Dear Prime Minister Enrico Letta, tell the truth to Netanyahu and Abu Mazen
Il Giornale, July 01st 2013
Our Prime Minister Enrico Letta, who is visiting the Middle East and the Palestinian Authority, has a great opportunity -- to tell the truth. The reason why Kerry had to go home yesterday with no commitment for new negotiations probably is the timidity of the Obama Administration: soft on the Muslim Brotherhood until the political demise of Egypt, blind to the disaster in Syria until there are 100,000 dead and unaware of terrorism in Libya until the assassination of their Ambassador, persistent in the idea that Erdogan is the ideal go-between with the "moderate" Muslim world... So, here’s what Letta should say to Benjamin Netanyahu and Abu Mazen if he wanted to help them.
“Dear Abu Mazen, we Italians are in favor of a Palestinian State and we have demonstrated this in so many ways. But what about you? It’s clear that in past years you have pulled back, every time a State was at hand, at least three times, and you may even not wish, as far as we know, that this will ever happen. Why do you insist on preconditions to negotiate? Do you want to get everything you want before you even reach out? If you really wanted “two States for two People,” you wouldn’t try to deny the Israelis their natural homeland, their history. Why have you once again alluded to the “presumed temple” of Jerusalem when you spoke to a Saudi newspaper? Are you trying to say, again, that Jews do not belong here? No civilized person can agree. Josephus Flavius, Tacitus…and so many others record it: the Bible is a map of Jewish presence.
Forget the sad, evil maneuver at the Council of Europe where the brief “two States” replaced “two States for two Peoples” in official documents. If, as a matter of chance, two States are needed here, it’s because there are two Peoples, or maybe you want to eliminate one of them? I hope that you also understand that Jews are a People, not a religion. Look at how many secular jews there are in Israel, and they are real jews! Call Israel “the Jewish State,” like Italy is “the Italian State” or Palestine might be “the Palestinian State.” Put an end to the culture of hate in schoolbooks or on television. If the children who are being taught that Jews are sons of apes and dogs and that terrorists are heroes grow up to be the generation of peace, how will they be able to live normal lives? Drop the “right of return,” four generations later. Israel cannot accept a huge invasion of great-grandchildren. What if Indians and Pakistanis did the same?
You should temper territorial demands with a little common sense. As long as Hamas fires missiles, you can’t expect the security zone around the international airport to be reduced. Don’t dangle UN recognition in the face of rejection of your demands. That’s blackmail.
With best wishes for a little common sense…”
To Bibi:
“It’s always been said that the Right can deliver compromises that are impossible for the Left to accept. Begin made peace with Sadat. You want to go down in history as the one who, in the face of pressure from the threattsh coming from Iran and Syria, delivered greater security to the Israeli people. Some steps toward the Palestinians would nowaday be reassuring. I know that you are swamped by the criticism of those who think, and with some good reasons, that Abu Mazen is betting on the disappearance of Israel. But, you know politics: if you say, as you have said, “I am for two States,” you create a vacuum on your right that won’t stay empty for long. Don’t pay any attention. Now, see if the Palestinians will come to the table and get for that international simpathy.
Release of their prisoners is very important to them. It’s tough, but you did it for Gilad Shalit. You know how to do it: not the ones with blood on their hands. The settlements are the big precondition: a block only on public construction declared publically would make a difference. If you want support from the USA, which is nowaday very important because of Iran, proceed. You are completely right when you say that you do not want to risk the lives of your people. I know what the Intifada was like, that’s why I tell you this. I realized how fast negotiations can become violent when there is too much pressure to reach an agreement. Slow down, but go forward. As Alessandro Manzoni writes in Spanish, “Adelante con juicio.” Proceed with caution. Be careful.
Take a much harder stand on the teaching of hate. The world has no idea. This, I believe, is the real obstacle. At the UN, we’ll give you a hand. I’m sorry that we pulled back the last time. Previous PM Monti was very confused on the issue. Not me.” Maybe he’ll tell him.
A note from the journalist for the curiosity of the reader: I met Letta in Israel, I asked if the suggestions were useful to him, and he answered: "Very much so". May be it was only his kindness that suggested the answer, may be it's true.