Why does it seem that when “peace” finally gets closer, events tend to become more chaotic.Even as Secretary Rice goes to the Middle East to attempt to get a “peace deal” between Israel and the Palestinians, there is a lot that is out of her hands. Of course she can try to ignore what’s going on, so that she still gets a piece of paper in the end. Unfortunately for that result, it’s not supposed to be a “piece” deal but a “peace” deal, the latter being a lot more difficult to achieve (though the former is actually more common).
Right now the investigation surrounding Israel’s Prime Minister Ehud Olmert politically endangers the Israeli leader currently necessary for the deal.
via memeorandum
The NYT reports Political crisis overshadows Rice’s trip
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice held a series of talks on Israeli-Palestinian peace here on Sunday, saying she believed an accord was attainable by year’s end. But the process was overshadowed by an intensifying police investigation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel.Ms. Rice, who arrived here from a conference in London that focused on international donations to the Palestinian Authority, has held meetings with Mr. Olmert; the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas; and other top officials from both sides. In brief statements so far, all have been tight-lipped.
Abbas reportedly was happy about his meeting with Sec. Rice.
And the other event that’s beyond the scope of what can be achieved in term of peace: Hamas attacked the Nachal Oz fuel terminal again. For all the complaints of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Hamas seems so unconcerned that they’ll cut off their gas to spite their constituents. I guess they figure they can count on the world’s outrage if Israel (reasonably) halts further shipments. (Hamas knows that they can count on the UNRWA.)
Still as Israel Matzav points out, PM Olmert has proved pretty resilient in the past:
For those of you who think this is the end of Olmert’s government, please don’t be overconfident. First, we have thought several times over the last two years that the end was nigh and unfortunately, it was not. Second, even if the Knesset disbands and elections are called, Olmert will remain in power as a caretaker unless he is forced to remove himself due to the criminal indictments (in which case Livni would take over, which might even be worse). During that interim period Olmert and Livni may continue to negotiate our future away. Ehud Barak tried doing that eight years ago at Taba while he was facing a special election. We’re still suffering the consequences.
But everybody understood and really understands that Israel would retain a few large settlement blocks and the land between Jerusalem and the 40,000-plus people in Ma’aleh Adumin. A “return to the 1967 borders” is a slogan. It is not a peace map. First of all, those are not borders. They were never recognized as borders by any of the Arabs; they were fragile cease-fire lines. Second of all, history doesn’t stop for the convenience of the Palestinians. They have to deal with history as it was made, mostly because these Palestinians hope against all the odds that Israel would disappear by itself.
All in all, the United States wants peace, but events don’t seem to be accommodating those wishes.
Heck, Fatah and Hamas can’t even agree on television programming, how likely is it that either could agree with Israel on terms for peace?
Crossposted on Soccer Dad.
