On Durban I and II

On Durban I and II

President Obama deserves only praise and kudos for finally deciding to boycott Durban II. The second Durban conference will be a repeat of Durban I: anti-Israel and anti-the West. Our failure to affect the agenda of Durban II is discouraging for those of us who want genuine peace in the Middle East.

Have we, America, President Obama, and the Middle East peace negotiators, learned anything from our failure to influence the agenda of Durban II? My lesson is simple. Yes, we must negotiate with our enemies but we can only negotiate with enemies who genuinely desire peace and are willing to compromise. Unfortunately, Israel’s enemies have not reached that position. It is a sad time for the Jews and Arabs of the Middle East.

I grant that it is difficult to determine who is a genuine peace partner. But the failure of America’s attempt at Durban II and the failure of Israel’s attempt at disengagement in Gaza must be recognized. We must not deceive ourselves in our vain attempt to achieve peace. Achieving peace is a bilateral effort. In the absence of genuine peace partners, our collective goal must be security.

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