Wolf By The Ears

Abraham Lincoln once remarked of slavery, "We have a wolf by the ears; we can neither let go nor hold on much longer." A dispute that seems to always be in the background of both domestic and foreign policy is the situation between the Israelis and the Palestinians. During recents months the peace process has ground to an halt over building freezes in the West Bank. What often goes unnoticed is America's blatant hypocrisy in brokering this situation. I have always heard that Israel is vital to US interests and security, but the fact seems to be the opposite. Much of the Muslim world has at least some negative feelings and concerns with our preferential treatment of a state that is in clear violation of international law. Israel is also a state that uses disproportional force in occupying more Palestinian land and subduing the populace of both Gaza and the West Bank. The modern state of Israel is founded upon displacing untold numbers of Arabs: some of whose families had been in the Holy Land for centuries. Conditions in the Palestinians territories are among some of the most impoverished in the world, subject to Israeli occupation and restricted travel. Many in both Israel and the US state that the Jews have a right to occupy the land at all cost because it was God who gave them that land. In essence, God is a real estate agent. All of a sudden, land becomes more important than people. Where are the words of Amos who rebukes Israel for ignoring the poor and the orphan? Where is the motivation to see those around us as our neighbors?

Israel faces two major hurdles in any future peace arrangements. The first is that if they stay true to their democratic commitment, they risk jeopardizing the Jewishness of the state due to increasing Arab populations within their area of governance. The second problem is that Israel will continue to rule through apartheid and continue to undermine its stated democratic principles. The solutions to this problem are not going to be easy and whatever any future parameters that are deciding upon to move this process along, it is going to be a long road. What cannot continue to happen is America consistently blocking UN resolutions against Israel and giving Israel a carte blanche to treat the Palestinians in the inhumane ways that have been in the interests of its "national security." The United States can no longer treat Israel as though they have our best interests in mind. They do not stop or aide us in combating terrorism. Instead, they create an atmosphere conducive to extremism and destructive ideologies. We must join the rest of the international community in helping construct a more constructive platform by which both the Palestinians and Israelis can make permanent gains that are mutually beneficial. If we fail, then we will continue to hold the wolf by the ears until it is too late.