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Strategic Partnership!
It goes without saying that the US, for many reasons, is considered by all accounts the strongest ally of Israel. Such a relation has stirred and raised many debated questions. Such so-called "strategic partnership", with all its demerits, especially when Sharon claims ‘ we the Jews control America’’ have been recently and increasingly debated by a large portion of journalists, observers and experts worldwide especially in the United States itself. I think, this very relation could be, if wisely considered, away from the hawks and lobbyists, of great advantage once the US is to condition its fathering of Israel to the latter’s readiness and commitment to implement UN resolutions pertaining to the region stipulating the withdrawal to the lines of June 4, 1967.. In so doing, the US is to do a favor not only for the region but for the entire globe. In so doing, the United States, Israel and the majority are to win a better more stable and secure world. President Bush said the US will allow none to "crush Israel" Your Excellency, those who extend a hand for just and comprehensive peace and issue initiatives and communiqués to this effect, plan and aim only for genuine peace. What might crush Israel is Israel itself and any unbalanced uncalculated blind bias or move! Among the most notable speakers , according to Internet sources,to this effect are, in a recent US Congress debate, Senator Jeff Bingaman, D-New Mexico, who said: "In my opinion, this recent occupation of Palestinian territories by Israeli troops is an obstacle to renewed negotiations for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, and it is very much in the interest of everyone involved that Israel withdraw those troops. "While the United States has a unique relationship with Israel, as a superpower it also has a unique responsibility to bring the two sides together. We will lose that opportunity if we fail to acknowledge our concern and responsibility for the well being of the Palestinian people." Rep. Amory Houghton, R-New York, sasid: "Of course we support Israel, but we also support our moderate Arab friends, and this bill is unbalanced in that regard." Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, said "last year, I introduced House Resolution 328, a bill expressing the sense of Congress that during the holiday season peace should be America's top priority in the Middle East. I was greatly disappointed; in fact I was shocked, that the leadership refused to bring up such a mild but hopeful bill on this floor. They never considered peace a priority. " I agree with the gentleman from Texas (Rep. DeLay) that hundreds more innocent Israelis and Palestinians have died tragically in the ongoing violence. But his one-sided resolution will only fan the killing frenzy. It offers no encouragement for the Arab states to have a place at the peace table. "Israel cannot make peace alone. This resolution envisions no Palestinian state as key in the peace process. At its worst, I fear it represents crass domestic politics in this election year. "…Instead of supporting our ally, Israel, this resolution further endangers the delicate balance so necessary to bring peace to the entire region. Let us be a true partner for peace, not just with Israel but as well with the Arab states in the region, surely those that have suffered bloodshed in their common cause with Israel, for a just and lasting peace. Added Mr. Kaptur. Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-West Virginia said: "..the Middle East remains a tinderbox. Even the slightest spark could ignite another conflagration. "This is not a time for chest-thumping rhetoric. This is a time for quiet diplomacy, measured speech, and clear direction. This is not the moment for Congress to stir the Mid-East pot. "…the White House has strongly urged Congress not to inflame passions by staging a vote on Israel. The fear is that even a symbolic vote by Congress in favor of Israel will jeopardize the already precarious role of the United States in the Middle East peace negotiations, and could even backfire by aggravating tensions - and possibly provoking more violence - in the Middle East. "Where are the demands that Israel withdraw from Palestinian lands and cooperate in the establishment of a Palestinian State? Where is the denunciation of the destruction of HOMEs and water lines and roads and basic infrastructure in Jenin and Nablus and elsewhere in the West Bank? Where is the expression of support for humanitarian and reconstruction aid to the innocent Palestinian victims of Israel's incursion into the West Bank? "If the Senate is serious about promoting peace in the Middle East - and I believe to the depths of my soul that we are - then we should leave the grandstanding to others. We should support the real work of peace keeping. For better or worse, the United States has been cast in the role of honest broker in the Middle East… This is not the time for the United States Senate to wade into the fray waving a sledgehammer in the form of an ill-timed, ill-advised, and one-sided Resolution, and I intend to vote against it." Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas said: : "My vote in solidarity with the State of Israel should not be read as a vote in solidarity the policies of Ariel Sharon that I view as misguided and counterproductive. My support for Israel is long- standing, but Ariel Sharon is not "Israel." He was wrong in rejecting the successful peace process in Oslo, in rejecting President Clinton's efforts at Camp David in 2000, in rejecting the talks between Israelis and Palestinians at Taba, Egypt in January 2001, and he was wrong in Sabra and Shatila. Without approving in any way actions of some of his adversaries or condoning their violence, he is wrong in continuing to reject measured answers to the Middle East crisis. "The Administration's months of inattention, indecision, and unwillingness to engage in the Middle East made a bad situation worse. Mr. President, heed Secretary Powell and General Zinni's counsel. Lead our foreign policy yourself ".
BY Mohammad Abdo Al-Ibrahim |
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