BIBI'S FOLLY

I am trying hard to remember an armed conflict which ends with no losers, only winners. The last conflict in the Middle East ended with just that: winners all round. Maashal, the leader of the political wing of Hamas, claimed victory, Bibi bowed to international and US pressure not to resort to a land incursion of the West Bank, thus winning a few brownie points and a promise from Hamas that they will stop raining missiles on Israel, US reasserted itself as a major player in the region; Hilary made all the right noises, and Morsi emerged as a statesman demonstrating that he is not entirely shackled by Muslim Brotherhood ideology.  

Actually, there was a loser, albeit a temporary one:  Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, a secular Arab leader who has acknowledged publically and unequivocally, the right of Israel to exist within secure borders. His only precondition to direct negotiation is that Israel stops building new settlements in West Bank.  Since direct talks did not eventuate, he reneged on his promise and went to New York, from which he emerged a clear and unambiguous winner. Bibi responded by announcing that more than 3,000 housing units will be built in the E1 zone, also reneging on his promise to US not to do so.

The UN vote in the status of Palestine is not just a diplomatic defeat for Israel; it is a slap on the face; a well deserved one, some may add.  Just take a look who voted against the resolution: Israel itself, US and Canada, (staunch allies) Panama, the Czech Republic (who did more protecting its Jewish citizens during the war than any other East European country) and several Micronesian states. All the friends of Israel, including Australia who never wavered in its support, could only manage to abstain. Israel is losing friends and allies and the old standby of blaming all anti-Israeli sentiments on anti-Semitism, no longer works. Germany, who has backed Israel both by words and deeds since the formation of the Jewish state, no doubt as partial compensation for the Holocaust, is finding increasingly difficult to do so. Five European countries have summoned the Israeli ambassadors to voice their disquiet; liberal Jews throughout the world are questioning and condemning, some for the first time, recent Israel’s policies.

There is some suggestion that Bibi is acting out  elaborate Machiavellian play to win Israel’s hard right. Once elected he would find a face saving way to back out of a plan that is likely to finally alienate US. However, as Tzipi Livni said: “by then we will have lost [the support of] the entire world and Israel’s closest friends.”