HAARETZA April 19, 2011.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/there-is-someone-to-talk-to-1.356547
BREAKING NEWS 04:19
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/there-is-someone-to-talk-to-1.356547
BREAKING NEWS 04:19
There is someone to talk to
Today, more than ever, the Arab public is waking up and its people want a better life, a life with more freedoms. The Saudi initiative is aimed at the Israeli public; we must adopt it wholeheartedly, even if our government ignores it.
By Merav MichaeliI like to take the initiative. I know it's considered unfeminine, but I believe that every individual is responsible for her own fate and her own happiness. So when I have an opportunity to do something that's good for me, I try and do it. That is why I joined the initiative launched two weeks ago calling on the government of Israel to accept the Saudi initiative as a basis for peace talks.
Israel can do things that are good for itself. That will allow it to exist for a long time and live in security and, especially, in peace. Israel can take its fate into its own hands and act to achieve this goal. For years they've been telling us that there is no partner for peace, that there is no one to talk to, and above all, that it's not dependent on us - but that is simply not true. The clearest proof is the Saudi initiative.
For nine years (! ) already, the proposal set forth by the Arab League - that is, a collective proposal offered by all Arab states - to end our conflict with the Palestinians in particular, and with the entire Arab world, has been on the table. That is to say, the Arab world recognizes Israel and its right to exist, and has offered to live alongside it in peace. That is to say, there is someone to talk to, there is something to talk about, and it is up to us. They are the ones who made that proposal; Israel is the one who has ignored it until this day.
I believe in a comprehensive regional agreement. Even security experts will admit that such a deal is likely to considerably weaken the hostile and extremist elements - from Hamas to Iran to al-Qaida; and beyond that, I can admit that I'd like to be able to enjoy good neighborliness. I appreciate the Arab culture just as much as I do the European culture, and I want to be able to visit our neighboring countries as a tourist, the same way I'm able to visit Egypt and beyond.
We are not used to thinking about peace anymore. Most of the time we are worrying about the next threat, and we're so worn out that peace sounds to us like something naive, utopian and fallacious. But the reality is that the world is offering us every option, including those that sound unrealistic, and it's up to us to decide what kind of life we want for ourselves and what it is that we're striving for.
I want Israel to take steps toward achieving peace. I want us to believe that it is possible. It is not simple, it is not easy, but it is much more attainable than we realize and we believe that the Arab League initiative offers us the most worthwhile way to do so.
Today, more than ever, the Arab public is waking up and its people want a better life, a life with more freedoms. They are sick and tired of being intimidated and controlled. The Saudi initiative is aimed at the Israeli public; at us - the people who want peace and quiet, here and not in Finland; we must adopt it wholeheartedly, even if our government ignores it.
"We will not allow anyone to dictate to us the terms of peace," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared at the Likud conference last week. On the contrary, Mr. Netanyahu, take the initiative into your own hands and design our peace agreement with the Arab world. Israel Takes the Initiative is calling on you to do that; all of you are invited to join.
Israel can do things that are good for itself. That will allow it to exist for a long time and live in security and, especially, in peace. Israel can take its fate into its own hands and act to achieve this goal. For years they've been telling us that there is no partner for peace, that there is no one to talk to, and above all, that it's not dependent on us - but that is simply not true. The clearest proof is the Saudi initiative.
For nine years (! ) already, the proposal set forth by the Arab League - that is, a collective proposal offered by all Arab states - to end our conflict with the Palestinians in particular, and with the entire Arab world, has been on the table. That is to say, the Arab world recognizes Israel and its right to exist, and has offered to live alongside it in peace. That is to say, there is someone to talk to, there is something to talk about, and it is up to us. They are the ones who made that proposal; Israel is the one who has ignored it until this day.
I believe in a comprehensive regional agreement. Even security experts will admit that such a deal is likely to considerably weaken the hostile and extremist elements - from Hamas to Iran to al-Qaida; and beyond that, I can admit that I'd like to be able to enjoy good neighborliness. I appreciate the Arab culture just as much as I do the European culture, and I want to be able to visit our neighboring countries as a tourist, the same way I'm able to visit Egypt and beyond.
We are not used to thinking about peace anymore. Most of the time we are worrying about the next threat, and we're so worn out that peace sounds to us like something naive, utopian and fallacious. But the reality is that the world is offering us every option, including those that sound unrealistic, and it's up to us to decide what kind of life we want for ourselves and what it is that we're striving for.
I want Israel to take steps toward achieving peace. I want us to believe that it is possible. It is not simple, it is not easy, but it is much more attainable than we realize and we believe that the Arab League initiative offers us the most worthwhile way to do so.
Today, more than ever, the Arab public is waking up and its people want a better life, a life with more freedoms. They are sick and tired of being intimidated and controlled. The Saudi initiative is aimed at the Israeli public; at us - the people who want peace and quiet, here and not in Finland; we must adopt it wholeheartedly, even if our government ignores it.
"We will not allow anyone to dictate to us the terms of peace," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared at the Likud conference last week. On the contrary, Mr. Netanyahu, take the initiative into your own hands and design our peace agreement with the Arab world. Israel Takes the Initiative is calling on you to do that; all of you are invited to join.
