Barak: Israel must advance peace or face a 'diplomatic tsunami'
Defense Minister says Israel must counter building international pressure to recognize a Palestinian state within 1967 borders.
By Barak Ravid Tags: Israel news Middle East peace Ehud BarakIsrael could face a diplomatic tsunami if the standstill in Mideast peace talks continues, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Sunday, adding that a massive campaign to delegitimize Israel was at hand.
Direct peace talks that began in Washington in September of last year froze within weeks as a result of a disagreement between Israel and the Palestinians over a partial moratorium on construction in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
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Ehud Barak - March 13, 2011. |
| Photo by: Moti Milrod |
At the time Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said peace was achievable in one year.
Speaking at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv on Sunday, Barak said that as that September deadline nears "we stand to face a diplomatic tsunami that the majority of the public is unaware of," Barak said, adding that there was "an international movement that may recognize a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders."
"It's a mistake not to notice this tsunami. Israel's delegitimization is in sight, even if citizens don't see it. It is a very dangerous situation, one that requires action," the defense minister said, adding that "diplomatic initiative" would "reduce risks down the road."
Barak also leveled what could be construed as indirect criticism of the diplomatic policy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that "for the last two years we haven't tried to put the core issues on the [negotiations'] table."
"Israel must say it is willing to discuss security borders, refugees, and Jerusalem and then it could have a chance," the defense minister said, adding that in the event that this initiative would fail, then "the other side would take the blame."
The defense minister also called on opposition leader and Kadima chairperson Tzipi Livni to join the cabinet immediately in order to promote the peace process. According to Barak, "an election at this point is a bad option."
The defense minister said that "Kadima must join the government and this should be a first priority." Barak acknowledged that Kadima, the current opposition party, joining the government was no simple matter, with many of Livni's advisors urging her to take an outsider's look before deciding whether to join the government.
Barak stressed that worst case scenario, if no progress was made by the September deadline, Kadima could leave the government and call for reelections, however, he said that in the event that elections are called, it is the citizens that will pay the price.
Barak said that "elections are a time of collective stupidity. People stop doing what is good for the state and do whatever will get them more votes."
Barak added that "the public is waiting to move forward. I say this every time to Netanyahu: 'Don't consult with the ministers, lead.' We need to be decisive right now, both with those who stand with us as well as the opposition."
Barak criticized Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's interim plan, saying that "these are just pipe dreams." He added that "even if we are discussing an interim solution, it has to include a permanent future solution."
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and just lol
Of course this clown doesn't want elections. As all the polls indicate, it would mean the end of his political career.
The peace the international community wants is Israel's suicide pill. Best to live by hanging tough.
The peace the international community wants is Israel's suicide pill. Best to live by hanging tough.
How does Israel ever expect to have peace when the building at illegal settlements continues, when Israel says it will not give up the Jordan valley, when Israel controls almost, if not more, than 40% of the West Bank. None of this is a recipe for peace. Will peace give the Palestinians their homeland on all the land occupied by Israel since 1967? I doubt it and I doubt that the Palestinians will completely capitulate to the demands from Israel for total surrender. The ball has been in Israel's court for decades. It is up to them to tell the world that in exchange for peace they will accept the Saudi peace plan and pull out of ALL of the territories. If not, the choice is between peace and a one-state solution.
Israel could have made real efforts to reach a negotiated peace years ago when it was just the right thing to do, or when it was the legal thing to do, or when it was the moral thing to do. Obviously these reasons were insufficient.
All of the educated people and groups in the world that are not specifically vested in Israel are supporting the Palestinian state. Israel must choose either to join all of these people and groups or to engage in a deception that will cover Israel's refusal to participate. In the first case Israel survives, in the latter it doesn't. Israel's international allies are of such a uniformly poor quality (think Tony Blair) that Israel has become internationally a rudderless leaky boat washing down rapids toward a stormy ocean. Israel must embrace the international movement to accept a Palestinian state, and it has to do so without it's usual deception and manipulativeness.
Mr. Barak is of the same cloth as the one in the United States. Bow to everyone and ask them to play nice. I still cannot understand how Mr. Barak was a respected military member, he has always been a determent to the safety of Israel in politics. They will not be satisfied with 1967 borders!!! They want ALL, and you dead. Where is your appeasement coming from? This enemy is not looking for peace....only the end of the Jewish people.
Umm, did he actually use the word "tsunami"? As in, two days after thousands of people have been killed in Japan, he couldn't find a slightly more appropriate, slightly more original, and slightly less sensationalist word to qualify a hypothetical diplomatic problem?
Even Barak has now acknowledged that Israelis are soon going to get a big wake-up call. The actions of Bibi's government has made this inevitable. Eventually Israel will have to accept the fact that it might have military capability to defeat its enemies but it cannot overcome - or carry on playing games for ever - with the international community.
this is the essence & beauty of politicians. he did not lie but he however never clearly said he would implement the conditions for this peace to be achievable. people just assumed that's waht he meant but you know what they say: assumption is the mother of all f....ups. who does actually trust this man to push towards peace? Netanyahu and his "plans" for peace are like a man left with a fig leaf to cover himself...
Israel needs to come to terms with international consensus - because it's NOT going to change - and it's NOT going to accept Israel's half-measure solutions!
Israel is delegitimizing itself with the uninterrupted land theft and occupatiion of Palestine. The world will no longer accept the Jewish crimes in Gaza and West Bank. Don´t be astonished if the Palestinians get crazy and commit the murder of a settler family. Israel has killed thousands of Palestinians in the last years and the known war criminals are still unpunished.
Barak: Israel must advance peace or face a 'diplomatic tsunami' This just after 500 new settler "homes" make peace even less possible. It's like watching a nation go mad: one half of its mind not connecting with the other.
Any body thinking about peace with palestinians is living in chilsplay Laland. There has never been any partner for peace across the fence. Barak Dream on!!!. Think international community will come to save you when the second shoah begins..?. Your Labour party policies proved you wrong, that is why you had to quit it. Pals can never make peace, for they have no gnes for peace.
Obama, the EU and Arab League have already set this plan in motion unless talks resume before then. At that point the ICJ court will determine if the settlements are legal and ask for sanction if they are ruled not to be. A second veto from Obama is not likely.
no suprise.
"roiling around" today--that the Defense Minister would have more URGENT affairs to attend to--than giving a frigging speech!
Were you angry and mad those decision in the heat of the passion ? Can you be trusted ? when will you again lose your mind and flip-flop. Just curious.
Especially with this latest bit of lunacy following the recent attack in the WB! "A massive campaign to delegitimize Israel was at hand"??? Oh yes indeed there is, Mr. Barak, but it originites within Israel itself...and more specifically...from within the government of which YOU are a part! Let's drop the pretense that it's coming from anywhere else; shall we?
Barak always wants it both ways - he acts like a commentator and critic of a gov't that he is a member of. Either resign if you disagree with fundamental policy or shut up.