By Ira Sharkansky
JERUSALEM — We’re taught to honor principles, and there is merit to that principle. But they are also the traps in which disappear decency and good sense.
Those who think and express themselves in absolutes and reject dispute from those who doubt the value of the principles being promoted risk a lonesome life in politics, where the language of survival and success is nuance.
Fierce opposition to occupation is one of the principles that gets in the way of dialog. Occupation has become a four letter word pointed at Israel,. It is said to be occupying Palestinian territory and thereby not only robbing Palestinians of their patrimony, but creating the major cause of radical Islam and a lack of peace throughout the Middle East.
This could be hilarious if many did not believe it, or at least express the sentiment.
Currently it seems that only some effete westerners are interested in Palestine, along with the Iranian leadership and an occasional comment from Bashar Assad in need of turning popular concern away from his own problems. A number of Muslim leaders seem to have given up on their Palestinian cousins, either because Palestinians were not able to decide what to take from the several opportunities handed to them, or because those other Muslims have more pressing issues closer to home.
Egyptians are at war in the Sinai, where they have worked with Israel against Islamic extremists. The Foreign Minister recently caused a media fluff when he refused to condemn Israeli “terror” when invited to do so at an appearance before high school students.
Saudi Arabian officials occasionally refer to their decade-old proposal to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Palestinian terms, but also may be using Israeli help in their proxy war with Iran in Yemen.
A principled opposition to occupation is relatively new in international relations. Virtually every established country has in its history stories of one or more people occupying land claimed by another. Moreover, the principle is made fuzzy by the failure of a key 1907 Hague enactment to deal with colonialism, and the highly politicized nature of post 1967 proclamations directed against Israel.
Occupation has become a curse to be used in slogans, typically overlooking the several occasions when Palestinians have failed to negotiate, have turned down arguably decent offers, continue to incite hatred of Israel in their media and schools, and make heroes of those who have died while attacking civilians.
The title of one item on an Internet newsletter, “The Problem is not Black Lives Matter. It’s the Occupation” takes off from American Jewish responses to an item published by Black Lives Matter citing Israel as an apartheid state guilty of genocide.
While such nonsense brouight accusations of anti-Semitism from a number of prominent American Jews, a JStreet activist elevated Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land as an equivalent affront to moral sense.
The author’s assignment to “Jim Crow on steroids” the use of different legal codes in the West Bank reflects his elevation of ideology over the complex realities of the West Bank, and the remnants of Jordanian law that apply to the Palestinians living there.. Should Israel apply its own law throughout the area, we could guess that he would be quick to describe yet another form of conquest, even more complete than what currently exists.
The complexity of Israel’s existence reflects, in no small part, the animosity of outsiders to its existence. The problems apply not only to outer areas of the West Bank, but also to areas made part of Jerusalem almost a half century ago. Opponents note that public services in Jewish areas of the expanded city are far superior to those in the Arab areas, but do not probe the explanation that rests at least partly on the Arab’s rejection of Israel, their refusal to participate in municipal elections, and giving up up an opportunity to gain power by serving as a balance between contending Jewish parties in local politics.
When the municipality has opened post offices and parks in Arab neighborhoods, residents have destroyed the facilities as signs of occupation..
Jews long intellectual history have provided ample opportunities to probe the nuances in law and other principles. Our disputatious character provides one of the sources of anti-Semitism. It’s not easy dealing with a people conscious of many ways of viewing issues, and not content with simplistic formulations.
There is always another principle to compete with that which an adversary elevates as prime importance. Occupation may seem unfair, but it evolved in the context of Arab aggression and Palestinian refusal to bargain down from demands fixed in 1967, 1948, or earlier.
One can doubt that Israel will agree to turn back history as Palestinians demand. Especially when a number of Muslim governments are showing greater rapprochement with Israel than with Palestine, it is time for Palestinians to consider another way to their future. If not, they risk becoming become one of the many forgotten peoples, occupied by others, and claiming priorities that few bother to recognize.
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Sharkansky is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University. He may be contacted via ira.sharkansky@sdjewishworld.com. Comments intended for publication in the space below MUST be accompanied by the letter writer’s first and last name and by his/ her city and state of residence (city and country for those outside the United States.)
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