Netanyahu Speech to Congress Smoke and Mirrors
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress yesterday, primarily reiterating what he's been saying since Obama suggested that peace with the Palestinians would have to involve granting land for Palestine based on the 1967 borders. He insisted that the Palestinian Authority must cut ties with Hammas in order to begin peace negotiations, and stated that Jerusalem should be a complete Israeli city and capital.
While claiming that the Israeli people want to see a free sovereign nation for the Palestinians, the truth on the ground may not be as Netanyahu implied. He touted the religious freedoms of Arabs in Israel, particularly Jerusalem. However, there remain reports and opinion pieces that state the contrary. The fact that Congress reacted the way it did - standing ovations at the mention of religious freedom for Arabs, for one - is leaving at least a few observers thinking that Americans are blind to the reality on the ground. As Netanyahu left the blame flatly on the doorstep of the Palestinians, the reality apparently is that the animosity is not one-sided. Palestinians are not as well-liked or treated in Israel as he stated - not difficult to understand, given the amount of violence involved over the years in this battle for peace.
Just as some claimed that Israel could not negotiate with Obama's suggestion as a starting point, Palestinians have no reason to come to the table either. Historically, Arabs and Jews have rarely lived together in peace in any region. The hatred runs deep, and the latest battle of words between Netanyahu and Obama is yet another to add to the pile. Some suggest that U.N. intervention is needed - others believe the answer lies in asking the help of the U.S. Any peace that involves the intervention of outside parties most likely will not be long-lasting or stable.
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