I don’t think the current administration is wise enough to know what to do..

Israel independently, but also as an ally of the United States, has served United States imperial interests by destabilizing Arab regimes in the area. It is the old divide and rule, not only amongst Arab states, but also within them, with their tribal, religious and ethnic divides.

Internationally Israel enjoys wide acceptance as an ally of the USA. The EU continues its economic support in granting Israel quasi association status. Germany is in the forefront of the EU’s policy, witness Chancellor Merkel’s grand speech recently to the Knesset. The Government and Opposition in Australia toe the USA’s line, witness the recent 60th anniversary motion, sponsored by Rudd and passed with the Opposition’s support in the Parliament.

The Arab nations of Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait— as well as the Maliki government of Iraq are totally dependent on the military might of the USA. Their support of the Palestinian cause is minimal at best. Witness the Egyptian buckling in to Israel on re-establishing their peace treaty’s border regime after the Hamas led breach of the border wall.

The Arab regimes are corrupt, feudal and anti-democratic and often referred to kindly as “client states” of the USA.

As autocratic as the Syrian regime might be, it is the only Arab country providing some support to the Palestinians. Fractured Lebanon only counts as a supporter of the Palestinians to the extent that support comes from Hezbollah. Lybia’s Gaddafi makes noise, but does not do much else.

The Turks continue to enjoy their fruitful economic relationship with Israel.

The Arab street may “revile” Israel, but not their Arab governments.

Unfortunately, it is the Palestinians that are isolated internationally.

Henry di Suvero 29 March 08

The courty was fatigued by war, a borderless world beckoned as the IT revolution took off. Dan Gillerman, then President of the Israeli Chamber of Commerce, predicted that by making peace with the Palestinians, and in turn getting Arab boycotts lifted, Israel could become the Singapore of the Middle East, a free trade hub where major corporations had their headquarters.

Shimon Peres, also on board with this vision, talked of a peace “not of flags but of markets,” a realpolitic peace based on everyone’s self interest. Right on track to make this possible, Rabin and Arafat shook hands on the White House lawn and signed the Olso accords.

Many explanations are given as to what went wrong, how the chance was thrown away. Naomi Klein brings in two new factors, not talked about hitherto.

First the influx to Israel of Russian Jews, driven out of Russia in part by the trashing of th Russian economy by what she she calls the Shock doctrine which had been applied by advisors of the Milton Friedman school of economics. .

The new immigrants replaced the Palestinians as cheap labor and the borders to the territories were soon sealed. An Israel which had been opening up, closed down.

Secondly, the economy which could have gone in the free trade Singapore direction, took another, one that actually profited by making people angry and denyingn them rights.

This was the state and home security industry. If people don’t like you, make sure they can’t get at you, blow up your planes etc. Israel became a world leader right through the nineties in this new denialist industry and so continues till today with thus little economic interest in peace and open borders.

How sad it all is.
Mike