Traces of Peace - Noises of War
This week began with rumors of a redeployment. In Israel, for a long time there were hopes
of finding petroleum. Every other day the radio announced that this or that drilling had
found 'traces of petroleum' - 'Simanei Neft' in Hebrew. Until finally it was realized that
all they would ever find is 'traces' - no petroleum. This week there were traces of peace
- 'simanei shalom.'
After numerous delays for every possible reason, P.M. Netanyahu seemed finally
willing to implement a redeployment step, however unwillingly, which would get the
moribund peace 'process' moving again. For a moment, Israel was almost face to face with
the truth: there can be no peace without major territorial concessions, and there can be
no Israel without peace. This is the truth we have all known for years,
but some have denied. When Yitzhak Rabin spoke of 'difficult decisions ahead,' we all knew
what he meant, and we knew he spoke the truth.
Bibi however, promissed to square the circle. He promissed middle of the road Israelis to
make peace, and he promissed his own Likud party and right wing partners to make no
territorial concessions. 'Peace with security' really means 'peace with territories.'
Indeed, 'security' in the current redeployment negotiations is precisely synonymous
with percentages of territory. When faced with the truth, it seemed that the coalition
would fall apart.
Rabbis threatened to rule that territorial
concessions are against Jewish law - 'halacha.' Right wing politicians threatened to leave
the coalition and bring down the government. Since no government has ever been more firmly
glued to their chairs than this one, it was clear that such an outcome must be avoided at
all costs.
Now it appears that a 'way out' has been found. Bibi has suddenly taken a fancy to the
idea of holding a referendum. A referendum which he said at the beginning of the week was
not needed, because 80% of the voters would support the redeployment. An
absurd referendum on whether or not Israel should fulfill international commitments.
But a referendum that will buy yet more time. In order to save money, it is suggested that
this referendum be held along with nationwide elections in November. In the interim, Bibi
will have gained a respite from U.S. pressure and from the inevitable collapse of the
coalition.
During this time, the task of making peace more and more impossible by expropriation of
lands and by imposition of Israeli law will continue at an accelerated pace. For along
with the 'signs of peace' there were noises of a different kind.The Atereth Kohanim group
established an illegal presence in East Jerusalem - illegal even by Israeli standards -
last week. They were supposed to leave under threat of demolition. Mirabile dictu,
at the last moment there was a 'compromise' that allows them to stay and build. This week,
a related group has started building in Silwan. And the Israel Education Ministry has
suddenly remembered that, Jerusalem being a part of Israel, it is necessary to make
Palestinian students in Jerusalem study the same curriculum as Israeli ones. It would,
after all, be a great pity if Palestinian children did not know who Tchernichovsky
(Israeli poet) was, for example. The Ariel settlement was declared a city and a civil
guard is being organized there and elsewhere. In Jerusalem, land on the Mount of Olives
originally slated for a Palestinian girls school will be used for housing for yeshiva
students.
Referendums have often been the tools of demagogues. In this case, the referendum itself
may be used to frustrate the will of the majority. Eighty percent will vote for peace, but
by that time, perhaps peace will be impossible. And remember, the second
redeployment is only a small step in the process. There can be more delays over the third
redeployment, and more delays before the final settlement, which certainly calls for a
referendum.
There can be a referendum every time Bibi wants to
light a cigar. And meanwhile more and more Ariels will be built, more and more
yeshiva students will be settled on lands bought by Irving Moskowitz. This is the 'vision'
of the Israeli right.
But it cannot go on forever. Time will run out, if not on May 4, 1999, then somewhat
later. The PNA will declare itself a state. It will have the backing of the EC and the
United States. It will lay claim to all of the West Bank including Jerusalem. Israel
will finally have to give up all these territories, not in a magnanimous gesture of
good will, but under the firm pressure of international opinion. Instead of a compromise
settlement that will bring peace, we will lose everything and gain the eternal enmity of
our neighbors.
Yitzhak Rabin gave us the hope that after so many years of fighting, peace might at last
be possible. A great achievement.
Benjamin Netanyahu has shown that if someone is
determined to kill the peace, it can be done. A doubtful achievement...
Ami Isseroff
Rehovoth
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