Memo to Mitchell: Bring a peace plan or stay home
Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a black hole swallowing up goodwill ambassadors throughout the ages.
By Yossi Sarid Tags: George Mitchell Israel US Israel news Middle East peaceBenjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister, Ehud Barak, both wear luxury watches. But their watches lack hands. For them, nothing is burning until everything goes up in flames.
Sunday will see the conclusion of another pointless visit by the U.S. special envoy. There will be a second meeting with the prime minister, and that will be enough. We still won't grasp the purpose of George Mitchell's frequent trips here, nor will we understand why the emissary would make a mockery of himself and the people who dispatch him.
Mitchell could have sat on the banks of the Potomac River and lamented the bad memories from the Middle East while taking comfort in the good memories from Northern Ireland.
Here he is, once again landing in Lod. Soon he will be whisked away for a meeting with the president. It's always good to start a trip with him. Shimon Peres infuses a spirit of optimism. The future is here, you just need to reach out and touch it.
Peres will wax poetic to his guest about the good people he will encounter on the way, and about the prime minister who pursues an agreement that just keeps running away. Israel is willing to give away half the kingdom, but there just aren't any Palestinians ready to rule it.
As Peres waxes eloquently, the defense minister waits in the wings. Indeed, it's hard for Mitchell to understand exactly what Barak is saying, but it's impossible not to be impressed with the depth of his analysis. There's no need to use this occasion to reach an agreement; after all, Barak is taking off for America tonight. How pleasant it is to meet in Washington. We'll see you next week and continue to chat.
The key meeting, of course, is with the prime minister. That, too, can be done virtually and without getting angry along the way. And the timing, oh what awful timing, just a few days before the Likud Central Committee meeting. And with senior ministers Eli Yishai, Avigdor Lieberman, Benny Begin and Moshe Ya'alon peeking in, this is all Bibi can offer at the moment. And later on: a few more imperial gestures, a few more roadblocks that will be and won't be removed, and no more Bidenesque welcomes. That's a promise.
Mitchell, for his part, is now singing Israel's praises, as if he were following the talking points the White House updates every now and then. This week, in the wake of Independence Day and the International Bible Contest, the strings are being plucked with finesse and there are no wind instruments in the background. This week, Netanyahu is being handled, for a change, with a soft stick instead of an officer's staff. Maybe he will come to his senses.
What did Mitchell think would happen on his next visit? What did he think would come of the latest of his who-knows-how-many trips? One in which he arrives with empty hands and a diplomatic mask that conceals the revulsion all over his face. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a black hole that swallows up goodwill ambassadors throughout the ages, none of whom has returned alive. Tony Blair is just the latest example of the lost and the despaired. Where is he today?
That's why Mitchell should not bother making his next visit without carrying a detailed American plan with him, one marked by boldness and determination. The United States should leave this plan on the table in Jerusalem and Ramallah and then leave. Either take it or shoot yourselves in the head. If there is no such plan, Mitchell might as well stay home and play with his grandchildren.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
Unlike Blair, Mitchell is an "honest" broker without a personal agenda. As an honest man and good politician, both of which he is; he knows that there are limits to the amount of pressure which can be exerted upon Israel before the congressional elections in the fall. He also knows that the Israeli Government can not be happy about the appearance of "new" weapons in the region. To find a deal acceptable to both parties may take some time.
Bravo! Larissa
This whole sad episode may very well devolve beyond recognition. Next August could see American guns trained on Israel to force compliance with international wishes. Replace your government or suffer the worst you can imagine. Alone again.
It is either you hit the nail on its head or you leave it alone.Mitchell would be far better off if he asked his government to have a concrete and courageous peace plan.or leave us alone.
It is either you hit the nail on its head or you leave it alone.Mitchell would be far better off if he asked his government to have a concrete and courageous peace plan.or leave us alone.
Expecting some Olmert-esque capitulation or fearfully leftist self abnegation, the US was met with Netanyahu's response of measured patience and optimism. The Obama adminstration is naturally taking some time to adjust to the novel idea of Israeli self respect. But there are optimistic signs even within the harshly ideological White House. Yossi - we all ultimately want the same thing. Relax and watch a pro. You may be in for a pleasant suprise.
"The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a black hole that swallows up goodwill ambassadors throughout the ages, none of whom has returned alive." I guess that's what the middle east is secretly proud of: Together we're insupportable.
The two governments will never make compromises for a solution so Obama's intention is simply keeping the wheels turning. While Abbas is not an immediate threat to Israel Obama is trying to find a way to nulify the threat from Hizbullah, Syria and Iran. All sides know this. Until the threat from these three has been lessened Israel will not take any chances or bold moves. Abbas for his part is tied to Gaza one way or another and without any resolution on that track he has no real power. All sides have yet to sit down at the game board because the present board is not to their liking.
Mitchell may be able to take a lot of abuse. But that does not mean he's a masochist. And neither is Obama. Maybe if both Netanyahu AND Abbas ask nicely and publicly and jointly and repeatedly, the US may offer some bridging proposals. Elect some politicians who ran on the basis of finding a way to make peace, not who run on the basis of imposing their vision on the world.
We Israeli citizens are watching you, all of you. Anyone who wants any sort of support from this citizenry needs to wash his or her mouth out and talk turkey. Bibi should be forced to give either his usual "I can't" or to fold, both of which will make things crystal clear to us and to the entire world. What will Obama do without meal in his mouth? Will he at last deliver an uncharacteristic but vital "you must"?
I'm sure Mitchell just relishes the opportunity to be pilloried by Netanyahu and Hamas and Abbas and anybody else with an interest for putting an American plan on the table. You must really like the idea of using the US as a punching bag. No thanks, we can do without the trouble. Mitchell should not put an American plan on the table unless and until both the Israeli PM and the PLO chairman both jointly request bridging proposals because they both agree they are hopelessly deadlocked. And the request must be public and joint and repeated and come with the proviso that nobody will complain. Tell your politicians to get their stuff together first. Or better, yet, choose some that run on a platform of finding a peaceful resolution of the conflict, not imposing their will on the United States and on the Palestinians.
1.The enemy of Peace in The Middle East is the devil, Antichrist, Dajjal, Public Enemy Number One, The Primordial Snake, The underworld Dragon. 2.The Five Loaves Formula can decapitate the Devil and present its ugly head before the Knesset in a platter. 3.And Israel and Palestine will live happily ever after at night in peace, with both eyes closed, wih open windows with moon above smiling sweetly like the Mona Lisa. 4.Most of all, the Five Loaves implores the One True God to come down from heaven. 5.Amen?
1.Here is a Peace Plan from a small insignificant boy: Five Loaves and Two Fish. 2.Five Loaves not only provides a Passover from all stalemates, deadlocks, quagmires and deep holes but also delivers mankind from the devil, the first fish, to The One True God, the second fish. 3.It ends 62 years of occupation but at the same time also ends 6000 years of waiting and 2000 years of weeping. 4.It resolves the Middle East Crisis justly, comprehensively, permanently, speedily and in our days. 5.Above all, this memo comes from God Himself.
No chance...the two state solution is no longer viable..it is ironic that the occupation will lead to the end of a Jewish State...there can be no other resolution now but a one state one man one vote result. Israel can grant voting rights to non resident Jews but in the next 20 years or sooner, they will be a minority. It is South Africa with no Mandela willing to forgive and forget....It doesn't matter what Bibi or Obama or anyone else does...demography is destiny..
Israel has several "lines of defense" against a determined American government. Israel will ignore, argue, complain, obfuscate, delay, and before you know it, there is a new government in place and the process can start over (if needed). If Mitchell brings a "peace plan" with him to Israel, this will change nothing. As long as Obama is talking, Israel has nothing to worry about. The only thing which Obama can do which will break the cycle is to stop aid to Israel. Action speaks louder than words. Nothing else will work.
Youssi you are too old and stupid after so many years of leftist do you konw whohe is? put your pen down " Schumer Says He's On Mission From God (To Help Israel) TPMCafé (blog) Here is Schumer explaining that he defends Israel because Hashem (Orthodox for God) tells him to. You know, my name .... comes from the word shomer, ...
Are you saying you can "do peace" alone? Maybe now, when Israel chooses to thwart us, it will be with fear of consequences, not swagger. Maybe now, when Israel tells us one thing and does another, it will be with trepidation not glee. The firm hold on congress won't get you that far, if the president and state department and populace are dubious about your directions and intentions. Do you want peace or conquest? Accomplishing conquest, will you slay your foe or exhile him to other lands? After, will God smile on your accomplishments?