Today's [Thursday 21 April] New York Times offers an apologetic opinion piece by the president of Turkey Abdullah Gill "The Revolution's Missing Peace."
The suggestion that the success of the current wave of uprisings against the dictators of the Middle East is even remotely connected to or even dependent upon Israel or the Israeli-Palestinian(Arab) conflict is nonsense. Maybe, he's trying to prepare the ground for the next Turkish-led flotilla to 'liberate' Gaza from the Israeli blockade (as opposed to the Hamas government and its suppression of democracy). As such, it's an extension of Turkish government (and foreign) policy and Islamic propaganda.
The suggestion that the success of the current wave of uprisings against the dictators of the Middle East is even remotely connected to or even dependent upon Israel or the Israeli-Palestinian(Arab) conflict is nonsense. Maybe, he's trying to prepare the ground for the next Turkish-led flotilla to 'liberate' Gaza from the Israeli blockade (as opposed to the Hamas government and its suppression of democracy). As such, it's an extension of Turkish government (and foreign) policy and Islamic propaganda.
He opens his op-ed with:
The wave of uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa is of historic significance equal to that of the revolutions of 1848 and 1989 in Europe. The peoples of the region, without exception, revolted not only in the name of universal values but also to regain their long-suppressed national pride and dignity. But whether these uprisings lead to democracy and peace or to tyranny and conflict will depend on forging a lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement and a broader Israeli-Arab peace.
The plight of the Palestinians has been a root cause of unrest and conflict in the region and is being used as a pretext for extremism in other corners of the world ...
Let's see, is he saying that the revolts in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and currently in Syria are connected to Israel? Funny, with the exception of Egypt (whose masses always had problems with the peace treaty with Israel), I have seen no Israeli/Jewish component in the protests. People principally want one thing, the end of current despotic and frequently corrupt political regime to be replaced by a freer/democratic society and government (even if there needs to be an interim military regime as in Egypt).
Dignity--national and personal--will be established when everyone has the freedom, without fear of the secret police and army, to fully express their needs and desires and create the changes to make their lives truly meaningful and fulfilling.
Whatever, problems Israel has and creates for itself and the region, it's the ONLY democratic government/country in the region.
So while, he makes my point by writing,
In these times of turmoil, two forces will shape the future: the people’s yearning for democracy and the region’s changing demographics. Sooner or later, the Middle East will become democratic, and by definition a democratic government should reflect the true wishes of its people. Such a government cannot afford to pursue foreign policies that are perceived as unjust, undignified and humiliating by the public. For years, most governments in the region did not consider the wishes of their people when conducting foreign policy. History has repeatedly shown that a true, fair and lasting peace can only be made between peoples, not ruling elites.
He then continues with
I call upon the leaders of Israel to approach the peace process with a strategic mindset, rather than resorting to short-sighted tactical maneuvers. This will require seriously considering the Arab League’s 2002 peace initiative, which proposed a return to Israel’s pre-1967 borders and fully normalized diplomatic relations with Arab states.
Sticking to the unsustainable status quo will only place Israel in greater danger. History has taught us that demographics is the most decisive factor in determining the fate of nations. In the coming 50 years, Arabs will constitute the overwhelming majority of people between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea ...
In such a context, Israel cannot afford to be perceived as an apartheid island surrounded by an Arab sea of anger and hostility ... A dignified and viable Palestine, living side by side with Israel, will not diminish the security of Israel, but fortify it.
He then goes on to lecture the United States,
Moreover, it is my firm conviction that the United States has a long-overdue responsibility to side with international law and fairness when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The international community wants the United States to act as an impartial and effective mediator between Israel and the Palestinians, just as it did a decade ago. Securing a lasting peace in the Middle East is the greatest favor Washington can do for Israel.
Turkey is there, again ("in the years before Israel’s Gaza operation in December 2008" and of course, conveniently not mentioned the Marvi Mamira flotilla), to help to facilitate constructive negotiations, "once Israel is ready to pursue peace with its neighbors."
Because
It's time for Turkey to work on its own issues--the Kurds, Armenians, and promoting its own (secular) democracy--and get off its Islamic high horse. If it waits too long, it may fall off the EU wagon and never receive full membership.
Israel--if only the public--certainly sees the need to find a real and livable [read: safe, secure and long-term] modus vivendi with ALL its neighbors including and especially the Palestinians.
Despite Turkish contentions, it's not just Israel who needs to demonstrate 'good faith' in pursuing peace with its neighbors.
Because
it knows that a peaceful Middle East would be to its benefit, but also because it believes that Israeli-Palestinian peace would benefit the rest of the world.Gee... that's comforting to know that Israel can count on Turkey to be its friend and assist it in bringing true peace to it [Israel] and the region as a whole.
It's time for Turkey to work on its own issues--the Kurds, Armenians, and promoting its own (secular) democracy--and get off its Islamic high horse. If it waits too long, it may fall off the EU wagon and never receive full membership.
Israel--if only the public--certainly sees the need to find a real and livable [read: safe, secure and long-term] modus vivendi with ALL its neighbors including and especially the Palestinians.
Despite Turkish contentions, it's not just Israel who needs to demonstrate 'good faith' in pursuing peace with its neighbors.