First, it is evidence of the political climate in which anythingthat comes out of Obama’s mouth elicits rightwing outrage and faux-controversy in mainstream media, that when he outlined what has always been the framework of the peace negotiations (including under George W Bush) that Republicans and Jewish hawks fall all over themselves howling with rage and scolding words for Obama.
Second, notwithstanding the annexation of East Jerusalem and the Golan Hights, Isreal has never maintained that the 1967 border (G.W. Bush said 1947) is NOT its legal boundary. Clearly, the ever expanding settlements in the West Bank, Golan Hights, and previously in Gaza, means that Israel - in reality - has done everything to erase the “Green Line”, creating new realities on the ground and forcing the issue of land swaps.
However, when Obama affirms the necessity of land swaps he is turning a blind eye to the fact that since 1969 Israel has been in violation of international law that explicitly prohibits civilian use of land occupied by war. While the settlements at this point are an irreversible reality, Israel should not be rewarded for its illegal actions over the past four decades.
Third, Jewish State. Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people. But even at it’s inception it was acknowledged that the State of Israel has a diversity of populace and hence while it is committed to maintaining it’s status as the Jewish homeland, all it’s citizen are to be treated equally without religious, racial, or gender discrimination. Of the 7.7 million citizens of Israel 25% are not Jewish. This is only if Israel counts all the Jews who live in the Palestinian territories, but none of the Arabs in these territories. If the de-facto borders of Israel are taken into account (i.e., ignoring the apparently controversial 1967 border), the population of Israel/Palestine is 11.4 million, making the Jewish percentage less than 50%. So the only way Israel can claim to be a “Jewish State” and claim the occupied territories is through the civil oppression of the Palestinian people, denying them civil rights. More importantly, Palestinians object to the use of the term Jewish State as it implies that any Jew anywhere and at anytime is a potential citizen of Israel. This is while Israel objects to the Right of Return of Palestinians. This double standard is anathema to Palestinians, and causes the breakdown of negotiations every time.
Obama as a constitutional lawyer, a person of color, and a community activist should know better than to use a term that affirms the apartheid policies of the State of Israel.
Fourth, the contiguity of the Palestinian State. This was an important point the subtext of which should not be ignored, but somehow was. The settlements in the West Bank have broken up the land into several blocks connected only by road (I would refer the readers to http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2009/aug/24/israel-settlements-west-bank). Thus, for a viable and contiguous Palestinian state Israel will have to dismantle many settlements and outposts. I hope the US indeed insists on this premise if negotiations actually commence.
Fifth, Obama warned the Palestinians against proceeding with seeking UN approval for the establishment of a State. As an American I am offended by this. I think the following quote will suffice: "When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation." (Declaration of Independence, 1776).
Sixth, Obama’s record has thus far been not to follow through on tough talk. I don’t really consider any of this as “tough”, but clearly many on the Right and in Israel do. I’d say, this will probably end up like Guantanamo Prison, financial reform, election finance reform, and healthcare for all.
So if you’re worried by any of this - don’t be, and if you’re full of hope an pizzazz - settle down…
