I am sure there are sensible people who wonder why Israel continually walks into the same airplane propeller known as the “peace process.” There is no easy answer, but here’s one reason.
Binyamin Ben-Eliezer is an Israeli relic, one of the few Labor MKs still standing. But no one can say the 74-year-old hasn’t had an impressive career. According to Wikipedia, he served as a Commander in the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War, and was wounded in the War of Attrition. He has also held several ministerial posts, including Minister of Industry, Trade and Labour, Minister of Defense, Deputy Prime Minister. In fact, after all his years of service there is only one blemish on his record: Ben-Eliezer is a nitwit.
Here he is in today’s Jerusalem Post commenting on the situation in Egypt. Before you read it be prepared for a jarring non-sequitor which could have the rhetorical effect of a sharp turn on a roller coaster.
"There is no prominent, moderate figure like Nasser or Sadat [to speak with], and in the elections in the coming days mainly religious elements will come out to vote.
The secular people will stay at home," Ben Eliezer said. "Israel is constantly communicating its desire to improve relations...but the leadership today is hand in hand with the people and their expectations are high. They will simply blame Israel. The immediate conclusion is that Israel must enter negotiations with the Palestinians. Otherwise our embassies will continue to be attacked all over the world."
With men who “reason” like that still being rewarded with credibility and stature, there is no mystery why Israel continues to pursue peace with people who want to destroy it.
Dan Friedman
NYC
