Remember all that discussion, argument, flame-war,
occasioned by the war in Gaza? Glad the war is over, and with it, some of the
obsession. But key issues are as unresolved and as hot to the touch as ever.
I can't stand that Israel has just seized 1000 acres of West
Bank land, while peace talks are going on in Cairo and before the proposed
Hamas-PLA unity government has had a chance to take hold.
Is this the Likud government not saying to Palestinians you
are isolated, you are weak, please resort again to violence, your only
remaining choice, so we can again crush you?
That's my read — and reread — and I don't think it's too
cynical.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has decided to make an
end run around a non-existent peace process and an implacably hostile Netanyahu government by taking the issue
of Palestinian statehood to the U.N.. Abed Rabbo, a spokesman for the PLO, has
stated that "the international community had to take responsibility for
what was happening in the territories, restrain Israel and end the occupation."
The Netanyahu government is, of course, denouncing and trying
to block this initiative, as, it seems to me, it does all efforts by Palestinians
toward ending Israeli settlements and securing a state of their own. So please,
feel free to flame me: tell me why I shouldn't wish this appeal to the U.N. and
the international community all possible success; feel free to tell me what
other recourse, besides the dead-end of violence, is available for Palestinians
at this time.
Harvey, you're right on, and if anything, I am more outraged than you are about Israel's behavior.
ReplyDeleteI've about given up on them. I'm afraid I'm finally an ex-Zionist. I can't bear to think of going to shul these High Holidays, because I'm sure I'll hear someone get up and turn my stomach, saying "stand with Israel". Sorry, that train has pulled out.
Two-state solution? In our dreams. I'm done being heartbroken about it. I'm just pissed. At Hamas, too, by the way, but who really has the power to change things?