Olmert lets it all out
October 6, 2008
College Life | Israel
(2 comments)
By Hanan Cidor, KESHER Shaliach
First published in It's an Israel Thing
In a very unordinary interview with, who I guess you could say is not a very ordinary man, resigning Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has made some relatively dramatic proclamations regarding his view of Israel's future in the coming years. Olmert basically stated in his otherwise dull traditional holiday interview that it is his belief that Israel will eventually have to let go of most if not all of what is regarded as the "occupied territories" of Judea and Samaria, eastern Jerusalem and the Golan Heights in order to achieve true and lasting peace with the Palestinians, Syrians and basically the entire Arab world. Obviously enough, the importance of that statement lies in its speaker rather than in the content. Olmert's announcement marks the very first of its kind coming from the highest Israeli executive. Although of somewhat lesser practical importance because of it being his last few weeks in power, still, it is bound to set some sort of precedent for future deliberations with Israel's neighbors and more importantly, with in Israeli society.
 Reactions for Olmert's interview were, as expected, mostly negative in nature. The right wing accusing him of unilaterally and irresponsibly expressing his willingness to cede territories that should always stay part of Israel while from the left the remarks are deemed as being insignificant or even cynical, taking into account Olmert's inability to actually come through on any of his statements. To me, although somewhat odd in terms of timing, the interview marks another small step in the seemingly never ending road to a complete and final accord, which like always, is still very far. No matter what agreement any Israeli Prime Minister will reach with the Palestinians and Syrians, it will be almost worthless without it involving a serious and thorough discussion between all sides of Israeli society. Since the decisions and price involving any future accord relates and seen as crucial to almost all of Israel's citizens.
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Mr. Olmert is just saying what is obvious to many, but which politicians have been unwilling to acknowledge. The cost to Israel in terms of treasure, lives and international damage to their reputation has been great. The benefits in terms of safety, economic, cultural and social opportunity for Israelis has been relatively tiny. This is a failed occupation, a quagmire from which Israel doesn't know how to extricate itself.
Olmert's exit statement is a demonstration of the weariness of many Israeli's with four decades of occupation. There were many Israelis and Jews in the World Jewish Community who had great optimism for a "Greater Israel" at the time the occupation began, in 1967. That optimism has long since evaporated in all but a few die hards. Some expected Jews to be welcomed by the conquered people because they would offer a better life for those under occupation. Wouldn't Arabs trade their pre-occupation life under a corrupt and inefficient Arab government for life as wards of the Jewish state? Of course they wouldn't have the rights and privileges of Jews. Of course there would have to be some inconvenience in check points when they moved around. Even though they would not be able to live where they wanted or have the public services, job opportunities or educational opportunities of Jewish Israelis, wouldn't they be content to be under Israeli rule? And Jews could live in Judea and Sumeria (as long as they were heavily armed in segregated ghettos under IDF protection and close to Israel).
After 40 years of military occupation, including illegal settlements built over American and other international objection to create "facts on the ground" how many Israelis think that they have won the hearts and minds of the occupied people. How many think they are safer? How many think that those in the Palestinian diaspora in Europe and elsewhere will soon abandon the struggle to drive out the occupiers? Are the generations of Arabs who have known only Israeli rule becoming integrated into Israeli society? Have they been educated and enlightened in schools under Jewish control? How many have learned to love the Jews? Jerusalem is about 1/3 Arab and 1/3 Orthodox, each of whom live in their own little worlds. While these groups increase their percentage of the city, others are gradually moving away.