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David Frankfurter brought his family to Ra'anana, Israel from their native Sydney, Australia in 1992. He is a business consultant, corporate executive and writer who frequently comments on the Middle East conflict.
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By David Frankfurter
December 1, 2003
I have avoided commenting on the Geneva Accords because, regardless of what I think of the process, anything which has a chance of bringing peace should be encouraged.
The process has been fascinating. Failed former Israeli politicians, whose ideas and personae have been totally rejected by the Israeli electorate, reached a peace proposal with the enemy, during a time of ongoing conflict. The agreement was negotiated with representatives of Arafat's ruling Fatah party, and seem to have been operating with Arafat's knowledge (if not tacit blessing). Our side hails from the opposition parties, and although they appear to have the blessing of no-one, there has also been no public protest of their actions from either the government nor the opposition. Further, the Swiss government seems to be a hidden financial sponsor of the process and its publication. Technically, this is a treasonous act supported by a foreign government illegally meddling in the affairs of another sovereign state - in contravention of international law - a fact seemingly deliberately ignored by our government. Interesting, eh?
The document itself goes further than any proposal to date - for both sides. I leave the Palestinian side for them to discuss - but I note that the proposal requires us to give up the sovereignty of the Temple Mount, dismantle settlements and withdraw to the indefensible 1967 borders, and rely on the promises of a new Palestinian State to limit its arms purchasing, dismantle and control its terrorist infrastructure and govern its own borders from all aspects. In short - declare defeat in the current war, and give the Palestinians everything that they have not been able to achieve by force.
All this, to me, is of no consequence if it brings true peace. I am willing to shake off the cold shivers of deja-vu and their attendant flashbacks of Oslo - even ignore that the similarity with Oslo extends to the names of the Israelis trying to convince me that it will work.
Today, however, it would seem the time to voice a little skepticism. On the eve of the signing ceremonies, the Palestinian representatives of Fatah - Arafat's controlling party - who led the negotiations have called off their participation in the official signing tomorrow.
How do I interpret this? Maybe I am a cynic - but I simply do not believe that the Palestinians are interested in peace. It is consistent with the way they educate their children. It is consistent with their television incitement. It is consistent with their funding of terror. It is consistent with their behavior in the past and today. Having gotten everything that they could possibly hope for; Having tabled a proposal and gained widespread public support in Israel; Having demonstrated to their own leadership what Israeli compromises have become achievable through the constant warfare; There is simply no need to go further. Or are they just angling for yet more?
Our naive and well meaning opposition have handed Yasser Arafat another European-funded victory.
Views expressed by the author do not
necessarily reflect those of israelinsider.
 
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