Doomed before it happens

Arab media reporting:

In the run-up to US President George W. Bush’s visit to Israel/Palestine, the usual suspects have started making the expected noises, none of which are helpful. Israel stands ready to receive its biggest ally with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert having acknowledged that, indeed, settlement expansion and settlement building in general have not been curtailed. That might have been more of an announcement had it not been for the sad fact that he did not announce any tangible measure to curb such activity.

The Palestinian Authority continues to complain bitterly about Israeli settlement building and Israeli military raids in the West Bank. But its leadership continues pursuing negotiations with Israel in spite of these complaints and therefore shows little by way of determination to really push its case.

Lest it should be forgotten, the Hamas movement also puts in its two cents (all it can afford under the draconian sanctions imposed on Gaza) and calls Bush’s visit unwelcome. Bush, the movement says, is the enemy of the Palestinian people and the visit is nothing but a photo-opportunity aimed at the American public.

Hamas spokespeople have failed spectacularly to come up with anything new at exactly the time when it might have had an impact.

Washington, finally, is keen to downplay the importance of the visit, saying that it only constitutes part of a larger and complicated process that will take time to come to fruition.

So what might have been a historic visit is already, before it has happened, consigned to the dustbin of pointless diplomatic initiatives. It would have been much more exciting if all parties had taken this opportunity to announce radical departures from their positions.

Olmert could announce that Israel is ready to withdraw to the pre-June 1967 borders and stands willing to redress the wrongs that were wrought on Palestinian refugees. PA President Mahmoud Abbas could release a statement to the effect that corruption in the Palestinian territories has been rooted out, and provide a list of 100 senior former officials who have been placed under arrest.

Hamas, in turn, could announce an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and invite Bush to Gaza. He may not have been a friend of the Palestinian people, Hamas could say, but the movement is willing to try to convince him otherwise. And Washington should consider such visit, for the sake of peace.

Now, that would have been historic. But, as it is, with all parties keen to minimise the significance of the visit, that is exactly what it will be: unimportant.


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