The Time Is Now For Israel
One of the issues which titillates my mind insuperably is the Israel-Palestine Conflict. The issue is smoking hot these days as the Palestinian authority has approached the United Nation General Assembly demanding membership in the United Nations and international legal recognition of statehood. It is amusing to see that Barack Obama, Son of a Muslim, is opposing the Palestinian Bid- a cause close to Muslim Hearts all over the planet. Equally intriguing is to observe Nicholas Sarkozy- grandson of a Jewish man, Father-in-Law and Grandfather of Practicing Jews , whose own son Jean Sarkozy has “allegedly” embraced Judaism- sharing sympathy with the Palestinian Cause. But I am being woefully imbecilic- It is ludicrous to use glasses of religion to analyze this – The issue has always been a Political one. Large parts of the Arab and Muslim world share the same incongruity.
The concern for Israeli security has been dear to my heart. The rampant use of Antisemitic rhetorics, Holocaust denials and melodramatic death commandments employed by the Palestinian and Arabs has always been abhorrent.Despicable. Murder of Jews has been deemed as a Divine task by many clerics in the Middle East. Barbaric Response instead of Democratic protests to the excesses of Israeli Army is encouraged and exalted.However, Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert’s Article in NewYork Times yesterday was a watershed moment in my thinking process. The cause of a Palestinian state is independent of the bigotry to which many Arabs subscribe to.
Excerpts from the Olmert article:
” According to my offer, the territorial dispute would be solved by establishing a Palestinian state on territory equivalent in size to the pre-1967 West Bank and Gaza Strip with mutually agreed-upon land swaps that take into account the new realities on the ground.
The city of Jerusalem would be shared. Its Jewish areas would be the capital of Israel and its Arab neighborhoods would become the Palestinian capital. Neither side would declare sovereignty over the city’s holy places; they would be administered jointly with the assistance of Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United States.
The Palestinian refugee problem would be addressed within the framework of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. The new Palestinian state would become the home of all the Palestinian refugees just as the state of Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people. Israel would, however, be prepared to absorb a small number of refugees on humanitarian grounds.
Because ensuring Israel’s security is vital to the implementation of any agreement, the Palestinian state would be demilitarized and it would not form military alliances with other nations. Both states would cooperate to fight terrorism and violence.
These parameters were never formally rejected by Mr. Abbas, and they should be put on the table again today. Both Mr. Abbas and Mr. Netanyahu must then make brave and difficult decisions.
The window of opportunity is limited. Israel will not always find itself sitting across the table from Palestinian leaders like Mr. Abbas and the prime minister, Salam Fayyad, who object to terrorism and want peace. Indeed, future Palestinian leaders might abandon the idea of two states and seek a one-state solution, making reconciliation impossible.”
Indeed, never before have we had rational leaders sitting on the Palestinian Bench. I would add to the Olmert plan, the declaration of Palestinian State accepting Israel as a Jewish state. The involvement of United States, Jordan and Saudi Arabia will ensure that any violation of deal is met with severe opposition, thus safeguarding Israeli lives and security. The presence of these parties will also keep the window to Diplomatic resolution open.Two years ago, Mahmud Abbas kept mum on the Olmert idea as many voices of discontent paraded against him the Olmert Plan. He did not dismiss it. Today, He is in a more assertive position.All eyes are on President Abbas. He is the one man whose decision is most likely to be unanimously accepted. And he is willing to negotiate peace.
Elections are a stark reality and much of the actions of leaders are chaperoned by electoral prospects. Many right-wing groups, which form the backbone of Likud might turn against the incumbent government.But a greater good will be accomplished, a greater good that every person in Holy Lands and the World at large desires. Palestine has a young population. With the long-standing conflict, their childhood is maneuvered with struggle for a decent life and diatribes against Israel. This repugnance gets etched into their minds. Six decades of Hostility hasn’t revoked that acrimony. Obstinate abidance of the old policy will augment ignominy amongst Arabs. But a positive gesture surely gives hope that this bitterness will subside.Wounds will take time to heal, but they will heal. Further aggravating a wound is never prudent.
The United Nations Bid is not a hostile development. It is an opportunity to cement peace. An independent state on the lines of the Olmert Plan should be the first step. There are a plethora of responsibilities that both Israelis and Palestinians have to combat- the primary being Terrorism. A brave initiative will foster the ‘soft power’ of Israel amongst other nations and international organizations in an unprecedented way. Israel has no propensity for violence, it has an interest in peace and Harmony. This is a rare opportunity to deal a mortal blow to the diabolical Hamas. A generous gesture on the part of Israel will also hammer down the venomous rants of Iran and help revive the suffocating relations with Turkey and Egypt.
At this moment, Israel needs to take a decision;Netanyahu needs to show leadership.He needs to take initiatives, he needs to take strong decisions.
Hany Abu-Assad, Producer of Paradise Now was asked “When you look ahead now, what gives you hope?”, “The conscience of the Jewish people” he answered. “The Jews have been the conscience of humanity, always, wherever they go. Ethics. Morality. They invented it!” My hope stems from the same. I have always and will always adore Israel- The Economy, The Culture, The Industries, The Democracy, The Rambunctious Parliamentary Debates,The Commendable Advancement in Drip Irrigation Technology, The Art,The Music The LGBT Freedom, The Military, the Technical Research, The Heritage. The world Salutes you! I am also an admirer of Mr Netanyahu , his impeccable academic and political career. Mr. Netanyahu or ‘Bibi” as he is called, has lost his brother, the chivalrous Israeli Special Forces commander Yonatan Netanyahu at Entebbe. Like thousands of Israeli and Palestinians, like thousands of Jews and Arabs , he is no alien to the pain of losing a close one. Challenges lie ahead and the insecurities of Israelis are not unjustified. But This moment is to adhere to Tikkun Olam- the Jewish Tradition of Making world a better place. Enough of Bloods and Tears! Israel and Mr. Netanyahu must take this one Step. The world will salute him, the world will applaud him. Do not wait for the echelons of United Nations. Take Initiative.
This prospect of peace is the best gift PM Netanyahu can deliver to all the Jews and all the Gentiles on this Rosh Hashanah.
