A strange way of showing their love
Turkey's Abdullah Gul says his country wants to act as a mediator between Israel and the 'Palestinians' and between Israel and the Arab countries. So then why is he taking sides in the conflict? I call upon the leaders of Israel to approach the peace process with a strategic mindset, rather than resorting to short-sighted tactical maneuvers. This will require seriously considering the Arab League’s 2002 peace initiative, which proposed a return to Israel’s pre-1967 borders and fully normalized diplomatic relations with Arab states.Gul claims to want to mediate, but calls on Israel to commit national suicide by accepting the so-called Saudi plan (now known as the Arab League's peace initiative) and implies that Israel is an 'apartheid' state. He makes no calls on the 'Palestinians' for any concessions in their demands.
Sticking to the unsustainable status quo will only place Israel in greater danger. History has taught us that demographics is the most decisive factor in determining the fate of nations. In the coming 50 years, Arabs will constitute the overwhelming majority of people between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. The new generation of Arabs is much more conscious of democracy, freedom and national dignity.
In such a context, Israel cannot afford to be perceived as an apartheid island surrounded by an Arab sea of anger and hostility. Many Israeli leaders are aware of this challenge and therefore believe that creating an independent Palestinian state is imperative. A dignified and viable Palestine, living side by side with Israel, will not diminish the security of Israel, but fortify it.
Hardly the way to gain the trust necessary to be a mediator.
UPDATE 1:24 AM
Powerline fisks the whole column here.
Labels: Abdullah Gul, apartheid state, Saudi plan
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:01 AM
2 Comments:
It was Mordechai Kedar who pointed out Israel has accepted the Saudi plan as a basis for negotiation.
The problem is the Arabs refuse to meet Israel's concerns in talks. No one should be expected to take an offer on a take it or leave it basis.
In real life, people try to find common ground.
Since Turkey has taken sides, its not a party that would help the Jews and the Arabs to find that common ground.
In short, Israel is not going to agree to commit national suicide just because Turkey's President says so.
The irony here is that none of the arab states trying to force this democratic solution on Israel are deomocracies.
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