Should it surprise you if that part of Obama's just-delivered speech on the Middle East that focuses on the 63-year-old Middle East conflict begins with him lecturing* the victims?
"For the Palestinians, efforts to delegitimize Israel will end in failure."
This one's straight out of Israeli talking points 101. Given its colonial-settler nature, terrorist history and apartheid structure, Israel never had any legitimacy to begin with.
"Symbolic actions to isolate Israel at the United Nations in September won't create an independent state."
Nothing new here. The US has always coddled and shielded Israel from the international consensus (which, of course, doesn't include Australia, Canada or a couple of Pacific micro-states) in the UN.
"Palestinian leaders will not achieve peace or prosperity if Hamas insists on a path of terror and rejection."
The usual inversion of reality: for terror & rejection read resistance and standing up for one's rights.
"And Palestinians will never realize their independence by denying the right of Israel to exist."
Another Israeli talking point which means that the Palestinians must recognise Israel as a Jewish state, thereby signing away the right of return to Israel of the millions of Palestinian refugees and their descendents ethnically cleansed in 1948.
"As for Israel, our friendship is rooted deeply in a shared history and shared values."
Friendship? More like the deeply dysfunctional relationship between a permissive parent and his spoilt brat.
"Our commitment to Israel's security is unshakeable."
He/she/it's got us by the balls.
"And we will stand against attempts to single it out for criticism in international forums."
With our wonder-working veto!
"But precisely because of our friendship, it is important that we tell the truth..."
Haven't heard any so far.
"... the status quo is unsustainable, and Israel too must act boldly to advance a lasting peace."
Now I wonder who's been instrumental in maintaining this unsustainable status quo all these years. No names, no pack drill.
"The fact is, a growing number of Palestinians live west of the Jordan River. Technology will make it harder for Israel to defend itself."
What if they give the little king the boot and start heading back home, eh? Have you thought of that, Bibi? Relax, we'll maintain your Qualitative Military Edge so you can go on smiting and smoting 'em to your heart's delight, but face it, the tide'll be coming in one day and no amount of whizz bang QME will help.
"A region undergoing profound change will lead to populism in which millions of people - not just a few leaders - must believe peace is possible."
Hm, leaders like Mubarak, Abdullah etc. Now you see 'em, now you don't, know what I mean?
"The international community is tired of an endless process that never produces an outcome."
George Mitchell's just thrown in the towel, Lars von Trier has just called Israel a "pain in the ass" at Cannes, and frankly it's sooo embarrassing every time the world sees you twisting my balls.
"The dream of a Jewish and democratic state cannot be fulfilled with further occupation."
Yep, hang on to the West Bank - sorry, sorry, Judea and Samaria - and one day the Palestinians'll outnumber you and what've you got? South Africa on the Med!
"So while the core issues of the conflict must be negotiated, the basis of those negotiations is clear: a viable Palestine, and a secure Israel."
Relax, viable is always friable if necessary!
"The United States believes that negotiations should result in two states, with permanent Palestinian borders with Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, and permanent Israeli borders with Palestine. The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states."
Those mutually agreed swaps will give my successors something to do.
"The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, and reach their potential, in a sovereign and contiguous state."
Don't come all lawyerly with me! What's this define sovereign? define contiguous? Er, sorry, I didn't mean to speak to you like that. No, it'll never happen again, promise - just loosen up on my balls a bit, willya? Pretty please.
[* "Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu has lectured President Barack Obama in his own office, warning against 'illusions' of Middle East peace and opening a deep rift in US-Israel ties [...] The Israeli leader then launched into a history of the struggles of the Jewish people, which Obama watched from a nearby chair, his hand over his mouth." (Peace setback as Netanyahu lectures Obama, AFP, The Age, 21/5/11)]
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
What Obama should have said, if he wanted to tell the truth,is that "the fact is the growing number of illegal Israeli colonists will have to head back west of the 1967 "green line" and agree to stay there, since they have for 44 years been attempting to complete the theft of Palestine started before Israel even existed".fat chance of that truth coming from the lips of the world's greatest hypocrite.
Good stuff. I like Israel, but it is time for that country to move toward peace and quit playing victim.
Post a Comment