He should have spoken to us, the Israelis, like adults, and not have swaddled us in more insulation from the facts known to all. He should have related specifically and in detail to the Arab peace initiative. He should have pointed out the clauses that Israel accepts and those it does not. He should have initiated a challenging call that would have allowed them to respond, and begun Israel's most essential process.

He spent many minutes regaling the audience with the promises and assurances that Israel had to receive from the Palestinians even before negotiations began. He did not speak of the risks Israel had to take or its desire to achieve peace. He persuaded no one that that he really intends to fight for peace. He did not lead Israel to a new future. He only collaborated with its old, familiar anxieties.

I looked at him, and at the impressive data on the support he received after the speech, and I knew how far we are from peace. How distant, and perhaps even whithered within us, are the ability, the talent and the wisdom to make peace, and even the instinct to save ourselves from war. I saw my prime minister in his tight-lipped juggling act, a sophisticated performance of close-eyed rejection. I saw how his ever-ready internal mechanism turns every attempt-to-talk-peace into self-persuasion that an edict from heaven commands us to live by the sword forever. I saw, and I knew that none of these will bring forth peace.

I also observed the Palestinians who responded to the speech, and I thought that they are the most faithful partners to desistance and missed opportunities. Their response could have been much wiser and more prescient than the speech itself; could they not have grasped even the drooping branch Netanyahu offered them, unwillingly, and challenged him to begin negotiations with them immediately, as he proposed at the beginning of his address; negotiations with some chance that the two parties will climb down from the lofty heights of reverberating declarations onto the soil of reality, and perhaps to each party's promised land.

But the Palestinians, trapped like we are in a mechanism of contention and haggling, prefered to speak of the thousand years that would pass before they would agree to his conditions.

This is what Netanyahu relayed to us, this is what his statements revealed: Even if most Israelis want peace, they will not, apparently, be able to achieve it. One can wonder whether we, Israelis and Palestinians, even truly, deeply understand what peace means, and how a life of peace could look. And the question immediately arises as to whether this option of true peace still exists in our consciousness.

Because if it does not exist (and Netanyahu's speech honed and exposed this almost embarrassingly), it means that we have no way of reaching peace. That being the case, as strange as it sounds, we also have no motivation to achieve peace.

Netanyahu's speech, which should have aspired to the new global spirit that U.S. President Barack Obama has generated, tells us between its contorted lines that there will be no peace here if it is not forced upon us. It is not easy to admit it, but it seems increasingly that this is the choice Israelis and Palestinians face: a just and secure peace - forced on the parties through firm international involvement, led by the United States - or war, possibly more difficult and bitter than those that came before it.

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      1.   All the settlers must leave their homes 04:56  |  Michael 17/06/09
      2.   I am hopeful 05:04  |  David Schiler 17/06/09
      3.   How could such a great writer be such a political fool? 05:11  |  A Nice Fellow 17/06/09
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      6.   Israeli Borders! 05:30  |  Le Corbeau 17/06/09
      7.   A Most Satisfying Speech 05:36  |  Shimon Cleopas 17/06/09
      8.   A Jewish Fathrs Day Prayer 05:39  |  Shimon Cleopas 17/06/09
      9.   Poker anyone? 05:59  |  Bazmann 17/06/09
      10.   I am not hopeful 06:00  |  John 17/06/09
      11.   Netanyahu`s message is there will be no peace here 06:07  |  Uri 17/06/09
      12.   The US needs to step up to the plate 06:21  |  Haaretz Fan 17/06/09
      13.   There was no drooping olive branch. 06:25  |  Natallie Durson 17/06/09
      14.   Only obama might bring peace 06:25  |  Yossi 17/06/09
      15.   Mr. Grossman, let me remind you that 06:36  |  David T. 17/06/09
      16.   Peace 06:50  |  Arie1 17/06/09
      17.   Point of fact well said Mr. Grossman ....... 06:50  |  Wedi Mendefera 17/06/09
      18.   When forced to say "Palestinine" 06:52  |  gly 17/06/09
      19.   David- Show by example give up your home 06:52  |  SW 17/06/09
      20.   I heard the speach. That is not what he said. 06:52  |  MichaelF 17/06/09
      21.   Quite correct David Grossman 06:53  |  Mark Lincoln 17/06/09
      22.   Bibi should be making the Palestinians an offer they can`t refuse 06:55  |  Tzfonit 17/06/09
      23.   Grossman are YOU honest with yourself? 07:28  |  Ron 17/06/09
      24.   Netanyahu`s Speech! 07:33  |  Randy Terrell 17/06/09
      25.   contradiction in terms:peace and forced upon us 07:37  |  shraga 17/06/09
      26.   Brave article by a brave man 07:38  |  Mintz 17/06/09
      27.   Funny how Olmert and the left sent David Grossmans son to die in 07:42  |  Left = The enemy 17/06/09
      28.   Excellent, lucid and sober. Thank you Mr. Grossman. 07:43  |  Fortuna Benmayor 17/06/09
      29.   What are Israel`s enemies truly offering? 07:46  |  Baruch Gold 17/06/09
      30.   Peace or Piece? 07:51  |  Y.T. 17/06/09
      31.   Go back to writing books 08:39  |  Ezra 17/06/09
      32.   Grossman, nobody has said it as aptly as you have 08:47  |  Esther 17/06/09
      33.   #9: "he and his friends are less then a minority in Israel" 08:54  |  Esther 17/06/09
      34.   Enemies of Israel 09:01  |  Iain 17/06/09
      35.   A one of a kind article 09:05  |  Rani Zananiri 17/06/09
      36.   Racist remarks by compassionate Mr.Grossman 09:05  |  Absolute Sweden 17/06/09
      37.   baruch and the path of peace 09:16  |  jean form Quebec 17/06/09
      38.   baruch and the path of peace 09:16  |  jean form Quebec 17/06/09
      39.   to Baruch Gold #11 09:44  |  zeev 17/06/09
      40.   So! 09:49  |  Roland 17/06/09
      41.   Palestinians` message is there will be no peace 09:57  |  Joe Sittizen 17/06/09
      42.   to `Left = The enemy` #9 09:59  |  zeev 17/06/09
      43.   blablabla blab Mr. GROSSman 10:05  |  dudu 17/06/09
      44.   A meaningless speech made more meaningless by the circumstances 10:09  |  Natallie Durson 17/06/09
      45.   Very well articulated and thought out 10:25  |  G 17/06/09
      46.   Netanyahu message is that Israel deserves to be safe 10:32  |  Steve Randolph 20/06/09
      47.   Re: Natanyahu speech reflected the old guard of nationalism... 10:33  |  Dutch 17/06/09
      48.   how correct - how sad 10:36  |  Shachar 17/06/09
      49.   Every word here David Grossman says is true. 10:42  |  Michael 17/06/09
      50.   More heat than light, Mr Grossman 10:50  |  Anth 17/06/09
      51.   An attempt to provide "the necessary formaldehyde" 10:51  |  Hank N Tennessee 17/06/09
      52.   Israel needs brave and courageous leadership 10:55  |  Maree 20/06/09
      53.   Grossman is so wrong! 10:58  |  Alan 17/06/09
      54.   The Left is the main reason peace is so remote!!! 10:59  |  Dr Eric 17/06/09
      55.   #9 - You disgust me 11:04  |  Mr. Reason 17/06/09
      56.   The biggest threat to Israel is religious extremism... 11:10  |  Matty Groves 17/06/09
      57.   Netanyahus message is there will be no peace 11:11  |  jack stein 17/06/09
      58.   Mr Grossman What is wrong with having a Jewish state? 11:16  |  Jeremy 17/06/09
      59.   Grim prospects 11:39  |  sh 17/06/09
      60.   have you sentenced yourself? 12:01  |  Avi 17/06/09
      61.   There will be never peace regardless of what Israel may offer 12:04  |  Rafi 17/06/09
      62.   To left=enemy 12:08  |  Anne 17/06/09
      63.   To Randy Terrell/ the stubborness or the wisdom? 12:15  |  Anne 17/06/09
      64.   "Neither Israelis nor Palestinians understand what peace is" 12:17  |  Nemesis 17/06/09
      65.   It seems that only blood lost is capable to convince the israeli 12:17  |  Kris Lazar 17/06/09
      66.   The Muslim World Wants No Peace 12:21  |  Adi 17/06/09
      67.   I feel sad at this respone 12:24  |  Rachel Carter 17/06/09
      68.   #9 disgraceful 12:26  |  itsikmoses 17/06/09
      69.   Bibi should be making the Palestinians an offer they can`t refuse 12:32  |  Tzfonit 17/06/09
      70.   "Legitimate Needs And Rightful Claims" 12:33  |  Jeff Northridge 17/06/09
      71.   #2 David T 12:33  |  Chris Linthwaite 17/06/09
      72.   Grossman reminds all of us elsewhere.. 12:33  |  Rod 17/06/09
      73.   Every word of this article is true. 12:34  |  Michael 17/06/09
      74.   well done grossman, excellent 12:36  |  Neil 17/06/09
      75.   It`s off the radar 12:47  |  sh 17/06/09
      76.   Yes, an enforceable peace is a must.... 12:48  |  Dutch 17/06/09
      77.   The biggest threat to Israel is religious extremism 12:50  |  Matty Groves 17/06/09
      78.   to Ezra #31 13:01  |  zeev 17/06/09
      79.   the myth of missed opportunities 13:02  |  Scheller 17/06/09
      80.   Most of the settlers? 13:32  |  John 17/06/09
      81.   PEACE WITH THE COMPLETE SURRENDER OF ISRAEL`S ANCESTRAL RIGHTS... 13:41  |  James 17/06/09
      82.   I am hopeful 14:00  |  Jasper 17/06/09
      83.   to James #68 14:06  |  zeev 17/06/09
      84.   Grossman is not the PM - thank goodness 14:11  |  Sid 17/06/09
      85.   Grossman for Prime Minister 14:31  |  Bazmann 17/06/09
      86.   Dutch # 61 There Is No Such Law 14:40  |  Jeff Northridge 17/06/09
      87.   Leftist view of peace 14:48  |  Brod 17/06/09
      88.   Jasper on the green line... 14:53  |  Ibrahim 17/06/09
      89.   Netanyahu offers Palestinians a flag, anthem and nothing else 14:55  |  American in NY 20/06/09
      90.   Netanyahu offers Palestinians a flag, anthem and nothing else 14:55  |  American in NY 17/06/09
      91.   Mr. Grossman- which language is your stonger one? 15:13  |  a voice 17/06/09
      92.   answer to Mr. Grossman 15:15  |  flo 17/06/09
      93.   Can we find respectability in the Palestinian leadership????????? 15:23  |  notoinfants 17/06/09
      94.   Ibrahim # 77 The Green Line 15:27  |  Jeff Northridge 17/06/09
      95.   Pals and Grossman reject PM`s offer of peace 15:30  |  Realist 17/06/09
      96.   to all the left-leaning liberal, pal pitiers. 15:39  |  a voice 17/06/09
      97.   Israeli Settlements are Catalyst for Violence 15:43  |  Vladek 17/06/09
      98.   Grossman is simply confused on this issue 15:44  |  Nathaniel 17/06/09
      99.   the brilliant mr grossman 15:45  |  Joe 17/06/09
      100.   Iggeret Netanyahu 15:46  |  Yaakov Sullivan 17/06/09
      101.   Bibi`s Speech - Very Good, But Should Have Put Settlement Freeze 15:51  |  Eli 17/06/09
      102.   "a daring and generous offer" 15:52  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 17/06/09
      103.   to Jasper #81 15:55  |  zeev 17/06/09
      104.   Sad little Joe on the brilliant mr grossman 15:58  |  Rod 17/06/09
      105.   Arabs want the pre 1967 Israel to be destroyed. 16:01  |  JMK 17/06/09
      106.   pal accepts non-militarized 16:04  |  vinnytg 17/06/09
      107.   zeev, answer to yesterday`s post 16:07  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 17/06/09
      108.   Amazing - This Speech + Talkbacks Show Peoples Colours 16:09  |  Eli 17/06/09
      109.   I have read Grossman, and from.... 16:09  |  Abecassis 17/06/09
      110.   Cipora - on "wordsmiths" 16:10  |  Rod 17/06/09
      111.   To Durson - No One Wants Palestinians... 16:29  |  Eli 17/06/09
      112.   Peace or War, Israel will lose 16:30  |  George 17/06/09
      113.   #109, Rod 16:30  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 17/06/09
      114.   Tzfonit 16:30  |  GABE1 17/06/09
      115.   response 16:30  |  Ari Kaplan 17/06/09
      116.   Pals don`t need army, tanks 16:31  |  As`ad (Angry Arab) 17/06/09
      117.   Cipora Julianna Kohn to zeev 16:33  |  shalamar 17/06/09
      118.   Rod! #110 16:42  |  hal 17/06/09
      119.   #1 michael still wandering in the wilderness 16:45  |  v hardman 17/06/09
      120.   #6 LE CORBEAU IS DEFINITELY NOT A LAWYER 16:47  |  v hardman 17/06/09
      121.   You can`t go back to what was 16:51  |  Arnold 17/06/09
      122.   #106 the stars are not very bright deep in the heart of texas 16:55  |  v hardman 17/06/09
      123.   Cipora Julianna Kohen on the Right of Return 16:56  |  Yaakov Sullivan 17/06/09
      124.   David Grossman, author, peace activist. 16:57  |  sandra chitayat 17/06/09
      125.   Eli 16:59  |  Natallie Durson 17/06/09
      126.   the left wing 17:01  |  patriot 17/06/09
      127.   Unlike Joe #99 17:05  |  sh 17/06/09
      128.   american in NY 17:12  |  PATRIOT 17/06/09
      129.   Bibi`s Drooping Branch? 17:16  |  jim the mechanic 17/06/09
      130.   Jeff Northridge - you are still in denial? 17:17  |  Ibrahim 17/06/09
      131.   #121, Sullivan 17:19  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 17/06/09
      132.   I agree with you Fortuna Benmayor #28! 17:20  |  S 17/06/09
      133.   San Remo and other canards 17:22  |  r cummings 17/06/09
      134.   Mark Lincoln`s respomse 17:25  |  Dr. Abe Simhony 17/06/09
      135.   To left=the enemy 17:27  |  Sergio 17/06/09
      136.   The canard of land ownership 17:29  |  r cummings 17/06/09
      137.   Grossman got one thing right 17:29  |  Harold 17/06/09
      138.   Completely disagree with Mr. Grossman`s assessment. 17:30  |  Mark 17/06/09
      139.   More "Facts on the Ground" 17:30  |  Witness 17/06/09
      140.   Sullivan on the Right of Return 17:30  |  Christopher 17/06/09
      141.   Grossman is right, only one mistake 17:32  |  Ernst 17/06/09
      142.   Israeli people 17:44  |  Ernst 17/06/09
      143.   Netanyahu`s speech 17:44  |  David Marks 17/06/09
      144.   to michael 17:46  |  kate 17/06/09
      145.   Netanyahu needs realize 17:51  |  Harold 17/06/09
      146.   Giving away security w/o getting peace in return 17:53  |  Grossman the airhead 17/06/09
      147.   When paranoia has a field day 17:58  |  Michael N 17/06/09
      148.   The Grassroots movement will make the difference 17:59  |  Harold 17/06/09
      149.   #56 then biggest threat to Israel is ANY EXTREMISM ! 18:01  |  world observer 17/06/09
      150.   oh Cipora such a funny post! #113 18:04  |  hal 17/06/09
      151.   No, Cipora Julianna Kohen, that is not the only reason 18:09  |  Yaakov Sullivan 17/06/09
      152.   Christopher of Boston on His Rampage 18:12  |  Yaakov Sullivan 17/06/09
      153.   #141 the 5 year crisis has a lot do with how Israel feels today 18:12  |  world observer 17/06/09
      154.   r cummings 18:19  |  der Zweifler 17/06/09
      155.   Dr Abe Simhony 18:21  |  norman a blumberg 17/06/09
      156.   Peace with the Arabs is not such a big deal ! 18:23  |  Akram Zekaria 17/06/09
      157.   oh Cipora such a funny post! #113 18:24  |  jambalaya 17/06/09
      158.   Yaakov Sullivan # 121 Palestinian "Refugees" 18:29  |  Jeff Northridge 17/06/09
      159.   Natenyau doted all the I`s & crosses all the T`s ! 18:42  |  Akram Zekaria 17/06/09
      160.   Akram #159... dotted i`s and crossed t`s!!?? 18:59  |  Esther 17/06/09
      161.   Ibrahim # 130 That Is A Weak Argument 19:07  |  Jeff Northridge 17/06/09
      162.   #159 I agree no Arab leader is ever up front except 19:16  |  world observer 17/06/09
      163.   #76 and the rockets and daily suicide bombing atempts by PAls 19:25  |  world observer 17/06/09
      164.   Yaakov Sullivan # 151 You Miss The Point 20:26  |  Jeff Northridge 17/06/09
      165.   Grossman: Obama`s `New global spirit` has about as much substance 20:57  |  An Israeli 17/06/09
      166.   Excellent expose of total lack of will to give up settlements 21:05  |  Ivar 17/06/09
      167.   Israeli, change your name then... 21:13  |  Ibrahim 17/06/09
      168.   To Durson, Sullivan, Lintwait, et al 21:20  |  leoblue 17/06/09
      169.   Jeremy - What`s wrong? 02:24  |  Skandar 18/06/09
      170.   To Mr.Grossman: Please I just arrived.You have not convinced me 02:32  |  KATHY 18/06/09
      171.   To my Fiery CJK ..ALL POSTS.KUDOS TO YOU! I WAS AWAY IN IRAN. 02:39  |  KATHY 18/06/09
      172.   jambalaya@157 ..Let me tell You before I leave: 02:49  |  KATHY 18/06/09
      173.   #164 Jeff`s tortured tautologies 03:22  |  Johnboy 18/06/09
      174.   IF the Arabs wanted peace they would negotiate the 2 states 04:02  |  PETER SM 18/06/09
      175.   #167 Ibrahim - What is a Jewish State? - and Why. 04:40  |  Avraham 18/06/09
      176.   Netanyahus message is there will be no peace 05:51  |  Marvin I. Wolfe 18/06/09
      177.   #1 Michael 05:53  |  MK 18/06/09
      178.   Persistance, Insistance and Disistance 06:05  |  David K 18/06/09
      179.   #175, Kathy 06:31  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 18/06/09
      180.   The escape forward 06:37  |  Salem awaad 18/06/09
      181.   Johnboy # 173 I Like Tautologies 07:14  |  Jeff Northridge 18/06/09
      182.   PALS continue never to miss an opportunity,2 states is anathema 07:54  |  PETER SM 18/06/09
      183.   To Avraham #176 Why a jewish state 08:02  |  Mike 18/06/09
      184.   MIKE A Jewish state recognises that millions of Arabs 08:18  |  PETER SM 18/06/09
      185.   How the US should twist arms 08:24  |  Shaul Ben-Yimini 18/06/09
      186.   # 10 I am not hopeful either 15:36  |  petra 18/06/09
      187.   Peace in Palestine 18:45  |  Sher Mohammad 18/06/09
      188.   Which picture now? 19:18  |  J.H. 19/06/09
      189.   More of the same! 00:54  |  Yehuda Erdman 20/06/09
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