Political opportunism

Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni lashed out at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the opening session of the Knesset on Monday, warning that a “Palestinian state will arise and it will not be the one you (Netanyahu) fear but a Palestinian state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea”.

The former Israeli foreign minister was obviously referring to the possibility that might arise in view of the obstacles the Israeli prime minister is placing on the way to establishing a Palestinian state in the West Bank on the basis of the two-state solution, which the entire international community is endorsing and calling for.

The alternative to the two-state solution, Livni said, could be a unitary Palestinian state that the Palestinians would eventually create in the entire territory of former Palestine “by the simple power of the right to vote”.

Here she was clearly alluding to the projected demographic changes that would make the Palestinians a clear majority in the territories of former Palestine in a matter of time.

Livni also reproached Netanyahu for having attained one single achievement, political survival, and that has come at a heavy cost which has “defeated America, humiliated the Palestinians and isolated Israel” from the rest of the world.

Such lucid understanding of the state of affairs is, unfortunately, falling on the deaf ears of the Israeli prime minister.

He will dismiss his political rival’s assessment of the situation because all he cares for is the political survival Livni was talking about. To ensure that, he will cling to power and appeal to the belligerent penchant of his right-wing government, even if that comes at the expense of his people.

That being the case, maybe sensible Israelis, and there are many, no doubt, will decide that their destiny is better taken care of if they take things in their hands.

Choosing a premier that has their interest at heart, that has the courage to settle the conflict with the Palestinians on a judicious basis, will be a sure way to provide the security and stability that both peoples need and deserve.