The Israeli Provocation

The announcement by Israel of the construction of 1,600 settlements in East Jerusalem, on the day of the visit by Vice President Joe Biden and at a moment of engagement in indirect negotiations with the Palestinians, is a provocation. That such a decision could be made demonstrates that future discussions have little chance of success.

Did Joe Biden smell a trap? His reaction was slow in coming and was considerably measured. He “condemned” the announcement that had been made and gave evidence of his irritation by arriving more than an hour late to the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

But statements by the American vice president remain moderate. He denounced the timing of this “unilateral act” that “undermines confidence.” Yet Joe Biden avoids bringing up the opposition of the U.S. and the international community to colonization. He also refrains from recalling the temporary moratorium that the Israeli government itself accepted in November for the West Bank.

Considering the initial call of the Obama administration for a complete freeze of colonization, including East Jerusalem, there is a considerable shift in the American position that the Netanyahu Government is apparently attempting to exploit.

Nevertheless, judging by the very negative reaction of the Israeli press (see Haaretz’s article), the insults to Biden could be applied to those who made them, accusing them of compromising relations with the U.S.

In any case, with origins in the ultraorthodox Ministry of the Interior, this provocation shows that Prime Minister Netanyahu does not control the more extremist elements of his government. It confirms, as well, that the composition of the coalition in power in Israel is the principal obstacle to advancing the peace process.

Although bridges were established between Israel and the Palestinian authority, the fact that direct negotiations are impossible and that it is necessary to pass through American mediation demonstrates the extent to which the exercise remains formal.

The prospect of congressional elections in November and the accumulation of priority issues in Washington do not favor resolution by the White House, an essential condition to progress.