This is an article that appeared in the Gulf News, submitted by "Financial Times". I think it is interesting how it points out how Netty is indeed holding Israel back from making progress in the region and that he holds onto a vision from the past and his ambition in all of this may extend no further than clinging to office. It also points out Israel's support is waning.
http://m.gulfnews.com/opinions/columnis ... d-1.817070
Excerpts from the article:
Anyone who saw Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the American Congress can be forgiven their fatalism. Israel's prime minister will never negotiate seriously with the Palestinians. As a former Israeli diplomat said of Netanyahu's speech: "Everything is changing, but he is determined that everything remains the same."
This time the world is unlikely to wait. Events are leaving Israel behind. The Arab uprisings are remaking the geopolitics of the Middle East. The Palestinians will seek international affirmation of their statehood when the UN General Assembly convenes in September.
Not so long ago, Israel was relatively secure in its own region. Turkey and Egypt were allies of a sort — pillars of stability in any event in a region menaced by Iran's nuclear ambitions. Now Netanyahu has broken with Ankara and Egypt's Hosni Mubarak has gone. Syria's Bashar Al Assad — an enemy, but at least a predictable one — may be next.
Netanyahu has led Israel to international isolation. His fractured relationship with Obama is mirrored by a rupture with Europe. Britain and France no longer conceal their frustration. Germany, for obvious reasons of history a stalwart ally, has lost all patience.
The turning point came in February when the so-called E3 countries backed a Security Council resolution condemning Netanyahu's expansion of colonies. Fourteen of the 15 Security Council members supported the resolution. Netanyahu was saved by a US veto.
All these "councils" that are created by countries that include the US need to stop allowing the US to veto the majority vote. If 14 out of 15 countries can see how wrong Israel is, then the US needs to accept the majority. If the US is going to dictate the vote, then what is the point of having these "councils"? On the other hand, there just may come a time when Israel doesn't get the US veto.
If push comes to shove, I hope that Netty gets a hard shove. Israel needs to understand it's place in the world today and the world could be a better place if they negotiated peace and land. I'm sure may Israelites understand it, but as with most countries, the Israeli people don't really have a voice in government.
I hope the outcome of the meeting in September Palestine is given international affirmation of their statehood, which would be a step forward for Palestine, and obviously a severe blow to Israel.