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Critics Wrong on U.S. Mideast Peace Plan

(New York Post) U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman - Two of the architects of the last administration's Mideast policy - Philip Gordon and Robert Malley writing in Foreign Policy - have publicly offered their advice on how to frustrate President Trump's vision for the pursuit of peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The authors argue that the limited annexation of West Bank territory that is envisioned would jeopardize Israel's future as a Jewish state. Wrong. Israel would be claiming sovereignty over a fraction of the West Bank, comprising territories that either are sparsely populated or overwhelmingly populated by Israeli Jews. The authors argue that the U.S. vision would jeopardize Israel's democracy. Wrong again. A majority of Israelis, as well as Israel's democratically elected government, support the president's vision. It is ironic that so many of Israel's critics, who purport to care so much about democracy, condemn Israel when it adheres to the will of its own citizens. The authors charge that the U.S. vision relegates Palestinians to second-class status. Wrong again. The vision gives Palestinians a clear path to statehood and a huge influx of economic investment that would allow them to live independently with peace, prosperity and dignity. The authors want the U.S. to reject any action the Israelis take unless the Palestinians agree. Wrong. That approach was taken for 53 years and led nowhere. Giving the Palestinians a veto on progress guarantees stagnation and violence. The authors would withhold aid to Israel and deny it support at the UN if the Jewish state declares sovereignty in conformity with the Trump vision. Extremely wrong. Israel has made enormous concessions in agreeing to negotiate in accordance with the Trump vision, and it shouldn't be punished for acting in accordance with its commitment to Washington.
2020-05-05 00:00:00
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