Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., June 26, 2008 Sivan 23, 5768 | | Israel Time: 12:01 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 12:36 22/06/2008 Peace crept up as Israel was looking the other way By Zvi Bar'el Tags: Palestinians, Lebanon, Syria  There are short moments like these. Rare ones. As one turns the kaleidoscope, slowly and carefully, among the scenes we have seen hundreds of times, something surprising appears: a new shape, still flickering and not yet clear, but with promise. As long as our hand doesn't shake and make the image disappear. So these are the scenes in general terms: Israel is negotiating with Hamas; Egypt is minding the border with the Gaza Strip; the negotiations with Hezbollah are reaching a conclusion; there is "significant progress" in the Israel-Palestinian Authority dialogue, according to the prime minister; Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem has made it clear that Bashar Assad will not shake Ehud Olmert's hand in Paris, but they will sit around the same table; the head of the new government in Lebanon has declared that there will be no direct negotiations with Israel. In other words, indirect negotiations are an entirely different matter. Even Shaba Farms, that troublesome sliver of land Hezbollah has used to make threats, may be lifted from the conflict. Advertisement The natural inclination under such circumstances is to offer warnings and be wary. With Hamas the deal is temporary, with Syria it is not yet mature because Damascus wants, at best, to receive better treatment from Washington. Hezbollah will come up with a different excuse for war against Israel, the Palestinian Authority lacks a charismatic leadership capable of implementing agreements, and in Lebanon - get serious - who is there to talk to? But not only the future is hopeless; a look back suggests that for the past 41 years we have done fine - thank you very much - without peace with Syria, Lebanon or the Palestinians, and this does not even include the years before the occupation. So why change old habits? Actually, the cease-fire with Hamas explains the need for change. Because, with the exception of Jordan and Egypt, Israel has been in a condition of temporary cease-fire with its neighbors. In a systematic way, the country's citizens were trained to believe that this is the peak of expectations they can aspire to. The lack of confidence in the neighborhood is so entrenched that it has managed to push into a dark corner the Arab states' historic proposal to reconcile with Israel, normalize relations, and provide it with a safety belt. Six years after the signing of the Arab initiative in Beirut, Israel still believes in cease-fires more than in better relations. The changes taking place in the Middle East are passing it by. The Arab states, like Israel, see Iran as a threat, Hezbollah is seen as hostile by countries that have no ties with Israel, the infamous "no's" of the Arab League conference in Khartoum are disappearing from the Arab lexicon, and most Arab regimes are preoccupied with countering radical Islamic terror in their own territories, not with preparations for war with Israel. But all this is not considered to be genuine change, just camouflage for hidden agendas. A cease-fire is not only the most stable and recognizable thing - it is theoretically also cost-free. It does not require recognition of Hamas, nor a pullout from the Golan Heights, or giving up territory in the West Bank. The feeling of constant emergency and danger is perceived to be an acceptable price, especially when the public is blind to the terrible economic and cultural cost of a state of emergency. For example, even if the cease-fire with Hamas lasts six months or five years, even if Syria does not fire a single shot toward Israel during the next decade - as it has not done for the past three and a half decades - in Israel the slogan "the IDF is prepared for any eventuality" will persist. This permanent state of alert costs a fortune, even though that same IDF is not really ready for war in the Gaza Strip, just as it was not ready for war in Lebanon. It is highly doubtful whether the people are ready for another war. When cease-fire tactics replace political strategy, it is no surprise that just when events combine to create an opportunity for change, Israel is busy doing something else - like tying its shoes and not paying attention. Because whoever really wants to move forward on peace with Syria must prepare public opinion for a pullout from the Golan Heights, and the ones who are really intent on peace with the Palestinians must prove that they are determined to remove outposts, or at least prevent new construction in the territories or lift some of the roadblocks. The truth is that there is no one to complain about. It's as if it's the devil's work: Just when an opportunity appears on the horizon, there is no prime minister in Israel. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Bridging the gap A flashy addition to Jerusalem's entrance merges the old and the new. Two years later Captive soldiers' families lash out during ceremony marking Shalit's kidnapping.   1.   Bar`el in the Bubble - Amazing Analysis ( He`s An Amazing Guy) 08:01  |  Tod Zuckerman 22/06/08   2.   Why should Israel change? 11:31  |  Natallie Durson 22/06/08   3.   The abused 11:47  |  sh 22/06/08   4.   Durston the racist 11:55  |  Jez 22/06/08   5.   Der Natalie Durson 12:41  |  Christian Van Nieker 22/06/08   6.   Asylum Would Be a Gift to Nut Dur 14:23  |  U. Yuringo 22/06/08   7.   Kum Ba Ya is a good thing RIGHT ??? 03:34  |  M. S. 23/06/08   8.   zvi bar`el...you`ve hit on the head! 09:19  |  eric 23/06/08   9.   He`s talking to you, David Teich 10:55  |  Johnboy 23/06/08   10.   The Author is On Drugs 11:37  |  Joseph 26/06/08

Read & React Israel to give Egypt new proposals for Shalit swap Responses: 16 Israel and Hezbollah ready to sign on prisoner swap deal Responses: 6 Nadav Shragai: Bring Golan to referendum or expect another Gush Katif Responses: 4 Israel Harel: Banking on a cease-fire while the fire hasn't ceased Responses: 3 More Headlines 11:31 Israel to give Egypt new proposals for Shalit swap 10:59 Israel and Hezbollah ready to sign on prisoner swap deal 10:49 French sources: Syria ready to 'reconsider' its ties with Iran 10:51 Kadima sources: Olmert can't afford not to run in primary 10:57 Gaza crossings stay closed for second day in light of rocket fire 04:53 A new Haredi reality show makes 'American Idol' kosher 11:52 What's the cheapest way to fly to Israel from New York? 11:53 Despite protests, Gay Parade to march through central Jerusalem 11:32 Plans underway for November Mideast peace summit in Moscow 07:33 Olmert aide: Cross-examination of Talansky won't stir sensation 10:43 Dirt barriers removed in West Bank as car-stoning ebbs 02:33 American tourist stoned by mob after accidentally entering Qalandiyah 23:42 Jerusalem welcomes flashy new addition to city of ancient relics Previous Editions Select Day 25 jun 24 jun 23 jun 22 jun 20 jun 19 jun 18 jun 17 jun 16 jun 15 jun 13 jun 12 jun

Special Offers Advertisement Holyland Park Jerusalem Apartment Tower World Class Luxury In the heart of Tel-Aviv The Meier on Rothschild tower Jerusalem of Gold Luxury apartments in Jerusalem's finest location Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel

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