Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., June 07, 2009 Sivan 15, 5769 | | Israel Time: 02:09 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File
Share |
A double new start
By Haaretz Editorial
Tags: Israel News, United States 

The extraordinary speech by the U.S. president in Cairo was meant, in his words, "to seek a new beginning" between the United States and Islam. This is an essential beginning following years of hostility and alienation between American administrations and Muslims and Arabs.

The refined rhetoric of Barack Obama, the frankness and directness with which he unfolded the history of hatred between Islam and the West, and the fashion in which he drew the right paths these two great civilizations must follow in order to foment partnership, have undoubtedly set a new horizon for their relationship. At least that is the hope.

However, Obama's America did not only present a new ideological agenda yesterday. Even if the sharp characteristics of a diplomatic plan and a strategy for its implementation were missing from the speech, the diplomatic agency is sufficiently clear and stems from the new ideological framework.
Advertisement
As such, Obama does not consider some more equal than others. The right of Israel to exist as an independent and sovereign state does not supersede that of the Palestinians. The suffering and humiliation of the Palestinians under occupation are unacceptable, and therefore they must be granted human and political rights; no less unacceptable is the condition of Israeli citizens who live under the threat of rockets. And mostly, the settlements are an illegal creation, irrespective of whether they are called outposts or communities. It is not merely a matter of passive facts on the ground, but a practical obstacle to peace.

Obama does not free any side of responsibility, including his own administration. The assignment of roles is clear, and based on the road map and the Arab peace initiative. The Palestinians must combat terrorism and establish a responsible government; Israel must cease settlement activity and recognize the rights of Palestinians; the Arab countries must recognize Israel without waiting for a resolution of the conflict; and the American administration must invest every effort in order to bring all these sides together.

There were concerns in Israel's government about the address, which followed tensions in relations with the Obama administration, and also among the settlers, as was expected, there have already been assertive statements against Obama and his policies. Many in the public would like to consider the speech mere lip service to the Arab and Muslim countries, at the expense of Israel. On the other hand, there will be many in the Arab and Muslim side who will celebrate a victory of their "righteousness" over Israel's, and consider the speech an achievement and a strategic change in the direction that the American iceberg is taking.

However, both sides would make a historic error if they allow Obama's superb rhetoric to sink and become a footnote in their wrangling. Because it was not only before Islam and the West, but also, perhaps mostly, before Israel, the Palestinians and the Arabs, that an opportunity for a new beginning was laid out in Cairo yesterday. Without threats or force came an American promise and commitment to serve as a guiding light, and to encourage and cultivate the diplomatic process.

The government of Israel, like that of the Palestinians, has no right to ignore this opportunity and place it in the drawer alongside all the other missed opportunities. The price of missing out will not be measured in the quality of relations with Washington, but in human lives.
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
True friend of Israel
Gideon Levy: Our leaders never looked as pathetic as they did after Obama's speech
No Jewish presidents
Bosnian Jew seeks to overturn laws that prevent Jews from running for presidency
Special Offers
Advertisement
hotel Jerusalem
David Citadel Hotel, come stay at the finest of Jerusalem hotels.
ISRAEL ARMY SURPLUS STORE
IDF insignia,Uniforms, Paladium Boots Watches, Israel Army T-shirts & Collectibles
Dead Sea Skin Care
Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
 Haaretz Hot Topics
The Pope in the Holy Land
Durban II conference
Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
Israel vs. Hamas
Air strike in Sudan
More Headlines
23:18 Report: Palestinians plan to file 936 lawsuits over over Gaza 'war crimes'
20:46 Iran: UN report shows our nuclear work peaceful
20:48 'Netanyahu failure to back two-state solution harming Israel'
17:42 Obama vows 'tough diplomacy' with Iran
21:17 Saudi FM to U.S.: Cut off aid if Israel doesn't end occupation
23:20 Six cops hurt by rocks thrown by Haredi protestors in Jerusalem
22:40 Brideless in Gaza: Hamas gets into matchmaking business
20:58 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
22:42 Protestors march in Tel Aviv to mark 42 years of occupation
16:43 New Yorkers to stroll on Tel Aviv beach - in Central Park
20:24 Israeli officials: Obama leaves us no choice but to okay Palestinian state
18:56 With Israel in mind, Iran starts making new anti-aircraft missile
20:38 Iran's ex-president to sue Ahmadinejad for slander
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
| Israel 2009 election results | Makom: Engaging on Israel
| Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved