America blaming the victim
Op-ed: American officials wrong to imply that Israel is at fault for absence of peace
In one of the most insensitive remarks in recent times US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta criticized Israel the other day by saying "just get back to the damn table." His comment strongly suggested the impasse of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians rests squarely on the Jewish state's shoulders.
He further suggested Israel needed to be more flexible and "reach out to mend fences" with the Arabs, or risk increased regional isolation.
It would be challenging to determine what planet Mr. Panetta just arrived from given the fact his comments demonstrate a total lack of understanding of the issues. Unless, of course, his intent is to blame the victim. Then they make perfect sense.
He and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have been harshly critical of Israel in recent days. They, along with President Obama and numerous other world leaders, continue to presume that the answer to the six decade long conflict rests with a two-state solution based on geographic compromises.
On the face of it, that doesn't sound terribly bad. The problem is only one side is willing to recognize the other's right to exist as a sovereign state - Israel.
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has rejected Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state more times than the number of wars Israel has had to fight in order to survive, which is currently seven and counting. How anyone can continue to back a two-state solution when one side flatly refuses to accept it makes as much sense as trying to promote a basketball game when only one team is willing to show up. It's simply a non-starter.
So to Mr. Panetta I ask the following two questions:
1 .Why are you suggesting Israel needs to "get back to the damn table?" So it can hear Abbas refuse to accept Israel's right to exist for the umpteenth time?
2. Why aren't you blaming the other side’s refusal to accept a Jewish state as the actual reason an impasse exists?
Forget about 2-state solution
Where do any of the promoters of a two-state solution think the "solution" exists? Certainly not with Israel giving away more land. What land will comprise the borders of a state the other side continuously refuses to accept?
Lest there be any doubt of the absurdity of believing in a two-state solution, one doesn't have to look very far for regional confirmation. Iran is interested in one thing - "wiping Israel off the map." Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah said "if they (the Jews) all gather in Israel, it will save us the trouble of going after them worldwide. They are a cancer which is liable to spread at any moment." Hamas’ Mahmoud Zahar says the group would never recognize Israel as it would prevent future generations of Palestinians from "liberating their lands."
Indeed, it's time to stop pandering to promoters of vitriolic hatred and see such people for what they truly are - haters of Jews. The time has also come to start questioning the sincerity of those who promote a two-state solution. They expect Israel to give up its heartland, thereby transforming Tel Aviv and dozens of other major cities into Sderot, placing millions of innocent civilians at risk of daily rocket and mortar fire.
These people also expect Israel to divide its holiest city and give up its holiest site - Temple Mount. The beneficiaries of these sacrifices would be people who are theologically committed to the annihilation of the Jewish people and the elimination of the state of Israel. No person or nation who supports such moves should be considered a friend of Israel.
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