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The Graying of Israel-Arab Relations

(San Diego Jewish World) Ira Sharkansky - Israel's relations with its neighbors have evolved over the course of 70 years to something that is far more subtle and nuanced than what is expressed by intense nationalists or by overseas friends and antagonists, each with their favorite solution. We should start from the realization that peace is not on our doorstep, no matter what we do. There is no chance that Israel will remove substantial numbers from the 800,000 or so Jews living over the lines of 1967, or that a Palestinian leadership will ratchet down significantly from demands dating to 1947, 1967, or the last meeting between Israel and Palestinian leaders. Yet we're getting along with our near neighbors. There are casualties, but nothing like what was experienced in the past, and even further from what other neighbors are doing to one another across the Middle East. Living near Muslims has exposed us in recent years to a rate of casualties less than that of traffic accidents. We seek to limit the casualties, but should not expect to eliminate them entirely. Among the guidelines that operate for military and governmental professionals and politicians who reach the crucial offices are not to overreact to violence with excessive force in ways that make things worse, yet to react with impressive force when appropriate. The purpose of occasional Israeli outbursts of significant violence is to counter upticks in the violence against us, and to remind the waverers among Israeli Arabs and Palestinians about what can happen to them yet again if they lose control over their nationalist sentiments. The writer is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University.
2016-11-02 00:00:00
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