Finally, harsh realism from Israel

Boston Globe ^ | 4/5/09 | Jeff Jacoby

[MartinaMisc]

IF AVIGDOR LIEBERMAN'S first speech as Israel's new foreign minister did nothing else, it certainly vexed the media.

The Associated Press called it a "scathing critique of Mideast peace efforts" that had diplomats "cringing," while other reports said Lieberman had "dropped a political bombshell," "sparked an uproar," "repudiated a key accord," and "reinforced fears." The New York Times pronounced Lieberman's remarks "blunt and belligerent," describing the foreign minister as a "hawkish nationalist" who is "not known for diplomacy" and heads an "ultranationalist" party that is "seen by many as racist." Headlines summed up Lieberman's debut as an attack on peacemaking: "Lieberman dashes peace hopes," "Israeli official hits peace efforts," "Lieberman dumps peace deal."

But the headlines were wrong, as anyone can ascertain by reading Lieberman's short address. Far from disparaging peace, Israel's new foreign minister called for pursuing it with the respect and realism it deserves. And far from "dumping" agreements entered into by his predecessors, he explicitly committed himself to upholding the Roadmap - a step-by-step blueprint to a "two-state solution" adopted by Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and the international Quartet in 2003.

"I voted against the Roadmap," Lieberman acknowledged, but it was "approved by the Cabinet and by the Security Council" and is therefore "a binding resolution." However, he insisted, it must be implemented "in full." The Roadmap imposes specific obligations that the Palestinians must meet prior to achieving statehood - above all, an unequivocal end to violence, terrorism, and incitement against the Jewish state - and Israel will not agree to waive them in order to negotiate a final settlement.

[hihoherman]

Good catch! The New York Times reports that it “feels like Darfur” at their daily. Good luck to them, then. Since no one turned out to complain much about Darfur.

I don’t know if we’re gonna have 4 more long years with the NY Times in the publishing business.

While the democrats “may” look into their rearview mirrors? Whatever it is they see; things are much closer than that. And, accidents happen. Even on “road maps.”

[SunkenCiv]

additional (duplicate):

Finally, Harsh Realism from Israel
Boston Globe | April 5, 2009 | Jeff Jacoby
Posted on 04/05/2009 11:54:21 PM PDT by Seeing More Clearly Now
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2223123/posts