Israel 30 Years Later: Searching For Peace With The Next Sadat

Thirty years ago today, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin singed an historic peace treaty, consummated by an emphatic handshake that promised change to the Middle East. As the first peace agreement between Israel and an Arab state, it became the model for regional diplomacy and confirmed that peace in our region can be achieved.

Today, Arab leaders in the region interested in committing themselves to peace with Israel must not ignore one of Sadat's most overlooked accomplishments: understanding the need to secure support from the Israeli public.

Both Begin and Sadat faced fierce and growing opposition from their own constituencies when they announced their intentions to open direct negotiations toward peace. With Egypt's 1973 surprise attack against Israel and the Yom Kippur War still fresh on their minds, Israelis were wary of the Egyptian leadership and the years of war, terror and bloodshed.

The turning point came when Sadat made a strategic decision not only to reach across the table but to reach across the border. In November 1977, he became the first leader of an Arab state to set foot in Israel, which demonstrated to the Israeli public that he was serious about peace. From that point on, the Israeli street decided that it was willing to offer difficult and painful concessions for a lasting peace, a goal that suddenly did not seem so abstract.

After much introspection, Israel relinquished the Sinai Peninsula -- an enormous strategic buffer zone -- to Egypt in exchange for peace. The Alma oil field, discovered and developed by Israel, was handed over to Egypt, abandoning Israel's only chance to become energy independent. Israel surrendered factories, businesses, hotels, agricultural villages and, most importantly, uprooted 7,000 civilians who had made the Sinai their home. The removal of Israelis demonstrated for the first time Israel's willingness to evacuate its citizens in the name of peace.

Over the years, Israel has initiated concession after painful concession in hopes that its citizens can live in peace and security. Most recently, Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza, a painful move for many. Ultimately, the hopes of peace -- however intangible -- outweighed the pain of forcing some of Israel's most selfless and dedicated citizens to leave their homes and communities. Given the opportunity at self-governance in Gaza, the Palestinian response of terror and constant rocket attacks has infiltrated the Israeli psyche once again.

If Arab leaders hope to successfully negotiate with Israel, they must not marginalize the effect that this response has had on Israel. The leaders must recognize Israel's public opinion and address its concerns.

One way to engender trust among the Israeli public would be for Arab leaders of countries who wish to make peace with Israel, as well as those who already have, to end the demonization of Israel in the media and to extend the same rights and freedoms to their people that Israelis enjoy. They must be allowed the opportunity to think positively about Israelis and their accomplishments in building a vibrant and democratic society, and to learn about the State of Israel and its peoples' desires to live in peace. Only then can their leaders fully appreciate the path we have already traveled and the distance we are willing to go for peace.

We are eager for signs of sincere Arab recognition and acceptance of the State of Israel and everything that comes with it. As we have shown in the past, sincere and peaceful overtures will result in a willing Israeli partner. Sadat and Begin led with courage and resolve, and their respective citizens followed their lead by upholding the terms negotiated. Today we recognize and celebrate the peace treaty that has been honored for 30 years -- no small achievement. We look forward to the day when the next Sadat will emerge.

Comments

[Macready]

2Over the years, Israel has initiated concession after painful concession in hopes that its citizens can live in peace and security. Most recently, Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza, a painful move for many. Ultimately, the hopes of peace -- however intangible -- outweighed the pain of forcing some of Israel's most selfless and dedicated citizens to leave their homes and communities. Given the opportunity at self-governance in Gaza, the Palestinian response of terror and constant rocket attacks has infiltrated the Israeli psyche once again."

duh .. so why does the Jerusalem walls still stand, why does illegal state-fund the building of illegal settlements, why did israel use white phosophorous in civilian areas during Operation Cast Lead, why did israel not allow journalists in to see what was happening, why does israel keep the Palestinians in a ghetto . . why is israel expanding??? why does israel defy international law and refuse to sign up to the Geneva Convention . . oh yes, israel is a very peaceful country . . . . hogwash!

[chaos4700]

Indeed. "Painful concession?" Israel moved about 8,000 out of Gaza -- and shipped 14,000 into the West Bank in the next breath. The unilateral withdrawal wasn't "land for peace" it was "formaldehyde in the political process" to sabotage peace and the chances for a Palestinian state. Don't take my word for it -- here's an interview with Ariel Sharon's chief of staff, describing Israel's true motives.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=485929

[Hufzzz]

US judge orders Iran to pay $25M for Hamas killing. (3-27-09) --- (Snips)

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Friday ordered Iran to pay $25 million plus interest to the family of Israeli soldier Nachshon Wachsman, who was kidnapped and executed by Hamas in 1994.

Wachsman was a 19-year-old U.S. citizen and corporal in the Israeli Defense Forces

... the courts could seize any assets of Iranian entities in the United States to help pay a judgment.

Wachsman was abducted by four members of Hamas on October 9, 1994, as he waited on the side of a public street near the central Israeli city of Lod for a ride to visit a friend.

"The financial support, tactical training and political direction that Iran provided to Hamas proximately caused the abduction and execution of Nachshon," Urbina concluded.

Wachsman was born in Jerusalem, but was a citizen of the United States. ...

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gqPyp9jbZrgHB4lLc9Y9EqMbUMkQD976HDD80


Question: Can Gaza’s civilians now sue for (Dec 2008) wrongful deaths caused by America’s arming
Israel. .... ???

3000 x 25,000,000 = $75,000,000,000 .... ($75 billion) !!!

Source: http://www.btselem.org/english/statistics/casualties.asp

 
Rabbi: “One million Arabs are not worth a Jewish fingernail­.”

"One million Arabs are not worth a Jewish fingernail," said Rabbi Yaacov Perrin in his eulogy of Dr. Baruch Goldstein (news article, Feb. 28, 1994)

http://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/09/opinion/l-from-orthodox-jewish-education-to-hebron-scripture-distorted-415430.html

[chirps]

"Over the years, Israel has initiated concession after painful concession in hopes that its citizens can live in peace and security. Most recently, Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza, a painful move for many."

It’s lucky they got out before the white phosphorus started raining down. That stuff will burn a hole clean through you. Now that’s painful.

[BubbaC33]

WP works in the manner it was designed to work. And when the IDF uses it there is a clear need for what it can do on a battlefield. If you are referring to Gaza you need to look at Hamas. Those cowards fired rockets at Israel from civilian sites. When the IDF responded Hamas hid among its own civilians putting them directly in harm's way. Without the cowwardice of Hamas there would have been few civilian casualties.

[TheFriendlyAtheist]

Let's get real Jonathan, Egypt offered Israel a better peace deal before the war but they were turned down because the Israelies thought they were such bad asses that they never had to worry about
whether or not they went to war with Egypt. It wasn't until they almost got their butts kicked that they
gave any thought to making peace. Of course Israel has not lived up to its' part of the treaty any more than it has ever lived up to any agreement it has made.

[BubbaC33]

Nope.

[chaos5700]

...And the "NEXT SADAT' is........­??????????­???? No Arab leader has the guts to show up in Jerusalem to make/talk peace with Israel. Remember..­..the Arabs assassinated Sadat shortly after he made peace with Israel!

[msfsi]

lol!!! nochaos... :)

[BubbaC33]

I recall your criticism of me for using the term Arabs and now you have misused it to identify the folks who murdered Sadat. It was not representative of all Arabs, just a small faction in Egypt dedicated to the destruction of Israel.

[chaos4700]

Ha! Circular firing squad. How amusing.

[phute]

Might I suggest an alternative title.....­...All on Israel's Terms Of Course.

[Taxi]

The peace Israel has with Eygpt is a 'purchased' peace.

Purchased peace is like purchased love. I believe we call that prostitution.

Not real love.

It is a peace between opportunistic governments and not between two warring 'people'.

Believe me here when I tell you that the Egyptian people are no fans of Zionism or the state of Israel.

Post Gaza, the people of the region are more disgusted with the idea of accepting' Israel than ever before.

I can't for the life of me think of anything that can change this overnight, or in my lifetime.

[chaos4700]

Excuse me? We don't need another Sadat. The Arab world has gotten together and forwarded a peace initiative.
http://www.al-bab.com/arab/docs/league/peace02.htm

And it's funny that you bring up the Camp David Accords. Whereas Egypt has complied with the terms of the treaty, as far as I've read, to the full extent, Israel has not. One of the terms of that treaty was for Israel to UN 242. Something they have not done to this day, thirty years later.

What we're missing here is another Yitzahk Rabin.

[BubbaC33]

Can you post something that is not an attack on Israel?

[msfsi]

in what way is that post an attack on Israel?