Funny no one told the US or the Europeans
When we meet w/ Arab leaders they almost never mention Palestinian issue because they have other things that are more impt 2 them- Hoenlein
— Conf Of Presidents (@Conf_of_Pres) February 16, 2015
Yes, it's the Obama administration and the Europeans who are keeping alive the dream of a 'Palestinian state.' The Arabs couldn't care less anymore. They recognize that there are more important things in life. Labels: Arabs, Barack Hussein Obama, European Union, Malcolm Hoenlein, Palestinian state
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:39 PM
1 Comments:
So true.
I read the following in a Singapore newspaper opinion article by a former Singaporean diplomat:
"Political and religious developments in the Middle East undoubtedly influence South-east Asia. But it does not necessarily follow that South-east Asians really understand Middle Eastern complexities. The Palestinian issue is certainly the most important Middle Eastern issue in South-east Asia. Positions taken have on occasion become domestic political issues. Support for Palestine has become a central component of identity for many South-east Asian Muslims.
But this is no longer as clearly the case, if it ever was, in the Middle East. Palestine is, of course, still an important issue, but Palestine is no longer the highest priority for most Arab governments who are now seized with more existential questions.
This was starkly brought home to me when I visited an important Gulf state during the 2008-2009 Israeli intervention in Gaza, Operation Cast Lead.
The morning I was scheduled to meet my host for talks, I awoke to horrific pictures of civilian Palestinian casualties splashed on the front page of the local English-language newspaper. It is no secret that Singapore maintains close relations with Israel. I braced myself for an earful.
My host did indeed begin by talking about Israel's intervention. But only for about five minutes. The remainder of our hour- long meeting was devoted to his complaining far more vehemently about the perfidy of Shi'ites and the dangers of the Iranian nuclear programme. And, as he walked me out of his office, he whispered "tell your friends not to wait too long". I don't think he was referring to the Americans.
I have had similar experiences on subsequent trips to the Gulf. I have never found our close relationship with Israel an obstacle to forging relations with Arab states or, for that matter, Iran.
Indeed, Israel and the Gulf states are quietly establishing their own ties. Nothing is as it ever seems in the Middle East, as the tangled and shifting alliances fighting the ISIS demonstrate."
Source - http://www.stasiareport.com/the-big-story/asia-report/opinion/story/shifting-sands-middle-east-leave-mark-south-east-asia-201502#sthash.b2VpMzj3.dpuf
Post a Comment
<< Home