Israel v. Palestine

Change Is Coming

The events in the Middle East have some far reaching implications that policy wonks have thought of but that the average American citizen may not have quite gotten his or her head around yet. As a nation, we have been supportive of the uprising of the people to demand a voice in their government. It has been a bit of a tightrope we have been walking since we have had good relations with some of the governments in turmoil. In Egypt we had our most dependable ally in North Africa. They helped us and the Israelis keep the border with Gaza closed when the Palestinians were trying to resupply their weaponry and medical supplies. Jordan and Egypt are governments that have publicly accepted the presence of the Jewish state alongside them even as the rest of the Arab world demanded support for the Palestinians.

Yemen, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are some other Arab countries with whom we have enjoyed good relations but none of these nations have gone the path of Egypt and Jordan in recognizing the legitimacy of the Israeli state. Now comes the overthrow of the most powerful and trusted ally that supports our stance on Israel and you can be sure that whatever government is elected in Egypt it will not be as friendly toward Israel.

As you read this the two warring factions of the Palestinians, Hamas in Gaza and Fatah in the West Bank, have made a peace in advance of an expected proposal coming later this year to recognize the Palestinian state as a nation. When and if that happens borders will have to be established and the position taken over the past 30 years by the Israelis will be challenged. Where this leaves the United States is the question we would just as soon not have to answer.

There has long been strong support for the Jewish nation in the United States but it has not always been for the highest reasons of nobility. It is no secret that prior to WWII antisemitism was widespread in this country. It is alleged that the United States had some idea of what was going on in Germany and the camps but had no real interest in stopping it. After the war when the European Jews began searching for a new home most countries denied them sanctuary. The United States supported the idea of a Jewish state in Palestine with defined borders but many other countries did not. Certainly the Palestinians didn't since it was their land.

The history of Israel since its most recent inception has been one of constant struggle for existence and it could not have been maintained were it not for the unflinching support of the United States. It has not always been a popular policy but recent years have brought support from the evangelical community and those who wish for the United States to project power across the globe. Through the efforts of the United States there has been a tenuous peace for quite some time but the players are about to change. President Carter negotiated an agreement between Israel and Palestinians as have other succeeding presidents. Each one has been abrogated by the Israelis as they have encroached on lands that have been negotiated for the Palestinians.

Now the tide is turning and if the Palestinians can achieve statehood and the other Arab nations formerly in ours and the Israelis camps grow less friendly it can force an undesirable premise for Israel and, by extension, the United States. As it is, the stance for Israel is the single most important factor in creating enmity toward the United States from the Arab peoples. If a lasting peace can be formulated in the Middle East and the United States can be seen as more even handed then that part of our problem goes away.

There are a large number of people who contend that peace will never exist in the Middle East until the return of the Messiah. Many take it as a matter of faith that there is no other solution. But in the present circumstance I don't think we can use that as a matter of national policy. We are too eager to use the natural resources of that region and we cannot afford to see it slip into conflict while we are still thirsty for their oil and our economy is so weak. A concentrated attack, either militarily or politically will have devastating consequences for our country.

There is no way that the present generations of Palestinians and Arabs can be induced to look upon Israel with favor but, if we act now, the next generations may. If that can be accomplished then perhaps we can avoid more wars and terrorist attacks on our soil. If we choose to blindly support Israel in its hunger for more Palestinian land we can expect to remain the enemy of those people. We should persuasively encourage Israel to establish final boundaries between them and the Palestinian state. Without this there can be no peace either for the United States or the Israelis.

Make no mistake. Change is coming and we will be unable to avoid involvement. Do we really want to be on the wrong side of history?

My take on the most crucial conflict in this world.