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Special Report
Avigdor Lieberman’s Dose of Truth
In the wake of Obama’s appearance, the Israeli foreign minister’s speech to the UN this week drew condemnations.
(Page 2 of 2)
Adding that “this is not a sufficient condition [but] it is nevertheless a necessary one,” Lieberman was again spot-on.
He then came to some remarks that indeed diverge from Netanyahu’s — recently — stated positions. Referring to the conflict’s underlying “emotional problems” such as the “utter lack of confidence between the sides,” Lieberman said:
[W]e should focus on coming up with a long-term intermediate agreement, something that could take a few decades. We need to raise an entire new generation that will have mutual trust and will not be influenced by incitement and extremist messages.
As is true everywhere, where there are two nations, two religions and two languages with competing claims to the same land, there is friction and conflict. Countless examples…confirm this, whether in the Balkans, the Caucasus, Africa, the Far East or the Middle East. Where effective separation has been achieved, conflict has either been avoided, or has been dramatically reduced or resolved. Consider the cases of the former Yugoslav republics, the split-up of Czechoslovakia and the independence of East Timor….
Thus, the guiding principle for a final status agreement must not be land-for-peace but rather, exchange of populated territory. Let me be very clear: I am not speaking about moving populations, but rather about moving borders to better reflect demographic realities. …This is not an extraordinary insight [nor] a controversial political policy. It is an empirical truth.
Again, this is reasonable thinking about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, both well grounded and out-of-the-box. It’s inconsistent with what Netanyahu has lately been saying in two regards: the prime minister’s declared optimism that an agreement with the Palestinians can be reached within a year; and his seeming acceptance of the dominant land-for-peace paradigm now considered (wrongly) to be based on the 1967 borders.
Nevertheless, Netanyahu’s reaction to his subordinate’s talk was mild. His office stated that Lieberman’s address was not coordinated with him, and that “the prime minister is the one who is heading the negotiations on behalf of the State of Israel. Issues related to the peace process will be discussed and decided on at the negotiation table, not anywhere else.”
It was a distancing but not a repudiation, and the question is why.
One thing to point out is that Lieberman is not from Netanyahu’s Likud Party but, instead, the leader of his own Yisrael Beiteinu faction. As such, in Israel’s parliamentary system, Lieberman’s independence of Netanyahu could be seen as less jarring. This is, however, a nicety that may not be appreciated abroad.
Also to be mentioned is Netanyahu’s wish to avoid rocking the boat of his so-far stable coalition. So is the need to project that he’s in charge, hence not react too sharply to Lieberman’s seeming defiance.
But there may be another factor at play as well.
Few observers believe Netanyahu is actually a convert to Pollyannaish views of Israel’s conflict with its environment. More likely, his approach to the Palestinian issue is aimed at managing the relentless pressure from a U.S. president for whom it’s an obsession, and who in his own recent UN speech devoted ten paragraphs to it compared to two paragraphs for international terror and two for the Iranian threat.
It could well be that for Netanyahu, too, Lieberman’s words were a breath of fresh air. Someone needs to tell the truth.
About the Author
P. David Hornik is a writer and translator in Beersheva, Israel, blogging at PDavidHornik.typepad.com.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (15) | Leave a comment
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Ret. Marine| 9.30.10 @ 7:21AM
This conflict will never be resolved because of not one issue in this regard, it is not about land for peace, it is not about a palestinian state, it is not even about anyone's right to return, to what. It is all about the fact that the arabs and their own religion of pieces, known to all as islam, will never rest, give in to appeasers, brute power or the truth. They are in this struggle for the very reason islam is in a struggle for the hearts and minds of their own evilness, they know of no other way. Period. " whoa unto those who think evil good and good evil".
KyMouse| 9.30.10 @ 9:47AM
Well said, Mr. Hornik and Ret. Marine (thank you for your service). This conflict is not over details, such as where construction should or should not take place. Even if the so-called "settlement" question were to be settled, right behind it would come the "right of return." Arabs/Muslims all over the region, and perhaps all over the world, would start demanding parcels of Israeli land, claiming that it used to belong to their families. And what if no records exist to back up their claims? The world will say, let them have the land.
None of this is about details or individual issues. The root of the problem is the Arab/Muslim determination to wipe out the only Jewish nation, and perhaps the Jewish people themselves. If you doubt that such hatred exists, spend some time in the MEMRI web site, reading mosque sermons and looking at political cartoons in the Muslim press.
RAMIII| 9.30.10 @ 10:38AM
2 names:
Ishmael and Isaac.
Joe Hamilton| 9.30.10 @ 11:26AM
I agree with the author and ret Marine. This is not about real estate. This is about a religion that considers anyone not a member to be subhuman. A religion that encourages violence and deceit against infidels. The imbecile in the WH is clearly very anti-Jewish and pro-Islamic . He is also by far, the worst president in US history. Every day this total fool sits in the WH , is one more nail in the coffin of the US. The only positive that has come from this totally incompetent, empty suit , teleprompter reader is he has resurrected and strengthened the Republican party beyond anything that could be imagined 2 years ago.
Texas Mom2010| 9.30.10 @ 1:33PM
This whole issue infuriates me. I do not believe Israel should have to give another concession, period. What have the Arabs brought to the table besides more demands? How about drawing a line in the sand? For every missile attack settle more land and fire ten times the attack at your enemy. Israelis are the victims here and should not allow the attackers who do not build but seek to destroy society to frame the debate. It is insane to let our President to frame the debate to favor muslim extremists. There should be major concessions from the 'palestinians' FIRST. Israel has shown it is willing to live in peace but it is not willing 'to go quietly into the night' nor should it. The burden should be on the Palestinians to first show some desire for a separate peace from there side before Israel has to respond in any way.
jawin| 9.30.10 @ 3:23PM
All good comments ahead of mine. I find it remarkable that as liberal a nation as Israel actually is, our own American liberals are still more so. It seems to me that those who insist Israel concede even more without even some prolonged demonstration of peaceful intent on the part of Palestinians (and their benefactors) have a serious disconnect with reality and perhaps even sanity.
Thom| 9.30.10 @ 5:29PM
As long as the Peace at any cost crowd disregards the geographic reality nothing of substance will ever come out of these so called “peace talks”. Israel and Egypt were able to come to an agreement based on “land for peace” solely because Israel could afford to give back the land it secured in the 1967 war from Egypt. The Sinai is both vast and uninhabitable and that plus the Suez Canal form a natural barrier between Egypt and Israel that provides what is even today an internationally observed DMZ between the two. No such barrier can exist between Israel and the so called Palestinians as a separate Nation State with all the rights that go with that including self defense. Given the history of the so called Palestinians going back to the first day after the 1948 UN vote, their participation in 1948 war, the 1956 conflict with Jordan, the 1967 pre-emptive strike against overwhelming forces massed on Israel’s borders, the 1973 war and all the terrorist activities and up risings from 1973 to present the objective of the so called Palestinian people isn’t in doubt by anyone that has the slightest understanding of the trouble these people have been not just to the Israelis but other Arab Nations in the region. Their attempts to overthrown the King of Jordan and the grief they give the Egyptians just adds to what none of the Peace at any cost crowd want to grasp or accept about the culture and motives of these people.
I find it more than hypocrisy that the same people who stand up and shout at the top of their lungs that the Israelis are somehow racists in their treatment of what is a two legged culture of vermin then turn around and endorse the physical separations of both the “Jews” and “Palestinians” via a “two state” solution are in effect preaching “apartheid” as a solution. Only insane people think you can allow the so called “Palestinians” to acquire Nation status and there not end up being a blood bath shortly after acquiring of heavy weapons similar to that found all over the region.
A thirty second look at a detailed map of the region will show you that a “Palestinian” state will restore Israel to its pre 1967 geographic size and all the problems that bring and is indefensible against millions of hatful people armed with heavy weapons five minutes away. The Peace at any cost crowd which includes many Israelis, are just begging for a mass suicide pact if you keep ignoring the geographic reality that exists.
Natan| 10.1.10 @ 1:12PM
Insanity seems the only logical diagnostic conclusion of this "peace now" hysteria. What a terrible legacy our generation is bequeathing to the next one by empowering the mobs and thugs.
Ralph Novy| 10.2.10 @ 12:37AM
"Peace now hysteria"?
Never in my life seen it.
War hysteria...plenty.
What friggin' planet are you from that you suggest there's EVER been "peace hysteria" here?
And.........MOREOVER.......what the hell would be wrong with that?
Grow a pair.
Ralph Novy| 10.2.10 @ 12:34AM
Thom:
"...Israelis are somehow racists in their treatment of what is a two legged culture of vermin...."
Yeah, I guess it must be a real brain-teaser for you to figure THAT out, eh?
Imbecile.
Yea
Yosemeti Sam| 10.1.10 @ 3:14AM
Yak, yak, yak.
Bibi is patiently waiting for 11-02-10.
All other considerations are secondary.
Following that monumental event where Bozo is dressed down by the American electorate - Bibi will remedy the Iran nuke ambitions post haste.
Ralph Novy| 10.2.10 @ 12:31AM
Mr. Hornik:
You need to recheck the definition of "truth."
It is NOT a synonym for "filthy lie."
You're not fooling anyone with the facility to fact-check.
Truthcop| 10.2.10 @ 1:25AM
There will be no peace between Israel and the "Palestinians" for generations.
Until Iran stops backing Hamas et al, until they all acknowledge Israels right to exist...there will be no peace.
Jews are all for peace, but you cannot make peace with those that have not only sworn to their G-d to destroy you, but also teach their children hate.
Bottom line, no peace - all this talk is just that for Obama to have something to talk about for election time.
He is no friend of Israel!
Mark James| 10.2.10 @ 3:00PM
There will be no peace between Israel and the "Palestinians" for generations, Until Iran stops backing Hamas et al,"
And that brings us to a most difficult but undeniable choice. Iran must cease to exist in it's present form.
Dr. Ron Polland | 10.2.10 @ 11:30PM
Avigdor, you are the mensch! As soon as I read that the UN got their knickers in an uproar, and the Pallys fled the building like rats of a ship, I knew it had to be swag.
Finally, someone has the stones to tell it like it is and tell all those self-loathing, muzzy loving liberal Leftist Pseudo Jews and their "partners for peace" that they either like it or spike it.
This insanity can only be stopped after spending several decades of deprogramming to extricate hate that has been force-fed to them as children and young adults .