The Farewell Tour, "Go, Iraq!" and Thanksgiving
Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Olmert visited outgoing President Bush this week. Agence France-Presse reports that Secretary Rice said Palestinian-Israeli talks were "in pretty good shape" and that the failure to reach a deal was "largely because of the political situation in Israel" following Olmert's resignation. We were not surprised that she ignored the Palestinian civil war, Hamas rockets raining in ever-more-precise fashion on Israel and the increasing Iranian aid to the Palestinians, including her buddies in Fatah. We were seriously alarmed that the Israeli prime minister agreed with her - as if he is the indispensible man.
Over the past eight years, President Bush has gotten far more right than wrong on Israel and the Palestinians. But there is a blind spot we fear will continue into the new administration. The "peace process" is predicated on the notion that there is something Israel can do, give or say to the Palestinians that will induce their leadership to abandon the notion that the creation of Israel was a mistake that has to be erased. There is not. Acceptance of the legitimacy of Israel cannot be "bought" by pronouncements or by incremental "gifts" of land or political power. The Palestinians have to make that decision - or not. The current Palestinian civil war is, in part, over that issue.
It's not as if Arabs don't sometimes get there, and not as if the United States can't help them get there. Anwar Sadat and King Hussein got there and peace ensued. The Saudis and the Gulf States are busy sending signals that Iran - and specifically not Israel - is the country that threatens regional stability. That should be encouraged. But there can be no "peace" or "security architecture" or "shelf agreement" before the Palestinian leadership makes the leap. It is folly and arrogance for Israelis or Americans to believe it can be done on the say-so of this or that president or prime minister - incoming or outgoing.
On that note, "Go Iraq!" An Iraqi court acquitted legislator Mithal al-Alusi of crimes the Iraqi government said he committed by visiting Israel for a conference. During Saddam's era, it was illegal for Iraqis to go to Israel and there was a warning stamped in Iraqi passports. The warning is no longer there. The court affirmed that there is no law preventing such trips and restored al-Alusi's parliamentary immunity. Progress.
And Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving comes at a time of tremendous upheaval, economic dislocation and a truly historic presidential election. As a country, we are exhausted and jittery, and nothing makes us think the way ahead will be any easier or calmer.
That makes this a good - no, an imperative - time to remind ourselves of the blessings of our great country, our freedoms, our families, our friends, and our lives. We are grateful to servicemen and women, police officers, fire fighters, airport security screeners, border guards, FBI and CIA agents, the Administration and Members of Congress of both parties who believe and speak and vote with the understanding that our nation is still at war. We believe it is the combination of all these people working under difficult and often-dangerous circumstances - not a lack of trying on the part of the bad guys - that has have kept us safe for another year. We are grateful to the parents for raising the children who grew into the adults who serve America in so many ways at home and abroad, and grateful to their families for sharing them.
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