Just Like With Oslo, Yielding to International Pressures Will Bring Destruction and Death
Maariv, Israel, April 12
“By simply complying with the requirements we’ve laid out for you, your situation could drastically improve.” This is the message being conveyed to us by the US and other Western nations. It appears that by preventing an operation in Rafah, ceasing the ongoing conflict against Hamas, and permitting the Palestinian Authority to govern the Gaza Strip, the threats to cut military aid and abstain from vetoing resolutions against Israel in the Security Council will be relinquished. This proposed method also comes with an added promise of a decline in anti-Israel and anti-Jewish propaganda worldwide. A notable number of individuals, both presently and historically, have chosen to believe in such assurances. The issue arises when these assertions do not align with reality, especially in the context of Israel and its people. Previous instances where we yielded to American expectations at Camp David, recognizing the “legitimate rights of the Palestinian people” and implementing stringent restrictions on IDF activities in Judea and Samaria, did not lead to the expected relief regarding Palestinian matters; if anything, the pressure heightened. Similarly, the signing of the Oslo peace accords did not result in the anticipated peace and serenity; on the contrary, it brought about additional turmoil and trauma from Arab adversaries, as well as relentless international coercion. Even during the disengagement from Gaza, hope lingered that it would put an end to assaults on our defense forces and decrease external pressures—yet the events of October 7 and the subsequent days proved otherwise, effectively debunking any illusions relating to Oslo. The persistence of Western nations, particularly the United States, in compelling Israel to make concessions despite fulfilling the agreed-upon terms is rooted in a variety of factors. It stems not just from a progressive ideology that inherently opposes Western values and aligns with the Third World against the “white” oppressors, nor solely on account of the significant Arab voting bloc in Michigan. Furthermore, it is not motivated by genuine moral principles, as evidenced by the lack of condemnation following the horrific violence on October 7, perpetuated by Gazans against their own people. Beyond progressive ideologies, internal political considerations, and false virtue signaling, lies a longstanding bias within the higher echelons of the American State Department and Western governments. According to these key policymakers, it seems that the demands of Israel’s adversaries hold more significance than Israel’s own interests, leading to unwavering support for those who oppose our nation. While tactical concessions may provide temporary respite from pressure, genuine concessions in pursuit of appeasement spell disaster for us in the long run. David Ben-Gurion understood this reality after Israel’s founding, recognizing the dangers of succumbing to American demands regarding refugees. His steadfastness prevented the country’s demise, a lesson that holds true even today: A surrender to international pressures for peace and Palestinian statehood would not only embolden Hamas but also jeopardize our very existence. In this complex political landscape, concessions are not the solution. —Ido Netanyahu, brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)
* * * *
