A Complacent West Confronts A Smug Israel

By Dan Lieberman

Words can act as bombs by creating panic and disarray so that the adversary becomes totally confused. Israel has written the book on how to get its way by throwing the ‘word bomb.’ Isn’t it obvious that the announcement to build 1,600 new homes in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo is part of a contrived plan? After all, the Prime Minister must have had many discussions of these plans with his Interior Minister. He showed this by replying quickly to the facts concerning the planned construction. Besides, why was it necessary for the Interior Ministry to make a public disclosure? To whom was he disclosing the information? Unless, the world recognizes the orderliness of the disorderly conduct, the Middle East will continue its path of additional destruction. The well contrived plan of bombing the ‘negotiations’ with a seemingly off-hand remark that the Interior Ministry plans 1600 new homes for East Jerusalem has had its effects. Start with the Palestinian Authority’s position.

The ‘word bomb’ places the Palestinian Authority in a no-win situation. If the PA ignores the ‘word bomb,’ then it tacitly approves settlement expansion. If the PA halts peace talks, then it leaves itself open to the usual remark, carried by the world press, “The Authority is looking for a chance to halt negotiations.” Besides, without negotiations conducted with a watchdog USA, how can the Palestinian Authority prevent Israel from doing whatever it wants?

U.S. Vice President Biden, in a speech to Tel Aviv University displayed subservience to Israel, belittled the American Executive Department and insulted all Americans. The American VP proclaimed that “Israel (who constantly embarrasses the United States and shows no remorse) is our greatest friend.” As a friend, he was compelled to "deliver the hardest truth." He also appreciated Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s clarifications on the housing expansion issue.

Israel’s settlement expansion plans placed the American administration in the predicament of either admitting its decades of support for the problematic state has been fruitless or demonstrating that by its powerful nature it can overcome all obstacles and bring peace to the Middle East. Decades of American involvement in Middle East situations show the opposite; the U.S. government has contributed more to violence then to Middle East stability. Either the powerful U.S., who can intimidate all lesser nations, either does not know how to use its strength to force a just and peaceful solution or is deceiving the world in characterizing its role as an ‘honest broker.’

By its ‘harmless’ declaration Israel achieved a win-win position.

The Likud government tested the waters; an attempt to harmlessly voice that settlement construction in East Jerusalem is separate from those in the West Bank, and the former will not be considered in the talks. West Bank Prime Minister Netanyahu postured that negotiations are difficult, not because of him, but because of severe differences in the cabinet. It is entirely possible that during the talks a pre-arranged government collapse will occur and emergency measures, due to change in administration, will halt the meetings. In addition, knowing that President Obama does not favor him, the Israeli Prime Minister struck his own blow of contempt and made President Obama seem weak and servile.

Scratching their heads, political pundits wonder why the U.S. and European Union remain complacent to Israel’s virulent nationalism and aggressive militarism and behave subservient to Israel. The answer can only be that the western powers benefit from Israel’s actions or at least sense there is a sufficiently satisfactory tradeoff for condoning them. What does Israel offer the western powers, which then permits it a free hand to conduct its military and oppressive actions?

Numerous assassinations by Israeli operatives, and disclosed espionage for Israel in western nations without these nations demanding restitution or apologies from Israel indicates western nations approve the assassinations and spying. U.S. and European Intelligence agencies need Israel Intelligence to complement their activities. No intelligence agency has the unique qualities as that of Israel. Its intelligence consists of the ubiquitous Mossad and an unusual array of planted Israel supporters in almost every nation on the globe who conduct surveillance and distribute propaganda for Israel.

The equation, which yields more plusses than negatives to Israel’s relations with the western world, omits one key characteristic; Israel, unlike the western world, does not suffer from international terrorism or Radical Islam. Israel’s relatively mild punishment comes from a reaction to its land seizures from and oppression of the Palestinian people. However, Israel’s policies, when supported by western nations, incite international terrorism and provoke Radical Islam. Since Israel receives support from the world’s engagement with terrorism and Radical Islam, it is in Israel’s interests not to be concerned with its role of aggravating the two dangers to western life.

Then we have the western fear that an organized and highly developed Arab world could contest western economic and military superiority and diminish western influence throughout the world. Israel’s and several Arab nations’ policies oppose western concepts of democratic values, human rights and equality of opportunity. Nevertheless, Israel’s continuous encroachment on Arab lands and its incessant wars are not challenged due to the creation of upheavals that suppress advances towards a powerful and united Arab world.

The United States will support Israel’s quest for peace until the last Palestinian. When the Israeli ‘word bomb’ morphs into the Israeli nuclear bomb, and the safety of the entire world is threatened, then the U.S. might recognize the self-destructive nature of its Middle East polices. Let’s hope it will not be too late.

Dan Lieberman is editor of Alternative Insight