toastman,
et al,
Well, this is only partially true in the objective sense.
Excellent and insighful post as usual, Rocco. I disagree with the last part about how both sides dont want peace. ISRAELIS do absolutely want oeace, without a doubt
(COMMENT)
The Israeli, in general, can be said to prefer "peace" to "conflict." So, in the partial objective sense, you are correct.
But, ----->
(long pause) Nothing in life is free, especially in the Middle East. Everything of value has a price to be paid. And in this regard, we have to evaluate the "Israeli wants" in comparison to the hierarchy of "Israeli values." Yes, Israel values peace. But does it value "peace" above "the cost of the conflict over the territorial control?" Not yet. Israel is not willing to pay the price for "peace" at this time. Right now, that cost is too high in their estimation.
"Peace" and the associated "costs" are an investment on the future. And with all investments, there is "risk" involved
(an expectation of a return on the investment). At this point in time, the risk (the expectation that any compromise the Israeli might make) will not be met with "peace"
(the desired expectation as a return on the investment).
(COMPLICATIONS)
As is true in any investment portfolio, there are a number of ancillary and tertiary factors that play a role in the risk assessment. In the case of Israel, these factors have a splintering effect within their own domestic landscape.
Above "peace," Israel has a number of internal constituents that believe their is an ancient religious requirement for the Jewish People to maintain control over certain key sites. We sometimes refer to this as the "
Hallowed Land Concept." The pursuit of this concept is often given a greater value than "peace."
(Just to name a few!)
- Western Wall Jerusalem,
- Old City of Jerusalem,
- Cave of Machpelah,
- Old City of Jaffa,
- Sanctuary of Shiloh
The aforementioned is often confused with "Religious Zionism." But originally,
Zionism was a much more secular idea hijacked
(in a way) by fundamentalist that had a Hebrew rich agenda. The internal and external positions this created instilled a fear in that if the Andalucian Solution or the Isratine Democracy were to come to fruition, Israel would lose its unique Jewish content and would entirely defeat the idea behind the Jewish National Homeland in favor of an Arab Majority; Israel losing the distinctive Jewish character that was intended. This is something of a cost and a very high risk factor to the Israeli. And it is an obstacle to the acceptance of the "right of return." Thus the risk is too high to accept.
I have noticed in recent times that the concept behind a "Jewish National Home" and the Israeli opposition to an Arab Majority within that home, is equated to "apartheid" like separation. But it is not. The Secular Zionist concept is one face to the same coin; with the Palestinian on the reverse side. It is the opposite face of the coin to the argument that the Palestinians make when they raise the issue of 600K Jews imposing rule over 1.2M Arabs.
There are a number of segments within the Israeli population that have, as a result of a series of events in that last Century over the timeline, a grave concern for security; general in two flavors
(internal and external). The internal worry is called the Boogyman Effect, where a segment of the population is very concerned that Arab/Palestinians
(from inside Israel) will always have elements within its constituency that will asymmetrically exploit Israeli freedoms and conduct anti-Semitic insurgency and terrorist campaigns; for which they already have experienced. The other, external worry, comes from the more traditional concerns that the surrounding Arab Nations will again attempt to attack Israel in an effort to replace it with yet another fundamentalist Islamic nation. Hamas and Hezbollah already have established an interlocking relationship with Iran, that has regional aspirations. And again, these concerns establish the need for countermeasures that have a greater value to Israel than "peace."
So, when we talk about Israeli "wants" ----> we have to align it to Israeli "needs and concerns" in the hierarchy of "values and essentials." Yes, Israel would prefer peace; but depending on who is evaluating the cost of peace, determines what the risk is.
Most Respectfully,
R