Peace Talks That Kill
In Washington Jordan's King Hussein and Israel's Prime Minister Rabin declared an end to the war between neighbors. President Bill Clinton took credit for this so called "Historic Event." This is to be the one feather in the president's cap. What is all the excitement about? What am I missing?
Why did King Hussein need to make peace? Was there a major threat that needed to be averted? I know for sure that Israel is a true and tested friend of America. But, is Hussein a friend of the American people? The facts are:
About eighty percent of his subjects living in Jordan consider themselves Palestinians and not Jordanians.
His country is bankrupt and owes over $700 million to the United States and billions to other international lenders.
His army is understaffed and poses no threat to Israel.
Jordan is the only country that did not support the world effort in the Gulf War. It openly supported the Iraqi tyrant, Saddam. He has never explained nor apologized for his position.
Jordan is a three-time loser in Israeli-Arab wars. How do we justify arming a nation that does not support us in times of crisis? Why are we creating new problems for the region?
By bringing an agreement between Israel and Jordan, America has a lot to lose. We are being asked to forgive Jordan's debt of $700 million plus extend at least $300 million for new support in arms and help.
Why in the world did America need this "public display" of peace when there has been a peaceful coexistence since 1967?
In bringing the two sides to Washington, we challenge the PLO leadership. They interpret this as a direct threat to their plans. Israel, Jordan and America are unwittingly being set up for a new and terrible conflict.
Jews the world-over will once again be blamed for the fiasco. They will become targets for disenchanted and angry Arabs. The last few horrible bombings and killings of innocent adults and children are an example of what happens when things don't go their way.
This week Yassir Arafat closed down the two newspapers that were pro-Jordan. "They have no right to offer any invitations," he snapped. "It is my duty and my responsibility to offer invitations for all my Muslim friends and brothers to visit the holy city and the Christian and Muslim places." He seemed to say that Hussein has no right to talk with Israel unless he, Arafat, gives permission.
If the large percentage of Palestinians in Jordan heeds the call by Arafat to ignore Hussein's plans, then big trouble lies ahead of us.
Because of this historic meeting King Hussein is to be rewarded by Israel, with continued control of Moslem holy sites in Jerusalem, control of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, site of the al-Aksa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. This will cause conflict with Arafat who believes that he is the only one representing the Palestinians.
Remember this fact, the real reason Hussein has a kingdom is due to western help. His royal majesty was not elected by the people. If there would be elections today Hussein would be deposed. Arafat made this point when he spoke at the UN. "Jordan is ours. Palestine is ours. We shall build our national entity on the whole of this land." When Yassir Arafat feels challenged he turns dangerous. He will do everything in his power to cause trouble for Jordan.
By sponsoring this "Historic Event" we may have shot ourselves in the foot. Instead of being a friend to Israel, we have caused them more conflict! We have inadvertently caused a new split between the PLO and Jordan. This will most probably end in a Jordanian civil war, something like Lebanon or worse. As always, Israel will be blamed.
One of the reasons the state of Israel is hated is because, in the eyes of Arabs, it represents imperialism and western mentality. Israel represents the same kind of people who drew the boundaries for Arab countries. Instead of granting self-determination to Arab tribal leaders, countries and their boundaries were drawn by western leaders. This was done in the early 1900s to serve their selfish political and economic goals.
Arabs will never forgive the Western World for this.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the opposition leader in Israel, is dead set against the peace talks. He has stated, "The Arabs do not hate the West because of Israel; they hate Israel because of the West."
"Peace should not be rushed," is his message to Israel.
A similar historic scenario existed in 90 B.C.E., when Queen Cleopatra was struggling with her son Ptolemy. Countries were enlisted to help resolve conflicts between the fighting factions. There was a military conflict taking place in the Mid-East. Demetrius Eucerus, King of Syria, assisted the Sadducee zealots in a struggle against Israel's leadership. The leader of the Jews, King Jannai (Alexander Jannaeus) said to his wife when he was on his death bed, "Fear neither the religious Pharisees nor the free-thinking Sadducees, but the hypocrites who pretend to be Pharisees as their deeds are perfidious.
"It's your pseudo friends you have to worry about," was his dying message.
It seems that history repeats itself once again. Israel must be concerned with Washington. They must ask themselves if the peace talks are stabilizing their region or causing them possible new conflicts. Are their "friends" truly understanding and do they have pure motives?
Friends can, and will change, without your knowledge. But your enemies are predictable. Better a friendly enemy than a friend who is really an enemy!
Israel has its hands full with the PLO and the volatile Yassir Arafat. It's time for the Israeli government to tell well-eaning friends, "No, thank you; enough help; Dayenu."