Olmert in the Oval Office
By Daniel Levy
Boston Globe
May 21, 2006
THE PRESS releases for this week's summit between President George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert are already being polished. In public, expect the predictable, if sincere, offerings of mutual respect, warmth, and solidarity. In private, it's a rare opportunity for Bush to explore new options with an Israeli premier who was elected on a moderate, centrist platform and is a realist on Israel's strengths and weaknesses. Bush might seize the moment in outlining a way forward that can best serve American and Israeli mutual interests and continued partnership. Some discussion points:
''Mr. Prime Minister, the regional landscape presents us with two types of shared challenges. First, the remaining territorial and nationalist disputes -- a nuisance to be sure, but ultimately solvable. Still, the grievances fueled by these conflicts can have a radicalizing effect in the region. This brings me to the second and far more dangerous challenge: the combined threat of post-nationalist violent fundamentalism, weapons proliferation, and the terror networks that they feed and that feed off them.
''If our response options to this second threat sometimes look limited and unattractive, then we should reshuffle the deck by creating a regional climate that gives us more and better options. The need to re-shuffle is most pressing right now with Iran. The Palestinian issue is a great source of anti-American (and of course, anti-Israeli) hostility in the region, a rallying cry for extremists.
''Doing better on the Palestinians may improve our prospects across a range of issues. As one of your predecessors, Yitzhak Rabin, once argued, making peace with Israel's immediate neighbors would radically decrease the relative regional power of the more perilous Iran. The likely geo-strategic fallout from oil prices of $70-plus a barrel, and rising, adds to the urgency.
''I applaud your courage in pursuing permanent borders for Israel that entail a painful division of land and relocation of tens of thousands of your citizens. I am sure you are acting in the best interests of your nation.
''I took note of your election victory speech and coalition guidelines that express a preference for negotiated over unilateral solutions. My advisers inform me that domestically, in your Knesset, an agreed withdrawal may be an easier sell than further unilateral disengagements.
''I must also tell you, frankly, that while we will support you -- diplomatically, politically, even financially -- in any unilateral evacuation steps you undertake, we may well be on our own. Recognizing your self-declared provisional border and giving a nod to settlement expansion in nonevacuated areas, especially around Jerusalem, all in the face of global, regional, and Palestinian opposition would complicate our coalition-building on other issues, notably Iran and Iraq. Our Quartet partners and moderate Arab allies made this abundantly clear to my secretary of state at their recent meeting. It's a headache we could do without.
''The Hamas election victory surprised us both. We need to get a political process going if we are to have any chance of generating a positive dynamic in Palestinian politics and society, encouraging moderation and even testing -- unlikely though it may seem -- those Hamas guys' ability to reform.
''Mr. Prime Minister, I am told you are willing to evacuate about 90 percent of the West Bank and even want out of Arab areas of East Jerusalem, for your own demographic reasons. All this with little in exchange, other than what I can give in diplomatic statements and support.
''Allow me, then, to propose this, Mr. Prime Minister: Walk the extra mile with me. My team will begin exploratory talks to see whether we can reach understandings on a framework two-state peace deal, with agreed borders.
''We will talk with Abbas and explore modalities to deliver broad Palestinian legitimacy, including possibly a referendum there. The region and international community would line up behind such a deal. Together we will develop a package for Israelis and Palestinians -- including security guarantees, economic incentives, and international recognition. You can then realize your commitment of achieving a secure and permanent border for Israel, ensuring your future as a Jewish and democratic state. Tell the press about your unilateral plans, talk dialogue and negotiations with me. It's the best way to strengthen ourselves in facing your region's dangerous challenges."
Daniel Levy was a member of the official Israeli negotiating team at the Oslo B and Taba talks.
Boston Globe
May 21, 2006
THE PRESS releases for this week's summit between President George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert are already being polished. In public, expect the predictable, if sincere, offerings of mutual respect, warmth, and solidarity. In private, it's a rare opportunity for Bush to explore new options with an Israeli premier who was elected on a moderate, centrist platform and is a realist on Israel's strengths and weaknesses. Bush might seize the moment in outlining a way forward that can best serve American and Israeli mutual interests and continued partnership. Some discussion points:
''Mr. Prime Minister, the regional landscape presents us with two types of shared challenges. First, the remaining territorial and nationalist disputes -- a nuisance to be sure, but ultimately solvable. Still, the grievances fueled by these conflicts can have a radicalizing effect in the region. This brings me to the second and far more dangerous challenge: the combined threat of post-nationalist violent fundamentalism, weapons proliferation, and the terror networks that they feed and that feed off them.
''If our response options to this second threat sometimes look limited and unattractive, then we should reshuffle the deck by creating a regional climate that gives us more and better options. The need to re-shuffle is most pressing right now with Iran. The Palestinian issue is a great source of anti-American (and of course, anti-Israeli) hostility in the region, a rallying cry for extremists.
''Doing better on the Palestinians may improve our prospects across a range of issues. As one of your predecessors, Yitzhak Rabin, once argued, making peace with Israel's immediate neighbors would radically decrease the relative regional power of the more perilous Iran. The likely geo-strategic fallout from oil prices of $70-plus a barrel, and rising, adds to the urgency.
''I applaud your courage in pursuing permanent borders for Israel that entail a painful division of land and relocation of tens of thousands of your citizens. I am sure you are acting in the best interests of your nation.
''I took note of your election victory speech and coalition guidelines that express a preference for negotiated over unilateral solutions. My advisers inform me that domestically, in your Knesset, an agreed withdrawal may be an easier sell than further unilateral disengagements.
''I must also tell you, frankly, that while we will support you -- diplomatically, politically, even financially -- in any unilateral evacuation steps you undertake, we may well be on our own. Recognizing your self-declared provisional border and giving a nod to settlement expansion in nonevacuated areas, especially around Jerusalem, all in the face of global, regional, and Palestinian opposition would complicate our coalition-building on other issues, notably Iran and Iraq. Our Quartet partners and moderate Arab allies made this abundantly clear to my secretary of state at their recent meeting. It's a headache we could do without.
''The Hamas election victory surprised us both. We need to get a political process going if we are to have any chance of generating a positive dynamic in Palestinian politics and society, encouraging moderation and even testing -- unlikely though it may seem -- those Hamas guys' ability to reform.
''Mr. Prime Minister, I am told you are willing to evacuate about 90 percent of the West Bank and even want out of Arab areas of East Jerusalem, for your own demographic reasons. All this with little in exchange, other than what I can give in diplomatic statements and support.
''Allow me, then, to propose this, Mr. Prime Minister: Walk the extra mile with me. My team will begin exploratory talks to see whether we can reach understandings on a framework two-state peace deal, with agreed borders.
''We will talk with Abbas and explore modalities to deliver broad Palestinian legitimacy, including possibly a referendum there. The region and international community would line up behind such a deal. Together we will develop a package for Israelis and Palestinians -- including security guarantees, economic incentives, and international recognition. You can then realize your commitment of achieving a secure and permanent border for Israel, ensuring your future as a Jewish and democratic state. Tell the press about your unilateral plans, talk dialogue and negotiations with me. It's the best way to strengthen ourselves in facing your region's dangerous challenges."
Daniel Levy was a member of the official Israeli negotiating team at the Oslo B and Taba talks.
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