This is how Israel survived in a neighbourhood where it has been surrounded by powerful enemies, many of whom have been hell bent on its destruction. And this system worked against the Syrians, Egyptians and the Jordanians. Indeed, it brought peace with the Jordanians and the Egyptians after they realized that they couldn’t defeat Israel. And as for Syrians and even Saddam’s Iraq, they stopped attacking Israel from their soil because they weren’t prepared to pay the price.
However, when it comes to the Palestinian question, the ‘Chicago way’ has been a failure. Why? Because as history has proven so far, when it comes to applying force to achieve the desired political outcome of peace and stability with the Palestinians, less is definitely more.
And as long as Israel continues to insist the opposite, then Iran’s foothold in the region will be strengthened, especially in places such as Gaza and Lebanon. Because in today’s battlefields, internationally accepted policies and public opinion are more important than F-16s and through Hamas and its Turkish allies, Iran has managed to work out a way to get Israel to inadvertently strengthen its position and boost the number of its supporters on the Arab street.
Although the recent affair is unlikely to stop sanctions being placed against Iran, nevertheless, it will reduce the United States’ room for manoeuvre in the region, as Arab countries are likely to pressure the US to reign in on Israel’s activities.
‘Whenever you catch the fish, it will always be fresh’ is a famous Persian proverb. A Turkish-Israeli summit, convened by the Israeli government, and an independent inquiry would be unwelcome news in Iran, while lifting the Gaza siege would do a better job of removing the smile from Khamenei’s lips than Israel’s air force or commandos ever could. Such decisions are in Netanyahu’s hands. He should start fishing if he wants better political results for his country.
Meir Javedanfar writes a regular column for The Diplomat. He is a Middle East analyst and the co-author of ‘The Nuclear Sphinx of Tehran: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and The State of Iran’.
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Mehrdad
This is a seriour reminder that the stance the leadership of Israel has opted for since the time of MR. Sharon, has made Israel as a nation lose a great deal of good will amongst those who had sympathy for the situation of the country even if they did not agree with all the policies pursued. I believe until Israel accepts the rights of its Arab citizens as equal, the cycle of violence will continue.
John Hollis
May be the writer of this article and Jenny Berner should be reminded that Israel is an aparthite and occupying force and this is how it will be viewed for ever by the world. Therefore we should say an occupying force using chicago way to get rid of the true owners of the land now is facing the reality of what happens if one become greedy of something that belongs to someone else.
The whole world now despises the mere notion of Isreal for many many atricities including Flotilla and assasination in Dubay that she has commited for land that belongs to someone else. There is another persian expresion that goes “Moon would not stay behind cloud for ever!” In other words, the reality of Isreil is now common knowledge for every ordinary Europian who politely hide their true feeling about Isreal until the time is right.
As for mr Javedanfar, my suggestion is that he should stop selling himself so cheap. that is if he is still proud of his country. Although i am not by any means supporter of present regime in Iran for obvious reasons, but I have learnt over the years that unfortunately Iran has no shortage of trators!
Jenny Berner
What Chicago way re: Israel and the Palestinians? While you have a point re: Israel’s sinking stock on the world stage, do not mislead your readers because of your long-standing animus of the Israeli center right government. Israel has over the many long years reached out to the Palestinians time and again attempting to make peace with a non partner that refuses it’s right to exist in safe and secure borders. There has been no Chicago about this.
Roderick
Israel could not win this one but at least they gave warning of what would happen.
I cannot beleive that the free world accepts that this was not a muslam plot to turn the west against Israel. Try living with enamies all around you and see if you aree happy to let potential terrorists through your line of defence. Wake up free people or you will surely re-live the past.