Some key European governments, unlike the Obama administration, have now come up with some tangible steps to start the ball rolling toward a peace settlement between an anxious Palestinian National Authority and a right-wing Israeli government which seems to be reluctant to reach a two-state solution.
Javier Solana, the European Union's foreign policy chief, has unexpectedly advocated a process whereby the UN Security Council would set a deadline for the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Speaking in London last Saturday, he said the Council would "proclaim the adoption of a two-state solution" whenever the deadline is reached. "[The Council] would accept the Palestinian state as a full member of the UN, and set a calendar for implementation. It would mandate the resolution of other remaining territorial disputes and legitimise the end of claims."
However, he explained, that should the parties be unable "to stick to [the timetable], then a solution backed by the international community should be put on the table."
Meantime, the British government has revoked five export licences for military equipment to the Israeli navy because of its drastic actions during the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip earlier this year when about 1,400 Palestinians, most of them civilians, were killed. The exports were said to be now in violation of British criteria that prohibit the sale of weapons which might be used for "external aggression or internal repression."
The embargo was prompted after a government review of all British defence exports to Israel. It followed protestations by various human rights organisations and British parliamentarians.
In contrast, the Obama administration has yet to take similar action although, over the past decade, the US has reportedly transferred more than $17 billion (Dh62.55 billion) in military aid to Israel, one of the United States' largest arms importers.
Although these latest European actions coming on the heels of French President Nicolas Sarkozy's recent criticism of Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who lives in an Israeli colony and who has lately been sidelined in dealing with the peace issues, may not amount to arms-twisting tools, they signal growing dissatisfaction with Israeli policies.
Some also believe they prompted the first invitation earlier this week by President Barack Obama to leaders of 15 American Jewish organisations to a private meeting at the White House. Interestingly, it was also attended by the president's two American-Jewish aides, Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff whom Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly blames for bad-mouthing him to Obama, and senior political adviser David Axelrod.
The gist of the meeting, according to participants, was the ongoing "war of words" that has developed over Israel's refusal to abide by the US demand to freeze all colony expansion in the West Bank. This session came in the wake of the "sharp criticism from Jewish conservatives in the media" against Obama, according to a Jewish news agency, JTA, "who claim the president is bent on scaling back US support for Israel." But, JTA added, "liberal groups are rejecting such claims, saying that the president and his approach to advancing Israeli-Palestinian talks enjoy the support of most American Jews."
Obama was said to have told the assembled Jewish leaders that Israel needs "to engage in serious-reflection" in order to overcome its demographic problem if it wants to reach a two-state solution. Debra DeLee, president of Americans for Peace Now said in a statement after the meeting that she knew she spoke for most American Jews when she wholeheartedly embraced President Obama's clear position on colonies.
No one, on the other hand, touched on the all-important need for Israel to dismantle all these colonies which are a violation of international law. However, Israel and its proxies are not standing still. A former legislative director and chief lobbyist for AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) has revealed the best advice given lately to pro-Israel activists has been to change the subject. That is: "If you can't convince 'em, accuse 'em."
How long can Obama tolerate this meddling from the Israeli lobby is anyone's guess. But obviously he cannot continue to mark time since some voices in the Arab world are now being heard saying that the young American president has "deluded Arabs and Muslims into believing it would tread a path different to that of the previous administration."
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