The humiliation of Palestinian ministers and the savagery against innocent civilians took place before the eyes of the world community. This is crisis management at its worst. Already engulfed in outrage, the Israeli government is not even aware of future consequences of its actions. Wild rage defeats any foresight. Israel exhibits no foresight
I emphasize “Israeli government” because no one in sound mind would approve of the Israel’s actions; not even the Jews. Sensible Jewish people —and most are-- know better than anyone that they will be the biggest losers at the end. Israel is becoming more and more isolated. It was first isolated in the Middle East. For a period of time, Israel had unwavering support of its European allies. However, as of late Europeans have lost patience with Israel as a result of myriad examples of the Jewish state’s arrogant and stubborn behavior. European support for Israel is declining fast. Criticism of Israel over the past week from Europe, and the world at large, speaks for itself. There comes a point, when TV news—showing stark video footages—bring to our living room Israeli savagery in living color, one last event becomes the straw that breaks the camel’s back. This has to tax the viewers’ patience. The Israeli government is constantly testing the threshold .
The US is Israel’s staunchest ally in the world. However, of late even the United States is about to lose patience with Israel. No wonder Bill Clinton focused single mindedly on the Arab-Israeli relations in his second term of his Presidency. He was after protecting the US interests, trying to find a solution to the Middle East conundrum. This was because each move by Israel caused far more damage to the United States of America than to Israel. The United States does not wish to see the Arab world on the opposite side of the fence. After all, it would not benefit the US to be at loggerheads with the Arab world, if for no other reason, owing to the geopolitics of energy today. The United States declared war against terrorism in the wake of 9/11.The success in the war against terrorism will very much depend on strategies that will also determine the state of relations between the US and the Arab world. Failure to secure the cooperation of Arab countries in the fight against terrorism will hinder the US efforts. Obviously the United States is footing the bill for Israel’s mischief. This hinders all efforts for cooperation with the Arab world. On every occasion, it's Arabs who bring up the Israeli wrongs in Palestine. Hence, even the United States is uneasy with Israel’s reckless policies. The spread of anti-American sentiment worldwide must have much to do with the US’s official stand on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A recent study conducted by the Harvard University confirmed this view.
In short; there is a pressing need for the self-criticism by the Israeli government. Israel has been applying the wrong method. In addition, such anger and bloodshed benefit no one. The biggest test for Israel lies in recognizing the limits of brute force. Failure to recognize the threshold will make every one a loser. Today, Israel no longer enjoys public approval, sympathy or support. Not only Christians and Muslims, but also Jews criticize the actions of the Israeli government. Israel, in insisting to stick to brute force, will only earn the condemnation of the world. Israel must start to make peace with itself and the Arab world. This is what’s expected of a responsible government.
Is the Palestinian government completely innocent? Of course, the Palestinian government has not implemented certain policies to match the huge task it has undertaken. Nevertheless, from what happened in the past week, it is obvious that more powerful Israeli government should shoulder a greater part of the responsibility to secure peace in the region.
06.07.2006
