Sending a Whole New Message
Erase yesterday’s JINSA Report, in which we expressed concern that the President would “hold space” for the Palestinians. He didn’t. Instead he sent a strong message that they have a lot to lose – and have already lost a lot – by failing to engage in serious reform, including a change in Palestinian leadership. Parsing the President’s statement following his meeting with Prime Minister Sharon, the following excellent points emerge:
Erase yesterday’s JINSA Report, in which we expressed concern that the President would “hold space” for the Palestinians. He didn’t. Instead he sent a strong message that they have a lot to lose – and have already lost a lot – by failing to engage in serious reform, including a change in Palestinian leadership. Parsing the President’s statement following his meeting with Prime Minister Sharon, the following excellent points emerge:
The President is talking with everyone but the Palestinians. Not that we care much for most of those to whom he did speak, but the Palestinians can’t miss the fact the he isn’t talking to them about their future. At the rate they are going, others, mainly Israel, will decide for them what they were invited in Oslo to decide for themselves.
The Palestinians, not the Israelis, are on the American hot seat. “For more than 50 years, Israel has been a vital ally and a true friend of America. I’ve been proud to call the prime minister my friend. I really appreciate our discussions today.” The Palestinians are still required “to insist on change and on a leadership that is committed to reform and progress and peace. We will help, but the most difficult work is theirs.” Calling on the Palestinians to “create the institutions and habits of liberty” was a particularly lovely and American formulation.
Time only goes forward and it goes forward inexorably. “The realities on the ground and in the region have changed greatly over the last several decades, and any final settlement must take into account those realities and be agreeable to the parties…”
There is no so-called “right of return.” “The United States is strongly committed to Israel’s security and well-being as a Jewish state (and…) a solution to the Palestinian refugee issue as part of any final status agreement will need to be found through the establishment of a Palestinian state and the settling of Palestinian refugees there rather than Israel.”
The Oslo era is really, truly over. “Israel must have secure and recognized borders which should emerge from negotiations between the parties in accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.” Not only no Oslo, but also no Wye River, no Camp David, no Taba, no Tenet, no Mitchell, and no Geneva.
No Auschwitz borders. “It is unrealistic to expect that the outcome of final status negotiations will be a full and complete return to the armistice lines of 1949, and all previous efforts to negotiate a two-state solution have reached the same conclusion.” The President commended Prime Minister Sharon for boldness and courage. We commend the President for the same.