US Jerusalem Embassy: Addition by Subtraction

Submitted by David Ryan (United States), Jun 15, 2018 at 12:49

Tarquinius, the last king of Rome, was offered 9 books of prophecy by a sibyl for a high price. When he refused, probably thinking he could get them for less, she burned 3 and again offered 6 for the same price. Again refused, she burned 3 more. Tarquinius, fearful of losing the prophecies altogether, finally bought the remaining 3 for the original price for 9.

The US and Israel have negotiated with the Palestinians for 50 years from the status quo and gotten nowhere. By moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, a step has been taken to change the status quo, removing an item from the negotiating table and tipped it ever so slightly against the Palestinians. The Sibylline Books negotiation above illustrates a route to peace: gradually pushing the Palestinians into a smaller and smaller corner. When the Palestinians believe that they will eventually be pushed into the Mediterranean and the Jordan River, they will drop unrealistic expectations.

If there is violence by the Palestinians over the Jerusalem embassy or other steps, it should only redound to their detriment and lead to further strangulation of their Islamist aims.

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