Face to Face

Face to Face

As the combat mission in Iraq comes to a halt and the many recent Afghan controversies seem to have cooled off, the administration, in an effort spearheaded by the State Department, has taken up the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the new international focus leading into the midterms. Which, without a doubt, is a noble task- many a president before Obama has tried and failed to aid these two parties to make a peaceful settlement, without any luck. By hosting a series of peace negotiations between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Obama, as well as America, at least symbolically, is expressing commitment to a cease in the volatile relations seen between not only the groups militarily and politically, but also in the people personally. If the president and Ms. Clinton are able to work with Israeli and and Palestinian leaders and help them conclude their sparring and agree on a viable solution, the Obama administration will have taken a huge and notable step forward for peace across the Middle East. However, try though the president might- and, doubtlessly, will- any outcome other than the sort of stale noncommittal ending that is shoved aside later when shots are fired once again is unlikely, simply based on the past. This isn't to say that the president and Secretary of State Clinton have no chance, it's just that they can't- and won't, according to recent statements- force peace upon anyone. No matter how committed America is or becomes to peace in the world, it is the Israelis and the Palestinians who must choose peace. America cannot choose it for them. Last time talks were held, they led to the death of over a thousand Palestinians as well as many Israelis. That being said, the tentatively optimistic tone being taken by administration leaders bodes well for the talks, as no one has more politically to lose from this than the Obama administration. And the commitment given by all parties to meet again, soon, can only be a good thing.
There is no way that any talks can succeed, however, unless all parties understand a few key points. There must be some solution reached regarding Hamas, as Israel's main concern is its security, the underlying theme in all of the Israeli rhetoric this week. If Israeli security is strengthened, the Israeli leaders must accept the creation of a Palestinian state. There is currently no real Palestine, forcing huge numbers of people to lived displaced in remote communities, movement controlled by Israel. This is not a long-term solution, nor is this helpful in any way to Israeli security. Soon, a state of Palestine must coexist with Israel.
As with most issues, the ramifications of an agreement reached-or lack thereof- do not simply affect Israel or the Palestinian people, nor even just the groups in attendance at the talks. The conflict, as well as any two-state solution, causes tremors far outside the Israeli boarders. This is why the issue cannot afford to wait any longer or disintegrate once again. It is imperative, for the future of the Middle East, that something is done.