Today I took part in a conference call with an Israeli lion, David Kimche, the former Mossad boss and Defence Ministry official. The call was organized by the Israel Policy Forum, which is pushing for a 2-state solution now. Kimche is a smart guy with a British accent. He’s a realist by temperament. Here were the highlights:
–Israel’s attacks on Hamas in Gaza are only strengthening Hamas’s "standing among certain people in the Arab world," because Hamas has demonstrated its ability to withstand the Israeli attacks.
–Hamas is "desperate" for a ceasefire. There is "no normal life" in Gaza. People don’t have food. And Hamas if therefore failing to provide the basic things a government must.
–"There is not a chance in heaven" of reaching a peace agreement with the Palestinians if you leave Hamas out. "You cannot clap with one hand… We have to reach some sort of deal with Gaza."
–Hamas is better at keeping its agreements than Israel is. Asked whether Hamas would observe a ceasefire, Kimche said "Hamas is a very disciplined organization. Its track record is very good." Then he said he didn’t want to admit it, but that Hamas keeps agreements "almost more than we do." Huh.
–Israel has traditionally been against having an international force on its borders to enforce a ceasefire, but that feeling is changing. "For many years the idea… was absolutely anathema… It was considered impossible from our point of view." In the Likud government, it was "treason" even to think of such a thing because it would keep Israel from being able to attack the Palestinians. "But we have moved." If such a force could neutralize the violence, Israelis will come to accept it. And Kimche’s recent conversation with a Rumanian official suggests to him that NATO might play a role.
–The Olmert government is under tremendous pressure from the right to invade Gaza because of all the Palestinian rocket attacks. But a "military offensive would probably mean the end of the Annapolis talks…"
–Kimche rejected the idea of U.S. "pressure" on Israel. Asked about Condi Rice’s visit, he said, "She can of course if she wants to, I won’t use the word pressure because that’s a word that’s not accepted. But put a strong influence on the Israeli government and the Palestinians… to move forward."
The sum feeling I had after the press conference was: Smart guy, but who is he to tell my country not to apply pressure?? On the one hand he wants the U.S. to dangle "tasty carrots" to the Syrians to get them to break with the Iranians and Hezbollah. But we are not to apply pressure on the Israelis? Just "influence." Sorry, but I want my countrymen engaged on this issue and using its full force to bring the violence to an end. This means, as Kimche wisely observes, an international force. And pressure pressure pressure. Oh the word "pressure" is not acceptable in Israel? Who cares.
I always have the same irritation when people start talking about the domestic pressure inside Israel to do x or y– in this case to invade Gaza. Why should we be worrying first about their polity? What about ours? We are Americans with a disastrous image overseas. We should be thinking about the American interest. And the American interest is to Preserve the Annapolis initiative.
