On what basis?

There is increasing talk about a forthcoming American peace initiative on the Palestinian issue.

In principle, this is good. In reality, however, lots of questions need to be asked and answered before one welcomes the step.

Starting, or restarting, negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis on the same old basis, i.e., no preconditions and “just come to the negotiating table”, is both futile and a waste of time.

Worse, negotiations on this basis will enable Israel to continue to stall and buy time at the negotiating table while swallowing Palestinian land, oppressing Palestinians and boosting and prolonging its colonisation of Palestine.

If there are, however, new ideas and a new approach, the move could be positive.

And if such is the case, we will know soon.

The Obama administration has failed so far, despite some serious attempts with this end in mind a few years ago, to bring about any noticeable movement towards a peaceful settlement to the Palestine question.

One main reason for such failure is the present Israeli government’s intransigence and its total lack of interest in peace. 

Another is America’s refusal to pressure Israel.

Is America this time willing to exert some pressure on Israel, as this is the only way to make Israel concede?

There is talk about possible American pressure. Time will show if this is true.

Unlike what some think, the Obama administration has guts when and if it wants to.

We have seen the administration’s will reflected in the deal it struck with Iran on the nuclear programme issue.

Israel fought the deal ferociously, trying to block it by all means at its disposal, including using the pro-Israel lobby in the US Congress and other political circles in Washington and elsewhere.

The Obama administration, however, totally disregarded Israel’s unprecedented pressure, and pressure by the aggressive pro-Israel lobbyists in the US and stayed on its course.

Any American peace initiative, therefore, has to come with fresh, creative ideas, but also with courage.

The old American argument that it does not pressure any party and that it only “engages” those concerned will not work.

The Obama administration has nothing to lose or fear by pressuring Israel. In fact, there will be no losers whatsoever if it does. There will only be gains when and if peace materialises: for Israelis, Palestinians, the region and the US administration itself.

Those of us who advocate and pray for peace in Palestine welcome this presumed US initiative only when we know on what basis it will be based.

Until that happens, we remain sceptical and unmoved.