Israel’s occupation has lasted 50 years, it’s on track to run for 50 more.
As the 50th anniversary of Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza approaches, there will be several lengthy retrospectives. One of the better ones was, surprisingly, published by the NY Times today.
Nathan Thrall is a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group. He’s also the author of “The Only Language They Understand: Forcing Compromise in Israel and Palestine.” he makes a persuasive case that the Israeli occupation is on track to run another 50 years, aided and abetted by the US. The widely held misconception that the occupation is unsustainable and prone to collapse any minute now, under the weight of its own inequity and oppression is part of what keeps it going.
Israel, with the strongest army in the region, has repeatedly demonstrated that it can endure and outlast whatever bursts of resistance the divided and exhausted Palestinians can muster.
The next threats, too, came up empty. The rise of nominally pro-Palestinian powers like India and China has, to date, had no negative effect on Israel, which has strengthened ties with both countries. The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, though noisy on some American campuses, has yet to make a dent in Israel’s economy or its citizens’ self-reported level of life satisfaction, among the highest in the world. — NY Times
The article is well worth your time. It doesn’t, however, directly contend with the NY Times and western media’s role in perpetuating the occupation. That is probably best captured by Malcolm X:
The press is so powerful in its image-making role, it can make the criminal look like he’s a the victim and make the victim look like he’s the criminal. This is the press, an irresponsible press. It will make the criminal look like he’s the victim and make the victim look like he’s the criminal. If you aren’t careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing. — Speech at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem (13 December 1964)
It was interesting that Trump went back on his word of moving the embassy to Jerusalem.
I don’t think there will be a two state solution under Trump or someone who gives in to pushback by AIPAC,
I’m sure the embassy reversal was driven by the state department. There was probably an uprising on the Middle East desk.
I don’t have any hopes that Trump will move on a resolution. The people he’s appointed, Friedman, Kushner are hard-line supporters of the Israeli position. Netanyahu seems to have figured out exactly how to stroke Trump. I have no expectations that the Trump administration will help make life any easier for Palestinians.
Tips, Comments, Brickbats…
Bernie recently was less critical of the Israelis on the settlements. Wonder he’s given it a bit more thought and changed his mind on a two state solution.
Israel is a mushy spot for Bernie. For I guess what some might say is obvious reasons.
I hope that someday we have the option of supporting a strong candidate who is brave and effective on the issue of Israel, and on peace and justice regarding Palestians (and everyone else who lives in the Middle East!).
This seems a positive sign:
Bernie Sanders in Video Message to Israelis: 50 Years of Occupation Must End
https://jackpineradicals.com/boards/topic/bernie-sanders-in-video-message-to-israelis-50-years-of-occupation-must-end/
Thank you Subir!
Yes, there does not seem to be any advantage to Israel to do anything in the near term and it appears that it will be at least decades before any progress is made. It also appears that is by design.
Israel’s ‘slow’ plan for peace
I hope that the writer’s optimism about BDS will be proven correct, but I, like the NYT writer, do not see BDS as having much effect or steam. 🙁
“…but I, like the NYT writer, do not see BDS as having much effect or steam.”
Especially when we are loading up the Saudis and the Israelis with weapons. Our policies are in direct contradiction and seem to be more about selling weapons than actually getting anywhere. It is inherently stupid to arm countries to the teeth and then attempt any kind of diplomatic leverage.
There are so many problems today that have their roots in the Israel/Palestine conflict. Until there is justice on this issue, the other problems will continue to grow and more will spring up.
Israel’s apartheid is the single largest impediment to a lasting peace in the Middle East. What is happening in Gaza is beyond belief. It’s the largest concentration camp outside of North Korea. Shame on our lazy press for refusing to report on this slow moving genocide.
No way last 50 more years
One bigger force is capitalism
Juan Cole at juancole.com this morning –title something like Trump will bring about end of capitalism. On phone and do not know how to copy links.
But even bigger force is Gaia.
The background has become the foreground. No longer humans in the foreground and earth in background. Earth in now an active agent and earthbounds will have to make do with the limited role.
Yesterday at Wright brothers national park. Around the base of huge monument on the hill we were told by an inscription on the base that they were persistent and “conquered the wind ”
Arrogance as humans are in the foreground.
Like the colonial powers who conquered the ingenious people and took their land, Israel colonial project will end.
And with Gaia in the foreground, we earthbounds are suffering the fate of ingenious people and non humans are also in the crosshairs
I can’t say that something like this surprises me.
https://theintercept.com/2017/06/03/hacked-emails-show-top-uae-diplomat-coordinating-with-pro-israel-neocon-think-tank-against-iran/
I think this has been readily apparent for some time, interesting to see documentation. There were stories last year of a saudi diplomatic presence in Tel Aviv.