[Prefatory Note: This is a slightly modified text of an article published in Middle East Eye on September 1, 2015, and republished on my blog with permission. http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/israel-s-likud-troika-and-end-oslo-peace-process-1425103979]
Israel’s relentless accumulation of territorial facts on the ground some years ago doomed the peace process associated with the Oslo Framework of Principles adopted in 1993. It became increasingly difficult to envisage an Israeli willingness to dismantle settlements and road network or remove the separation barrier, and without such steps there could never be achieved an independent and viable Palestinian state. It should be kept in mind, without even raising the issue of the right of return of at least five million Palestinian refugees living outside of Palestine, that the whole premise of Palestinian statehood was based on the green line ceasefire borders that emerged from the 1967 borders. Even if Israel were persuaded to withdraw from the entirety of occupied Palestine, it would amount to only 22% of historic Palestine, less than half of what the UN recommended to a much smaller population by way of partition in 1947 (GA Res. 181). Yet even in those days of illusion when Israel was purporting to be receptive to the two-state approach it insisted on carving out a permanent security zone in the agriculturally rich Jordan Valley and maintaining a significant measure of border control.
For years Israel has played along with the diplomatic consensus constructed on basis of a two-state solution of the conflict as the only reasonable politically compromise. Israel had lots to gain from upholding this consensus, but quite a bit to lose by actually implementing it in a reasonable manner. Maintaining the diplomatic track satisfies its own citizenry and world public opinion that it is doing everything possible to reach a peaceful end of the conflict. In the course of such events, Israel gained the time it needed to expand the settlement phenomenon until it became so extensive as to negate any reasonable prospect for substantial reversal. And yet by relying on its sophisticated control of the media it could pin most of the blame on the Palestinian Authority for one round after another of failed bilateral negotiations. This in turn made it possible to mount propaganda campaigns around even the false claim that Israel lacked a Palestinian partner for peace negotiations.
While this diversionary process has continued for more than two decades, Israeli consolidated its influence in the U.S. Congress, which strengthened an already unprecedented ‘special relationship’ between the two countries. These dynamics made a mockery of Washington’s claim to be a neutral intermediary. And above all, the consensus pacified the international community, which repeatedly joining the public chorus calling for resumed negotiations. This became a cynical process with diplomats whispering in the corridors of UN buildings that the diplomatic effort to end the conflict was a sham while their governments kept restating their faith in the Oslo approach.
As argued here, the present futility of Oslo diplomacy has been indirectly acknowledged by Israel, and should be explicitly abandoned by the world community. Whether Israel’s was ever prepared to accept a Palestinian state remains in doubt. The fact that each prime minister since Oslo, and this includes Yitzhak Rabin, endorsed settlement expansion raises suspicions about Israel’s true intentions, but there were also indications that Tel Aviv earlier had looked with favor upon the diplomatic option provided that it could, with American backroom help, persuade the Palestinians to swallow a one-sided bargain that incorporated the settlement blocs and satisfied Israel’s security goals.
In the last couple of years the veil has been lifted, and it is overdue to declare Oslo diplomacy a failure that has been costly for the Palestinian people and their aspirations. We can reinforce this assessment by pointing to three connected developments at the pinnacle of Israeli state power, dominated in recent years by the right wing Likud Party. The first is the election by the Knesset in 2014 of Reuven Rivlin as the tenth Israeli president.
Rivlin is a complex political figure in Likud politics, a party rival of Netanyahu, a longtime advocate of a one-state solution that calls for the annexation of the West Bank, and an opponent of international diplomacy. The complexity arises because Rivlin’s vision is one of humane, democratic participation of the Palestinian population, conferring citizenship based on fully equality, and even envisioning an ethnic confederation of the two peoples to be achieved within Israel’s expanded sovereign borders.
The second development was the campaign promise made by Netanyahu on the eve of the March elections that a Palestinian state would never be established so long as he was prime minister. This startling break with the American posture was also a reversion to Netanyahu’s initial opposition to the Oslo Framework, and bitter denunciations of Rabin for embracing a process expected to result in Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu’s 2015 campaign pledge seemed closer to his true position all along if judged by his behavior although contradicting what his talk at Bar Ilan University back in 2009 when he declared support for Palestinian statehood as the only way for Israel to achieve peace with security. To slightly mend relations with Washington after his recent electoral victory, Netanyahu always crafty, again modified his position, by saying that in the heat of the elections he only meant that no Palestinian state could be established so long as jihadi turmoil in the region persisted. Given the extent of Israeli territorial encroachments on occupied Palestine I would trust Netanyahu’s electoral promise much more than his later clarification, a feeble attempt to restore confidence in the special relationship with the United States.
The third development, which should remove the last shred of ambiguity with respect to a diplomatic approach, is the designation of Danny Danon as Israel’s next ambassador at the UN. Danon is a notorious settlement hawk, long an outspoken advocate of West Bank annexation, arrogantly disdaining the arts of diplomacy needed to deflect the hostile UN atmosphere. If Israel felt that it had anything to gain by maintaining the Oslo illusion, then certainly Danon would not have been the UN pick. There are plenty of Israel diplomats skilled in massaging world public opinion that could have been sent to New York, but this was not the path chosen.
How shall we best understand this Israeli turn toward forthrightness? In the first instance, it reflects the primacy of domestic politics, and a corresponding attitude by Israel’s leaders that it has little need to appease world opinion or accommodate Washington’s insistence that diplomacy, while not now working, remains the only road leading to a peaceful solution.
Furthermore, the Likud troika seems to be converging on a unilateralist approach to the conflict with the Palestinians, while doing its best to distract the international attention by exaggerating the threat posed by Iran. This unilateralist approach can move in two directions: The Netanyahu direction, which is a shade more internationalist, and involves continuing the process of de facto annexation of occupied Palestine, reinforced by an apartheid structure of control over the Palestinian people; the Rivlin/Danon direction overtly incorporating the West Bank into Israel, and then either following the democratic and human rights path of treating the two peoples equally or hardening still further the oppressive regime of discriminatory control established during over 48 years of occupation.
While this Israeli scenario of conflict resolution unfolds most governments, not sensing an alternative, continue to proclaim their allegiance to a two-state solution despite its manifest disappointments and poor prospects. At present, there are a series of international gestures toward lifting the peace process from its deathbed. Sisi of Egypt hosts Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority proclaiming a readiness to mediate bilateral negotiations, and even Netanyahu in the immediate aftermath of Israel’s inability to scuttle the Iran Nuclear Agreement has the temerity to indicate an interest in renewed peace talks. In effect, ‘Oslo is dead, long live Oslo.’ Put differently, the political death of Oslo is being disguised by a diplomatic afterlife. It will be shameful if the Ramallah leadership again enters this cynically set diplomatic trap. As the above analysis shows there is no evidence whatsoever that Israel is at all inclined to allow an independent sovereign Palestinian state to come into existence. Israel is even fought hard against allowing Palestine to fly national flag in front of the UN building. Of course, as in the past, Israel will for the sake of public relations, including rehabilitating its ‘special relationship’ with the United States, evidently again play this cruel game of charades. But why are the Palestinians willing to be partners to such a sham?
This see-no-evil posture of governments, and even the UN, ignores the emergence of two more promising alternatives: the gathering momentum of civil society activism exhibited via the BDS campaign and increasingly acknowledged by Israel as its most security threat, leading recently to the establishment of an official ‘Delegitimation Department’ assigned to do battle with the Palestinian solidarity movement.
And on a diplomatic level, pursued with some energy and imagination by the Palestinian Authority, is the use of international law and Palestinian statehood to engage the wider international community of states in support of its struggle. Several examples illustrate the approach: the 2012 General Assembly endorsement of Palestinian statehood; the adherence to prominent international law treaties and conventions; admission as member to UNESCO; adherence to the Rome Treaty framing the activities of the International Criminal Court; and just days ago, the GA approval of the wish of Palestine, although having the status of a non-member observer state, to fly its national flag alongside the flags of UN members at UN buildings. With the abandonment of armed struggle and the breakdown of bilateral diplomacy, Palestinian recourse to legitimacy tactics reinforces the civil society global solidarity network that has been exerting increasing pressure on Israel.
Global Justice in the 21st Century 
A note:
I believe that “see-no-evil posture” is difficult. Also, I think that this priest explains very good some problems that civil society has no ability to understand – but can understand when is explained. Some things are just not in the power and will of civil society.
There is something that Church has to do – while I personally do not know (nor can know) what specifically. However, some things of the Church in Rome are solid.
I hope that good number can reflect in those things, not be respectful about it but try to understand what they are or may be wrestling with, individually and corporately.
I (in clear conscience) assure that curses by Spirit of God and in God’s wrath are real by Spirit of God (especially if Church-Charismatic – even 2000 years ago– may spoke the curse according to God’s wrath) are actual things, just as blessing that come from God are real and actual things in this world trough his everlasting ordained priesthood.
If anyone comes to the Church and asks for forgiveness (individually and corporatly) through Confession with Charismatic-Roman-Catholic priesthood – the Church Roman Catholic Charismatic will do what has to do according to the Authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and the best be that the will of God will be done, as the Church will accommodate the Church Order and practices. Church will be able to receive confession and that to release the leaders, peoples, and nations from curses and their generational sins.
This is toward all of the Churches – regardless what denomination, as well as those who are in the good and evil will (civil or not civil people). Charismatic and not-Charismatic in the Church-Catholic or outside Church of Rome. We do not discriminate based on the human condition whether civil or eccalistical.
It is between all humans and the priesthood of Jesus Christ of Nazareth:
A kind note to Laurie that I hope will not be misunderstood:
because you brought up things about forgiveness, I was overpowered into a deep meditation about some life-giving things.
While I understand somewhat – I never feel or think that I need to go about it unless Spirit of God consist on me otherwise.
Interestingly, JTA reported the other day that many Jewish and Zionist Christian organization believe that G-d cursed Jimmy Carter with cancer for hating Israel and Jews.
http://rehmat1.com/2015/09/12/jimmy-carter-gets-cancer-for-hating-israel/
I do not know how that would be- that has no real Scriptural meaning. I do not think or believe that he is. Occurrences of cancers can be environmental, as well. Some things are also just of age or abnormal genetical occurrences that have nothing to do with Scriptural condemnation. It is the human condition, and Spiritual miracles can change/alter all that.
However, folks take Scripture and use it to practice witchcraft because they are in perverse and wicked spirit.
It is same when folks take things of Faith and try to make perverse things out of it.
Where I come from Church knows what evil and practices of witchcraft are – kids are raised and taught to have nothing to do with that.
In Germany, people went about their Festivals and Holidays and seemed to be Churched folks, and I never did see anyone nor learned about anyone that is accursed.
Here in the US, they take Scripture and practice witchcraft. It is beyond anything one could believe – all perversion and evil behind all of that. It is all satanism by perversion (in spirit and mind). Folks are so blind and do not even know what they do and all heresies they believe and practice. Often, they do not even have a budge of their conscience that something is wrong.
One can tell them on and on and on – but they have their way and their doctrine, and they keep on sinning against God and Church that is authentic. Thye believe, say, and do evil things toward things/people that are in the care of God. They do not even understand elementary things about human salvation – and yet are babblers according to their own myths and convictions of their own spirit and minds.
Truly, have nothing to do with that. All that needs Baptism in God’s Spirit by free Fall – generation after generation. They are just in damnation because they miss the Appointed Order of The Church and the Way that is Appointed to Human Salvation.
Foolish Theology and believes according to that has never saved anyone, nor it can.
The reference to ‘forgiveness’ here, and heretofore quoted by me, was from atomic bomb survivor Ed Kawasaki and does not reflect my thinking on the matter. The religious references that have appeared on this blog are appalling. Count me out…… there must be some sanity left in this world………
Radiation of God’s Spirit is with Him.
Still, he just tells parishioners (supposed who are the Children of the Church) how to be grafted into the Faith of the Church after Falling of From Faith of the Church: Spiritual Excommunication.
Spiritual Excommunication of their ancestors – or even personal excommunication is difficult in the pews, especially if it is permanent (irevocable).
That priest is Ordained Apostolic Commission – and I do not know that there is another authentic Ordained Apostolic Commission in the world besides him.
The last one that was authentic, I think and believe was Padre Pio. His times were full of darkness and very horrible times. Still, he was not appointed to worry about any of that.
Children of the Church are content with the condition of the world.
If the world wants to change its condition – they can ask conclave of the Church Roman Catholic Charismatic to appoint for them some sanity. In general, Church does and does not care what takes place in the world and civil religions as well as civil government.
What’s given over to Satan for destruction remains in that condition, unless Apostolic Church is appointed to pray in Spirit of God and accomplishes in Spirit of God for another condition.
Church, in General, does not mind bloody cycles of civil religions as well as civil governments. It is, and it is not of our concern.
What is appointed for fires of hell is appointed so and it can not be otherwise.
It is written that even drop of water for the tongue would somewhat relieve pangs of the hell. But not even a drop of water will take place in hell.
There is no such thing as co-exsitence of life and death in hell.
There is no such thing as False Grace in Church that is authentic nor can be by the essence of God’s Spirit.
Kata: Two points…
It’s unfortunate that you and your group are so consumed with vicious outgroup hatred and are trying to justify it by a phony claim of divine proclamation. Religion is often used as a license to commit heinous atrocities and yours is just one of them.
Also, very upsetting is that you have been granted a platform here to spew forth your vitriol.
I think and believe that I can gracefully disagree with you.
Church should not be disallowed to say things about evil or good – or be anywhere. We believe that all things can work out for common as well as spiritual good.
Just because virtual communication is difficult – and I have studied this of discipline somewhat – I can make somewhat basic distinctions about it and not personally be distressed about that.
Likewise, I grew up and have lived in serval healthy environments where people are in touch with things around themselves.
People who know me personally, would not make such humble distinguishment about me. In reality, I am the just a very lovable kid … according to the folks around me. I do not know what you are suggesting about me.
In fact, just about two weeks ago – I was in a post-pastoral staff meeting. I just happened to be there, and no one made such important discernment about me – but they easily could have had because they are very healthy and anointed members of Church.
Church is no group – it is a Body of One Spirit and One Faith. We just exist in the world – and anywhere that we are moved to be. This presence can be certainly rejected, as well.
I hope that this is helpful even if you personally can’t grasp the essence of the Church.
However, I do believe that grown-ups, in general, are not selfish and are capable of grown-up distinctions as well as decisions.
I am sorry that I am not your tribe. (From my perspective).
Reblogged this on QCpal.