Daniel Lubetzky

Amidst all the winds of change in the Middle East, this week I read these 3 pieces that are worth perusing for any student of the region:

• John Kerry’s vision for economic and socio-political development in Palestine, and for rekindling negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians: http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/05/209969.htm

• Ben Caspit’s warning about the possible repercussions of the Syrian conflict and the country’s disintegration: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/05/israel-versus-the-russian-syrian-alliance.html

• Dore Gold’s historical perspective on how the borders in the Levant settled by the British and the French in 1916 may be about to change: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=4441

This week, Israel Policy Forum (IPF) delivered the following letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu urging him to work with President Obama to take steps to advance a two-state solution. The letter was signed by over 100 prominent American Jewish philanthropists, businesspeople and community leaders. See the full letter and list of signatories after the jump.

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At the entrance to the ICC, where people are waiting for Obama, young Israelis are posting the commitments that they are making and that they are asking Obama to make in order to achieve a two-state solution.

The Israel Democracy Institute published the graph below in their 2013 Peace Index. It points to the danger that we face as younger generations grow more skeptical and cynical and have a harder time visualizing peace than older generations. This is particularly alarming because the younger generations usually have more faith in the opportunity for change in the future.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Julianna Storch

Joel Braudold, Strategic Partnerships Officer for the One Voice Movement, makes the case that the new Israeli leaders should focus their efforts on solving the settlement problem before worrying about the ultra-Orthodox population. Read his full Haaretz piece after the jump.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Julianna Storch

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Ron Ben Yishai described in this piece a 4-phase Palestinian plan to achieve Statehood without having to give up the right of return or recognize Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people or otherwise end claims.  This may end up being the only way to get to a Palestinian state given the lack of leadership on the Israeli and Palestinian sides. That plan is arguably superior to the status quo.  But it is far inferior to a negotiated resolution where both sides can improve their position through compromise, and where both peoples’ can fulfill their aspirations and build vibrant societies. Absent a negotiated agreement, I fear that maximalism on both sides will continue to cause violence.  Without an agreement where two peoples achieve two states, the region will be balkanized and condemned to ethnic violence for decades or centuries.

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This encouraging Haaretz piece highlights Kerry’s determination to achieve a peace agreement in Obama’s second term.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Julianna Storch

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OneVoice and the PeaceWorks Foundation have been working for several months now on a major new initiative to enable ordinary citizens as well as companies, groups and governments – Palestinian, Israeli, or international – to contribute towards building positive facts on the ground that will advance and cement a two state reality and create the environment necessary for political representatives to negotiate and achieve a permanent two state solution.  Part of the methodology involves finding creative solutions where international actors can be catalysts towards improved relations with both sides.  As an example, The Center for Middle East Peace had for years been working behind the scenes to support the Turkish construction of a hospital in Gaza, as a means towards rekindling relations between former allies Turkey and Israel, while doing something to advance the betterment of the Palestinian people and State.  Some were skeptical this could amount to anything.  Now some encouraging signs indicate progress on this path, as recently reported in the article below.

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I requested permission from a friend to reprint the message he sent me. It is so depressing yet so prevalent among most people across the world, the vast majority of whom are just fed up with the Israeli-Arab conflict, and with Israelis and Palestinians in particular. And what is important to note is that this guy is a progressive thinker who has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless hours trying to make a difference for Israelis and Palestinians. I reprint his words not to depress people, but to awaken them. In particular, I print these words to awaken the Israelis and Palestinians who think they can just hide under their shells, or who think they can continue to dream of a Greater Palestine or a Greater Israel and that somehow miraculously they will delivered heaven instead of hell. If we don’t mobilize – each and every one of us – across the political spectrum and across religious, national and ethnic lines – to come up with a comprehensive solution, my friend’s perspective will become even more prevalent. And nobody will be better off. Except perhaps arms dealers.

“I think it’s time to just give up. Those arrogant schmucks who choose to live there and those too dumb or desperate to leave will either all kill each other or just run out of energy… We, however should stay as far away as possible from the inevitable blow up… I do not want my children killed in THEIR WAR! We should not waste resources which can rehabilitate American slums… Stop ignoring infant mortality in Africa… Preserve OTHER things in life that are sacred. Save what we can!

People are people. The Middle East is just a small area full of even smaller minds. We’ve been victims, so have others… We’ve also been tormentors. We’re not special or chosen. We’re just another group of corrupt, prejudiced people… with media, money, tribal motivation… and guns.”

Leon Wieseltier‘s piercing words are fair warning to all those who agree with the imperative of a two state solution but sense no personal duty to do something about it.

Indeed, the greatest challenge to resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict is that the overwhelming majority that would ideally support a vision of two states for two people makes no effort to bring that about, while a tenacious band of extremists with maximalist ambitions on both sides stops at nothing to achieve a Greater Palestine or Greater Israel. The irony of it all is that if we don’t seize back the agenda, the extremists will deserve each other, but they will bring us all down with them into an abyss of hatred.

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