Olmert’s Peace Spin
By Gilad Atzmon • May 25th, 2008 at 18:55 • Category: Analysis, Biography, Gilad Atzmon, Gilad's Choice, Israel, Newswire, Our Authors, War, Zionism
Yesterday Olmert assured Haaretz that the negotiation with Syria is nothing less than an ‘historic breakthrough’. He is absolutely correct. It’s the first time in Israel’s history that a PM initiates a peace negotiation just to escape a police probe into his own unlawful doings. Apparently, Olmert is seeking a quick escape route that would bring the investigation of his corruption to an immediate halt.
The Israeli Knesset has always been a haven for Israeli criminals and Jewish gangsters who seek to take advantage of the immunity membership guarantees. This is nothing new, unlawful activity is rather common amongst Israeli leaders.
The list of villains and convicts within Israel’s political world is endless. A few years ago an Israeli survey revealed that 60% of Israeli Knesset members had a criminal record. As we know the previous President of the Jewish State, Mr Moshe Katsav lost his prestigious post because he was charged for sex crimes, rape and sexual molestation, no less, as well as the more banal offence of wire-tapping. Sharon’s son Omri, Knesset member under both Likud and Kadima, has been indicted for bribery. Ariel the father was lucky enough to become a vegetable just in time to save himself the embarrassment of being thrown out of the PM office for involvement in the same criminal affair.
Olmert is no different, he is as corrupted as anyone else. However, he may be in a position to determine his fate. All he has to do is raise enough pressure on police officers to stop the probe into his wrongdoing.
Olmert is no Tolstoy, yet he had two options to choose from: war and peace. Not a single Israeli police detective would put pressure on a serving PM in time of a war. Similarly, no one would mount pressure on a PM in the midst of an historic peacemaking effort with Israel’s most hostile neighbour. Though we were preparing for Olmert to flatten Gaza or strike Hezbollah, he went for the peace option. He obviously remembered the colossal defeat of the IDF in Lebanon less than two years ago, so in doubt, Olmert has decided to not put his trust in generals. To all appearances, the latter do not trust themselves either, they realise that Arabs are not easy targets anymore, Arabs fight back and are getting very good at it.
With no army to fight his wars, Olmert is left with no more peace spin. He obviously doesn’t have the political power to undertake a withdrawal from the Golan Heights. He runs this spin knowing that the Israelis are desperate enough to buy it. The Israelis know the truth, the days of the Jewish State are numbered, the so-called ‘window of opportunity’ has been closed a while ago. Israel is surrounded by hostility and the Jewish majority on the land is now becoming a matter of history.
The Americans and the Brits are desperate enough to support Olmert’s spin. Bush, Blair and Brown need to get a diplomatic achievement even if it doesn’t lead anywhere. In Western politics everything is measured in a short time perspective. Hence we move from spin to spin.
By bearing in mind the recent Israeli military defeat in Lebanon and the cowardly tactics the IDF performs in Gaza to avoid a ground battle, taking into no account the presence of civilians and the inevitable innocent victims that are the outcome of each and every raid, any Israeli withdrawal in Golan would be considered by Israelis and Arabs as a white flag. Not many people would support such an initiative in Israel politics, nor in its military and intelligence branches. Hence, we have to conclude that the emerging peace spin is there to serve Olmert’s immediate personal needs. It is there to postpone criminal investigation of his activities. It is there to give the corrupt man a few more days in office.
According to Haaretz, “sources close to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Friday said that he was unable to conceal his disappointment and surprise at the news of renewed Israeli-Syrian peace talks.”
My dear President Ahmadinejad, do not hold your breath. Nothing has changed and nothing is going to happen. The Israelis are not going to buy the new spin. They just can’t. Israel thrives on conflict, it defines itself by negation. By the time the Israelis start to seek peace for real they won’t be Israelis anymore.
Gilad Atzmon is a jazz musician, composer, producer and writer.
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Exactly - Israel “defines itself by conflict.” It can never ever be at peace with it’s neighbours, no matter who they are. Judaism defines itself by being separate, negative, hostile. Crazy!
Great article Gilad.
ha ha ha. those despicalbe vile scum.
It is probable that Mr. Olmert is also trying to split the Syrian - Iran relationship.
K. K.
I only hope that the Syrians know better and aren`t stupid enought to go for this pathetic, laughable attempt at “peace” by the jew terrorists. It`s obvious the whole point of this scam is to try to divide Syria and Iran. Recently the Syrian government went on the record as saying something to the effect ‘that no preconditions will be attatched to any negotiations” and “they will not jeopardize any relations with their allies”. That`s a good sign.
What ever Olmert motives for negotiating with Syria .. as a peace campaigner would welcome it.. and encourage it..
There is no doubt that the whole region is in turmoil not knowing where to turn.. and Syria in particular needs that peace.. its deteriorating economy .. its too weak opposition cannot secure neither winning nor removing the dictatorship.. and the regime is desperately seeking to save it self and remain in power .. especially from the international court regarding Hariri’s assassination ..
It’s a spin .. both saving time and faces..considering Israel history of negotiations ??? still I hope not.. though I know for sure that the Palestinians are the ones who will pay the price.. there will be no Palestinian State .. Israel actions have diminish that hope.. it is an apartheid at the moment .. how long its going to take fro decent Israelis to wake up.?? .
”’The Israelis know the truth, the days of the Jewish State are numbered, the so-called ‘window of opportunity’ has been closed a while ago. Israel is surrounded by hostility and the Jewish majority on the land is now becoming a matter of history.”’
all you need to confirm that is Avraham Borg interveiw before leaving the country .. who is advising Israelis to get another passport..
But the most important question remains .. what will history hold in between till all people accept each other’s right.. I hope it won’t be revenge .. and more blood shed.. and more hate ..
I would rather stick to David Ben Gurion’s honest opinion on Israeli agenda - when he said that if he were an Arab leader, he will never negotiate with Israel……
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