Israel must grab this peace initiative

A peaceful resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict seems as elusive as finding a deliberately hidden needle amidst several haystacks. Again, as many times before, hopes of resumption of talks are receding fast. The US-backed effort at getting the two sides to talk, with US secretary of state John Kerry patently having invested much time and effort, is unravelling after the announcement of reconciliation between Hamas and the PLO led by Mahmoud Abbas and the prospect of a unity government. Israel responded by seemingly shutting the door, asking Abbas to instead shun Hamas. But critics of Israel would aver that it, again, never seemed interested in a genuine dialogue given its announcement of yet more building activity on Palestinian land, after having refused to release some prisoners as a lead-up to those talks.

Israel says there can’t be talks if Hamas, with its stated intent of destroying the former, is part of the package. On his part, Abbas offered a strong statement against the mass killings of Jews by the Nazis, while stressing a unity government would essentially be a PLO platform, with the acceptance of Israel as a given. It is probable that Abbas wants to use Hamas as a negotiating tool, as he does with the Palestinian attempt to file for membership of more international bodies — which Israel is dead set against. Then again, the Palestinians have only a few cards to play; while Israel just seems to keep deferring the two-state solution for years on end.

For once, even the US seems sharply critical: Kerry even used words the Israelis loathe when he said the failure to reach a solution puts Israel at risk of becoming “an apartheid state”. Even those who disagree would have to admit Israel is painting itself into a dark corner. There is no reason why it should.