Washington’s Promises

The normally reliable Israeli newspaper Haaretz stated that the American administration recently sent a message of reassurance to the Palestinian leadership and the Arab Follow-Up Committee in which it pledged to announce the next third party which will inevitably thwart the indirect negotiations the Arab bloc has agreed to in addition to other previously-known positions concerning the nation of Palestine, establishment of borders and other related topics.

It seems that this message has contributed to the Arab decision to restart the negotiations, but it also came as a response to many Palestinian concerns. Sources say that the American administration promised to diligently support the negotiations and offer suggestions for a resolution between the conflicting sides.

American envoys have already started arriving in the region, including delegate George Mitchell and Vice President Joe Biden. They are arriving amid renewed confidence and expectations for a recommencement for negotiations along with a specification within days of where they will take place and in what setting. In actuality, however, citizens in general don’t expect these upcoming visits and negotiations to lead to anything, as a result of regional factors and a harsh sense of reality.

President Obama indeed made this promise and raised very high expectations, although he eventually took a step backwards and reneged on everything he pledged to do. We don’t see any new indications which might make the American assurances and promises more credible at this stage. In fact, the opposite might be true because the Israeli government, under the leadership of Netanyahu along with the support of most settlement hardliners and others, is continuing to take provocative measures which might gravely undermine these negotiations even before their recommencement, such as invading the al Aqsa mosque and the scuffles which have occurred in the vicinity of the holy site of Jerusalem (al Aqsa) and areas surrounding the Abrahamic site in the al Khalil district.

The 16th of this month, meaning nearly a week from today (7 March), could be very crucial in regard to the nonstop efforts to eradicate Jerusalem’s Palestinian identity. Israeli religious groups have set aside this day to inaugurate the biggest synagogue in Old Jerusalem located near al Aqsa, which will most certainly undermine endeavors for indirect negotiations or whatever they want to call them.

In order for Washington to reclaim its lost credibility, it needs to take serious, practical actions which will have a real effect on the people. There are homes threatened with demolition in Silwan and still others that have been confiscated in Sheikh Jarrah among other districts, as well as continued establishment of new settlements and the never-ending effort to eradicate Jerusalem’s Palestinian identity. Is Washington able to stop any of these practices and convince the people that it is sincere in its promises?

The Iraqi Elections: A Step Forward Despite all the Inconsistencies

The first Iraqi elections in decades started today in the aftermath of the international occupation led by America. Criticisms and opposition have gone and will continue to go hand in hand with these elections, in addition to the exchange of accusations, gory explosions, and continuing threats.

Not everyone will be satisfied with the announcement of the results, and despite the fact that these elections are considered a step forward that couldn’t be postponed, the nation of the Tigris and Euphrates won’t necessarily stabilize once they have concluded. Everyone must acknowledge the results, because in these results lies the single hope for a way out of the vortex of tensions and instability in Iraq. Above all, they must be the prelude to rectifying mistakes in future elections.

Iraq has suffered much and continues to do so, and with the approaching withdrawal of most of the American forces and their allies, national responsibility calls for an adherence to the results of the elections and whatever comes of them, as there are no other options.

We hope a more powerful and unified Iraq will come of the tribulation it has been suffering from.