Soccer Dad

New president, old paradigms

The New York Times is happy with the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. And of course the Times draws the wrong lessons.

The Israelis have tough decisions ahead, starting with their vote next month for a new prime minister. We hope that they choose a leader who is truly committed to negotiating peace with the Palestinians. That will require some very difficult concessions. But it is the only way to guarantee their country's lasting security.

Israel did make a very difficult concession for peace. It withdrew from Gaza. Many of its citizens who were expelled to make that possible have not been made whole. But worse, the withdrawal from Gaza made the nightmare of Katyushas from Gaza a reality.

So what should President Obama do?

The cease-fire gives President Obama some breathing room to consider how the Gaza war affects prospects for a new peace initiative -- but not a lot. The new president has said he will work for a peace deal from Day 1 and we hope he means it.

It will require a commitment to be more evenhanded, creative and energetic in encouraging Israelis and Palestinians toward peace. It could also benefit from a diverse American negotiating team with considerable expertise in the Arab and Islamic world.

Towards that end, President Obama seems likely to appoint Senator George Mitchell as his Middle East envoy. What's Mitchell's record?

Just before Mr. Clinton left office, in late 2000, he asked Mr. Mitchell to prepare a report on steps necessary to end newly erupted violence between Israelis and Palestinians, in what became known as the second intifada. The report, which came out the following year, recommended a freeze on new Israeli settlements on Palestinian land and dismantling the Palestinian terror infrastructure. Neither has been achieved.

In response to Arafat's "Aqsa intifada" MItchell recommended that Israel stop building settlements. Actually the second part - the dismantling of the Palestinian terror infrastructure - was achieved in Judea and Samaria. But it was done by Israel. Through force of arms. I now that the Times does not believe that the military can defeat terrorism, but Israel did. By declaring a ceasefire, Israel might have missed a chance to destroy Hamas.

There's a new president and the Times wants him to go back to the Middle East and attempt to do what has always failed in the past. What's needed is not more American involvement, but a change of heart in the Arab world, and among the Palestinians in particular.

Crossposted on Yourish.