Call it Clinton style

Submitted by Jay1 (United States), Dec 12, 2010 at 21:03

Dr Pipes is right to say that Israel really doesnt have a policy.I think the way he says it is Israel really doesnt know what its doing. And Dr. Pipes is also right to suggest that if Israel does have a policy, its more along the lines of simply putting out brushfires.The irony is that of recent ,Israel didnt do a very good job of that either.

Part of the problem Israel suffers from, is a political system that appears to have a lack of concensus even within its terms of office. How will Israel develop a policy or a concensus in foreign affairs,when all its time is taken up trying to create peace within its cabinets.On the subject of concensus and continuity, what policy was passed on from the Rabin government to the Perez government to the Barak government? What policy then accrued to the Sharon government to the Olmert government to the Netanyahu government? The answer is none.What seems to be happening is that each leader who comes into power, wings it. Rabin had a vague and noble idea.Perez was a noble guy.Barak showed one map,then another,then still another.Ariel Sharon said no to anything in opposition, then became Prime Minister,appeared to use one of Ehud Baraks map,then totally on his own, withdrew from Gaza. Olmert used another hand made map which it seems he was convinced of, in spirit ,around a dinner table of his critical kids. Simply put, Israels foreign policy has no vision or continuity.

Rather it has a group of, allow me to wing it folks Its a me for the sake of me government. And there all bad at it. So what would a strategy or policy look like. I mean, one that is reasonable,understandable,safe,fair and attainable.Better too,one that no matter who is elected can be continued the way Americas State Department and Presidents tend to continue things.You know,like a grown up. Lets use the Palestinian conflict as an example.While much of Israels fence is finished, it appears as though the east of Jerusalem and the east of Tel Aviv is still in question.The Bill Clinton map,a map by the United States ,showed a basic contour extending out to and including the settlement of Ariel. Finish the fence as similar to that Clinton areas map as possible, with certainly an abilility to make it similar though perhaps not utterly exact. Finish the area of the fence also to the east of Jerusalem which appears to be generally understood anyway. Nead repeating? Finish the state of Israels borders map and fence.Does Israel feel it needs also ,its military border along the Jordon and Dead sea all? Israel says they do.Then put up a fence about 2 miles wide along all of the Jordan River and Dead Sea.

All said and done, about 8% of the west bank and a 2 mile Jordan strip will be also as Israels borders.The Palestinans will cry foul. But foul on what? Foul on basically President Clintons borders? Even Saudi Arabia said make the deal.Foul on the the Jordan Valley srtip? There are no Palestinians there, and Israel can make that security claim there very easily. Jordan will agree but never say so.Maybe as a short term lease will say the Palestinians? Why, should answer the Israelis! Is security temporary? Foul that we didnt negotiate that border fence will say the Palestinians? But your a large part of the security issue that reqiures this border and fence will say the Israelis. How can the problem have the veto? There are other opinions to be given and emails to be written,but to push the process foward, start with the strategy and policy of finishing the fence. Call it Clinton style.

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