'We won't be suckers'
On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, six months after assuming office, Netanyahu must stop with his feints and leading us astray, and finally reveal his true intentions.
Haaretz Editorial Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu Israel news PalestiniansThe style is the man. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opted for common language during his speech at the end of last week: "We are willing to make concessions for peace, but we won't be suckers," he told members of his Likud party at the Tel Aviv Exhibition Grounds - an address that already has been dubbed "the suckers speech." Perhaps he wanted to flatter Likud members by speaking in their language, perhaps he thought he was speaking as a candidate at an election rally and not as prime minister. In any case, it is hard to fathom a serious statesman using such vulgar language.
But Netanyahu's statement also raises a series of disturbing questions in terms of its content. Concessions are essential now to improve Israel's position in the world and to jump-start the stalled peace process. Such concessions have absolutely nothing to do with being "suckers." It is actually the prime minister's attitude of refusal on the matter of freezing settlement construction that could cause serious political damage. If Israel makes concessions, it will not be a sucker; if it continues to refuse, Netanyahu's term will be apt.
The promise Netanyahu made the settlers in that speech - to live "normal lives," as they deserve in his view - is no more than a hollow and infuriating election pledge. Either the prime minister is heading toward realizing the two-state principle to which he committed himself in the "Bar-Ilan speech" - in which case the settlers' lives will not be "normal" and most will be asked to leave their homes - or their lives will continue to be normal, and there will be no diplomatic progress. The suspicion now arises that in both speeches, at Bar-Ilan and at the Exhibition Grounds, Netanyahu sought only to flatter his audience.
On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, six months after assuming office, Netanyahu must stop with his feints and leading us astray, and finally reveal his true intentions. Conflicting messages - such as the commitment to a two-state solution and at the same time a normal life for settlers - first and foremost damage his credibility. Netanyahu has not made one significant political achievement so far other than his survival maneuvers in the face of his coalition, and his wheeling and dealing in the face of the United States' just demands. It's not too late to change not only the style, but especially the content.
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
In another area of long standing government policy, it appears the government has chosen to become more consistent. Ambassador Jacob Keidar, speaking in Uganda on Sept. 10th, said "Israel does not have any nuclear weapons or programs". That seems quite unambiguous. Is this what the new approach will be when the President of Iran at the U.N. later this month will question an apparent nuclear double standard, whereby nations who have avoided signing the NPT get better treatment from the Great Powers than those who have signed, as Iran has?
^^
Time has arrived for the beggining of the end with Natanyahu possibly leading the way. The old gaurd who saw zionist as encroaching onto your neighbors land in the name of self defense and national security may be coming to an end. Israel has more security than it realizes and Pres Obama said there's "an unbreakable bond" between the two countries. For long-term security and a move in the direction of great statesmanship, Natanyahu could foster in peace treaties with all: Pal's, Lebanese, and Syrians. 'Cause it's the right thing to do. There has been the committment to the two state solution and roadmap, which has past "the recognition of Israel" phase. It's time to look at borders and work hard for peace. Happy new year.
Appeasement never worked and giving land or promises to the Arabs without receiving anything in return will not bring peace. It's time for the Arabs to show their real face.
You say, "Concessions are essential now to improve Israel's position in the world and to jump-start the stalled peace process." MORE concessions from Israel? What have the arabs conceded?!
that gives the world recycled ideas and recycled words that contradict each other and leads Israel no-where. Netanyahu and Peres let Oslo evaporate, during the whole time building settlements. The world has changed, especially for the USA, 9-11 attacks and a huge military conmittment in middle-eastern countries. Costs are many lives and many $$$'s. Obama and his plan will have good results in two years, if all parties stay committed to the goal of peace.