Yoaz Hendel
Peace will come later
For now, all we need here is relative quiet, rather than grandiose peace plans
Again we see visits by American envoys,
serial peacemakers, and again we hear declarations about talks with the Palestinians, and again they are followed by speeches meant to pledge things that cannot be implemented.
Just like a play we’ve seen dozens of times before, both the visitors and hosts are nodding their heads in agreement, the newspapers become filled with headlines, the politicians hint; yet there is nobody out there who would openly say that the emperor wears no clothes; there is nobody who would say that not every problem can be resolved by talking.
When did we turn into the producers of peace illusions? When exactly did we turn into consumers of “visits by senior figures,” of “great moments” that are empty of all substance? How could it be that the old leftist camp, which once upon a time dreamed of talks and compromise, keeps on making these seasonal bubbles? Where do these serious calls come from, the ones urging us to jump on the bandwagon, taken advantage of the one-time opportunity, display a sense of seriousness, and all sorts of other proposals, while it’s clear to everyone that this is merely a show?
They come here, the Mitchells in their expensive dark suits, and giving us a glaring look filled with wisdom and money. They visit our leaders, preach a little, threaten on occasion, yet eventually they always fly back empty-handed.
It’s not them, it’s us – Israeli organizations are the ones to encourage this prolific peace industry and the pressure on Israel and the Palestinians – in complete contradiction to the joint interest of maintaining the calm. Israeli leaders are the ones who speak, in English, about solutions that nobody can implement.
The Americans are selling pipe dreams, yet these dreams were produced here. Every time an Israeli prime minister takes the stage and duly repeats the White House’s dictates, real peace moves further away. Every time a Palestinian leader is being forced into negotiations, the likelihood of renewed violence grows.
Those who real want to see peace around here should stop connecting it to the word “now.” Let’s start with managing this conflict, from there we can shift to relative normalcy, and after that we’ll be able to drink coffee and talk around elegant tables.
The last two years have been good for Israeli-Palestinian ties. The regiments under US General Dayton are deployed on the ground, the cooperation with them is reasonable, and for the time being the IDF makes sure to supplement the weaknesses of the other side – that is, to pulverize terror, and mostly the Hamas opposition to Abbas.
The only reason for the relative quiet is that the Americans as well as Israeli peace fans stopped nudging them for a relative long period. Without talks, without long-term initiatives, and without trying to turn them into something they’re not. We had quiet, instead of talks about quiet. This is all they needed in order to start working, boost Fatah’s strength, and build new government and leadership institutions.
Talks mean diplomatic decisions, and they are not ready for this and won’t be ready in the coming decade. Even if tomorrow morning there were no longer any settlers in Samaria, Abbas would not be able to renounce the right of return or Jerusalem. Educating people to support peace and diplomatic compromise takes a generation or more. For the time being, the Palestinians are engaged in survival.
If the dreamy Left requires its seasonal Viagra – that is, talks, visits, and new peace initiatives – it should look for it elsewhere, in respect to other conflicts. Around here, all we need is relative quiet. Peace will come later.
