Thursday, April 29, 2010

Israel Can No Longer Hide Its True Colours

By Linda S. Heard
Online Journal Contributing Writer
Mar 17, 2010, 00:18
Courtesy Of
The Online Journal

International opinion is finally waking up to the more unpleasant realities of the Jewish state. The change in people’s perceptions may be subtle but it is happening. Its carefully orchestrated ‘poor little Israel’ narrative no longer holds water. Inconvenient truths keep getting in the way.

For instance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is known to have no interest in pursuing an equitable two-state solution that involves relinquishing occupied territory for peace. But like a succession of Israeli leaders before him, he had attempted, albeit halfheartedly, to put on a show for the sake of Washington while blaming the Palestinian National Authority for placing obstacles in the way.

This tried and not-so-true piece of theatre has worked like a dream for his predecessors but, last week, Netanyahu failed to rein in one of his actors. No sooner had US Vice President Joe Biden succeeded in persuading Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to restart negotiations, Israel’s Interior Ministry announced a plan to construct 1,600 Jewish homes in Occupied East Jerusalem.

It’s little wonder that Biden interpreted this step as a slap in the face. The surprise was his reaction. Not only did he strongly condemn the decision as undermining trust, he reaffirmed America’s commitment to a Palestinian state and warned both sides that they would be held accountable for any statements or actions that will inflame tensions or prejudice the outcome of talks. His warm praise of Abbas was also telling.

As if that wasn’t jaw-dropping enough coming from a high-level US official, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton backed it, saying, “The United States considered the announcement a deeply negative signal about Israel’s approach to the bilateral relationship.” Then, to cap it all, the Israeli daily Maariv reported dissatisfaction among members of Congress and quoted American officials as saying, “Israel has stabbed Obama in the back.” US President Barack Obama is said to be “incandescent with anger.” Ouch!

Europe is not amused, either. The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton has threatened that the bloc could use its trade ties with Israel as leverage to force it back to the table. She also believes the timing of the announcement was intentional and says there are “no guarantees” that Israel seeks peace.

Suddenly, Israel faces condemnation and potential consequences, which has to be a first. America’s seeming about-turn has shocked Israelis, who believed their country could do whatever it liked with impunity, and it has dazed the US pro-Israel lobby.

Wrong-Footed

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is seriously troubled by the unprecedented volte-face. “We are shocked and stunned at the administration’s tone and public dressing down of Israel on the issue of future building in [Occupied] Jerusalem,” said the League’s National Director Abraham Foxman. On this occasion, the ADL’s usual slur of anti-Semitism won’t wash.

To add to Israel’s woes, UN Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes has criticised Israel’s colony expansion and slammed the Netanyahu government for linking the release of Gilad Shalit to its continued blockade of Gaza.

Such harsh censure comes on the heels of international condemnation for the Mossad’s alleged use of cloned European and Australian passports in relation to the assassination of a Hamas commander in Dubai on January 19. Once again, the Israeli leadership was taken aback by the outrage from allies that previously behaved as though Israel could do no wrong.

It appears that British newspapers have sensed that Israel is now fair game. Papers that pointedly ignored George Galloway’s efforts to break the siege of Gaza with convoys of trucks and ambulances are now publishing scathing columns.

Johann Hari, writing in The Independent, launched a tirade against statements by Israeli leaders both past and present. Likewise, The Guardian accused Israel of treating its friends in a back-handed fashion.

Whether such attitudes on the part of the US and the EU signify a sea change in policy towards Israel has yet to be seen. It may be that Israel’s missteps in recent years have reached a critical mass that can no longer be ignored. It’s certainly interesting that a US government official encouraged the family of the late peace activist Rachel Corrie, who, in 2003, was killed by an Israeli army bulldozer operator, to take the Israeli state to court.

The day may come when Washington decides that Israel has outlived its usefulness and has become a liability. It disappointed its American friends by failing to subdue Hezbollah in the summer of 2006; its war on the virtually unarmed population of Gaza in the winter of 2008-09 and its continued blockade have appalled the world.

And now Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, is trying to restrain Netanyahu from striking Iran, fearing “unintended consequences.”

Now that the Palestinians are, for once, on a winning streak in the public opinion stakes, they should continue on the course of passive resistance despite all provocation. Violence on their part would result in sympathies immediately switching in Israel’s favour.

Israel has been pushing its faux victim status down everyone’s throats for decades. The time is ripe for the real victims to stand up and be recognised at last.

Linda S. Heard is a British specialist writer on Middle East affairs. She welcomes feedback and can be contacted by email atheardonthegrapevines@yahoo.co.uk.

Copyright © 1998-2007 Online Journal

No comments: