The first time I ever heard of the Middle East crisis, I was kid in first grade with my only concern in life being what color candy (we called it toffee) I was having for lunch. That was so long ago. The times moved on, saddled with real life and real problems, and the Middle East crisis for all of us, is one such pertinent conversations of our time. The simplest logic (fundamental truth) here is that the fate and security of the entire universe is connected somewhat (whether directly or indirectly) to the peaceful coexistence in the Middle East region.There have been talks. Then, many talks about the talk, and promises of potential talks. Then there were plans to talk. Probable dates to talk, and on and on. If talk was ever cheap, this is your proof. That brings us to the latest installment and the potentially defining moment for any meaningful and practical agreement between the Israeli and Palestinian conversation. In the interest of full disclosure, I have to reiterate that I am on neither side of this fence, (more like a whirling maelstrom), and much like most people who seek the genuine safety and peace of our world, what matters to me most is feasible resolutions, and not just fancy rhetoric about hatred and history. Pardon my naivety however, I acknowledge the fact that it will be impossible (almost impossible at least) to talk about this conflict zone without an episode of finger pointing, but yet again that is the exact reason why we are where we are today, nowhere.
So if Vice President Joe Biden can pull of the eternally elusive sustainable agreement, he’s got my vote. Brokering peace will be a bumpy terrain to navigate, and for a host of reasons. The latest glitch has been the Israeli plans for new homes in East Jerusalem. Not too many people think that is such a good idea, not at this time at least; and that is precisely why many people believe there is more to the construction project than settlement for displaced people. It’s been more than a year since the peace process hit a dead end, and unless you were living under a rock, you will recall the rocket launches from both sides and the consequent death tolls on innocent civilians in both Israel and the Gaza Strip. So here we are, six places aptly named ‘point of tension’:
1. Gilo: 850 homes approved for publication and planning objections in Nov 2009
2. Pisgat Zeev: 600 homes approved for publication and planning objections in Jan 2010
3. Sheikh Jarrah: Several Palestinian families evicted in past 18 months to make way for Jewish settlers after court ruled in ownership dispute
4. Ramat Shlomo: 1,600 homes approved for publication and planning objections in Mar 2009
5. Silwan: Demolition orders on 88 Palestinian homes built without difficult-to-get permits - Israel planning controversial renewal project
6. West Bank barrier: Making Palestinian movement between West Bank and Jerusalem harder - Israel says it's for security
Vice President Joe Biden’s mission is to jumpstart direct negotiations with both parties on one hand. On the other hand, he will juggle the Palestinian grudge with Israel for 17 months because of its refusal to put a complete stop to the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Seems like a tough act to me, but there is a good reason why he is the Vice President Joe, and I’m just a Joe Schmo blogging about him.As far as we know, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, Arab foreign ministers, Israel and the United States are all on board, although some serious skeptics remain about the outcome. Shocker!
I have been known to be overly optimistic about life in general, but I am now a part of a long list of Americans who hope this round of talks will be productive, and a turning point on a long road to Middle East peace. I have a feeling Joe Biden can pick up the pieces from where my buddy George Mitchell left off, but again, that’s just my feeling.
Talk may be cheap, but that’s all we have now, and may very well be better than zero.
