Waiting for an Arab proposal

The Israeli conflict seems to have reached a stage of hopelessness. The death count continues to swell on both sides and no cease-fire, treaty or even reasonable dialogue is occurring. Zinni's visit was futile. The overwhelming question becomes: what now?

All there really is to do is wait until the Palestinians are willing to negotiate a sensible proposal that creates an independent Palestinian state but also secures the safety of the existing Israeli one. Until then, we can expect to see only more bloodshed, terror, war and desecration in the Middle East. Israel initiates nothing; they have simply been guaranteeing their sovereignty by protecting themselves. When diplomacy fails, Israel, as any other nation would, must rely on its force to protect the lives and well-being of its citizens. With unrelenting suicide bombers in civilian areas like cafes, shopping districts and hotels, the Israeli government has an obligation to try and stop this terror.

Over the past several months, the deteriorating situation in Israel has been driven by the Palestinians' refusal to negotiate at a table. In their stead, they have released unrelenting savagery through terrorists attacks and suicide bombers. This counter-intuitive effort has weakened their cause both with the Israeli leadership and the world community. In addition, the Palestinian's constant refusal of any Israeli or U.S. brokered treaty without a pitch of their own puts their leadership's true intentions into question.

Many lauded the Prince of Saudi Arabia for his peace proposal. He may have stepped forward (one may wonder why the Palestinian leadership won't do the same) with a proposal, but there was nothing creative or even realistic about it. His plan includes normalization of relations with Israel by Arab nations in return for the creation of an independent Palestinian State with Jerusalem as the capital, a return to the 1967 borders and a Palestinian right of return for refugees.

This "offer" is filled with shortcomings and holes. To start with, the Arab nation's refusal to diplomatically recognize Israel is a patent mistake. Historical territorial disputes aside, the rest of the world community already sees and treats Israel as a nation. It exists on an economic, political and diplomatic level. Whether or not Arab nations accept this, Israel is a country. Instead of fighting against this neighbor, they should understand that in order for Palestine to be formed, it requires the cooperation of Israel. Disregarding its existence puts their cause at a fault.

The other planks of the Saudi proposal would put Israel's existence as a sovereign nation at risk. A return to the 1967 borders would make certain regions of Israel less than 10 miles wide and put the Palestinian state directly adjacent to Israel's only major airport in Tel Aviv. Furthermore, a shared capital in Jerusalem is impractical. Under these conditions, Israel would be indefensible-a plan that seems to be the true goal of the proposal. To trade internal security for international security is impossible because the two are inherently inseparable.

Regarding the refugees, a little history should be kept in mind. When Israel earned its independence in 1948, Palestinians flooded into neighboring countries more often than not to escape the war being waged against Israel. With the current number of refugees, 3-4 million, Israel would be unable to successfully absorb and support them. This becomes just another issue that threatens their security.

Israel, in the past, has done its fair share of making concessions in offering a Palestinian state. In fact, Palestinians where offered an official state three times. The Peel Commission in 1937 partitioned Palestine into Jewish and Arab lands. Zionists where willing to negotiate with the British, the Arabs were not. Again, in 1939, a British White Paper called for an Arab State in Palestine-Arabs rejected this. Again in 1948, during partition, the Palestinians rejected a state of their own, preferring to expend their energies preventing a Jewish one and not building a nation of their own. During the Oslo Accords of 1993, the Palestinian Authority rejected an Israeli offer that gave 96 percent of the land demanded. It seems clear the Israel was pushing for the creation of an independent state, but the Palestinians refused to negotiate at all.

More complications arise when it comes to negotiating. With whom does one negotiate? Arafat has been rendered irrelevant because of his inability to control or affect the actions of his people. Furthermore, with terrorist movements like Islamic Jihad and Hamas, there is no progress to be made. Their ultimate goal is the destruction of the Jewish state. And now, with Arafat's Fatah organization being classified as terrorists by the U.S. State Department, the United States would have to step back on their pledge of not negotiating with terrorists if Powell continues his Middle East diplomacy. Thus, the United States is stuck between their commitment to peace and their official position on terrorism.

The overwhelming question, again: what now?

The situation seems hopeless. All there really is to do is wait and hope that the Palestinians and other Arab nations become willing to create a plan that forms a Palestinian state but also assures the security of Israel. Perhaps this means waiting until the Palestinians come under new leadership, a leader who is an affective internal leader and a person that sees the interests of each individual Palestinian while sitting at a negotiating table. The Palestinians need a state. Israel realized this was in the best interest for everyone in the region decades ago. It is time for the Palestinians to do the same. It is time for the Palestinians to negotiate, not demand.

Until there is hope in Israel that this is again possible, we can only empathize and wish for safety and stability in the region. This conflict, 50-plus years in the making, is wearing on everyone involved and it is time to put the issues and intolerance to rest. Israel exists and this needs to be acknowledged worldwide. Palestine does not exist and this needs to be amended, but only in a reasonable and reliable manner that continues to ensure Israel's security.