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Why Hillary Clinton and George Mitchell Will Not Succeed in Middle East Peacemaking

[New Republic] Shmuel Rosner - What have we heard from Clinton? More money to the Palestinians in the hope that this time it will be actually given and used wisely. More subtle pressure to "ease" conditions for Palestinians, without regard to the fact that closing the Gaza border is one of very few tools with which Israel can try to pressure Palestinian radicals into ceasing their fire. More talk about "Quartet demands" to Hamas - demands that it did not meet in the past and has shown no desire to meet in the future. More "vigorous" diplomacy cannot change the current situation. Prime Minister Olmert and PA leader Abbas have explored the contours of a possible peace deal more extensively than all preceding leaders, but they still couldn't reach an agreed solution - one that both sides would be willing to risk their political future by putting on the table. Pouring money into Gaza might make a bad situation even worse. It can be a huge waste of money in the not-unlikely case that Israel will again have to use force in Gaza fairly soon. Or it can serve to deter Israel from the necessary use of such force, fearing the outrage of those countries now investing money in rebuilding the targets that Israel needs to destroy yet again. Both Clinton and Mitchell know that no brilliant ideas can put an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within months, not even a few years. Being "vigorously engaged," as Clinton promised, will not tame Hamas or make Abbas a strong leader; and no threats can force an Israeli leader to make real compromises when rockets keep falling on voters' heads.
2009-03-06 06:00:00
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