The Guardian UK has this to say about the death of the peace charade:
The Middle East peace process died a quiet, undramatic death with the statement last week that the US had given up trying to persuade Binyamin Netanyahu to stop building on occupied land as a prerequisite to direct talks with the Palestinians. Few, however, are interested in burying the corpse. . .
The US is unwilling to set a date for the funeral, because to recognise that a death had taken place would entail an inquest and an examination of 18 fruitless years of failed attempts. And that is the last thing a US president fighting re-election will do. The radical part of Barack Obama's Middle East strategy has already been and gone. He has spent his political capital and needs to conserve the dimes in his pocket. All of these are compelling short-term reasons for doing nothing, for saying, as if this has not been said often enough in the past, that the time is not ripe, the leaders are too weak, the sides are not ready. But they are dreadful long-term ones. Israel will continue to impose its own one-state solution, with separate roads, and separate governance for Jew and Arab. The Palestinian leadership will continue weak and divided. The argument that Hamas and other militant groups use, that Israel makes territorial concessions only when it is forced to, will grow in resonance. And, inch by inch, the next conflict – be it in the form of a strike on Iran, or a third Palestinian uprising – will come closer. Doing nothing is not just the counsel of despair. In the asymmetry of relations between the growing state of Israel and the shrinking non-state of Palestine, doing nothing is a deeply partisan act.
Good oped about how Israel and its U.S. enablers have a vested interest in keeping this zombie on its feet, Weekend at Bernie's style.
Look, Bernie can walk! Look, Bernie can dance! Look, Bernie can hold indirect talks!
To rephrase the above poster, "The peace process would be the perfect host for a Palestinian state, except for one small thing... it's dead. Also, that was never the goal in the first place... only more Israeli settlements and more land theft. Let's party!"
The Guardian tells it how it is - when will the New York Times tell its readers in the US the same truth?
Meanwhile, the incoming chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, is promising all Americans she will play “hardball” with “rogue regimes” and she will press for cuts in foreign aid. She’s going to press Obama for tougher sanctions on our enemies, such as Iran and N Korea. She wants to isolate them completely, and she wants to aggressively oversee a review of our foreign aid costs, and also oversee what we’ve been doing in Afghanistan and Iraq. Those rogues like Cuba and Venezuela, Bolivia too–they better watch out! Putin too! She’s also targeting the UN HRC; wants to shun it as Bush Jr did.
She’s also strongly criticizing Obama for pushing poor little Israel to make concessions. She wants all aid to those vicious Palestinians completely cut off. Rep Eliot Engel, a NY democrat who has served with her since 1989, says, “If I had to pick a Republican to chair the committee, it would be Ily.”
US Congressional foks come and go, Speaking of Michaelangelo…
“”our enemies, such as Iran and N Korea”"
++++ I didnt know that US is in war with N Korea or Iran. When this war declaration was made ?
More generally, what’s to come from the new Republican powers in Congress?
1.) Huge cuts in foreign aid. Except more aid to Israel which will be separated out from the aid recipients on the budget chopping block. (Tea Partiers don’t know much about foreign policy or foreign aid). Leader: Eric Cantor
2.) START nuclear reductions–fighting the proposed treaty with Russia & assuring Israel’s nukes won’t be mentioned. Leaders: Jon Kyl, Jim DeMint
3.) Get tougher with Iran & fight reduction of troops in Afghanistan: John McCain
4.) Cut off funding of UN, the Palestinians, all other aid recipients–except Israel. Get icy with Cuba, Venezuala, Bolvia, Russia. Warm up more to Netanyahu, to Israel. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
5.) Fighting losing battle in behalf on new START. Richard Lugar.
6.) Decrease funds for State’s foreign OPS budget. Favors decrease in aid to countries that are not engaged in internal reform, e.g., Senegal. She won’t mention Israel in this context. Kay Granger
7.) Cut State’s foreign OPs funding–except Israel. Thad Cochran
God, what a depressing summary Citizen. Thanks… I wish there was something under the Congressional tree to give us a ray of hope this holiday season…
And nothing but a lump of coal under the Presidential tree.
David Makovsky and Robert Satloff led a delegation to Israel of WINEP trustees who are also NY bankers/venture capitalists.
In their report on the trip, Makovsky/Satloff said that from discussions with Netanyahu and other hi ranking Israelis, Makovsky predicted that “Bibi will become the Arabs’ best lobbyist.”
Aware of proposals to cut foreign aid, (except of course for the neediest, –Israel), Netanyahu met with Cantor in New York City on the day after the election. He told Cantor to make sure aid continues to flow to Saudi Arabia.
Makovsky did not detail the rationale, but I assume it is to pressure Iran.
here’s a link to the Makovsky-Satloff discussion: link to c-spanvideo.org
_____________
I recommend to you, again, Etan Bloom’s dissertation, on Arthur Ruppin and the acculturation of Hebrew Palestine. link to tau.ac.il
It is assumed that Bloom’s PhD was awarded to him by Tel Aviv University. If that assumption is correct, it is astonishing. Had the paper emerged from Tehran or University of Michigan or DePaul, it would have been ripped to shreds as Holocaust denial. No, Bloom does NOT ‘deny the holocaust,’ but neither did Ahmadinejad. Bloom DOES, however, name names and cite sources for documentation of early zionists’ close collaboration with Hitler’s Germany and with numerous Nazi leaders and ideologues. Nazi leaders sent weapons to zionists, for their use in battling Arabs and the British. Ruppin and Nazis cooperated in -carrying out the “primary solution,” — transferring 55,000 German Jews and about $50million of their dollars from Germany to Palestine, and transferring even more German Jews (I forget the number) and $650 million of their wealth from Germany to the US, in early 1930s. The transfers, esp. to Palestine, is described as one of the most significant boons to Palestine, that established it as a going concern and helped it prosper at a time when the rest of the world was in the grips of a deep depression.
“He told Cantor to make sure aid continues to flow to Saudi Arabia.
Makovsky did not detail the rationale, but I assume it is to pressure Iran.”
It is also to prove that Israel doesn’t receive special treatment. <cough>
While Netanyahu has certainly delayed and harmed the prospects for Israeli/Palestinian peace along a two-state solution, there is no rational way to declare it dead.
Because partition is the only current rational means to realize self-governance for the two people’s, pursuit of the two-state solution remains necessary.
The single-state approach will result in civil war, which will then result in migration and then partition.
The only other option to realize a viable single-state is to persuade electorally both Palestinians and Israelis to elect civilist parties (in contrast to nationalist).
Radical civilist parties (communist for example), will NEVER succeed at that effort. Only moderate civilist parties could.
I have more faith in Fayyad’s approach than any other, from what I’ve seen.
not every group has the right to self goverance… like say a religion like judaism. the only way a single state will result in civil war is if the jewish citizens of palestine decide they can’t stand not having more rights.
“not every group has the right to self-govern”.
The Jewish people are not only a religion. Many are Jews that are not current participants in any religion, or haven’t even for multiple generations.
Currently, Israel is recognized as sovereign by the UN and the vast majority of the world.
Its legitimacy is already present.
The effort to deny its self-governance is an example of intended oppression. If consented, fine. If compelled, you’re talking repression.
Time to accept Israel as Israel, and urge that it define clear boundaries, as Fayyad is insisting.
There is no way that a two-state approach is impossible. If it is a question of willingness only, then the Israeli need for self-determination will conflict head on with the intention to force a single state.
Israel will not annex the whole of the land from river to sea, without prior dispossession of Arabs, as that would create the apartheid model.
It might be forced to accept 67 borders without its consent.
It would be much better for all concerned for Israel to negotiate prior. If it undertakes genuinely voluntary negotiation with the intention of being a good neighbor (a big change), then peace between the two states is possible.
If it undertakes negotiation only after the Palestinian state on 67 borders is a fait accompli, then it will have missed an important opportunity to establish civil relations with Palestine.
““not every group has the right to self-govern”.
The Jewish people are not only a religion. Many are Jews that are not current participants in any religion, or haven’t even for multiple generations.” no they are only a religion. any aspects of being a seperate people were lost long ago. outside of language(which the only reason it still exist is through the religion) there is no uniquely jewish anything.
“Currently, Israel is recognized as sovereign by the UN and the vast majority of the world.” the UN recognizition is invalid as the condition were not met and while a lot of the world has recognized( a crime which sadly thanks to monevideo cannot be undone) that doesn’t make it legitimate.
“Its legitimacy is already present.” only in your screwy ignoring of law zionist world in the real world it isn’t. the only way it can have legitimacy is if the palestinians give it and while they have it was conditioinal on Israel following through with the lake of theft it hasn’t so those agreements are void as Israel remains illegitimate.
“The effort to deny its self-governance is an example of intended oppression. If consented, fine. If compelled, you’re talking repression.” its not oppression to prevent thugs from prevent people from excersing their rights. no matter how much you believe Israel has no right to self goverance because it has no right to be. its right to self goverance is a fairy tail people like you incented to prevent the palestinians from having their rights.
“Time to accept Israel as Israel, and urge that it define clear boundaries, as Fayyad is insisting.” No it isn’t time to accept ikt it is time to take out behind the stadium and shoot it like a lame race horse so it can be repleaced with something that works
“There is no way that a two-state approach is impossible. If it is a question of willingness only, then the Israeli need for self-determination will conflict head on with the intention to force a single state.” except that after all the land that Israel stole there isn’t any left to build a state with. there is no need for Israeli self detemination. its a want to a right they don’t have. Your demands for Israeli self determination are offensive, and based on a deep rooted need for jews to be better than other people.
“Israel will not annex the whole of the land from river to sea, without prior dispossession of Arabs, as that would create the apartheid model.” Yes it will if you think that your head is in the sand and it is all ready aprthied
“It might be forced to accept 67 borders without its consent.” no it won’t it will nuke the arab world and europe long before it gives any of ill gotten gains.
“It would be much better for all concerned for Israel to negotiate prior. If it undertakes genuinely voluntary negotiation with the intention of being a good neighbor (a big change), then peace between the two states is possible.” where the hell have you been. Israel is not going to negioate its just give demands
“If it undertakes negotiation only after the Palestinian state on 67 borders is a fait accompli, then it will have missed an important opportunity to establish civil relations with Palestine.” it missed that when the jewish people launched a war of conquest in 47
I’m sorry guys, but you really didn’t address the comments.
I know you think you did, but self-governance, self-determination is literally self-determined.
It is time to emotionally accept that Israel is, deserves to be for all present purposes, and get on with it.
What about Palestinian/Arab nationalism and Islamism. Don’t you think they might lead to civil war to? Hamas and Fatah are having a mini-civil war right now.
The division among the Palestinians is the successful consequence of USraeli machinations, beginning with the overthrow of the elected Palestinian parliament. The Palestinians threw out the corrupt quisling party Fatah, but USrael reimposed it on them by force. The Palestinian armed forces supposedly “loyal to Abbas” are in fact US-paid mercenaries who have no real loyalties to any Palestinian party.
why would they have a civil war? them getting their right and coming back to palestine they would be in the majority they wouldn’t need to go to war they could just vote to ensure their rights wouldn’t be infringed and they have no desire other than equality
Not if the US and Tel Aviv keep their noses out of the Palestrinian’s business
You’re in denial Witty. As the article says, it’s dead but few are interested in burying the corpse.
Only if you believe that Israelis are a state of collective maniacs. South Africa didn’t descend into civil war, so why should Israel?
it’s not faith you have Witty, it’s delusion.
The Guardian also has Rachel Shabi on the latest addition to the arsenal of demands on the Palestinians:
link to guardian.co.uk
re Ayalon’s demand that they recognize Jewish refugees from the Arab lands.
Bernie is a supercorpse. A beloved messiah of sorts whose best work is done from beyond the grave.
Any reasonable zombieman and zombiewoman will therefore naturally follow and support all decisions Bernie The Cadaver makes in the name of war and peace.
I love the Weekend at Bernie’s analogy. Holding indirect talks through the United States is analogous to putting someone in-charge with the same communications skills as the Interviewer in the Ally Bank commercial, “I’m sorry. Did you say you’d like a pay raise A-S-A-P? …..You spent 8 days lost at sea?…..You love watching your neighbors watch TV?
In US political jargon Palestinian legal rights are never accompanied by the possibility of a judicial remedy and a Palestinian legal entitlement never implies a corresponding Israeli legal obligation. It goes something like this:
Reporter: In 1988 the Palestinians unilaterally declared an independent State of Palestine. Over 100 other States, including several members of the Organization of American States, have already legally recognized the State of Palestine. Are you aware of the fact that Chapter 4, Article 21 of the OAS Charter says that military occupation of another state is illegal?
George Mitchell: The OAS Charter is deeply flawed. In any case, the US and Israeli armed forces offer unskilled young people valuable military training that prepares them for employment in several different occupations. It would be premature for the Palestinians to unilaterally declare their statehood since the exact borders can only be determined through final status negotiations.
Reporter: Are you aware that the Permanent Court of International Justice and the International Court of Justice have both advised (para 46) that there is no rule of law that says the land frontiers of a State must be fully delimited and defined, and that often in various places and for long periods of time they are not?
George Mitchell: We’ve advised the International Court of Justice to exercise its right to remain silent. You never know when international law might interfere with the negotiating process and prevent a final settlement.
Reporter: Articles 52 & 53 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties actually do provide that a treaty would be void if it conflicts with a peremptory norm of general international law, like self-determination, or is obtained by the threat or use of force used in violation of the UN Charter. Articles 7 & 8 of the Fourth Geneva Convention also would prevent local Palestinian officials from negotiating any agreement with the occupying power that adversely affects the situation of the protected population or restricts the rights which the convention confers upon them. The ICJ advised (paras 120 & 134) that Israel has illegally facilitated the transfer of portions of its own population into the occupied territory and that portions of the Palestinian population have been displaced in violation of Article 49(6) of the Geneva Convention. A “just settlement of the refugee problem” cannot codify illegal population transfers and displacement, since those are serious war crimes.
George Mitchell: Yes, but those treaties only apply to contracting “States” and we’ve said it is premature….
Reporter: Are you aware of the fact that 170 members of the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which said that the Palestinians have the right of self-determination, including the right to a State, which is not subject to any veto in the current peace process – and that the International Court of Justice advised that all states are under an obligation not to render aid or assistance in maintaining any impediment to the exercise by the Palestinian people of its irreproachable right to self-determination?
George Mitchell: Yes, but we envision a negotiated settlement in accordance with resolution 242. Two states living side-by-side, taking into account developments on the ground and some necessary land swaps…
Reporter: But everyone already knows the underlying requirements. Judge Rosalyn Cohen Higgins said (para 18):
George Mitchell: I don’t think that opinion takes into account the US letters of assurance to Israel….
US letters of assurance to Israel are entirely irrelevant to Palestinian rights and should certainly be taken into no account at all.
Israel is utterly triumphant. History is at an end and the Jews have defeated the Palestinians definitively.
Now, what about tomorrow ?
War, seafoid, regional, possibly even nuclear war.
That’s usually the price of a failed peace.
tomorrow?
why, tomorrow we bomb Iran.
what else is left to do?
but then, what about the day AFTER tomorrow, when the world is in flames, the world knows that Israel lit the fire with American matches, and every Jew and American in the world has a target on his/her back.
what about THAT tomorrow?
Important points
People polled voted for Julian Assange for person of the year. Times editors choose Zuckerberg
link to alterpolitics.com
link to huffingtonpost.com
does Jane Harman’s husband own Times mag?
Who is Zuckerberg?
The creator of Facebook, the biggest time-waster in cyberspace.
…because its so much more important to know when some idiot is taking a crap than it is to know what your government is doing. Sigh….
The patient died along with Yitzak Rabin and has been embalmed with all kinds of trickery since 1995. That’s 15 years already that this corpse is being preserved and propped up as a pretense for “peace negotiations”.
There is no peace process, no 2-state solution and no intent whatsoever on the part of Israel to relinquish anything dignified for a viable Palestinian state.
Zionists prowl the halls of Congress on both sides of the aisle ensuring that Israel maintains an apartheid state, ensuring that Israel’s crime against humanity is without precedent a LEGITIMIZED crime executed above and beyond all International Law.
It is up to the rest of the world to recognize and condemn this farce meant to deceive everyone world-wide. It is up to the rest of the world to stand up for justice and demand full and equal rights for Palestinians, or that Israel, GET THE HELL OUT OF PALESTINE AND END THE OCCUPATION!
If Israel won’t respect International Law, then Nato has an OBLIGATION to throw the settlers out of the Occupied Territories, but of course the Zionists will scream shades of “Nazi trains”, inflict their emotional blackmail, make veiled threats of the Samson Option and Nato will turn to jell-o.
Thankfully, SANCTIONS will call their bluff, boycotts will work, divestment will work and those radicals will be forced to evacuate willingly and the ones who still cling to their palm trees and West Bank structures can be forcibly removed. That’s all! This is the only hope we have. What is the world waiting for when the solution is so simple?
Guardian “And anyway, every day without a final status agreement is another day when the cement mixers can whirl and the cranes swivel. ”
And Israel moves closer and closer to the only solution being a one state solution. Israel has no one to blame but themselves