Generally, I figure that when it comes to I/P if the extreme's hate something or do their best to dissuade one of something - it is probably right thing.
President Obama has been getting it from the radicals on both sides of I/P yet like a bad fifties D.J. one would say: "The hits just keep on coming"
We live in historic times and I would dare say - hopeful times. There is an evil around the glohe that is fighting to save it's life and it is the evil of reactionary conservative thought on both sides of the Israel / Palestine debate. However, despite all of the competing forces trying to sidetrack President Obama's quest for peace - the Quest goes forward (which of course immediately makes one think of Bruno's term: "Middle Earth")
This week on DKos the Israeli right made itself heard and overall I think people started to realize that strong honest American Leadership will carry the day and help broker an M.E. Peace.
Let's how this is playing out..... Set Clocks - Jump
So the pieces are starting to move in the M.E. chess match. U.S. Envoy this week George Mitchell is making the rounds. Now remember what is said in public often times is only the tip of the iceberg to what is being dealt with in private. For President Obama, I see the thrust of his strategy as the following:
Just a Little Tenderness - George Mitchell is on his second trip to Damascus since January. Though the Syrians are skeptical about him they seem to be open to discussing peace with Israel. This cannot please Iran in any way shape or form - it will be interesting to see what road they take. According to the BBC George Mitchell said:
He said he had told the Syrian leader that US President Barack Obama was "determined to facilitate a truly comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace".
"If we are to succeed, we will need Arabs and Israelis alike to work with us to bring about comprehensive peace. We will welcome the full co-operation of the government of the Syrian Arab Republic in this historic endeavour," he said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/...
Now how many visits did George Bush's team make to Syria in eight years. My bet is that it would not be a ton. Obama unlike the neo-cons is not afraid to talk with people with differences. He realizes out of that comes strength. He and his team also realize that our FRIENDSHIP with Israel will remain stronger because there peace in the region.
In response Ehud Barak had this to say:
"We are ready to take whatever reasonable effort to make it [the peace process] happen," he said.
"Of course we bear in mind our vital interests but we understand the needs of the other partners as well and we clearly need the leadership of the United States - as well as your experience and wisdom - in the attempt to achieve it.".
Relations between the US and Israel have been strained, largely due to differences over the future of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.
Washington says continued Israeli construction in the Palestinian territories threatens to undermine future peace talks.
Seems that the President and his team are keeping their eye on the ball. They are trying for the comprehensive Peace that will relax the Iraeli Right mixed with signals to keep the Netanyahu government and talking at the table.
Lately though we are seeing pushback from the Rightwing. Anything from Obama has a double standard towards Jews (of course two of his TOP people David Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel are Jewish - but why let that ruin a good story line) to Obama being one sided in Peace negotiations. Funny, but, the latter claim of being one sided is from BOTH extreme Palestinians and extreme Israeli positions.
In the opinion of this diarist - I think there is so much back room dealing that we can't possibly know what is happening. HOWEVER, George Mitchell makes this point:
Mitchell said he plans to meet many Arab leaders to encourage them to take genuine steps toward normalization of ties with Israel. He also asked Palestinians to refrain from words or actions that might make meaningful and productive negotiations impossible.
http://www.haaretz.com/...
One of the big right wing blogging points from Israel is "Well Obama is not asking the Arab countries or Palestinians for anything". I guess asking for steps towards full normalization of relations going INTO negotiations after sixty years of war is not asking for anything. Nope. Not a thing........
And right now it is the settlements that are causing the problems.
Right wingers apparently are about to up the ante in the battle for complete annexation (really what the Israeli rightwing wants) with this:
Right-wing demonstrators are planning a large-scale settlement operation next week - hundreds of youngsters will set up 11 new West Bank outposts, to commemorate the 1946 operation when 11 new settlements were set up overnight in the northern Negev, during the British Mandate.
The move coincides with the arrival of U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who is expected to discuss the evacuation of illegal outposts in the West Bank.
http://www.haaretz.com/...
Also combatting the President's policy from the other side are the fine folks at Hezbollah:
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatened to attack Tel Aviv if Israel were to bomb Beirut's southern suburbs, a bastion of the group........
snip
The equations that used to apply have now changed. Now it is 'the southern suburbs for Tel Aviv' and not 'Beirut for Tel Aviv'," Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar on Monday quoted Nasrallah as telling a group of Lebanese emigrants.
"I tell you, and this is not muscle-flexing, the Israeli army will be destroyed in any future war. And any force from the enemy's army that steps on Lebanese land, will be destroyed, and that is a fact."
http://www.haaretz.com/...
Apparently, the threat of Peace also bothers those extreme forces who would lose everything should a regional peace break out. Not having enemies to fight really wrecks ones days - doesn't it.
On the other hand who is maintaining Peace. Israeli Peace groups and the West Bank Palestinians (even Hamas is getting to that act but that is more to rearm and consolidate their hold on power - One enemy at a time for them) - a coalition that could work to everyones benefit.
We cannot let the Israeli or Palestinian (Arab nations too) right wing come in and wreck everything. It is time to fully support the Presidents Mid-East Peace initiative from both sides. On the Palestinian side I think it is important to encourage leadership to talk to the Americans and keep channels of negotiation open. On the Israeli side - stop the freakin' settlements already. The IDF needs to stop this movement by that racist Daniela Weiss and the settlers. They settlers are trying for a P.R. move - this needs to be handled and handled quickly by the Israeli gov't. I would say their reaction or inaction on this will be the telling point of what they are really trying to do.
One final note: Bradley Burston (who wrote that great column about the debilitating effects of settlement in the occupied territories) has this gem:
You are in danger of losing critical support for progress toward a two-state solution. Though you have been president for only five months, you are fast running out of time. Your primary enemy here is not the extremist hoping to blow up or gun down or forcibly squat a prospective peace to death. Your enemies are the clock, a culture which allows peacemaking only at the unlikely opening of a series of windows of opportunity, and, if you do not move quickly, your own inaction.
Simply stated, take your campaign directly to the Israeli people, and soon. Fail to do this, or wait too long, and you'd be well advised to leave the table while you still have chips.
http://www.haaretz.com/...