Edward Djerejian, a key advisor to Baker on his study, told the Jerusalem Post today that there is no intention to force Israel into concessions. Rather, the desire is to “test the intentions of Israel’s neighbors.” What an insult to our intelligence, to think we might buy this. You don’t have a conference that excludes Israel and determines how to pressure us, in order to test our neighbors.

You see, explained Djerejian, the situation in the Middle East “cries out for a comprehensive solution” and that is what this is attempting to achieve. What he, and others who think like him, fail to comprehend — and this is an absolutely critical failure — is that such a comprehensive solution is not possible because the will is lacking on the Arab side. Some problems cannot be fixed, just so. Some problems must be confronted.

According to the Post, Djerejian says the aim is to help Israel, presumably because a “comprehensive peace” with a “two-state solution” would be in our best interests. Aiming to help us? And I’m flying to the moon next week.

But in a way it’s good that Djerejian is saying all of this, because perhaps at least it indicates a recognition that what was proposed didn’t go over too well in many quarters.

~~~~~~~~~~

The editorial in today’s Post has a good take on the matter. Citing the Iraq Study Group Report, which says that “the United States should embark on a robust diplomatic effort to establish an international support… [which] should include every country that has an interest in averting a chaotic Iraq, including all of Iraq’s neighbors, Syria and Iran among them,” the Post comments:

“How embarrassing. Senior figures from both major American parties have, in broad daylight, betrayed such staggering naiveté that their report might not have passed muster with a reasonably discerning high school teacher, let alone offered a serious basis for US foreign policy.

“One wonders whether a single Iraqi, Jordanian, or Saudi with whom the committee spoke believes that Iran ‘has an interest in averting a chaotic Iraq.'”

Right on… Americans, wake up! You’re being led down a garden path that is mined.

~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, Tony Blair is coming to the Middle East with the intention of “unlocking the door” to peace. The main problem, he conceded, is that “the Palestinians don’t accept Israel’s right to exist.”

Well, good morning! Glad that he acknowledges this. But it would be better still if he admitted that because they don’t accept our right to exist they are not going to make peace with us.

~~~~~~~~~~

If Blair — or Bush or Baker — imagine that they will be able to manipulate the Palestinians into moderating or accepting us, they are living in dream world. PA prime minister Haniyeh (considered the “moderate” of the bunch, yet) is now in Iran. This is what he said to Friday worshippers:

“The world arrogance and Zionists… want us to recognize the usurpation of the Palestinian lands and stop jihad and resistance and accept the agreements reached with the Zionist enemies in the past.

“The United States is pressing the Hamas-led Palestinian government to recognize Israel, renounce violence and form a national unity government with the moderate Fatah party in a bid to revive the peace process with Israel.

“I’m insisting from this podium that these issues won’t materialize. We will never recognize the usurper Zionist government and will continue our jihad-like movement until the liberation of Jerusalem.”

At the same time, Hamas has declared intention to run in any new elections that Abbas calls, including in the election for president. That ought to stop him cold — he could be replaced by a Hamas figure.

~~~~~~~~~~

News this week was that Iran is having major trouble with its technology for enriching uranium, and will not master it for another year or so. For those of us here, sitting under the gun, as it were, the additional window of time is good news. Maybe within that year the Western world will begin to get things straight and stop the appeasement. There are constant debates here about whether in the end Bush will have the courage to bomb Iran. Maybe there’ll be a new gov’t in Israel. There are constant debates here, as well, about whether we’ll do it if Bush doesn’t. Maybe there will be a revolution in Iran. One can hope (as long as one continues to plan against the worst case scenario). http://www.arlenefromisrael.info

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR