Yoram Getzler
In a recent article in the Jerusalem Post Barry Rubin argues that there is no chance for a functional agreement between Israel and the Arab world, including the Palestinians, any time soon. That it might only be possible in future decades. With this basic premise I agree. Where I suspect we differ is the resulting conclusion we draw.
I believe that in the absence of meaningful negotiations we should be engaging in unilateral activities which strengthen the state of Israel in the eyes of its citizens and of the world.
A significant element in that strengthening is to make clear to ourselves our true intentions in regard to the areas of Judea and Samaria.
In this regard the Demographic Issue should be the determining factor. That and a clear and cold analysis of the possibility that at some time in the recognizable future the Arab world will come to accept our presence in neither pre-’67 Israel much less in the entire area between the river and the sea. In addition to the Arab world there is a belief that the rest of the worlds nations will also come to accept this reality.
That at least is the basic argument of those among us who believe that we can and should remain settled to the East of the Green Line.
Simply, NO WAY. It’s been forty years now and no one in the world is any closer to accepting our version of reality than before. The argument often heard is that if we display enough commitment, a strong and uncompromising policy regarding our presence there, the world will follow. Unfortunately that has not happened, even after forty years of committed settlement. The world has not followed. Then of course the argument will be that it’s because there has been constant disagreement by a part of the Israeli public to this idea. We as a single national consciousness have not been 100% in support of the idea of Greater Israel, from the river to the sea inclusive.
True, but that’s who we are. All attempts to replace us, the people of Israel with a community which stands four square behind almost any idea has not been the reality for at least one hundred years. Good or Bad, positive or negative, whether I personally like it or do not, this will not change. That who we are! At this point in time it is obvious that a percentage of the Jews living in the land will not agree on claiming all the land.
What we do have is a very clear majority who believe that the Israel that existed between 1949 and 1967 is the Israel that we can agree about. Cynicism not withstanding, this consensus is also held by the majority of the world’s people and governments.
It is clearly the policy of our only friend the United States of America. I believe it behooves us to realize that without that friend our existence and well being would be in serious question. Yes, it would be wise on our part to analyze reality and then to make our peace with it.
In this context I propose that the most correct conclusion to be drawn from Mr. Rubin’s argument is to begin to withdraw from the most distant parts of Judea & Samaria and to do this now, on our own initiative, before we find ourselves forced by that single loyal friend, together with the world community.
Acting from and with an attitude of independent decision and action we will be perceived as strong confident and competent. If we wait until the eventual pressure is applied, and then provide the entertainment of being dragged kicking and screaming from part of our parsimony will not in any way be an advantage to us.
