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Time to Talk Mideast Truce, Not Peace

Separation barrier has killed hopes for Clinton-era deal

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 17, 2009 1:19 AM CST
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(Newser) – President Obama's early efforts have failed, and a peace deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians now looks as distant as ever, writes Roger Cohen. It was a mistake to think the land-for-peace talks of 2000 could simply be revived despite the violence, expansion of settlements, and Israel's construction of the 250-mile separation barrier, Cohen writes in the New York Times.

The barrier demonstrates that Israel has no intention of abandoning its settlement program, Cohen notes. Obama should start to "ratchet expectations downward" and focus on creating detente and a nonviolent status quo instead of trying to forge a peace deal. "Peace and walls do not go together. But a truce and walls just may," Cohen writes. "And that, I must reluctantly conclude, is the best that can be hoped for."

Jewish settlers pile up rocks to build a wall near the West Bank settlement of Efrat, south of Bethlehem.
Jewish settlers pile up rocks to build a wall near the West Bank settlement of Efrat, south of Bethlehem.   (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)
A Palestinian demonstrator gestures atop the separation barrier moments after knocking down a segment of the concrete wall during a protest against the barrier in the West Bank village of Nilin.
A Palestinian demonstrator gestures atop the separation barrier moments after knocking down a segment of the concrete wall during a protest against the barrier in the West Bank village of Nilin.   (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
A Palestinian manrests next to a section of Israel's separation barrier at the Kalandia Checkpoint between Jerusalem and the West Bank town of Ramallah.
A Palestinian manrests next to a section of Israel's separation barrier at the Kalandia Checkpoint between Jerusalem and the West Bank town of Ramallah.   (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)
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The last decade destroyed the last illusions: hence the fence. The courageous have departed the Middle East. A peace of the brave must yield to a truce of the mediocre—at best. - Roger Cohen

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
Blackbird
Nov 17, 2009 12:48 PM CST
A truce is the best that can ever be hoped for. If anyone seriously thinks they can achieve peace in that region they need to get out their history books and take a look at what has gone on there for the last couple of thousand years.
RockyPneumonia
Nov 17, 2009 10:22 AM CST
...And the fence isn't being built by settlers piling up rocks.
RockyPneumonia
Nov 17, 2009 8:57 AM CST
The barrier proves no such thing. Its purpose is tto make it difficult for terrorists to reach their targets and it's working -- where it has been completed, there have been almost no terrorist attacks. If the Palestinians want the fence to go away, the answer is -- as it is for so many other problems in the area -- that they have to stop killing Israelis.
Politics • US • World

 
Israel • Benjamin Netanyahu • West Bank • Israel and Palestinians • Palestinians • settlement • peace deal

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