The Quartet Speaks
newsisyphus.blogspot.com
Even more evidence that the political culture in the Middle East is undergoing radical change.
You know the script, you've seen it all before. There is a tenuous cease-fire in place between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Then, there is a suicide bombing. Israel demands that the Palestinians live up to their obligations and stop them and stop those responsible. No one backs Israel up. Israel is accused of being "unreasonable." The Palestinians dissemble, disclaiming responsibility and, at the same time, claim they are powerless. The peace process breaks down. It's Israel's fault. And so it goes.
No longer.
LONDON (Reuters) - World powers on Tuesday demanded immediate Palestinian action to catch those behind a Tel Aviv suicide bombing that broke a fragile ceasefire with Israel.
Palestinians responded angrily to the statement by the Middle East quartet comprising the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States, while Israel complained that Palestinians were failing to confront militant groups.
The quartet met on the sidelines of a London meeting on Palestinian reform hosted by British Prime Minister Tony Blair and clouded by Friday's suicide bombing of a Tel Aviv nightclub, in which five people were killed.
The group called for "immediate action by the Palestinian Authority to apprehend and bring to justice the perpetrators" and demanded "further and sustained action" against terrorism.
"We are very upset at the quartet statement," said a Palestinian official who asked not to be identified.
I bet you are.
Imagine the shocked look on this Palestinian's face when he was informed that the old game is up and it's time, finally time, for the Palis to put up or shut up.
Today's unanimous Quartet declaration is even more evidence that the President's foreign policy has carried the day and a new clarity is coming into focus with regard to Middle Eastern affairs.
Better wipe that shocked look off your face, Palestinian "official," and get to work. Miss this opportunity and it's another generation in "refugee camps," except this time without Jewish little girls to target in settlements and no jobs for your youths in Israel.
It's crunch time. We expect this hard dose of reality to have a healthy effect. Stay tuned.
# posted by NewSisyphus |
