"We will be nice, Israel" (Really?)

Submitted by Melvin A. Fechter (United States), Jun 9, 2012 at 12:30

Sam, I believe and hope you will agree that one thing Israel cannot and will not do is accept the Palestinians' word for it that they intend to war no more, forevermore. It will not do for Mahmoud Abbas, or even together with Ismail Haniyeh, or even accompanied with a somber Covenant signed by whatever of their Parliaments upon a stack of Korans, to swear "Peace forevermore." What, then, will suffice? Nothing, virtually nothing, almost absolutely nothing. They have bought their future with 64 years of hatred, organizations vowing Israel's destruction, and leaders who either by deceit - e.g., Abbas - or by clearly expressed intent - e.g., Haniyeh - have proceeded on a course striving for Israel's destruction. Their future, almost certainly, is continuing and will continue on that course, and continuing to attain for themselves only more and more of less and less. Gradually they will be completely removed. It may take centuries, perhaps a thousand years. I have spoken only of their past course for 64 years, since May 14, 1948, the date of Israel's refounding, but really the course they had determined for themselves preceded that by at least a century or two.

In my emphasis of the word "almost" above, there is a tiny opening -- the opening of action -- of Peace in fact. If they were to live in peace a century or so, and still wanted, or said they wanted, their own state, it is not inconceivable that Israel would make it possible for them. But I do not think there is a snowball's chance in hell that is going to happen. They never even wanted a state in the first place; they only wanted Israel's destruction. If they were to live in peace a century, it will be because they are happy to live as guests in Israel, as Israel permitted other peoples thousands of years ago. But do not expect anything of the sort -- not very likely. Expect the Palestinians, those that count, their leaders, to gnash their teeth, and when they can, to wreak whatever havoc they can., Anything else they will have to prove by action -- the actions of Peace. But Israel take their word for it -- "We'll be good" -- not a chance, no matter who is prime minister.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".