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Israel in search of a way out
Another Madrid Conference for peace would isolate anti-western, fundamentalist states
If I were the American, Russian, French or British Ambassador in Israel, I would urge my respective governments to promptly activate the peace process in the Middle East.
I would impress upon my respective governments that time is of essence. It is imperative to change the tide; to create a renewed dynamic of peace so as not to let the notion of a looming new round of hostilities to set in. Instead of a prognosticated sure eruption one has to bring back the Middle East to the mindset of a comprehensive peace.
To such an end, all the moderate states in the region already have an agreed framework, an agreed common ground – the Madrid Peace Conference.
Given historic perspective all avenues but Madrid had failed. The defunct Oslo process has
unfortunately tragically enough, exhausted itself – through the coming to power of the Hamas in the Palestinian Authority. The unilateral acts brought about unwelcome results. The peace process as such cannot be advanced on a unilateral basis – since compromise and reconciliation are at the root of a valid result-oriented process.
The Road Map is no longer applicable due to the reluctance of the Hamas government. As to Israel, the country seems to be in a pensive mood. The aftermath of the second Lebanon war created a kind of day of reckoning, a sense of humility and soul searching. Revamping of the army, enhancing the deterrence capabilities are ominously called for. Yet it seems that people are pondering as to where we are heading for.
The jumpy policy of unilateralism proved to be of no avail. The hovering question is why Syrian gestures and calls for negotiation were turned down. Perhaps it did not fit the gimmickry of the Farm Forum composed of counsels solely with vested interests feint an “image” and manipulation. The end result: Israel of today is more attentive, cautious and anxious but also in search of a way out. The ominous dangers ought to be balanced by hopes for a resumed peace process.
Back to the distinguished Ambassadors of US Russia, France and Great Britain: Be advised to act to convene the Madrid Conference as soon as possible. Surely before the contemplated initiative of the Arab League to submit a peace plan to the Security Council. The Madrid Conference is the only solid process with a proven record. It was conducted gradually with fairly limited oscillations until producing the peace agreement between Israel and Jordan. It is a comprehensive process that gave us in the 90’s a glimpse of a really new Middle East engaged in tackling its problems: Economic development, environment, water supply etc.
A newly convened Madrid Conference duly prepared, will reconfirm its basic tenets as to the substance and essence of peace, education for tolerance, reconciliation, people to people dialogue, code of conduct – and above all: Reaching a compromise based on mutuality.
The Madrid Conference will be by virtue of its convening an alliance of the moderate countries in the Middle East and the Gulf, thus isolating the anti-peace, anti-western fundamentalist states and proxies and blocking their expansion. The front of neo-Nazi Iranian slogans, terror and intimidation will be confronted with a block of moderate states looking for conflict solving, accommodation, defusing tensions and confidence building – heavily engaged in reaching a comprehensive peace agreement in the war weary Middle East.
Eytan Bentsur is former director-general of the Foreign Ministry
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