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Israel's Critics Are Afraid of Democracy

(Commentary) Jonathan S. Tobin - Israel's Knesset vote to require a referendum to ratify any peace deal that involved the surrender of Jerusalem or the Golan Heights is being slammed in the Arab world as well as by other foes of the Jewish state. Any Israeli government that chose to sign an agreement that called for the re-division of Jerusalem or handing the strategic Golan Heights back to Syria would be strengthened by the knowledge that their decisions would have to be ratified by the people. A referendum would give any peace deal the seal of democratic approval that it must have to succeed. But what most of those who have commented about this measure don't mention is that so long as the political culture of the Palestinians regards the acceptance of a Jewish state as anathema no matter where its borders might be drawn or who controls Jerusalem, then any discussion of a referendum to ratify a peace deal is more science fiction than political science. After 17 years of fruitless concessions made in the name of peace, most Israelis have understandably grown cynical about a process that has proved to be an exchange of land for terror, not peace. If Abbas wants to change their minds, all he has to do is be willing to make peace and demonstrate to Israel's people that he means it. Israeli democracy would be the best guarantee of a two-state solution, if only he were prepared to act as if he actually wanted one.
2010-11-24 09:09:28
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