US President Barack Obama’s choice for his new secretaries of defense and state clearly shows a new direction he intends to take in the next four years of his last term. He is now under no pressure to pander to any undue influences from powerful pro-Israeli and neoconservative lobbies.
Obama’s choice of Chuck Hagel as new defense secretary is interesting given the fact Hagel has always questioned US’ blind commitment and support to Israel on every issue! Once he even had the guts to say that he is speaking as senator of US and not as senator of Israel. It is not that Hagel will ‘chuck’ Israel; he will rather try to make Israel understand the international dynamic more prudently. This also provides a great opportunity for moderate Arab countries to accord unconditional recognition to Israel within 1967 borders with minor swaps of land. The issue of refugees’ return can be dealt within the Palestinian Authority which should get massive economic aid to spur growth and defeat the anti-peace forces. This will encourage the new administration to impose just and comprehensive solution in the Middle East. Bilateral negotiations won’t lead to anything except more anger and sense of hopelessness.
Recognition of Israel will greatly bolster the position of many moderate countries, but they will have to do lot of groundwork in order to convince the masses that this is in their interests and they are not bowing to big brother’s pressures.
There will be a paradigm shift in the international relations and how Muslims, Jews and Christians can deploy all their energies and resources for the better living standards of their people. The world can no longer afford this conflict.
Also it will defeat the forces of extremism, bigotry and prejudices on both sides of the conflict. Consider Israel as 51st state of the US and while we have excellent strategic and genuinely good relations with the US, why not with her 51st state. It will be a win-win situation for all Arab countries and will usher in a new era for the Middle East, away from indiscriminate violence, bloodshed and waste of scarce resources on arms and killing machines. — Seif A. Somalya, Jeddah
