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A Question of Accountability
February 23, 2012
Nothing would please the international community more than to see a comprehensive approach for Middle East peace, one of the longest running and still current disputes our world has seen. The world is attentive to the Middle East conflict not merely because peace is a desideratum in general or because of some sentimental attachment to the region. Rather, it understands that the Israel-Palestinian conflict is a festering sore that inflames the entire body of nations. The violence of the last decade, from New York to Jakarta and from London to Tehran, has been fueled by the passions arising from the conflict in this land, which is holy to the three great monotheistic religions. Recognizing that peace in the Middle East is in the interest of all nations, the international community established the Quartet (Russia, the United States, the EU and the UN) and commissioned it to work with the parties for a negotiated solution.
These days, the world would like to see compliance with what the Quartet has put forth as its starter option: for each side to present clear and comprehensive proposals on borders and security. This is something that surely featured in the exploratory talks in Amman. The Palestinian side put forward a proposal in November. So far, the world is still waiting to hear what the Israeli proposal might be, beyond news media reports.
Yet on Wednesday Israel announced plans to retroactively legalize what had been illegal dwellings at the Shvut Rachel outpost and to approve the construction of 500 new units at Shiloh, both settlements deep inside the West Bank. Responding to this, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry called the actions “deplorable and move us further away from the goal of a two-state solution.” He noted that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon had chastised Israel for such activity during his visit earlier in the month.
This is only the latest in a steady drumbeat of new Israeli moves over the past 5 months to expand its presence in disputed territory that many would expect to become part of a Palestinian State. This makes the Quartet goal, particularly for the presentation on borders by both sides, more relevant than ever.
In this regards, U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in response to Israel’s action at Shiloh, “We want to see clearly a comprehensive settlement that delineates borders and resolves many of these issues.” We here at the Citizens Proposal applaud him for saying this, particularly just prior to the March annual conference of AIPAC where the United States is expected de rigueur to reiterate its support for Israel. Toner has identified the need for a peace agreement that delineates borders, so that everyone, including Israeli land developers, can be clear about where the limits lie. We hope that President Obama will underscore this point when he meets with Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House on March 5.
It has never been more apparent that the world community is seeking for a clearly defined border. Governments can no longer stand by and wait for this to happen. It is time to hold both sides accountable. Palestinians and Israelis alike must do better at providing information to the world on their intent to negotiate a border. Where are the Israeli statements that might testify to Israel’s intent to present its proposals on borders? This is not a request that Israel can hold off indefinitely, by holding its tongue on the matter.
If anything, the expansion of housing units at Shiloh will only focus the world more on its desire to see a peaceful resolution for two peoples, by requiring clarity where until now there has been only a fog of claims and counterclaims.
Without clear and systematic approaches presented by both sides, which would inform the world community on their intent to abide by the Quartet’s stated agenda, the community of nations may have to consider taking measures to assure adherence. We would not expect the United States, which speaks highly of its friendship with Israel, to refrain from scolding its friend when scolding is warranted.
The clock is ticking, and we would hope for a breakthrough by the end of March. For this to happen, in the weeks ahead both parties should be doing everything in their power to develop a working relationship with each other through which to present their positions. Then international mediation can be offered in the spirit of further cooperation, friendship and assistance, building on the presentations of both parties.
There has to be some accountability. Failure to present clear and concrete proposals, as requested, is irresponsible in today’s international environment. It is for this reason that world leaders have been urging both parties to proffer presentations that are viable and reasonable.
The foot-dragging and stalling have gone on long enough. Whatever the situation of construction in the settlements, the State of Israel must come clean with its own vision for a viable two-state reality, so that the world may assist it and its partner for peace. Peace will not be found in either silence or in a policy that never presents a border; such a policy would undoubtedly be refuted by the governments of the world.
The Palestinian Authority is not helping matters by leaving the negotiating table because the other side is not meeting its conditions. Rather, we believe the Palestinians should be holding Israel’s feet to the fire to put forward its proposal, insisting that communications progress and not falter.
Are we to lose the value of communication in the last days of February and much of March? We here at that Citizens Proposal urge the Palestinian Authority and the State of Israel to further their own causes by providing the world community with comprehensive information on their vision for two states.
However the process of delineating a border occurs, it is not occurring in a vacuum. Peace in the Middle East is of utmost importance, not only for the region, but for the entire world community. Hence, the world community is looking for ways to hold the two sides accountable. In the absence of positive moves by both sides involved in this long-standing conflict, sooner or later pressure will be applied for compliance. To think otherwise is to ignore the current global environment.
Nothing would please the international community more than to see a comprehensive approach for Middle East peace, one of the longest running and still current disputes our world has seen. The world is attentive to the Middle East conflict not merely because peace is a desideratum in general or because of some sentimental attachment to the region. Rather, it understands that the Israel-Palestinian conflict is a festering sore that inflames the entire body of nations. The violence of the last decade, from New York to Jakarta and from London to Tehran, has been fueled by the passions arising from the conflict in this land, which is holy to the three great monotheistic religions. Recognizing that peace in the Middle East is in the interest of all nations, the international community established the Quartet (Russia, the United States, the EU and the UN) and commissioned it to work with the parties for a negotiated solution.
These days, the world would like to see compliance with what the Quartet has put forth as its starter option: for each side to present clear and comprehensive proposals on borders and security. This is something that surely featured in the exploratory talks in Amman. The Palestinian side put forward a proposal in November. So far, the world is still waiting to hear what the Israeli proposal might be, beyond news media reports.
Yet on Wednesday Israel announced plans to retroactively legalize what had been illegal dwellings at the Shvut Rachel outpost and to approve the construction of 500 new units at Shiloh, both settlements deep inside the West Bank. Responding to this, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry called the actions “deplorable and move us further away from the goal of a two-state solution.” He noted that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon had chastised Israel for such activity during his visit earlier in the month.
This is only the latest in a steady drumbeat of new Israeli moves over the past 5 months to expand its presence in disputed territory that many would expect to become part of a Palestinian State. This makes the Quartet goal, particularly for the presentation on borders by both sides, more relevant than ever.
In this regards, U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in response to Israel’s action at Shiloh, “We want to see clearly a comprehensive settlement that delineates borders and resolves many of these issues.” We here at the Citizens Proposal applaud him for saying this, particularly just prior to the March annual conference of AIPAC where the United States is expected de rigueur to reiterate its support for Israel. Toner has identified the need for a peace agreement that delineates borders, so that everyone, including Israeli land developers, can be clear about where the limits lie. We hope that President Obama will underscore this point when he meets with Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House on March 5.
It has never been more apparent that the world community is seeking for a clearly defined border. Governments can no longer stand by and wait for this to happen. It is time to hold both sides accountable. Palestinians and Israelis alike must do better at providing information to the world on their intent to negotiate a border. Where are the Israeli statements that might testify to Israel’s intent to present its proposals on borders? This is not a request that Israel can hold off indefinitely, by holding its tongue on the matter.
If anything, the expansion of housing units at Shiloh will only focus the world more on its desire to see a peaceful resolution for two peoples, by requiring clarity where until now there has been only a fog of claims and counterclaims.
Without clear and systematic approaches presented by both sides, which would inform the world community on their intent to abide by the Quartet’s stated agenda, the community of nations may have to consider taking measures to assure adherence. We would not expect the United States, which speaks highly of its friendship with Israel, to refrain from scolding its friend when scolding is warranted.
The clock is ticking, and we would hope for a breakthrough by the end of March. For this to happen, in the weeks ahead both parties should be doing everything in their power to develop a working relationship with each other through which to present their positions. Then international mediation can be offered in the spirit of further cooperation, friendship and assistance, building on the presentations of both parties.
There has to be some accountability. Failure to present clear and concrete proposals, as requested, is irresponsible in today’s international environment. It is for this reason that world leaders have been urging both parties to proffer presentations that are viable and reasonable.
The foot-dragging and stalling have gone on long enough. Whatever the situation of construction in the settlements, the State of Israel must come clean with its own vision for a viable two-state reality, so that the world may assist it and its partner for peace. Peace will not be found in either silence or in a policy that never presents a border; such a policy would undoubtedly be refuted by the governments of the world.
The Palestinian Authority is not helping matters by leaving the negotiating table because the other side is not meeting its conditions. Rather, we believe the Palestinians should be holding Israel’s feet to the fire to put forward its proposal, insisting that communications progress and not falter.
Are we to lose the value of communication in the last days of February and much of March? We here at that Citizens Proposal urge the Palestinian Authority and the State of Israel to further their own causes by providing the world community with comprehensive information on their vision for two states.
However the process of delineating a border occurs, it is not occurring in a vacuum. Peace in the Middle East is of utmost importance, not only for the region, but for the entire world community. Hence, the world community is looking for ways to hold the two sides accountable. In the absence of positive moves by both sides involved in this long-standing conflict, sooner or later pressure will be applied for compliance. To think otherwise is to ignore the current global environment.
