Perhaps the best hope for restoring peace in Jerusalem is by maintaining the status quo. Israel’s meticulous attempts to change the status quo triggered a Palestinian reaction with the potentials of an escalation.
Over the last two weeks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared as if he has been seeking to deescalate the situation. He met the US Secretary of State John Kerry and held indirect negotiation with the Jordanian leadership. As a result, Netanyahu accepted to have cameras installed at the holy sites. More importantly, Netanyahu — according to Haaretz — tacitly agreed that the Jews have no right to pray at the site. These two steps can help stabilize the situation.
And yet, it is easier said than done. In fact, Netanyahu government’s policy is not in line with Netanyahu’s “commitment” to maintaining the status quo. The government does support some organizations whose declared intentions are to undermine the status quo. According to Haaretz, there are some 19 NGOs who focus their efforts on the Noble Sanctuary. Besides, the government encourages religious students to visit the holy sites. If anything, these moves mean nothing but changing the status quo.
It is not as if there is a vast majority of Israelis who strive to change the status quo. Indeed, the movement for changing the status quo is small in size. Put differently, there is no huge grass-root movement that pressures the government to act in its favor. But in Israel, minority and majority may not be of importance in some cases. Here, the movement has some great impact on Likud and Habayit Hayehudi parties. History shows us that Netanyahu is not the man who can defy the complications of internal politics.
Therefore, it would not be an exaggeration to make the case that with such a government; Israel will not help stabilize the situation in Jerusalem, let alone making peace with the Palestinians to resolve the decades-long conflict. Since President Obama assumed office in January 2009, Israel, under the leadership of Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition partners failed to jumpstart a genuine peace process.
It remains to be seen whether Netanyahu will be able to stabilize the security situation in Jerusalem while allowing the settlers and right-wing activists attempting to alter the status quo in Jerusalem. For one, Netanyahu — and any other prime minister — will have a hard time preparing his people for accepting the status quo. In fact, the education system in Israel is profoundly penetrated by the right-wing ideology. Perhaps, Netanyahu needs to examine the education system and start preparing his people for a future peace with the Palestinians.
It is not surprising that Netanyahu understands very well what it takes to bring about tranquility. But, will he check in those who act against his declared policy? Many in the Arab world argue that Netanyahu never meant to do business. He is driven by his ideological conviction and Israel will not make peace as long as Netanyahu is at the helm. But why did not Israel act differently when it was under the premiership of his predecessor.
I believe that Netanyahu’s ideology does matter but one should also examine the political context in which Netanyahu operates. As long as this context prevails there will be always a mismatch between Netanyahu’s words and deeds.
