Open letter to the Swedish government and the people of Sweden,
I have learned today that you recently officially recognized a state of "Palestine", purportedly to promote peace, as stated below by the New York Times (bolded by me).
"In his inaugural address on Oct. 3,
Mr. Lofven told Parliament
that a two-state solution was the only way to resolve the conflict
between Israel and the Palestinians. “Sweden will therefore recognize
the state of Palestine,” he said,
because a solution “requires mutual
recognition and a will to peaceful coexistence.” "
-http://www.nytimes.com/?WT.z_jog=1
Besides the fact that this is a poor decision for a number of reasons, I wanted to point out one huge flaw in your argument: mainly that "Palestine" has never officially recognized "Israel" as a nation state itself. So, while you may think you are trying to help 'resolve the conflict', you are actually aiding in extending it, because you haven't asked the Palestinians to do their own part by recognizing Israel.
On the other hand, this could be a move to subtly but purposely strengthen Palestinians and weaken Israel, because I see no way this could actually help the so-called peace process in any way. Anyone who knows anything about the situation of Israel in the middle east, and who doesn't openly/secretly hate Jews, knows that "Palestine", whoever really is the government there, PLO, Hamas, war lords, etc, has NO PLANS OR DESIRE to make peace with Israel, NO MATTER WHAT.
That is why anything that hurts Israel in the aims of 'peace' is nothing but a wolf in sheep's clothing. Because no one will ever convince me that the people in control of most Arab nations want peace with Israel. And anyone with a rational mind should know this. So any attempts to coerce Israel into peace (i.e. making themselves vulnerable to extinction) without equal pressure on the Palestinian side are disguised attacks on Israel. Plain and simple. And nobody but nobody will call it like it is.
That being said, Israel has much accounting to do on its own part. I am a stanch Zionist and supporter of Jewish ethics, values, and culture. But I deplore Israel's actions over the last decades. There have got to be better responses than this to Sweden's declaration:
“The Swedish government must understand that relations in the Middle
East are more complex than one of Ikea’s flat-pack pieces of furniture,
and would do well to act with greater sensitivity and responsibility,”
he said.
-Foreign Minister of Israel, Liberman
I mean, you resort to IKEA calling when trying to dis Sweden? That is poor, low, and non witty taste. You can do better Israel.
But anyway, Israel is displayed in the media like the devil. And that is how most people see it, and Israel doesn't help by trying to play the victim. I think Israel should offer Palestinians something they can't refuse, like free higher education for their children or something, to show how serious Israel is for peace. Then watch Palestine turn it down and then have a civil war because of it.
To be honest, I'd say something like, we need something definitive to show the world Israel is not the problem here. But if anyone who remember the PLO's actions against Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics, well, if you don't think that is the true feeling of Palestinian leadership, then, well, I have a bridge to sell you.
