The White House recently released President Obama’s 2010 National Security Strategy, which largely focuses on our country’s view of the needs in the Middle East. In the section “Advancing our Interests,” the document outlines the advancement of peace, security and opportunity in the region.
Although the document reaffirms the United States has an “unshakeable commitment” to the security of our “close friend,” Israel, it recognizes that we also have a commitment to the “achievement of the Palestinian people’s legitimate aspirations for statehood, opportunity, and the realization of their extraordinary potential.”
The Obama administration seems to have moved away from the strong, pro-Israel sentiments of the Bush administration to a more balanced, focused view that is also strategically sympathetic to the Palestinians.
But are President Obama’s revived Israeli-Palestinian peace talks really going to make a difference this time around?
According to the New York Times, a small fleet of cargo ships and passenger boats were carrying 10,000 tons of aid to Gaza, including food and supplies, in the hopes of providing humanitarian aid to the area. Gaza, however, has been under a military blockade enforced by Israel.
Its warnings to the convoy ignored, Israel responded by sending naval commandos to board one of the ships, which carried about 600 activists. Israeli officials say the soldiers were then attacked, with 10 soldiers wounded. It seems the convoy passengers suffered the most, though. Nine of the boat’s passengers were killed and 30 were wounded.
The New York Times reported some of the few activists released by Israel told reporters upon their arrival in Berlin that they had been on a peaceful mission, and accused the Israeli commandos as being the aggressors in the situation.
This calls the official Israeli story into question and casts more doubt that this festering rift can be mended any time soon.
Once again, nations are prompted to take sides. The Arab nation is outraged at the deaths of the activists, and understandably so. The Israeli military blockade, itself questionable, should not keep out humanitarian aid to an area ravaged by conflict.
Four of the passengers killed were Turkish citizens, the Anatolian News Agency reported, and the convoy had Turkish backing. Israel has now further alienated one of its closest supporters in the Middle East, worsening the situation. Turkey is putting pressure on both the United States and the United Nations to hold Israel accountable for the violence that occurred.
How much leeway can we give Israel in light of its constant war-like atmosphere? Too much allowance may already have been given. International outrage, most notably among the Arab community, may put an end to American-hosted peace talks and improved relations in the region. Maintaining our friendship with Israel, while holding them accountable for the country’s part in the seemingly never ending violence, may prove to be impossible for Obama, or any diplomat.
With allies changing sides and international views shifting, the balance of Israeli and Palestinian support is tipping, as well.