Hopes for peace — or at least meaningful progress towards that elusive goal — soared in the Mideast and elsewhere around the globe over the weekend when Palestinian leaders agreed to indirect peace talks with their Israeli counterparts. Prospects seemed bright. U.S. special envoy George Mitchell was to broker the so-called proximity talks and hope that the discussions ultimately would lead to direct talks between the parties bloomed. The optimism, as is often the case in the region, was misplaced.
Less than two days after the agreement to restart talks — they’ve been on hold for almost 18 months — was reached, Israel announced that it planned to expand settlements in East Jerusalem. Palestinians have said in the past that such a step could scuttle the talks. They reiterated that stance Monday. At this writing, Mr. Mitchell’s mission continues, but Israel’s announcement certainly puts them in jeopardy.
An Israeli spokesman said Monday that “building is expected to begin soon in several places … where [construction] bids have been issued.” He provided little additional information, thus making it unclear if construction was imminent or if it would commence in the future. Whatever the case, the announcement that Israel intended to expand Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem brought an immediate and negative response from the chief Palestinian negotiator in the talks.
“If they begin doing this [the building projects], I think they will take down the proximity talks, Saeb Erekat said. “The whole concept behind proximity talks is to give George Mitchell and U.S. President Barack Obama the chance they deserve. The “chance” referred to by Mr. Erekat is the opportunity for Mr. Mitchell to establish a framework in which meaningful, face-to-face talks about Mideast peace can be held.
It’s not the first time in recent months that Israeli announcements of continued or impending settlement construction has threatened the fragile détente that allows Israeli and Palestinian leaders to speak, albeit it indirectly. An announcement by a highly placed Israeli official during Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel earlier this year rocked the region and tested the long-standing diplomatic ties between the United States and Israel. That testing is likely to continue.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is candid about the settlement issue. He seems to favor a partial if not full freeze in construction. Unfortunately, the coalition that allows him to remain in power takes a different view. Right-wing members of the coalition as well as opposition leaders want Israel to continue settlement building, regardless of the diplomatic cost.
That short-sighted view leaves Mr. Netanyahu in a bind. He can pursue peace and risk losing office, or he can support settlement building, probably stay in office and jeopardize any useful talks in the region. Hopefully, the prime minister can find a path that allows him to mollify his political opponents and continue the pursuit of peace.