Kerry: Israel Must Accept Two-State Solution to be a Democracy

[rangerrebew]

Kerry: Israel Must Accept Two-State Solution to be a Democracy

Posted By Bridget Johnson On November 12, 2015 @ 9:21 am In Middle East,Politics | No Comments

Marking 40 years since Chaim Herzog tore up the “Zionism is racism” resolution before the United Nations, Secretary of State John Kerry vowed to resolve to “do all in our power to prevent the hijacking of this great forum for malicious intent.”

He also said the “Zionist dream” of Israel “as a Jewish democracy” won’t be realized without a peace deal with the Palestinians.

The event was organized by the nonprofit Yad Chaim Herzog and Israel’s Mission to the UN. In addition to Kerry, UN Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon was there along with Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power, and Herzog’s sons opposition leader Isaac Herzog and Brigadier-General (Res.) Michael Herzog.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recorded a video that was played at the event, saying the high point of the distinguished service of the late ambassador and president was the speech in which he tore up the resolution. “His response to that UN obscenity was both right and just,” Netanyahu said. “Because that resolution was designed to undermine the very legitimacy of Israel. And this just 30 years after the end of the Second World War and the Holocaust. So the very organization that was born in the fight against Nazism had betrayed its own sacred mission.”

“But the truth has to be said: Israel still faces systemic discrimination at the hands of the United Nations…. The president of Iran calls for the annihilation of Israel; the UN — deafening silence. The Palestinians walk away from peace talks, the UN blames Israel. In fact, singling out Israel for condemnation at the UN is so common it’s become banal — I suppose, to borrow a phrase, we’d call it the banality of evil.”

Kerry said in honoring Herzog they were celebrating “an Israeli leader who stood against the tide, and who spoke the truth with historic clarity and brilliant eloquence.”

Kerry added that he watched Herzog’s speech on YouTube the previous evening. “I will tell you, as somebody who has given speeches for a long time, these were remarkable speeches,” he said.

“It was a bitter irony that this resolution against Zionism was originally a resolution against racism and colonialism, two evils the condemnation of which could have easily been voted for in this body. But that journey to reasonableness was detoured by a willful ignorance of history and truth.”

After heaping praise on Daniel Patrick Moynihan for supporting Herzog on that day, Kerry went on to stress that “too many outside this room fail to recognize the global reality of anti-Semitism today.”

“Too many fail to realize that a witch’s brew of old prejudices and new political grievances and economic troubles and nationalism combine to create dangerous new openings for extremism. So Herzog and Moynihan together have left us a major responsibility to continue to tell the world that anti-Semitism is as abhorrent and vile today as it was in 1975,” he said.

“…Truth summons us and unites us in common action against anti-Semitism. But make no mistake. Bigotry isn’t just a matter of a threat to Israel or to the Jewish people. It is a danger to all religions, and to all who believe in freedom. That is why truth must unite us in the struggle against violent extremism and against the terrorist bigots of Daesh, Boko Haram, Al Shabaab, and so many others, and similar groups throughout the Middle East and elsewhere.”

Kerry decried hate that is taught, noting that “in too many places ignorance is abetted by corruption and by the failure of leadership and governance, and a difference of religion or race or creed or culture, of homeland or sexual orientation are somehow seen as threats by too many people. In truth, they ought to be celebrated for enriching our societies through their diversity.”

And, of course, Kerry worked in a plug for the peace process that has been an Obama administration priority.

“And it is why we remain unwavering in our pursuit of a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, because the vision of Israel itself is one for a Jewish state founded in democracy. And the only way to have that democracy is to have that peace,” he said.

“The Zionist dream embraces the concept of Israel as a Jewish democracy, a beacon of light to all nations. And that dream can only be upheld by two states living side by side in peace and security. And we all know, from years of discussion and effort, this is not an impossible dream.”

Article printed from The PJ Tatler: http://pjmedia.com/tatler

URL to article: http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2015/11/12/kerry-israel-must-accept-two-state-solution-to-be-a-democracy/

[Sanguine]

You know we live in bizarro world when John F. Kerry is our Secretary of State.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Kerry: Israel Must Accept Two-State Solution to be a Democracy

The other alternative is for Israel to officially annex the West Bank and Gaza Strip--and give full Israeli citizenship and rights to the indigenous people living in both areas.

[GourmetDan]

 
The U.S. must also accept a 2-state solution and give Azatlan back to Mexico...     /s

[240B]

The other alternative is for Israel to officially annex the West Bank and Gaza Strip--and give full Israeli citizenship and rights to the indigenous people living in both areas.

That is a wonderful idea, and very well thought out.

In fact, it is such a great idea, why not apply it globally?

Why doesn't Assad simply grant all the indigenous rebels and the foreign fighters in Syria full rights and citizenship? The war would instantly end.

Why doesn't Iraq simply grant full rights and citizenship to all the ISIS fighters, many of whom are indigenous Iraqis?  Case closed, and the war is over.

You may get a Nobel Prize out of this.

However, you may have to contend with the silly naysayers who will, of course, be opposed to granting full rights and citizenship to a group of militarized people who have a charter which calls for their utter extermination.

But don't let that discourage you. You are well on your way to solving world peace.

[sinkspur]

The other alternative is for Israel to officially annex the West Bank and Gaza Strip--and give full Israeli citizenship and rights to the indigenous people living in both areas.

Yes.  Let's advocate for encouraging citizenship for what is basically a terrorist territory, dedicated to the destruction of the very state they live in.

No, I like the two state idea. The Palies won't be able to resist attacking Israel, which will allow the IDF to simply defeat them and annex the country anyway.

[Right_in_Virginia]

That is a wonderful idea, and very well thought out.

In fact, it is such a great idea, why not apply it globally?

You may get a Nobel Prize out of this.

LOL.      Thank you very much, but I'd have to defer.  This is not my idea.  This has been the number two option for decades.  In fact, it is the option strongly supported by President Rivlin for almost as long. 

I think the bottom line is this:  The status quo cannot continue for much longer.  The longer any occupation continues, the uglier it gets.  Occupations breed resistance, resistance breeds rebellion, rebellion breeds stronger punishments and controls, stronger punishments and controls breed calls of apartheid.   

Lather, rinse, repeat.   

[sinkspur]

Until Abu Mazen recognizes Israel's right to exist,  he and his countrymen can rot in their hellhole of a territory.

[240B]

I happen to know a little about this subject and rest assured that your solution was the original intent in the 70's. That is exactly what Israel had in mind. It was not the Israelis who opposed annexation and citizenship, it was opposed by local Arab leadership as well as other Arab countries.

They did not and still do not want peace in Israel. There is too much money to be made in perpetual conflict.

Kerry is a fool. The Arabs will never accept any kind of two state solution. The Arabs will only ever accept a one state solution and that is the destruction of Israel. Negotiating with them is folly. Because they are not and never have been serious about any kind of peace under any circumstances.

[Right_in_Virginia]

I happen to know a little about this subject and rest assured that your solution was the original intent in the 70's. That is exactly what Israel had in mind. It was not the Israelis who opposed annexation and citizenship, it was opposed by local Arab leadership as well as other Arab countries.

They did not and still do not want peace in Israel. There is too much money to be made in perpetual conflict.

Kerry is a fool. The Arabs will never accept any kind of two state solution. The Arabs will only ever accept a one state solution and that is the destruction of Israel. Negotiating with them is folly. Because they are not and never have been serious about any kind of peace under any circumstances.

So what, in the year 2015, is your suggested solution?  Israel's out-running a UN imposed solution and growing global calls of apartheid.  If you could sit down with Netanyahu, what would your advice be?

[Sanguine]

So what, in the year 2015, is your suggested solution?  Israel's out-running a UN imposed solution and growing global calls of apartheid.  If you could sit down with Netanyahu, what would your advice be?

There may not be a neat, tidy, humane solution.  Could be what Israel is doing, is the best that can be done.

[240B]

My opinion is that the current situation is stalemate and cannot be easily changed as things are now. However, with the advent of ISIS, the situation in Lebanon/Syria, the situation in Sinai/Egypt, the falling price of oil, combined with Obama's approaching departure, things will shake up to change the current deadlock.

But with that many variables and the incredibly unstable nature of the world today, it is impossible to know how it will all settle.

It will change, regardless of what Obama (who is universally hated in the ME) or Kerry (who is considered to be a joke) try to do. I just don't know how It is all going to fall out at this point. No one does.

My advice: Wait. Things are changing too quickly and too drastically to be able to make any decisions now.

[Fishrrman]

Right_in_Virginia asks above:
"So what, in the year 2015, is your suggested solution?  Israel's out-running a UN imposed solution and growing global calls of apartheid.  If you could sit down with Netanyahu, what would your advice be?"

Mine is kind of like the one -you- proposed above, but with a few changes:

Israel should annex the West Bank and Gaza and proclaim the territories as theirs forever.
And then, they should EJECT the "Palestinians" (a made-up name for a made-up people) into the desert, into Egypt, into Jordan. Let those countries deal with them.

And finally the Israelis should build a wall around the whole place to prevent them from infiltrating.

You asked for an answer, and that is mine.

THAT's the advice I'd give to Netanyahu.
And you think he's a radical...???  ;)

[240B]

You are quoting the late Rabbi Kahana.

I don't disagree, but not now. As explosive as things are right now, the situation may wind up resolving itself.

The most important thing is for Imam Hussein to go. After Obama things will be much different.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Mine is kind of like the one -you- proposed above,

I didn't propose anything.  I merely presented the alternative to a two-state solution that's been on the "table" for decades.  I expressed no preference.

Israel should annex the West Bank and Gaza and proclaim the territories as theirs forever.  And then, they should EJECT the "Palestinians" (a made-up name for a made-up people) into the desert, into Egypt, into Jordan. Let those countries deal with them.

Agree, this is an option.  The removal of  the Palestinians (or indigenous people, if you prefer) is a thought that has run long and deep for quite some time.  But,  the "ejection" presupposes Egypt and Jordan (two current friends of Israel) agree to this and welcome the Palestinians to their homelands.  If they don't, then Israel's actions become viewed as malicious in the minds of friendly Middle-Eastern nations and pretty much the global community.  But minds greater than mind will determine if this "ejection" is worth the risk to Israel.   

And finally the Israelis should build a wall around the whole place to prevent them from infiltrating.

Hopefully those walls will be higher and stronger than the ones in place--because these don't seem to have done the job.

You asked for an answer, and that is mine.  THAT's the advice I'd give to Netanyahu.

I did ask.  And thank you for engaging with me.  Truth be told, I don't know what I'd tell Netanyahu other than "this is not working for you".  And, I'm not sure how helpful that would be.

Thanks again.

[Oceander]

Kerry must accept a brain transplant in order to be a human being.