‘It’s Israel’s position!’ they cried
A fuss recently broke out when StandWithUs, an American Jewish organization, was caught red-handed, by its supporters, aggressively pushing the two-state illusion. In a bid for credibility, StandWithUs stubbonly denied that support for the two-state illusion was their own position. “It is the State of Israel’s position!”, they cried.
Simply put, this was nonsense. Look up the Government Guidelines of the State of Israel, which is the statutory document by virtue of which Israel’s government assumes power. The Guidelines are voted on directly by Israel’s duly elected legislature. Do you see the least mention of the two-state “solution” in there? Of course not – because establishment of Palestinian state is vociferously opposed by the majority of Israel’s ministers. Also, when the Knesset was called upon a couple of years ago to vote for actual legislation calling for a two-state solution — did the Government of Israel, headed by Netanyahu, support this? Of course not. Instead the Government trashed the bill – by a Knesset margin of 50:24 i.e. not even close. Minister Uri Ariel pointedly observed that this result was a clear statement that the idea of two states is not the position of the Government of Israel.
It seems that when a pro-Israel organization is funded by 2-staters, strange things happen. The situation is aggravated by equally aggressive 2-staters employed by Israel’s own Foreign Ministry (which controls Israel’s embassies). These holdovers from earlier, more pro-Palestinian Israeli governments cannot be fired. Grasping at straws, since public opinion is fast moving in the opposite direction, 2-staters employed by Israel’s own Foreign Ministry are delighted to collude with wealthy and well-meaning, albeit naïve, American Jewish donors. What Israel has done to diplomatically – so to speak – break this deadlock is to systematically downgrade its own Foreign Ministry, financially and in other ways – substituting Israel’s new, powerful and well-funded Strategic Affairs ministry. Eventually, Israel’s derelict Foreign Ministry will figure out that it is time to put itself in accord with the policies of Israel’s elected government. When this happens, but not before, the Foreign Ministry and its budget will be restored to their former glory.
Colombia recently stabbed Israel in the back, for various internal reasons of its own, and “recognized a Palestinian state”. StandWithUs, responding, weakly messaged its supporters (condensed quotes here and elsewhere) as follows: “Israel (read: StandWithUs – S. D.) supports the two-state solution. But 40% of Palestinians live under Hamas, an internationally recognized terrorist organization. What role will Hamas play in this Palestinian state?” StandWithUs: If even you agree that a Palestinian state is a bad idea for now – why insist, now, that a Palestinian state – irreversible once established — will suddenly turn into a great idea, later?
And why foist this folly on Israel, rather than standing up and admitting this is your very own opinion?
Beware, Israel’s friends and supporters: do not be confused by two-state endorsements coming to you “from pro-Israel organizations”. Instead, stay far away from the Palestinian-state band-wagon. No friend of Israel should be caught dead – pun intended – supporting the establishment of yet another hostile state for the land-rich Arab nation, this one just a bike-ride away from Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv and Ben-Gurion airport.
If your Jewish organization refuses to play ball, threaten that you will leave and join the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), or American for a Safe Israel (AFSI) instead. These organizations have never ever supported the two-state solution nor have they ever turned away a single Brit who wants to join them in really, really supporting Israel. Nor has CUFI (for Christian supporters of Israel). And Christians’ Israel Public Action Campaign (CIPAC), founded in 1989 by Richard Hellman. Hellman, a Washington based international lawyer, is a vociferous opponent of the two-state illusion. In short, supporters of Israel, whether Jewish or Christian, have plenty of wonderful pro-Israel organizational options. Hence they can and should actively prevent all organizations that depend on their support, from getting away with murder. Steer clear of the two-state illusion, everybody!