From the Israeli daily newspaper, Ma’ariv, 7/22/13.
The Hebrew language press is treating claims of any real chance of a breakthrough in the peace negotiations derisively. As the headline reads, “No chance for a permanent settlement.”
It has been leaked that Martin Indyk has been tabbed as Kerry’s Dennis Ross in the current round of U.S./Israel/Palestine negotiations. Indyk is part of the old failed Jew crew of lawyers for Israel that never seem to go away. Others from the old team that were considered for the post were Dennis “The Original” Ross and Daniel “The Good Kop” Kurtzer. I would not be surprised to see them on board before this debacle ends.
Some Israeli politicians think they can use Kerry to strengthen the Zionist position by pushing for an interim agreement. This idea has been repeatedly rejected by Palestinian negotiators because they view it as an attempt to create a de facto permanent occupation that would only codify the status quo. At best it could help drag out a “revived” “peace process” another ten years. Naftali Bennett is one right-wing Israeli politician who supports an interim solution, although he thinks it would have to be imposed on the Palestinians by his government.
Maybe Kerry and Indyk are the ones that can help Bennett realize his colonial dream.
Kerry is not going to rock the AIPAC/Israeli settlement boat. The question is how much harm will he do. Even if the Secretary of State does not get the agreement he seeks, the Palestinians are, at least, sure to be saddled with something like the phrase, “Kerry’s generous offer.” In other words, the Americans and the Israelis will be able to drone, “Kerry offered the Palestinians more than they could have dreamed of, and they walked on by.”
The “peace process” continues.
“the Palestinians are, at least, sure to be saddled with something like the phrase, “Kerry’s generous offer.” In other words, the Americans and the Israelis will be able to drone, “Kerry offered the Palestinians more than they could have dreamed of, and they walked on by.
The “peace process” continues.”
The best summary of “the peace process” that I’ve ever seen.
Indeed I see what you mean and it is a very trenchant and plausible summary. But will Kerry be able in post-‘conference’ rhetoric to describe any ‘offer’ as ‘mine’? He and Obama are utterly committed in public to the idea that it is the Israelis and the Palestinians who must negotiate and that it is not the function of anyone else even to make proposals, let alone offers. It is ‘Netanyahu’s generous offer’ that has to exceed the wildest dreams of the benighted Palestinians. That might not be easy to say with a face straight enough to carry conviction even in the usual gullible quarters.
Mr. Obama is the captain of this sad ship…………………….. I am so freaking disappointed. I kinda forgave him for not steering the correct course in his first term, for a myriad of reasons. I expected much more this time, but he has been a total failure wrt I/P.
Sad, and unforgivable. You would think he cares about human rights and justice, and is opposed to Apartheid………..
Thanks, Ira.
Add this tidbit from Haaretz:
Ahead of renewal of peace talks || Israel asked U.S. to free Pollard in exchange for Palestinian prisoners
Netanyahu asked Kerry for release of Israeli spy in return for freeing 103 Palestinian prisoners as part of peace talks, Channel 2 reports; U.S. rejected request.
By Barak Ravid | 23:14 22.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.537306
Back in 1999, they called Dennis Ross the “Peace Process Czar.” Can we apply that term to Martin Indyk yet? As informal titles go, that one has as much legacy of real failure as any of the “Czar” titles administrative appointees wear.