President Obama’s ‘concessions’ to the Palestinians, and his ‘condemnation’
of Israel have been widely lauded in the media. A closer look at the content of
his speech, however, reveals some glaring realities; realities which speak more
of a continuation of existing American foreign policy, and political pandering,
than a respect for the rule of law and a true interest in the equality of
humanity.
President Obama referred to the situation of the Palestinian people as
“intolerable”, noting that America will not turn its back on “the legitimate
Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own”.
Notably absent was the root cause undermining these aspirations, the continued
denial of the Palestinian’s legitimate right to self-determination. Absent too
was a reference to Palestinian’s legitimate right to the equal protection of
the rule of law. Without the realization of these two fundamental rights,
justice, and a lasting peace, two things which all Palestinians truly aspire
to, are unattainable. The rule of law and self-determination are the
foundations which enable and ensure the realization of dignity and opportunity.
They are the basic prerequisites. Without addressing these underlying issues, a
shift in rhetoric does not translate to a shift in policy.
Significant in this regard is Obama’s claim that the US “does not accept the
legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements” and that “the continuing
humanitarian crisis in Gaza doe not serve Israel’s security; neither does the
continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank.” What President Obama failed
to address, was the reason why these settlements are illegitimate: they
constitute violations of international law and war crimes. It is the ongoing
illegal occupation of Palestinian territory that is the primary obstacle to
Palestinian’s legitimate rights. Addressing the settlements may be a step in
the right direction, but the settlements represent only one element of numerous
violations of international law perpetrated by Israel in the OPT. It is the
occupation itself that must be addressed. Political issue picking is
insufficient, real pressure must be put on Israel, pressure which addresses the
root causes, and does more than play a superficial political game.
Notable is President Obama’s reference to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as
not serving Israel’s security. This statement represents a shocking disregard
for the suffering of the Palestinian people and the rule of law. Israel’s siege
on the Gaza Strip is straightforwardly illegal. It is a form of collective
punishment, as prohibited in Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and it
is a violation of the fundamental principles of human dignity. People are
dying, people are being denied their basic rights, and their dignity is being
disregarded. This illegality should not be addressed from the perspective of an
Israeli concession. This framing, and the complete disregard for the rule of
law – principles espoused elsewhere in President Obama’s speech – hint at an
underlying reality. Until the content changes, eloquence counts for nothing but
a TV network sound bite.
Finally, I wish to note President Obama’s professed commitment “to
governments that reflect the will of the people.” This was perhaps a loaded
reference to the elections in Lebanon, but as President Obama notes, the
principles of democracy are human rights to be supported everywhere. What then
of the international community’s reaction to the Palestinian elections of 2006.
Will the US reverse its policy, will they support the creation of a Palestinian
unity government?
The suffering in Gaza continues, in the aftermath of a shocking and brutal
offensive, characterized by war crimes and violations of international law, the
people of Gaza remain subject to an illegal siege. Reconstruction is
impossible, no efforts have been made to address this situation. Today in the
Gaza Strip there is not even the concrete with which to construct a tombstone.
Money pledged at Sharm Al-Sheikh is just another show for the media without
concrete action. We are talking about real issues, not intellectual debates.
Civilians are suffering, the law is being straightforwardly and unambiguously
violated. These are issues that must be tackled head on, or at the very least
acknowledged.
President Obama’s speech was definitely a welcome overture towards increased
diplomacy, and an effort to overcome the mistakes of his predecessor. His more
welcoming, conciliatory approach, which stressed equality, and not dominance,
which acknowledged past colonial endeavors, is perhaps the greatest achievement
of his address. It is a success, and should be welcomed. It paves the way for
increased cooperation, on the basis of true equality. These actions must be
backed up, from all parties, with true efforts towards conciliation and
harmony, on the basis of justice and fundamental human rights. There is an
opportunity to place the individual above politics, to return to the true ideal
of democracy, as a form of government dedicated to the people.