Thanks, But No Thanks

The December 3, 2004, editorial in the Boston Globe suggests that James Baker or, failing that, Dennis Ross mediate between Israel and the Palestinians.

I take it that is the same James Baker who had such laudatory things to say about Jews in general and about Israelis in particular, during his years as Secretary of State, and afterwards. He may be a great arm-twister, but certainly not a mediator. All the more so when his even-handedness is greatly in question. Besides, what success did he ever achieve in the Middle East? The answer is nil.

Then we have Dennis Ross, he of the recent book extolling his virtues as Special Envoy. An ex post facto apologia remains just that. And no amount of verbiage detracts from his abject failure at achieving anything concrete.

But the most ridiculous cut of all is to say that President Bush may not be suited to mediate and that is why we need one or other of Baker and Ross. It seems to me the President has a good understanding of the present situation. He knows that truth is not a widely recognized concept among the Palestinians seeking power. And as his recent speech in Ottawa pointed out, pressuring the Israelis for further concessions will achieve nothing. It has been tried and failed. Indeed it seems to me the President realizes that personal intervention is not what is needed. What is needed is a change in attitude, outlook and approach by the Palestinians. A true democracy with a good dose of rectitude would go a long way in solving the problems of the Palestinians. Then other things would follow.

We must not lose sight of with whom we are dealing. Abu Mazen (Abbas), realizing how fragile life is, returns to Ramallah after the attempt on his life and vows to follow in the footsteps of Arafat. I know he denied there was an attempt on his life, but even my youngest grandchild saw through that one. And everyone knows what following in the footsteps of Arafat means.

Marwan Barghouti sits in an Israeli jail. He gives a solemn undertaking to not run in the elections, and vows support for the Fatah candidate, Abu Mazen. Then, several days later he files papers to contest the election. Is that the fellow whose word Israel is expected to take?

And while I am thinking of it: If all the Palestinians ever wanted was Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) with East Jerusalem, and Gaza, why did they not take it in the 19 years that it was held by the Jordanians and Egypt? The answer is simple. They want it all. They want, as Achmed Shukairy used to say, the Jews gone or in the sea.

So, thanks, but no thanks. You can keep Baker and Ross. On this one I prefer the boss's approach.