America Is Offering Money But That Is Not Enough

Money might appease the Palestinian Authority but not the public - opinion US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have spoken of providing equal measures of dignity, freedom, prosperity and democracy, and said that they are working on practical steps to ensure a better future for Palestinians and Israelis alike; nevertheless, all we have witnessed is a restoration of financial aid to the Palestinians and a vow of intention to reopen the American consulate in east Jerusalem with no time frame determined for the promise......... The Biden administration’s language is indeed positive and promising; however, in practice up until now, it is no more than lip service and an ATM machine for sustaining the UNRWA instead of resolving the issue of refugees forever. Israeli intransigence, settlement expansion, settler terror, annexation, application of discriminatory laws, and fruitless years of negotiations is what we witness on the ground. I must warn here of the return to coercive diplomacy that was sugar coated under the umbrella of the peace process. .................. My fear is that the Biden administration talk about a political settlement and cease-fire will only take us back to procrastination and Machiavellian negotiations that buy more time for Israeli land confiscations at the expense of Palestinian political rights.... New brand for Israel – from a high-tech state to the apartheid state of the 21st century. Now, how will the US counter the new brand unless they work toward guaranteeing the political and human rights of the Palestinian people? In Israel, Naftali Bennett, whose position on a two-state solution contradicts the Biden administration position, will lead the new government. Bennett not only opposes the two-state solution but supports settlements, is in favor of annexing Area C (which comprises 60% of the West Bank), advocates for Jewish control over Haram al-Sharif/Al-Aqsa, and supports a dangerously aggressive policy toward Palestinians. These are some facts to consider before the Americans welcome the new Israeli government. Also published at https://www.jpost.com/.../money-might-appease-the... https://themedialine.org/.../america-is-offering-money.../