ISRAEL:
In 1956, we had a "tough-love" policy towards Israel. We cut off their oil, because they hadn't asked our permission, before they grabbed the Sinai from Egypt. They gave it back. We can do "tough-love" again, and it will work again; we have more leverage now than before.
We could order the Israelis to dismantle all Jewish settlements in the territory (95% of the West Bank and Gaza, plus E. Jerusalem) that they offered to give up, in their final offer at the Taba negotiations. If they refuse, we cut off aid. Then cut off weapons sales. Then a trade embargo.
The Israelis would first try to see if their lobby in the U.S. could get us to back down (this is what they did, when Bush the First tried and failed to tie aid to a settlement freeze.) If this end-around fails, then the Israelis would nave no choice but to comply. But we would have to have the courage to stand firm.
Jacob,
I think something like this scenario is needed and I think it might happen. However, to make this work you have to excercise some leverage over Palestine and the governments that support them. If you put Israel into a vice and the Palestinians take that opportunity to increase the intensity of the Intifada, all is lost. Israel would tell the US that if they cut Isreal off, Israel would nuke Damascus or Rihyad. There is a very strong and able element in the Arab world that has no interest in peace with Israel. If you put Israel in a box without putting them in a box, then you make the situation much worse. You write as if you are taking a balanced position but you are advocating weakening Israel and trusting Palestine as a way to a peace treaty. I think that is foolish. You need to put a gun to both sides head.
U.S. troops in Moslem countries.
The most offensive are the troops in Saudi Arabia. Read Bernard Lewis's 'Roots of Muslim Rage'. It pre-dates the presence of the US military in Saudi Arabia and puts paid to the argument that Muslim rage is sourced by any American policy. You are taking the position that paying off the terrorists will make them go away. Historically, a dubious proposition. You want to strengthen the enemy.
Paul |
