At the New York Times, the excellent article on “…Biden’s Clash with Netanyahu…” caused my short comment, which brought a couple of replies, but the Times stopped new comments before I could post a second reply. In case you’re not a subscriber to the pay-walled site, here’s my comment, replies, and the reply which I couldn’t post:
me: I want to see more attention given to how collaborative regional leadership can lead to a Palestinian state which Israel can accept (especially by helping that to be so, in partnership); and extended attention given to how all regional powers can collaborate to rebuild Gaza.
We need a vision for hope which is realistic and detailed, so that we have better reason to endure too much news about unbearable tragedy; so that Israel can be seen to serve constructive aims; and so that Palestinians can focus their energies on self-determination, not mere recovery.
reply1: Please explain how can you have a sovereign nation state that is dependent on how the occupying power feels? That should not be given any consideration at all. This idea of a free Palestine that has no sovereignty is another form of colonial control.
me: The 2-state solution is about partnership of sovereignties, which has no policing occupation by Israel.
But Palestinians must evolve the reliable and effective leadership which makes that feasible.
reply2: The one thing Hamas needs to do to effectuate your proposal is to state “we accept the existence of a Jewish state.” Without that, nothing will ever change.
Pro Palestinian activists should be lobbying hard and wide, calling for Hamas to take this humane step. Instead, crickets.
me: The medievalist wing of Islam must accept that Israel's entitlement is as valid as that of the United Nations—humanity's "Answer" to "Never Again"—which instituted Israel's entitlement.
Iran, Russia, and China deserve genuine parliamentary government, ensuring that the Security Council veto is humane, not weaponized. The International Court of Justice deserves the power of law, ensured by U.N.-brokered conflict resolution.
Arab powers can lead by collaborative ensurance of Sunni-Shi'ite partnership (which Iraq is striving to exemplify) in giving the Arab world a deserved place in collaborative global political leadership.
"Western" modernity is an era in the evolution of our shared humanity on a small planet. Wanting prosperous humanity is not "Western." The want belongs to everyone.
