At the United Nations on Thursday, President Obama took a risk by speaking so optimistically about the fragile Middle East peace talks. He told his international audience that “this time will be different.”
The president offered that outcome as a choice, but even so, he went out on a limb by pronouncing that one short year from now, the UN could have a new member: a sovereign Palestine living in peace with Israel. In 2003, President Bush held out that possibility for 2005. But isn’t risk what’s needed now? The outlines of a peace deal are well known. All that’s really missing is the political courage of the Israeli and Palestinian leaders—and all those who back them—to not let antipeace extremists derail a deal.
It’s critical to keep Abbas and Netanyahu talking. The longer they talk, the greater chance they have at success. And despite the intense pessimism, there is reason to believe that this time really can be different. First, violence is down substantially from years past, and that works to build confidence. Second, settlement building is also down, despite the constant tension on this subject. Third, the public on both sides supports a two-state solution. And fourth, the big push is coming from the U.S. Obama’s predecessor ran out of steam on the peace process, distracted by Iraq and the war on terrorism. Bill Clinton dove in, but too late in his presidency. …
Obama is at the midpoint of his term. This is the right time to apply his audacity of hope to the Middle East. May it bolster the two leaders and give them courage to move forward. Access the full article >>
