Israel's Very Bad Week
On July 22nd the International Court of Justice recognized Kosovo's independent status. As we have stated the Kosovo model declaring an independent state without consent of Serbia is the model being pursued by the Palestinians. The decision by the ICJ is a major step toward legitimizing Kosovo as an independent state. The US Assistant Secretary of State Phillip Gordon welcomed the decision on behalf of the Obama administration with these words:
I would just underscore that we were very pleased yesterday when the International Court of Justice issued its advisory opinion agreeing with our longstanding view that Kosovo's declaration of independence was in accordance with international law, and that it did not violate Security Council Resolution 1244. This was the view that we had put forward in our briefs to the court, in the oral proceedings that the court held last December.
As you know, the United States strongly supports Kosovo as an independent state and its territorial integrity and sovereignty, and we believe that the opinion yesterday reinforced that view.At about the same time, Caroline Glick reports the Obama Administration upgraded the PLO's status in Washington, D.C. As Caroline points out, the dictatorial regime of Abbas receives higher status than America's democratic ally Taiwan.
Here is Caroline's analysis:
Late last week the administration decided - apropos of nothing - to upgrade the diplomatic status of the PLO mission in Washington.
From now on, the PLO will be allowed to fly its flag like a regular embassy.
Its representatives will enjoy diplomatic immunity just like diplomats from states.
Indeed the PLO delegate in Washington Maen Areikat claimed that the administration's move equates the PLO's diplomatic status in the US to that of Canada and states in Western Europe.
Some in the media have claimed that this is a symbolic act and essentially meaningless.
But this is not true. While this step does not constitute US recognition of a Palestinian state in the absence of a peace treaty between the Palestinians and Israel, it certainly sends a clear signal that this is the direction the US is heading. As such, it represents a dangerous step that will encourage continued Arab hostility.
TO Put this move in perspective, it is worth comparing the PLO's new status to that of the US' firm ally and fellow democracy - Taiwan, the Republic of China. Whereas the PLO now has a "delegation general" in Washington, Taiwan has the "Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office."
When asked to comment on the move, White House spokesman Thomas Vietor said, "This decision reflects our confidence that through direct negotiations, we can help achieve a two-state solution with an independent and viable Palestine living side by side with Israel. We should begin preparing for that outcome now, as we continue to work with the Palestinian people on behalf of a better future."
Like the decision itself, Vietor's explanation signals that the Obama administration has not embraced pragmatism over ideology. Vietor could never have made his statement if it had.
Any pragmatic analysis of the situation leads to the clear conclusion that there is little chance of the Palestinians agreeing to a settlement anytime soon. Just this past week Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas escalated still further his already unacceptable preconditions for direct negotiations.
Of course, rewarding for being obstructionist only encourages them to continue to obstruct. For further encouragement the
French have also upgraded the diplomatic status of the PA.
And yesterday, Britain's newish Prime Minister, David Cameron, landed on Turkish soil and established himself as a
fresh face in the campaign to ostracize Israel and reward the misbehavior of the Islamic government of Turkey. Cameron used the starkest language to describe Israel's Gaza policy, he harshly criticized the boarding of the Turkish flotilla filled with terrorists, and he declared himself the champion of Turkish entry into the European Union.
I shutter to think what the next few days will bring.
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