We've all had friends who, at one time or another, we've had to wonder about- are they stable? why are they doing what they're doing? don't they realize they're only hurting themselves? Right now, that friend is Israel.
Ehud Barak, on a visit to the U.S., voiced his disagreement with Jerusalem's plan to destroy 22 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem for a shopping center. This after settlements in Palestinian territories continue to grow, the blockade on Gaza gains more and more international attention (and looks less and less credible) and the Israeli government does more and more to shun its American ally while still expecting the U.S. to back its every move. What exactly is Israel trying to do? Why is it acting this way? Why is it rejecting the advice of all its friends?
In relationship terms, usually we get to a point with that friend where something's got to give: we have a frank conversation with him and point out where his actions are looking less and less rational, tell him we're here for him if he wants to change and, if he doesn't, start distancing ourselves. The U.S. has yet to have that frank discussion (at least not publicly) and the international community as a whole only speaks in vague rebukes of certain specifics like the flotilla raid. (But the U.S. is like the leader of the group of friends in this situation and closest to the friend whose behavior is looking erratic and self-destructive).
There is, of course, another friend in this analogy whose interests need to be considered: Palestine. The two have been thrust into the same group of friends and have fought for years, with some friends taking one side or the other, but everyone realizing that if the fight doesn't end that it will eventually rip the group apart completely. The U.S. has, of course, been on the side of Israel in that fight (and the rockets, suicide bombings and hateful rhetoric by the Palestinians haven't done much to make them sympathetic). However, like that good friend, we've stuck behind Israel whatever its decision, thinking that a strong companion in its corner was what it needed most.
Now we need to be the type of friend who points out missteps and mistakes (the best and hardest kind of friend to be) and help Israel be its best self. We need to point out that both sides in the fight need to make concessions for the good of the group and that continually taking territory from the other side is not the way to end the animosity or fix the problem. We need to point out that rules are rules (building settlements in occupied territories violates international law) even if you're best friends with the leader of the group. We need to point out how serious some of these mistakes are, tell our friend how much we care about them and be willing to lose our friendship to make our friend understand and change.
Ehud Barak, on a visit to the U.S., voiced his disagreement with Jerusalem's plan to destroy 22 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem for a shopping center. This after settlements in Palestinian territories continue to grow, the blockade on Gaza gains more and more international attention (and looks less and less credible) and the Israeli government does more and more to shun its American ally while still expecting the U.S. to back its every move. What exactly is Israel trying to do? Why is it acting this way? Why is it rejecting the advice of all its friends?
In relationship terms, usually we get to a point with that friend where something's got to give: we have a frank conversation with him and point out where his actions are looking less and less rational, tell him we're here for him if he wants to change and, if he doesn't, start distancing ourselves. The U.S. has yet to have that frank discussion (at least not publicly) and the international community as a whole only speaks in vague rebukes of certain specifics like the flotilla raid. (But the U.S. is like the leader of the group of friends in this situation and closest to the friend whose behavior is looking erratic and self-destructive).
There is, of course, another friend in this analogy whose interests need to be considered: Palestine. The two have been thrust into the same group of friends and have fought for years, with some friends taking one side or the other, but everyone realizing that if the fight doesn't end that it will eventually rip the group apart completely. The U.S. has, of course, been on the side of Israel in that fight (and the rockets, suicide bombings and hateful rhetoric by the Palestinians haven't done much to make them sympathetic). However, like that good friend, we've stuck behind Israel whatever its decision, thinking that a strong companion in its corner was what it needed most.
Now we need to be the type of friend who points out missteps and mistakes (the best and hardest kind of friend to be) and help Israel be its best self. We need to point out that both sides in the fight need to make concessions for the good of the group and that continually taking territory from the other side is not the way to end the animosity or fix the problem. We need to point out that rules are rules (building settlements in occupied territories violates international law) even if you're best friends with the leader of the group. We need to point out how serious some of these mistakes are, tell our friend how much we care about them and be willing to lose our friendship to make our friend understand and change.
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