Delivery on promises
Reader comment on item: Israel's Wayward Prime Ministers

Submitted by Don Carson (New Zealand), Jun 30, 2004 at 01:27

The failure of the successive Israeli prime ministers lies not in their lack of humility, but rather in their failure to deliver on peace promises. Dr Pipes cites four such premiers who ditched their electoral policy; Rabin on negotiations with the PLO, Netanyahu on withdrawal from the Golan, Barak from Jerusalem, and Sharon from the Gaza Strip.

What is notable on these changes of heart is not so much that they occured, but rather that none have been delivered on.

The Israeli government no longer has relations of any substance with the PLO/PA.

The Golan settlements are being reinforced.

The Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem is still there just as much as it every was.

Sharon has so far not removed a single settlement from the Gaza.

The Israeli goverment promises have more to do with playing to an audience in the US, than delivering some elemental justice to the Palestinian population under occupation. They have much more to feel betrayed about than the Israeli electorate has cause to feel double crossed.

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".