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Tuesday Mar 18, 2008
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni's speech at Harvard University on the policy of settlement expansion points more than anything to the increasing gap between the government's public stance on the matter and the reality on the ground.
If we are judging based on actions, the Israeli government - disguised as a center-left government - is in fact a rightist government that continues to build settlements, which undermines the chances of reaching a political settlement, thereby turning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict into an unsolvable one. Bibi Netanyahu could not have done it better.
Six months ago, the prime minister committed to advancing the process started at Annapolis and to re-open negotiations on a future permanent status agreement, which would include discussions on the core issues. The PM's statements were so unambiguous that Lieberman surrendered to the pressure of the right and left the government. Statements are one thing and actions are another. Prompted by Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Eli Yishai, Olmert made clear to his Palestinian counterparts a few weeks later that the negotiations would not include discussing the future of Jerusalem. Later, Defense Minister Barak announced that roadblocks in the West Bank could not be removed and hence would not alleviate even a little, the difficulties of Palestinians' daily lives.
The calls for a ceasefire by Hamas, mediated by Egypt, are being rejected by the government and preparations for the reoccupation of Gaza continue. Meanwhile, the IDF has resumed its 'targeted killings' policy, which only inflames the hatred and arouses the quest for immediate revenge on the part of the Palestinians. The security services and the IDF havent been so trigger-happy in a long time.
The negotiations with the settlers proceed at a snail's pace and in the meantime, not even one outpost has been dismantled. Recently, the defense minister agreed to relocate outposts and not dismantle them, while simultaneously authorizing others and turning them into settlements.
With regards to the construction and the expansion of existing settlements, a cursory check at the reality on the ground reveals that even on this issue agreed upon at Annapolis, nothing has moved forward. Since this government was voted into power, it has authorized the construction of hundreds of residential units in Neguhot, Ma'aleh Adumin, Efrat, Talmon, Beitar Ilit, Elkana, Ariel, and Hebron (amongst many others).
In the areas of East Jerusalem, the government has authorized the construction of hundreds of residential units for various projects in the east of the city, while ignoring Abbas's pleas to freeze the construction until the negotiations run their course.
Apart from the desire to serve as ministers, it is difficult to understand the rightist factions in the Knesset, which do everything in their power to attack the government and bring about its collapse. It is safe to assume that even if Netanyahu were voted to serve as PM, Mofaz as defense minister and Itzhak Levi as the housing and construction minister, the criticism at home and abroad would not let them implement the rightist policies currently being pushed forward by Ehud Olmert.
However, when the government is disguised as a leftist government, it can effortlessly thwart any progress in reaching a peace deal.
1 | Rafi - Greater Israel, Tuesday Mar 18, 2008
Unfortunatedly some like Yariv even though well intentioned do not see that the enemy had in the past tried to destroy Israel all at once.
Their plan it is to do a piece at a time since Oslo. This has caused 1000+ deaths. The way to peace is ONLY via victory over the enemy not a phony peace process in disguise.
2 | Ben Israel, Israel, Tuesday Mar 18, 2008
So Oppenheim has discovered that politicians lie. A few weeks ago he was telling us it would be a national disaster if there were to be elections because it would lead to "instability").
Olmert, in order to get out of the Winograd mess, was telling all the Leftist intellectuals that he would break the Gordian knot and make peace with the Palestinians. So he lied, just like Sharon lied when he originally promised NOT to destroy Gush Katif. Oppenheimer then justified gov't lies, now he suddenly discovers they're bad. TOO BAD!
3 | Nussan, Tuesday Mar 18, 2008
Jpost a lefitst newspaper in disguise
4 | yehuda, yesha, Tuesday Mar 18, 2008
More likely, Mr. Oppenheimer, you are just too blind to recognize that the current government has no power, and, as such, cannot implement any plan for removal of any settlements or the like. Rather, you would prefer to blame it on the Right. I would hope that you would get a new argument; this one is getting rather stale, and it doesn't always even make sense--this article being a perfect case in point.
5 | Gabrielle, Los Angeles, Wednesday Mar 19, 2008
What I don't understand is how anyone with half a brain would think it at all possible to 'build bridges' between Israel and the muslim world.
Hamas wants you dead NOW!
Fatah is willing to wait until TOMORROW!
I suggest a reading of the koran is in order here.
6 | David, Australia, Wednesday Mar 19, 2008
Yariv, I am sure you believe that you are a Zionist, & act in the best interests of Israel. I even read that you do miluim in the West Bank Good! Unfortunately, you declarations are very naively similar to your namesake, Robert Oppenheimer (the "inventor" of the hydrogen bomb), who for years participated in it's development, then spent years railing against atomic warfare planning, to the point of revokation of security clearances & public humiliation. You want to create something theoretically "good", then you will be horrified at the results.. TBC
7 | David, Australia, Wednesday Mar 19, 2008
Policy is made on self interest & reaction to the other side's actions, not unilateral, juvenile, overly optimistic concessions that have no response or basis in facts on the ground. Where is anything remotely close to the PA showing willingness to do anything, aside from talk, complain, suck up international aid, & appear on TV? Visionaries still have to eat, & the first job of a government is to protect its country's existence & citizens, not delude itself with fantasise. Henceforth, I dub thee Yariv "The Naive" Oppenheimer...
8 | richard aylward england, Wednesday Mar 19, 2008
from over here this is hard to follow, but I just wanted to add one thing. My family are from Northern Ireland, and even a few years ago things looked hopeless, as if the cycle of revenge and killings would go on for ever. Two very different groups of people in one space. Go there today, and it may be no paradise but leople do not live in fear and hatred. It really looked hopeless. I no longer believe anything is hopeless. But the road certainly is not easy.
9 | Avi, Los Angeles, Wednesday Mar 19, 2008
I agree with you that the Govt is more rightist than they appear on paper but disagree with you that this is bad. Your piece reflects a delusional attitude that if we make concessions we will receive security in return - If we play by the rules so will they. Reality has played out differently in Gaza (and Lebanon). You seem to completely ignore that the Palestinians are more motivated by their own ambitions than by responses to our actions. They are dishonest about their intentions and they know it .The Govt. knows it but you don't.
10 | Chaim Israel, Thursday Mar 20, 2008
According to polls, Israel wants a right wing government disguised as a right wing government. Just yesterday, another widely reported poll showed that 65% of Israelis opposed any further Israeli retreats! It is clear that Israel is fed up with retreats and concessions, which have brought us only tens of thousands of maimed and murdered civilians and rockets on our cities and towns. As for Peace Now, it's members must be put on trial for espionage for passing aerial photos of our cities and towns to our enemies.
11 | Reuven Ben-Daniel Israel, Friday Mar 21, 2008
Where do these terrorists get all their detailed information? Where do they obtain information on disposal of IDF units? Where do they get aerial photos of all Jewish villages and areas in Judea/Samaria including Jerusalem. When I applied to the Survey Dept. for a copy of an aerial map of my village, there was a whole procedure, including signing on the Official Secrets act. No, they get their information and aerial maps from "Peace Now" organisation that gets a subsidy from the British Government for this information. Why does the Israel Government allow them to illegally take aerial photos?
12 | Pastor Maurice in Brazil - Latin America, Friday Mar 21, 2008
Yariv today an theme very relevant and very important for judges, christians, and mahometans in all contries of world, is the construction of the peace, but, what is this, what is the peace. Bridges today is the dialogue and respect for diferences. I beleave that you need writhe how all can work for respect by differences. This is the point important today. Respect by differences.
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About this blog
Building Bridges
Peace Now General Secretary Yariv Oppenheimer lays out his visions on how to fulfill the Zionist dream.
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Recent Comments
Hillel Green, Modi'in, Israel: Israel is not our land. It is land set aside by G-d as the home for the Jews. We are its guardians and car givers. It is now ours to give away. We merely occupy it under that wahtchful eye G-d. We must remebter that Israel was given to all Jews i.e. not the heredi, not the naqtionalists, not the traditional, not the orthodox, not the the masorti, not the reform, not the re-constructionists. Haman. Hitler, et. al did not care what kind of Jew you were. They considered us all Jews. So should we!
w2e must remember that
David Washington, D.C.: Mr Oppenheimer writes, "the extreme right proved that the Israeli government understood only force and that the use of violent thuggish approaches were well worth it." A rather bold statement. Interesting that Mr. Oppenheimer promotes the use of force against Jewish settlers and consistently condemns it in response to Palestinian terrorism. Who is the bigger enemy Mr. Oppenheimer?
Miryam Alfandari Istanbul Turkey: Dear H.Gerez.OK, the Arabs intended too many times to throw the Israeli people into the sea and still, for SOME ONLY Tel-Aviv is occupied.BUT MAJORITY of BOTH people(Arabs and Jews) living in Israel in PRESENT time, WHO are serving in the wars and now living in this constant war of terror.BOTH have RIGHT to and WANT to live in a secure Peace which requires concessions from BOTH side.BOTH are ready to these concessions BECAUSE they can see, realise clearly better than me or/and you that these concessions are LESS DANGEROUS than the ongoing and near future situation for them. Consider it pease.
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