An Israel against peace is a danger to its citizens

The past few days suggest most members of Israel's new government regard every new initiative for advancing the peace process as a threat that must be repulsed. Such a government is a threat to its citizens.

Haaretz Editorial | May.03, 2013 | 6:04 AM

U.S. President Barack Obama’s efforts to advance the peace process do not end with the shuttle diplomacy of his Secretary of State John Kerry, or with his meetings with the Israelis and Palestinians. The threatening developments in the Middle East, the crisis is Syria and the Iranian threat, require the American president to expand the circle of partners and include the leaders of Arab nations. It turns out that the Arab leadership is not only not indifferent to these efforts − it has never given up on its hope to advance negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, and has never renounced its initiative as formulated in the Arab League decision of 2002. The decision states that in return for a withdrawal from the territories, Arab nations will normalize their relations with Israel and provide Israel with a protective security belt.

In the meeting between Kerry and the heads of the Arab League delegation, the Arab leaders made an important addition: agreement to minor border corrections and the exchange of territory between Israel and the Palestinians. In doing so the Arab League adopted the position of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and provided him with critical support for a limited concession on territory. This came after the Arab League already supported his position on the question of the right of return, when Abbas said: “We must reach a just and agreed upon solution on the question of refugees,” and in doing so subordinated the right of return to the negotiations.

Israel responded with distinct coolness to the new initiative. The prime minister did not even find it necessary to praise this important change in the Arab position, and made do with a general statement that that we must reach an agreement “that will prevent Israel from becoming a binational state, but will provide stability and security.” Only President Shimon Peres and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni adopted the new position and recognized its importance. Other ministers, such as Yair Lapid, who in his platform demanded progress in the peace process, Moshe Ya’alon and Yuval Steinitz, who bears the impressive title of minister for strategic and intelligence affairs, did not respond at all. It seems that in their eyes, every new initiative for advancing the peace process is a threat that must be repulsed.

Israel still insists on holding negotiations on all the core issues at once and rejects Abbas’ demand to negotiate on borders and security issues first. In doing so the government strengthens its rejectionist image at the same time the territories are starting to heat up. Such a government is a threat to its citizens.