Israeli officials are officially “furious” tonight, issuing various statements denouncing the US government for admitting that it will try to work with the new Palestinian unity government.
EU nations appear to be following the US policy, saying they are also prepared to work with the Palestinians, while Israel insists they must all demand President Abbas disband the new government and spurn unity.
Formally, Israel intends not to recognize the Palestinian government, but experts in Israeli policy say that behind the rhetoric, they’re basically going to do the same thing, cooperating with anyone they can to try to keep the occupation in the West Bank from falling apart.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was particularly critical of the EU for recognizing the Palestinian unity government “despite condemning” the recent Brussels shooting. Despite attempting to link the two issues, the shooter arrested was a French citizen who fought in Syria, and had no apparent contact with either Israel or the Palestinians.
The question is not about the unity of Palestinians unity government, but rather if Israel can be brought to its senses and realize the facts at hands. Although such acceptance by USG and EU have come and go without resulting to anything positive for the Palestinians but this time around things might be changing for the better. For one, there have been a positive negotiation with Iranian government by EU and USG regarding Iran nuclear and Iran engagement in Syria and Iran supporting the Palestinian case. two, if Obama is not using his usual manipulative politics then there is a chance for peace getting somewhere. Question is, what if Israel not going to accept anything and nothing but their side of political maneuvering! Would they wait and drag on the peace process until Obama is out of office, or for EU and USG to start a total boycott of Israelis goods and services to EU and USA?
I am a Jewish American. Netanyahu makes my skin crawl and the hair on the back if my neck stand up. This guy is the poster child for every anti-Semite in the world. He has done great harm to the Jewish people, not to mention the state of Israel.
It may be hard to accept but Natanyahu views are representative of the majority of the Israelis. As repugnant as Natanyahu is, he has the unquestioning support of U.S./world Jewish organizations and the U.S. Congress and is the self proclaimed King of the Jews.
"…cooperating with anyone they can to try to keep the occupation in the West Bank from falling apart…"
In a nutshell, that is the primary concern for the Israeli government now. If the occupation falls apart, the Israeli government would fall overnight. I suspect the radical right settlers would use their weapons on the Israeli soldiers instead of the Palestinians – ummm, as well as the Palestinians. Netanyahoo would go down in Israeli history as the one responsible for the loss of the lebensraum acquired (stolen) since 1948.
So, one can bet that Netanyahoo will do anything to forestall any loss of territory.
I am hoping that US actions so irritate Netanyahou that he takes our yearly support check, tears it up and throws the pieces in our Ambassador's face.
Richard vajs. Now that’s an excellent idea. Yet I would ask for USG and EU governing bodies to stop manipulating more of what is the reality and get on with a total boycott of Israeli goods and services, to start with, they can stop sending that check/s that you are talking about, if nothing, they save the postage or the costs of bank transaction, you see, banks charges for transaction and post office charges for delivering that check.
Send him the cash cow's pasture patties, and leave her udder$ alone.