The Palestine Question: Well Played Bibi

When it comes to international relations in the Middle East, words and phrases have a subtlety, and a power that most US Presidents cannot comprehend. With a few words from Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Resident got a lesson in Mideast politics. Sadly, this is a lesson that he most likely doesn't even realize took place. Luckily, Mr. Resident you have me to spell it out for you. After swanspirit's comment on Netanyahu's statement I found the transcript of the press conference held today between the Resident and Israel's Prime Minister. Bibi did a little dance on Barry's face.

The Resident has been vigorously attempting to link Palestinian statehood to Iran's growing nuclear threat as I have been mentioning repeatedly. Today was meant for the Resident to show his hand, making grandiose statements about peace and two-state solutions, while refusing to commit to a timetable on negotiations with Iran. No doubt he was sitting in his comfy chair thinking, "I've got him right where I want him."

While JPost's David Horovitz incorrectly sees Netanyahu as the supplicant to the supposed leader of the free world (did someone slip the kool-aid into Horovitz's Kedem?), I saw the Resident completely out finessed. Being of the notion that Iran and the Palestinians are two wholly and totally separate issues I will write on them separately. The Resident can continue to link them, to his own embarrassment.

While the Diaper Man went on and on about seizing the moment, and Netanyahu's political abilities, trying to put the onus on Israel to move the process forward, Netanyahu outflanked him and slam dunked what we have known for decades: there is no peace, there is no Palestine without uneqivocal recognition of Israel as a permanent Jewish homeland, period. Without this Palestinian statehood does not happen.

"And for this there has to be a -- a clear goal. The goal has to be an end to conflict. There'll have to be compromises by Israelis and Palestinians alike. We're ready to do our share. We hope the Palestinians will do their share as well.

If we resume negotiations, as we plan to do, then I think that the Palestinians will -- will have to recognize Israel as a Jewish state; will have to also enable Israel to have the means to defend itself.

If those conditions are met -- Israel's security conditions are met, and there's recognition of Israel's legitimacy -- its permanent legitimacy, then I think we can envision an arrangement where Palestinians and Israelis live side by side in dignity, security and in peace."

Let's break down the break down. Hamas, as we know, does not, and from their repeated statements and charter, will not ever recognize Israel. Mohammed Dahlan, Fatah heir apparent, has explicitly stated that Fatah, the party that currently controls the Palestinian Authority, does not recognize Israel. Abu In A Suit Abbas recently went on record publicly stating that he does not recognize Israel as a Jewish state, or any other capacity. So while Pampers was basking in the glow of his diplomatic fraudulence, Bibi has now forced the Resident, and his Secretary of State, to lean on Hamas and Fatah to recognize Israel as a permanent Jewish state. Without recognition there won't even be a resumption of talks.

Any guesses how close to never that's going to happen?

Any pressure from the White House on Israel to negotiate with the PA can now be rebuffed, which may go something like this:

"Hey Bibi, this is Barry. So look, I need some movement on the whole Palestine thing, how about we all sit down for a chat."

"Sounds great Barry. You got Fatah and Hamas to recognize Israel as the permanent Jewish homeland? Great."

"Well...uh...um...uh...not exactly."

"Not exactly as in no?"

"Well, no."

"Oh, I see. Well, you call me when you manage it. Shalom!"

Trust me when I say that Bibi can do that for four years without batting an eye. So much for Palestinian statehood. That is of course unless the United States, in conjunction with the world community, can manage to pull off a little regime change action. I'm not holding my breath on that one either.

The other portion of the statement that most likely went over the Resident's head was, "...to also enable Israel to have the means to defend itself." This is a reference to the borders. They will not be at the '67 green line. Any final borders will have to result with Israel controlling the Judean Hills, and the Jordan Valley. Anything less and Israel walks away.

So now Pampers and the PA have to decide what's more important: statehood or destroying Israel. Diaper Man sure has been spouting on and on about how important it is for the Palestinians to have a state. He's also on record saying that Israeli security is a "top priority." Now he has nowhere to hide. If Palestinian statehood is sooooo important to the Resident, and Israeli security is a "top priority" we should see immediate movement from the Department of State to push Hamas and Fatah to recognize Israel as a precondition to any resumption of negotiations. So far the PA has invariably chosen trying to destroy Israel, which is why the Palestinians keep getting screwed by their leaders, and have their movements restricted by Israel with checkpoints and fences.

Tushy Obama saw none of this coming, thinking he's got Israel by the nuts. But Bibi followed my advice. With the dexterity of a moyel, Bibi took Barry's sack; on the Palestinian issue, and Iran.