A Commentary on the Passing Scene by
Robert Paul Wolff
rwolff@afroam.umass.edu
Monday, November 27, 2023
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT
The release of roughly 130 prisoners and detainees from Israeli jails has created empty space, so with great efficiency, the Israeli forces have gone out and arrested another 120 or so Palestinians to take their place. Waste not, want not.
But I thought Hamas told the IDF what prisoners and who they wanted specifically? Aren't there thousands of Palestinians in Israeli jails? Round up as much apples as you want, maybe Hamas just wants to cherry-pick the pears. Or am I mistaken?
Although Gaza has overshadowed it, my impression from desultorily following news reports is that there has been considerable violence and, to use a sanitized word, unrest on the West Bank, w IDF taking a hard line on any gatherings and the # of Palestinians killed being substantial (i.e. well over 100, I don't recall the exact figure) albeit obvs many fewer than in Gaza. So given the ongoing situation on the West Bank, the IDF is not going to be short of Palestinians to arrest for one reason or another. And the deal relates to release but presumably doesn't say anything about a moratorium on arrests.
Although I do believe, which side are you on is fundamental and subjective, the resolution of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians must be solved by respecting the international rule of law. 1967 borders which the Palestinians accept as far as I know and I do understand there is a lot to consider, would be a starting point for a two-state solution. It has been said a two-state solution is dead. But to continue the slaughter and inhumanity suffered by Palestinians at the hands of the genocidal state of Israel must end. Israeli officials stated no water, food, fuel, or electrity points in that direction. Massive bombing campaigns of hospitals, homes, and refugee centers effect the majority of noncombatants is pure hell and intolerable.
Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza, have no rights, they are not free and they don't have the rights that Israeli citizens have.This is life under occupation. I have listened to Gabor Mate', Norm Finkelstein, Avi Shlain, Miko Peled, Medea Benjamin, Rabbi David Mivassir, Rabbi Arik Ascherman, seen many young and old Jewish folk protesting in Grand Central Station, "Cease-fire now and not in our name". Besides seeing the hellscape of Gaza the remarks of Gabor Mate's statement of " I cried for 3 weeks after seeing the destruction that Israel brought down on Gaza in a prior bombing campaign. Continued slaughter of Palestinian people, brings home agony and near hopelessness of it all. But none of these voices surrender to despair. Their wisdom calls on Israel to end the occupation, of the Palestinians, and for both parties of the conflict to accept international law so that a long process of living in peace with each other becomes the reality that all sides need. The question becomes will the United States finally allow such a process to play out?
The question is not "will the US allow such a process to play out?" but rather "will the US finally decide to exercise its leverage to 'nudge' the two sides to an agreement, should the conditions, incl who is in power on both sides, eventually become favorable for negotiations?"
The US doesn't necessarily have to nudge anyone. If the US would turn off the weapons spigot and abstain from its vetoes in the Security Council, ie if the US would take its foot off the scales, that would help enormously.
Aaall, if the United States isn't the vital center of power having the power to not stand in the way of a peaceful coexistence of Palestinians and Israel, then seemingly nothing will change. United States negative votes on U.N resolutions bear this out for me. But I am not a scholar of Israel/Palestine. I don't know how powerful the Jewish lobby is in affecting politics in America but I gather it's significant. Eliminating the 4 billion yearly given to Israel,faces obstacles. Is this potential peacetime reality possible? Well, Chomsky tells us that East Timor was once thought to be hopeless. We sometimes have to have hope against hope.
Also Aall, for me there is enough hell in this world to want for more. But perhaps I miss your wisdom. Forgive me if I did.
C.L., UN votes are mostly performative and, given the veto, the Security Council has its limits. 22USC 2776 makes Israel having a Qualitative Military Edge a matter of law and 22 USC 2321k lists Israel as a Major Non-NATO U.S. Ally. The president can't just unilaterally turn off the tap and once that happens the U.S. loses what leverage it has. Also Israel has a robust arms industry. Thought experiment - what would Israel do if a shortage of conventional weapons led Hezbollah to invade and the West Bank to explode?
While we still owe Israel for the Liberty, settling that debt by having to take out one of the nuclear armed Israeli subs in the Indian Ocean/Persian Gulf isn't all that appealing.
Israeli politics took a solid heel turn due to 1990s immigration. Corey Robin's observation still holds IMO. Peace might have a chance if the IDF is willing to shoot them some settlers.
I'm sure my initial thoughts upon hearing of K's demise weren't unique.
But I thought Hamas told the IDF what prisoners and who they wanted specifically? Aren't there thousands of Palestinians in Israeli jails? Round up as much apples as you want, maybe Hamas just wants to cherry-pick the pears. Or am I mistaken?
ReplyDeleteAlthough Gaza has overshadowed it, my impression from desultorily following news reports is that there has been considerable violence and, to use a sanitized word, unrest on the West Bank, w IDF taking a hard line on any gatherings and the # of Palestinians killed being substantial (i.e. well over 100, I don't recall the exact figure) albeit obvs many fewer than in Gaza. So given the ongoing situation on the West Bank, the IDF is not going to be short of Palestinians to arrest for one reason or another. And the deal relates to release but presumably doesn't say anything about a moratorium on arrests.
ReplyDelete"Something has to change or nothing ever will...Peace, not vengeance, must be the primary goal. "
ReplyDeleteAnd a pony! Discouraging piece.
Although I do believe, which side are you on is fundamental and subjective, the resolution of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians must be solved by respecting the international rule of law. 1967 borders which the Palestinians accept as far as I know and I do understand there is a lot to consider, would be a starting point for a two-state solution. It has been said a two-state solution is dead. But to continue the slaughter and inhumanity suffered by Palestinians at the hands of the genocidal state of Israel must end. Israeli officials stated no water, food, fuel, or electrity points in that direction. Massive bombing campaigns of hospitals, homes, and refugee centers effect the majority of noncombatants is pure hell and intolerable.
ReplyDeletePalestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza, have no rights, they are not free and they don't have the rights that Israeli citizens have.This is life under occupation. I have listened to Gabor Mate', Norm Finkelstein, Avi Shlain, Miko Peled, Medea Benjamin, Rabbi David Mivassir, Rabbi Arik Ascherman, seen many young and old Jewish folk protesting in Grand Central Station, "Cease-fire now and not in our name". Besides seeing the hellscape of Gaza the remarks of Gabor Mate's statement of " I cried for 3 weeks after seeing the destruction that Israel
brought down on Gaza in a prior bombing campaign. Continued slaughter of Palestinian people, brings home agony and near hopelessness of it all. But none of these voices surrender to despair. Their wisdom calls on Israel to end the occupation, of the Palestinians, and for both parties of the conflict to accept international law so that a long process of living in peace with each other becomes the reality that all sides need. The question becomes will the United States finally allow such a process to play out?
"The question becomes will the United States finally allow such a process to play out?"
ReplyDelete???. Only the U.S. has agency? Help me out, C.L.
Sometimes one hopes there is a hell.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2023/11/kissinger-is-dead-finally-something-good-has-happened-in-2023
ReplyDeleteCharles Lamana: The question becomes will the United States finally allow such a process to play out?
ReplyDeleteI think we all know the answer to that question.
Those Gabor Mate interviews are very powerful.
The question is not "will the US allow such a process to play out?" but rather "will the US finally decide to exercise its leverage to 'nudge' the two sides to an agreement, should the conditions, incl who is in power on both sides, eventually become favorable for negotiations?"
ReplyDelete@ aaall
ReplyDeleteI made a comment w/ a small but not insignificant factual correction on Loomis's Kissinger post, and Loomis replied: "who gives a sh*t?"
That's the way things roll at Lawyers Guns & Money.
LFC,
ReplyDeleteThe US doesn't necessarily have to nudge anyone. If the US would turn off the weapons spigot and abstain from its vetoes in the Security Council, ie if the US would take its foot off the scales, that would help enormously.
@aaall: only the United States has agency?
ReplyDeleteAaall, if the United States isn't the vital center of power having the power to not stand in the way of a peaceful coexistence of Palestinians and Israel, then seemingly nothing will change. United States negative votes on U.N resolutions bear this out for me. But I am not a scholar of Israel/Palestine. I don't know how powerful the Jewish lobby is in affecting politics in America but I gather it's significant. Eliminating the 4 billion yearly given to Israel,faces obstacles.
Is this potential peacetime reality possible? Well, Chomsky tells us that East Timor was once thought to be hopeless. We sometimes have to have hope against hope.
Also Aall, for me there is enough hell in this world to want for more. But perhaps I miss your wisdom. Forgive me if I did.
C.L., UN votes are mostly performative and, given the veto, the Security Council has its limits. 22USC 2776 makes Israel having a Qualitative Military Edge a matter of law and 22 USC 2321k lists Israel as a Major Non-NATO U.S. Ally. The president can't just unilaterally turn off the tap and once that happens the U.S. loses what leverage it has. Also Israel has a robust arms industry. Thought experiment - what would Israel do if a shortage of conventional weapons led Hezbollah to invade and the West Bank to explode?
ReplyDeleteWhile we still owe Israel for the Liberty, settling that debt by having to take out one of the nuclear armed Israeli subs in the Indian Ocean/Persian Gulf isn't all that appealing.
Israeli politics took a solid heel turn due to 1990s immigration. Corey Robin's observation still holds IMO. Peace might have a chance if the IDF is willing to shoot them some settlers.
I'm sure my initial thoughts upon hearing of K's demise weren't unique.