NETANYAHUS SPEECH - WHERES THE PLAN? WHERE IS THE VISION? With - TopicsExpress



          

NETANYAHUS SPEECH - WHERES THE PLAN? WHERE IS THE VISION? With little expectations from Netanyahus speech (in terms of content - the delivery is a different story) I have little to say. Netanyahu presents no plans, provides no real insights into any inkling of the idea that he might have some kind of initiative to do something that would change the situation of the country and its relations with our neighbors. Netanyahu fails to understand that the key to having any really positive relations with the moderate Arab states, that he mentioned, which share many of Israels interests in facing Islamic militancy - is ending the occupation over the Palestinian people and allowing for the creation of a Palestinian state, next to Israel, not in place of Israel. Netanyahu, like everyone else in his government fails to realize that partnerships are created, built up, nurtured and fostered. Partnerships cannot exist when your potential partner is constantly held down, humiliated, and under your full control. There can be no Israeli-Palestinian partnership which does not recognize the Palestinian side as equal partners. There can be no partnership when Israel continues to control the Palestinian economy, the borders, movement and access, the population registry and even the movements of the Palestinian President. This is not a partnership. There can be no partnership when Israel continue to expropriate Palestinian land and continues to build more settlements. All of this behavior only signals to the Palestinians that there is no chance of ending the occupation and achieving freedom. It is easy to find a lot of fault with Palestinian behavior too. Just to mention a few: the continuation of incitement, the educational system, the denial of real Jewish connection to the Land of Israel, the continual praising of violence and heroizing of terrorists. Palestinians could have done a lot more to foster partnership as well. But it is important to note that there is no symmetry between the two sides. Israel is a state, with a powerful economy, a mighty army, strong international backing led by the United States and the Palestinians are most definitely the underdog. This can be the year for the Palestinians to achieve huge progress in the international community. The one precondition for their success is refraining from violence. If they refrain from violence, Israel will face increasing pressure from the rest of the world including sanctions and boycotts. In the end, the people of Israel will have to make a choice of whether they want to hold onto the occupation or face the continuation of the international de-legitimation campaigns that are only just beginning. I hope that the Israeli public begins to ask its leaders for a plan - for some kind of initiative that goes beyond the plan for staying in power. It amazes me all of the time that a country which is known for its great initiative has no initiative on the issue most critical to its own survival.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 20:32:35 +0000

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