Barak's Push for Peace
(Signs of the Time - August 1999)
Since being sworn in as Israeli prime minister, Ehud Barak has set off on a whirlwind diplomatic tour in the hope of bringing peace to the Middle East. In the first few days in office, Mr. Barak visited four neighboring Arab nations with the hope of rejuvenating the side-tracked peace accord.
Frantic pace
Mr. Barak met with Hosni Murbarak, president of Egypt, King Abdullah of Jordan and
President Auleyman Demirel of Turkey. It was Mr. Barak’s first order of business,
however, which surprised everyone. His first official visit was with the Palestinian
leader, Yazir Arafat, at the Erez Crossing in Gaza. It was at this meeting that it was
stressed: "a new era of peacemaking lay ahead, one in which they would be
partners." The New York Times reported on July 12 that: "Mr.
Arafat nodded vigorously as Mr. Barak, with pursed lips and a resolute glare, said he was
determined to overcome all the obstacles."
Both leaders attempted to further peace by overindulging each other with praise, glad-handing and a promise some tangible benefits will be forthcoming. They used phrases such as: "We have to climb together like a team of cliff climbers, to go to the summit together, otherwise the alternative is that we may all fall into the abyss below."
Mr. Barak has requested that American involvement in the process by reduced dramatically. In particular Mr. Barak said: "The Americans should be able to return to their special role as facilitators and stop acting as arbitrator, policeman and judge. I don’t think the C.I.A. should be involved in counting the number of policemen in the Gaza Strip to check up on Palestinians." Possibly, Mr. Barak made such remarks to curry favor with those surrounding Arab nations who have anti-American sentiments.
Possible problems
Despite the positive front, Mr. Barak and Mr. Arafat have different ideas as to how to
approach their problems. Mr. Arafat demanded on July 12 that: "The Wye River
accord be carried out and that the next segment of land be handed over -- about 7% of the
West Bank." In turn, Mr. Barak is attempting to convince Mr. Arafat to abandon
this demand. According to the July 14 New York Times, "Mr. Barak wants to
persuade Yasir Arafat to abandon his demand for fully and immediately carrying out the
most recent Israeli-Palestinian peace accord." According to Mr. Barak, "Full
implementation of the accord is too risky" as he felt it would provoke attacks
attempting to thwart peace. He claimed the risk of terrorist acts as one reason he is
reluctant to proceed at a full gallop. "This is not because he fears terrorism,
per se, but because he believes terrorism spoils the climate for peacemaking."
Significantly, Mr. Barak had initially referred to Mr. Arafat as a "friend and a partner" at their first face-to-face meeting. Two days later, however, Mr. Barak said, "He’s not a Zionist or a member of the B’nai B’rith. We are partnerish rivals."
Despite the double talk and potential setbacks, Mr. Barak has continued to build trust and gain the respect of those around him. This obviously is an essential ingredient for peace. Mr. Barak compares himself to former Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzak Rabin, who was a trusted leader in Arab eyes. Mr. Barak indicated to Mr. Arafat he is "going to follow the kind of relationship you had with Rabin."
As Bible students, we realize it is essential the peace process move forward but merely to a point where peace and safety is decreed rather than implemented. "For when they say, Peace and safety!, then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape" (I Thess. 5:3).
We cannot help but anticipate the new Israeli leader will be the one for who moves us closer to the return. Let us pray this initial forays toward peace are followed by Christ’s return.
George Rayner