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U.S. Strategy Meets Mideast Realities

[Jerusalem Post] Barry Rubin - This is the Middle East, a place where even if all Arab or Iranian demands are met, this only triggers anger, blame, complaint, and still more demands. You can't solve the problem using Western rules. Hillary Clinton, stung by Arab criticism that she praised Israel's plan too highly, did a turnaround two days after proclaiming Israel's concession to be amazing: "This offer falls far short of what we would characterize as our position." What, by this behavior, is the U.S. government communicating to Israel? That when Israel makes a big concession and reaches an agreement with the U.S., should the PA or an Arab state complain about the terms, the U.S. government will then criticize its own deal! So how can Jerusalem trust Washington? Why should a reasonable, apologetic, empathetic, confidence-building, flexible U.S. strategy fail? Because for the Arabs, Palestine is Arab or Muslim or both forever. It's not for sale at any price. Anyone who indicates a real interest in selling will be disgraced, or fired, or even killed. The fact that their title is questionable and they never actually had national ownership, that someone else who has a previous claim has long ago returned and built it up with all sorts of additions and improvements, is irrelevant to this thinking. They are waiting for the other side, Israel, to collapse. Or for the West to throw Israel to the wolves. Or they wait for all Arabs or all Muslims to unite and wipe out the evil usurper. Or perhaps when Iran gets the bomb, and then total victory will be theirs. And if passersby shout out: "Yes, you are in the right! Your suffering is intolerable and we want to help you!" that only reinforces their determination to remain steadfast.
2009-11-13 06:00:00
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