Neil Gunn's Blog
Posted by Neil Gunn
The failure of US envoy George Mitchell to persuade the Israelis to stop building new settlements on the West Bank should come as no surprise to anyone.
CNN quaintly announced that, “The hopes for renewed Israeli-Palestinian talks dimmed Friday…” Well it’s much more than that; despite the huge amounts of American aid that flows into Israeli coffers, Benjamin Netanyahu has slammed the door in Barack Obama’s face.
Other reporting by the Washington Post and the BBC are much more accurate about their assessment of the current state of affairs. In particular the Washington Post which correctly described the present situation as a “tragedy in the making.”
Although Netanyahu has talked about a settlement freeze, Palestinians have accused him of “grand deception” as building continues.
Some American sources have talked about a peace process without the ever-expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank being on the agenda. I have to wonder what planet they live on. There will never be a just peace between Israel and Palestine without an end to the building programme. I’m very sure that President Obama is well aware of that.
The President is a busy man, he has health, the economy and Afghanistan to worry about but let’s not forget about the Palestinians.
To the American public I would say go and read today’s online Washington Post (20 Sept) find out what’s really happening in the West Bank. The writer of the article, Stephen M Walt, a Harvard professor has in my humble opinion got it exactly right.
Posted by Neil Gunn
This time it’s the Palestinian Authority threatening to ask the World Bank, which is funding the project to withdraw if Israel fails to cancel plans to seize West Bank lands.
While the Palestinian Authority are right to fight the confiscations of their land, the collapse of the Red-Dead Sea project will have dire consequences for Jordan, Palestine and Israel. Not only will their people, particularly in Jordan and Palestine be thirsty any cancellation will also affect business in the region.
Come on President Obama, it’s time to knock some heads together, particularly those in Tel Aviv.
Posted by Neil Gunn
There was an interesting quote in the Washington Post recently that asked: "Isn't it a flaw in the Israeli electoral system that unless you're dead, you're just recycled as a candidate for Prime Minister? Don't they ever get new candidates?"
It's a valid point reinforced as Mr Netanyahu comes along again: "The revolving door" syndrome said someone else in the same newspaper.
Putting all that aside, Mr Netanyahu, who actually won a seat less than his rival Tzipi Livni of the Kadima Party, is now firmly ensconced in the prime minister's office and dictating policy. Well, as much as possible in a coalition government.
More importantly what can the Palestinians expect from such a hardliner? In Israeli elections, tough talking not compromise wins votes but in the wider world a more pragmatic approach is required.
The future of the Golan Heights, West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem should all be up for debate but it will take a brave Israeli Prime Minister and a determined American President, less influenced by the strong Jewish Lobby, to carve a real and lasting settlement out of the Middle Eastern quagmire.
Posted by Neil Gunn
Although there is a very powerful argument that Israel has a legitimate reason to enter Gaza, there is a real threat that if they do so many innocent lives will be lost.
However, for any significant progress to be made towards a lasting ceasefire the Israeli government must think the unthinkable and then talk to Hamas.
The only logical solution is for Hamas, Israel and other relevant parties to come together and talk to each other.
For this to happen, whether we like it or not, we must rely on a strong American president. Only the USA has enough political and economic muscle to bring both sides to the table but will a new administration have the vision?
With Barack Obama’s first day in the Oval office looming and Israeli tanks massing on Gaza’s border perhaps he is already reflecting that history is littered with examples of governments talking to groups that are perceived, in the world’s eyes, to be terrorists. Let’s hope so.
Posted by Neil Gunn
I came across a book review in the Jordan Times by Hisham Khatib recently. He was discussing a new book called Mapping Jordan Through Two Millennia by John R Bartlett.
As an enthusiast of ancient Middle Eastern history, this book which looks at the mapping of both east and west of the Jordan River looks particularly interesting. Although the writer makes the point that the lands east of the Jordan were almost ignored by ancient mapmakers and travellers.
John Bartlett goes on to highlight the work done by the British Army, the Palestine Exploration Fund and the American Palestine Exploration Society.
The book illustrates how travellers put together their ancient maps drawing for example on the work of the Romans and early Christian pilgrims.
It also looks at the impact of the Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites and others that Hisham Khatib describes as “unfriendly.”
Although it’s published in the UK, Maney also has an office in the USA. The book is available world wide, so check out your local library.
I wonder if the publishers would like a Suite 101 review?
