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Monday Aug 31, 2009
Rosner's Domain: Pressure Israel "if there truly is a peace settlement to be had"Posted by SHMUEL ROSNER
Comments: 24      Follow Rosner's Domain on Twitter!!! Robert Kaplan writes: The greatest, most obvious mistake that American administrations make is to overcompensate for the flaws of the previous one. The pendulum should come to rest in the middle, not swing to the other extreme. Bush's fundamental mistake was in becoming the anti-Bill Clinton, rather than merely steering away from his predecessor's roughest edges. Clinton had been obsessed with Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking, so rather than focusing on it to a moderate degree, Bush would have none of it at all. Big mistake. Clinton seemingly believed in nothing, so Bush would believe fervently despite the facts. Again, big mistake. Now it looks as though Obama is making a similar blunder. Finesse alone will not get him through the challenges ahead. He's got to become a bit more like Bush. He's got to make clear that he fervently believes in and cares about certain things, and he has to communicate that belief starkly: the challenges of health care, Israeli settlements, and particularly the war in Afghanistan demand no less. And Kaplan's uneasy conclusion: As far as Israeli settlements are concerned, Obama will never have as much political capital to spend on the issue as he does now. He is early in his term, and wont need to slip into campaign mode for years, so he can afford to let his approval ratings dip in response to tough stances on controversial issues. If halting settlement activity requires applying strong pressure on Israel, he has no time to waste. He has to be steadfast and incorrigible: he has to be a bit like Bush. If there truly is a peace settlement to be had, this is no issue that can be finessed. Note: "if there truly is a peace settlement to be had" - but what if there isn't?
1 | Sally - U.S.A., Monday Aug 31, 2009
When I read Kaplan's article, the phase "a tale as told by an idiot, full of sound & fury, signifying nothing" kept jumping through my mind. I guess he has been called worse, but hey, the truth hurts.
2 | Chris USA, Tuesday Sep 01, 2009
Kaplan is regurgitating the same failed reasoning that has failed to remedy the problem. Substituting form via force in place of substance will only make the situation worse and likely will ignite an escalating conflict in this region. Better to do nothing than do the wrong thing. Isreal and the Palestinians are locked in a death match. What do you suppose will happen if the US takes sides with either party? There can only be an escalation of violence. Having political capital and using it are two very different things that Kaplan appears to dismiss. Where has reason fled to?
3 | moron galut, Tuesday Sep 01, 2009
idiotic reasoning that 'settlements' cause conflict and' 'peace' can be imposed...what this fool is saying is that jewish sovereignty anywhere is a cancer causing conflict and peace be damned --quiet is all that matters to him...for israel these questions are existential and for all the jews too
4 | Sally - U.S.A., Tuesday Sep 01, 2009
In my opinion, the settlement issue is a red herring & had been resolved as Olmert said in his Washington Post article. Unfortunately, Obama reneged on this agreement. This in turn has led to Abbas sitting back & doing nothing. Given these facts, that is why I believe that Kaplan is an idiot. He, inexcuseably, makes an irresponsible statement without any facts to support his statement. As a journalist, he has no business just saying strong arm Israel about settlements without any reason as to why especially when Obama has reneged on a painful agreement which Israel had made.
5 | daat y, Tuesday Sep 01, 2009
Rosner-Why do you bring these irrelevant articles.
When the Palestinians will recognize a Jewish state then we can begin talking.
6 | Moishe L., Tuesday Sep 01, 2009
It's not irrelevant to those (in some cases, it's our fellow Yehudim) who do not live in Israel or have never been to Israel (or no desire to live in Israel). This is not me. I hope to make Aliyah someday.
I agree with Daat; the Palestinian and Arab world must recognize Israel as a Jewish State before serious and productive talks can begin.
7 | Mike Feldman, Canada, Tuesday Sep 01, 2009
First of all, Kaplan mentions Obama's political capital. I think its already taken a big hit, and its disapating daily. More important, Obama has taken a huge hit in credibility with his trying to say whatever he thinks his audience wants to hear about health care. If he doen't shake off the far left of his party, he's a lame duck already. Back to credibilty. Peace in the Middle East brokered by a ditherer without credibllity? Not bloody likely. Instead of his grandiose plans, he should first find out what is sacrosanct to each side, and have his people starting hammering away at the CONT
8 | Mike Feldman, Canada, Tuesday Sep 01, 2009
Mike Feldman CONT - at each sides sina non qua to see if there's any quid pro quo to get things moving. Any junior negotiator would know that. But its more likely that like everything else he does, Obama will make a huge announcement on a de facto arrangement which is unsatisfactory at least to the Israels, and also to the Palestinians if it requires them to do anything they're not already doing. As stated by Chris in #2, this "failure" when there actually was no chance for success will likey lead to new violence in the area.
9 | Amnon, the Great AMERICAN Southwest, Tuesday Sep 01, 2009
If this is the same Robert Kaplan who wrote that informative books on the Balkans and the Arabists in the State Department, then I'd have to say he either lost his marbles or he is being a typical handwringing Liberal Jew who'd whine about those "big, bad Israelis" but suggests absolutely nothing about the mentality of those who gave us Pan Am Flight 103, 9/11,Intifadas, the dancing in the streets of Ramallah and Gaza after 9/11, and the kidnappings, torture and murder of US and Israeli soldiers. No, I am getting more convinced a military solution to deal with Arabs and Iran is the only way.
10 | samg, NY NY, Tuesday Sep 01, 2009
Obama ... political capital? After the failed programs hes put in place - Cash for clunkers - the 3 Japanese car makers gained, our landfils lost, and the cars shold have been given to the needy instead of shreded, The Stimulous Bill - does ANYONE know of someone that got any of it? The GM Bailout and now a country bankrupting "Healthcare Bill" hes got little clout. His ratings are the lowest ever - being tough on your only ME friend gets you no where. Israelis will respect him when he makes the arabs return ALL Jewish holy and heritage sites. Untill then hes got Zero pull and ZERO respect.
11 | molly-glasgow, Tuesday Sep 01, 2009
why should Israel be pressured?Their not the ones that,s causing the troubles.The arab nations will NEVER make peace with Israel as they'll never be satisfied as long as the Jewish nation exists.You can have all the negotiations you can muster up but it'll all come back to the same thing.For once ALL Israelis should take a stand TOGETHER and remember your forefathers paid dearly to have the ONLY jewish nation in the world SMALL AS IT IS.,and other nations are trying to take it off you and give it to terrorists who refuse to acknowledge YOUR country.
12 | LB Chicago, Tuesday Sep 01, 2009
As Amnon points out, Robert Kaplan has done some wise and insightful reporting on many issues. I do not understand why he labours under illusions regarding Israel. Rosner is right on - there isn't a peace agreement to be had. Not one, anyway, that preserves a Jewish state of any kind. Self-immolation can always bring a kind of "peace".
13 | David W. Lincoln, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Tuesday Sep 01, 2009
As long as the powers that be, and those who share their perspective, continue their destructive ways, the likes of Nonie Darwish, Wafa Sultan, Bat Yeor, Walid Shoebat, and those they speak for; the best of South Syrian Arabs will continue to be marginalized. They have to be the dominant voice, and then, peace talks will be fruitful, rather than just wasting away like a dying calf in the most arid desert.
14 | joe smith, Tuesday Sep 01, 2009
If the presidents of America had said please solve your own problems we the American will have nothing further to say on this subject the arabs and jews wouldve sat down by now and worked it out. I thought that when the USA recognized the PLO 30 years ago that all the mid east problems wouldve gone away. thats what the arabs said would happen
15 | Tom, US, Tuesday Sep 01, 2009
There will NEVER be peace in the Middle East until finally there is parity militarily. Once ALL of Israel's neighbors have nukes as well as modern advanced weaponry and warfare techniques, only then will the psycho loonies in Israel realize that if they sneeze on ANY of their neighbors they won't exist any longer. Until that time it is a complete waste of time and money to even try and suggest peace to the psychopaths. What happened in Lebanon a few years ago was a good thing for Israel. On the ground they got a real bloody nose from Hezbollah.
16 | Leroy Padmore,Liberia, Wednesday Sep 02, 2009
There is no peace deal with out the recognition of the Jewish State.there has never been a country called palestine.the idea of peace in Israel will never be,the motive of the Arab people is more deeper than peace.ther are saying Israel should not exist as a NATION and that is a big mistake.ther only solution to this problem is that the JEWS put thier foot down for thier NATION and be ready to fight for thier NATION.because if they depend on Mr:Obama,the Arabs will take thier LAND.I and my family are praying for Israel daily.shalom to Israel
17 | Ronald USA, Wednesday Sep 02, 2009
Pitiful, spineless, pundits like Kaplan produce academic pile of pooh. Israel should not be pressure by anyone because the Jewish state is destined to be a light to the nations, if only the US and other butt-in-skis would leave Israel alone. What is Kaplan's explanation for the fact that all the other nations of the world obsess endlessly about Jews? Kaplan should realize that Israel will be fine - he's the one in need of pressure.
18 | David J Feiger USA, Wednesday Sep 02, 2009
The Arabs are arming to the teeth. Fatah is competing with Hamas for which is the more militant. Antisemitism is sweeping the world and the left frets about Jews building homes. If they left would take a look at Dafur they might learn how Arabs treat blacks. If the KKK gets wise they'll convert to Islam and sweep America..
19 | Chaim - Israel, Wednesday Sep 02, 2009
It's time we admitted the obvious fact that there is no peace settlement to be had between Israel and "Palestinians" which would not be simply an interim step towards the "Palestinians'" real goal of destroying Israel. Why would we even engage in this worthless process with those whose covenants call for Israel's destruction? And whose daily PA tv broadcasts call for Israel's destruction? Do we really think our enemies are joking? The only path to peace is by pummelling "Palestinians" into unconditional surrender and paying them to leave our land.
20 | John R, Wednesday Sep 02, 2009
Peace is achievable when Israel abides by international law and ends settlement building and the Palestinians sell their right of return to Israel. The sale has to involve international money for a variety of reasons. The oil rich states financed much of the 1948 war and hence hold some responsibility for the Palestinians plight. The US as a staunch supporter of Israel has already shown a wliiingness to put in money as has the remaining G7 countries. Recognizing Israel as a Jewish State isn't as important as buying right of return. Peace needs rational heads.
21 | David W. Lincoln, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Wednesday Sep 02, 2009
Tom, apply objective criteria more often. Okay?
Make the case that protection of private property of some, and only part of the time, leads to creativity that engenders success.
Otherwise, knock it off, your demagoguery is tiresome.
22 | Mike Feldman, Canada, Wednesday Sep 02, 2009
#20 John R. What happens if the Palestinians "sell" the right of return, bearing in mind its attractive to take money for something you do not own, take the money, refuse to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, and then shortly thereafter the neighboring Arab countries demand the expulsion of Israel from the region because it is an illegal Jewish state? Long winded question but I'm sure you understand my point.
23 | GOLDEN NUGGET Australia, Thursday Sep 03, 2009
#20 John R...Great last sentence...please list the arab/muslim "rational" heads you know...and don't
be too shy to include those with secret agendas to shaft Israel.
24 | GOLDEN NUGGET Australia, Thursday Sep 03, 2009
#20 John R...Great last sentence...please list the arab/muslim "rational" heads you know...and don't
be too shy to include those with secret agendas to shaft Israel.
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