We know for a fact that US President Barack Obama can utter extremely strong words. We know it because he heard him yesterday being as assertive and as firm as any leader can possibly be. Practically groveling for Jewish votes, Obama put on his “I heart Israel” face and let out all the stops.
“…when one-sided resolutions are brought up at the Human Rights Council, we oppose them. When there are efforts to boycott or divest from Israel, we will stand against them. And whenever an effort is made to delegitimize the state of Israel, my administration has opposed them. So there should not be a shred of doubt by now – when the chips are down, I have Israel’s back.” You sure do, Mr. Obama. Without a doubt.
So,anyone can understand why we Palestinians just don’t want to hear it when Obama or any of his mouthpieces in the government express their “deep concern” for Israel’s gross violations against the Palestinians. It is not even “concern” in most cases but a nonchalance at best. When in December 2011, 14 Security Council members including some of the United States’ closest allies issued a statement condemning Israel’s continued settlement construction and settler violence, the US bailed. "We declined to join that statement for all of the usual reasons. It doesn’t change the fact that our longstanding policy remains that we don’t recognize the legitimacy of the continued Israeli settlements, but we don’t think statements in the UNSC are the way to pursue the goal of getting these parties back to the table," State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland said.
And when 930 settlement units were approved for construction in the East Jerusalem settlement of HarHoma, the US said it was “deeply concerned” at the unilateral move. It did not however, put its concern into concrete steps to counter it.
While Europe is also in love with the term “concerned” when it comes to Israel and its measures against the Palestinians, its tone is not nearly as condescending as the Americans. Listening to Obama yesterday speaking before AIPAC, it was very hard not to turn the television (or computer) off.
Understandably, this was probably Obama’s last ditch effort to score some votes but still, it doesn’t mean the Palestinians should always get thrown under the bus. While he did say that he still believed in “peace and the two state solution” he has done nothing in practical terms to make that happen. On the contrary, his administration’s lukewarm response to Israel’s manic settlement acceleration in the West Bank and east Jerusalem is actually enabling Israel to realize its own goals of preventing that very solution.
Perhaps we cannot change the US’s foreign policy towards Palestine or its undying support and love for Israel. What we can do is ask the US to be more honest, even if this means it admits to its lack of fairness. Palestinians have long seen through the façade of America’s claim of “honest broker” but have stuck with the program for lack of a viable substitute. The European Union, while strong enough to take on this role has historically lacked the political will to assume it. The result has been more verbal and perhaps economic support from the Europeans and even occasional but scathing criticism of Israel’s policy in Palestine but we have yet to see or feel the passionate support such as that which Israel receives from the US. This is not to dismiss the support we do receive from millions of people around the world, some of whom have even died in our name. But in terms of governments, the Palestinians have accepted the fact that they were born to stand alone in their fight.
So, spare us the “deep concern,” because Obama said it all yesterday. “If you want to know where my heart lies, look no further than what I have done – to stand up for Israel; to secure both of our countries and to see that the rough waters of our time lead to a peaceful and prosperous shore.”
