Stop Praying for Peace, and Think!

I argued in a recent op-ed that the collective punishment of 1.5 million citizens would not stop the crude rockets fired from the Gaza strip. It didn’t stop Hezbollah in 2006, and will not stop Hamas now. Instead, Israel will continue to lose credibility as a western style democracy, while the victims of this aggression become an added fuel to the rage of Arabs -Christians and Muslims- and the 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide. 

This Arab and Muslim discontent against a world that seems to ignore their plight, and have double standards when it comes to their suffering is THE reason behind the incomprehensible acts of terror, and the increase in extremism

In another article, published on November 2006, I argued that the Jewish American community has a vast interest in finding solution to the Palestinian predicament, to avoid an immanent repercussion. Such backlash is already evident in many western European countries. It is also starting to take shape in the United States, represented in recent rallies across many American cities, critical opinion pieces on the blog sphere, negative comments published in major newspapers, and even in some mainstream media outlets. 

The ability of the American Jewish lobby to influence the American foreign policy in the Middle East is indisputable, and the question is not if, but when, these organizations will conclude that it is in the best interest of Israel, and Jews worldwide to create a viable Palestinian nation.

However, the most disturbing part of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the fact that these killing fields continue, while all participating and interested think tanks, governments and area experts, know the final solution, but are reluctant to take the required steps to make it a reality.  

In an article published recently in the Washington Post by Brent Scowcroft and Zbigniew Brzezinski, the two former National security advisors –a republican and a democrat- described the American interests in solving this crisis, and they argued that it should be a top priority for the Obama administration 

In another article published in January of 2008 –Decoding the Middle East- there are very specific steps that should guide the American policy in this volatile region. The article also highlights the Israeli’s potential economic payback, expected from establishing complete political ties with all Arab and Muslim nations. Such political and economical benefits to Israel are only possible, after establishing a Palestinians homeland.  

It is incomprehensible for America to continue defending the Israeli position as tit-for-tat while the root cause of the problem is a forty-one years old occupation. This last occupation on earth is in odd with international laws and human sensibility. These unattainable arrangements impose on America, certain positions in the international institutions that minimize our ability to forge collisions on other international matters of importance.  

The Israeli and American positions may have been possible during the cold war, when the two super powers fought in many small regional wars. It was attainable when America was the single super power. However, this position becomes suicidal in the new emerging environment. The new world order -multi polar system- will depend entirely on international cooperation, and America can’t afford in such environment to continue its unilateral policies towards Israel. Click here.

The fifth day of bombardment by the Israeli’s against the most densely populated area in the world, should serve as a reminder that it is our duty and obligation, to reject such massacres. It is also an opportunity to reexamine the simple facts.

1)      The governments on the Palestinian and Israeli sides are equally incapable of reaching an agreement on their own.

2)      The unconditional support of the American government to Israel is a major obstacle to a final and lasting peace agreement in the Middle East. Sometimes, even in the face of American interests and security.

3)      The Israeli lobbies are capable of influencing the American foreign policy, and subsequently the Israeli’s government decisions.

4)      The specifics of a lasting peace agreement in the Middle East are documented, and widely known.  

5)      It is in the best interest of Israel -security and economy- to create a viable Palestinian homeland.

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