Here Gershom Gorenberg analyzes the ways that Israeli colonization schemes (settlements) continue in the West Bank in direct violation of the "road map" and other American declarations–for instance, in Har Homa, which Israel considers to be part of Jerusalem–and other ways in which these schemes appear to have slowed in response to Bush administration pressure.
Rice’s words [of displeasure back in December] have had just enough effect to show that American pressure could work—were it applied much more firmly….Like a giant bulldozer, the settlement enterprise has been rolling
forward for years. There is evidence that Olmert and Ramon are rather
gingerly trying to put their feet on the brake, that Rice and Bush are
rather gently encouraging them to. That’s not enough to stop the
machine. When and if they get serious, the pounding and grinding at Har
Homa will stop.
Gorenberg’s point raises a question he cannot answer from Israel: Why is the U.S. unable to put firm pressure on Israel, if it is clearly in the American interest to end these hateful practices?
We all know how the U.S. sounds when it means business, even with friends. Yesterday Sec’y Rice was in Kenya saying in no uncertain terms that Kenya must come up with a power-sharing plan to end the unrest. Some Kenyans are angry at the outside pressure, but they are paying attention. Why don’t we do this in Israel–order them to come up with a power-sharing plan to restore democracy…
The only logical answer for the American inaction is the Israel lobby’s
political pressure on American policymakers; and the Israel lobby is taking its
cue from the right wing in Israel. If there weren’t domestic pressure, we would be seeing wide outrage over a foreign country’s oppressive activities–as we see outrage over poppies in Afghanistan or tyranny in Pakistan or the suppression of women in the Arab world, or any other practice that from half a world away can be judged in black and white.
But there is no debate at all, no black and white, only an eternal gray area. Lectures on the topic are banned at public libraries here, and the Democratic candidates never say a word about settlements. Again we must go back to George H.W.
Bush’s failed effort to freeze the settlements in ’91, a battle that
played a part in his loss of the presidency the following year. This country could have an instantaneous effect on Israel’s colonization activities. But it has to raise its voice, and our politicians are simply too fearful to do so. Still the third rail…
