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Netanyahu's Big Revelations - An Analysis

While some people found nothing new, the Congressional speech was unique in laying down the red lines towards peace - No compromise on security and no transfer of Jews from Their Homeland

There was a lot of hot air blowing in Washington this past week, and while many people take the view that nothing is new, there are a few key issues that I think have been finally addressed.

Point one is that it seems like mainstream Israel (and by that I mean the electable leaders of the political center) seems to have really reconciled to the notion of a Palestinian state coming into being. I do not necessarily agree with the solution but it seems clear that if the Palestinians were to be pragmatic and reasonable, Israel would really deliver, just as they did with Egypt.

Point two is that finally, an Israeli leader has finally, and fairly clearly spelled out what the end would look like. The invariable fogginess of the Israeli red lines which was abused by the left and stupidly misused by the right these past 18 years since Oslo has been belatedly lifted.

Those whose vision of a continual collapsing of Israel’s positions until a capitulation of its basic security needs are clearly disappointed now. But to those who truly seek a viable, pragmatic solution, we finally get down to the nitty gritty.

The question is whether the Palestinians really are capable of the compromises needed to gain something or whether they will continue their historic track of demanding all and gaining none.

Netanyahu spelled things out clearly. Jerusalem shall remain undivided. (If things were to progress, I wouldn’t be surprised if some east Jerusalem neighborhoods were annexed to the Palestinian state. The old city in its entirety will remain a part of Israel. The Jordan valley, almost entirely devoid of any Arab presence (other than the Jericho area) will remain in Israeli control.

I can see a lot of wisdom in shifting the Palestinian state a couple of miles westward to incorporate more avowed Palestinians in its boundaries. It might even end up increasing the total land measurement of the new state beyond that of the 67 borders! (There are other options, such as stated in the Peace Settlers plan from 17 years ago. I hope to publish an updated version soon).

Point three – I think overlooked by many -  is immensely interesting and a point that I have been addressing for years. Netanyahu’s said in congress: “The status of the settlements will be decided only in negotiations.  But we must also be honest.  So I am saying today something that should be said publicly by anyone serious about peace.  In any peace agreement that ends the conflict, some settlements will end up beyond Israel’s borders. “

The real significance of this is that it affirms that the part of the Land of Israel that might be carved out to appease the Palestinian aspirations will not become Judenrein. There will be no more uprooting of Jewish residents in their homeland. Those towns and villages not incorporated into Israel will continue to exist in the Palestinian state. And this means that as part of the overall settlement and establishment of a Palestinian state, the Palestinians must find a way to make sure that the rights and security of the Jewish residents are taken care of, and that they have the same potential to flourish and prosper as their Arab neighbors.

This might look like the hardest part of the settlement. However, if the Palestinians truly desire peace, it should not be an obstacle. True peace is not attained through walls or fences or treaties. It is caused by goodwill, consideration, respect and the desire to live together in harmony. The continued presence of Jews in their heartland, living in peace once again with their Arab neighbors is the best test and best proof of a real peace.

This will require some major changes.

The settlers will have to revert back to the mindset of their pioneering days, when relationships and reciprocal visits were the norm between neighboring Arab and Jewish villages. They will have to courageously set aside their grievances for those who were murdered in cold blood by cowardly terrorists.

The Palestinians will have to make a severe reversal of the hate indoctrination going on even to this date in official school curriculum. They must reverse their hatred of Jews and be taught of the indigenous connection of the Jews to the land.

The prime minister laid down the preconditions clearly. If the Palestinians want a state, it is there for the taking. If they hold out expecting to get more, they will continue on the path of unrelenting setbacks. The UN has no mandate to impose anything. If they chose to win the battle of hot air by losing the battle on the ground, that’s their prerogative. At the end of the day, it takes two to tango. An ancient proverb states; "you cannot move the caravan forward if the camels stay in place...". 

Statistically speaking, the odds are that the Palestinians will continue to make the wrong decisions. Optimistically speaking, whatever G-d desires shall be. We shall see whether it includes an Islamic presence in the Land HE promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob , or not. Time will tell…




    

is Palestinian unity really a good thing?

Hamas and the PLO kissing cousins again

But is this really good for the Palestinians? Those who have no notion of the social dynamics in the Arab world would say yay. Those who know that the extremists are those who invariably control the agenda in the Arab world realize that this is another significant nail in the coffin of the Oslo peace plan.

What do you think?