Israel's utmost attention should be on Palestine not Iran

Israel’s utmost attention should be on Palestine not Iran

Ghassan Michel Rubeiz

West Palm Beach,

November 30, 2013

 

Recently six world powers have agreed with Iran on an initial deal to limit its nuclear program.

The interim nuclear deal, with Iran is a step in the right direction. Peace with Iran would give the Islamic Republic a chance to take steps for reform of its dysfunctional political system and take measures to improve its regional relations. A moderate Iran would help “domesticate” the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement, Israel’s direct adversary, and enhance a political settlement in Syria.

In trying to derail the nuclear deal Prime Minister Netanyahu has left no stone unturned. His campaign against the Iranian regime exhibits all the makings of an alarmist strategy.  Despite receiving the lion’s share of US foreign aid, orchestrating the strongest lobby in Washington and enjoying unwavering loyalty from leading Western powers, Netanyahu charges betrayal and declares that his allies have committed a “historic mistake” by signing a “bad deal” with the “most dangerous regime on earth.”

If Israel’s alarmist campaign fails to sabotage international dialogue its image among nations will suffer; if the campaign does succeed to rupture negotiations Israel will be helping to start a new Mideast war. The campaign is a lose-lose undertaking.

Israel’s obsession with Iran is an outcome of poor political judgment.

Future Palestine, not Iran, should keep Israelis awake at night. Iran, a distant, isolated and exhausted neighbor, is not a grave threat to the Israelis.  And there is no reason for perpetual animosity between Iran and Israel. These two states do not share borders, dispute territory or carry sentiments of revenge for past military confrontation.  As both societies are rich in national pride, talent and culture they could one day lead the region in technology and economic development.

The primary threat to Israel is in its backyard: its occupation of Palestine. Israel seems to have no serious intentions of satisfying Palestinian national aspirations. Palestinians have remained deeply attached to their land and determined to achieve independence. The world community is aware of the urgency for the creation of a Palestinian state, but Israel is not.

In a New York Times column Richard Cohen chastises Israel for being unable to take risk for peace: Iran is to be tested. .. Things may unravel but at least there is hope. Perhaps this is what is most threatening to Netanyahu. He has never been willing to test the Palestinians in a serious way… http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/26/opinion/cohen-israels-iran-dilemma.html?_r=0

Unwilling to acknowledge the consequences of an occupation that is heading to a de facto apartheid, Tel Aviv looks for a scapegoat to distract attention from its shortsighted policies and oppressive practices in the Palestinian territories.

Having the only nuclear arsenal in the Middle East, having won three major regional wars and having run an occupation with an iron fist for over four decades, Israel current leaders still posture as the good shepherds whose nation is at the mercy of modern day  “Nazi” ( their term) hierarchy in Iran.

Israel looks desperate for new allies. Netanyahu now claims that the Arab Gulf states are his partners in opposing Iran.  Teaming militarily Sunnite Gulf Arabs with a Jewish state against Shiite Persians is a morally toxic sectarian formula which would fragment the region and plunge it in turmoil for decades to come. With hesitation, Saudi Arabia now has accepted the recently forged nuclear deal, if the agreement is based on “good intentions.”

In Foreign Policy John Hanna points out “that Saudi paranoia about being sacrificed on the altar of a U.S.-Iranian deal is nothing new.” Hanna could have said nearly the same about Israel’s dramatized fear.  http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/11/29/iran_saudi_arabia_nuclear_war_obama.

Saudi Arabia could consider a policy paradigm shift by exploring rapprochement with Iran. King Abdullah could venture to go for a handshake with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.  Saudi Arabia and Iran could jointly offer a peace proposal to Israel.  Such a dramatic gesture may open up meaningful dialogue on Palestinian independence and comprehensive normalization of relations with Tel-Aviv.

But neither Saudi Arabia nor Israel is in the mood of reconciliation. Israel’s campaign of international pressure has gone too far, alarming Thomas Freidman of the New York Times: Never have I seen Israel and America’s core Arab allies working more in concert to stymie a major foreign policy initiative of a sitting US president….. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/20/opinion/friedman-lets-make-a-deal.html?_r=0

Israel’s visionaries must recalculate.  Efforts to derail the nuclear deal are misguided. The primary source of danger for Israel is not Iran; it is neglected Palestine.