From the Mossad assassination of Hamas commander Mahmoud al−Mabhouh so embarrassingly exposed by Dubai authorities to the recent hoopla surrounding the continuation of single−sex bus lines serving the Haredi community, Israel has captured its share of dubious headlines recently. Even the tiny Israeli Winter Olympics team took a hit in January, with Israeli three−time National Champion figure skater Tamar Katz failing to meet the National Olympic Committee's qualifying standards.
Far and away the most troubling headline to emerge from Israel, however, came during Vice President Joe Biden's recent weeklong trip to the Middle East, the bulk of which was spent in Israel. Last Tuesday, soon after Biden's arrival, Israel's Ministry of the Interior announced that it had approved construction of 1,600 new settlements — a particularly awkward statement given the very cordial meetings between Biden and Israelis the day before.
Aides to Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu claimed he was "blindsided," while Biden and other U.S. authorities qualified the announcement as "an insult," "an affront" and "precisely the kind of step that undermines the trust we need right now." Perhaps U.S. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs summed it up best in stating, "that was not a bright spot for the Israeli government."
Biden and his U.S. envoy went to Israel in order to set the foundation for "proximity talks" between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and to ultimately build up trust on both sides. The Israeli announcement was more than "not a bright spot" in regional politics — it was a clear signal from Israel that it is unwilling to step up and legitimately engage with the Palestinian Authority. As long as settlements continue to grow, meaningful dialogue between both parties is largely impossible. Israel has, once again, chosen obstruction over discourse and has made its hubris evident. Not only is it defying the wishes of the country that writes its checks, but it has done so in a way that inflicts maximum embarrassment and political damage.
Netanyahu has offered an apology to Obama, and many in the press have alleged a growing United States−Israeli rift, albeit one that has been growing in a largely passive−aggressive manner over the past week. Netanyahu has pledged to set up an investigative committee to "examine the chain of events" that led up to the announcement during Biden's time in Israel. That isn't a state official concerned about a growing rift with its strongest ally — it's shallow politics to make it appear Israel cares about the political disaster that took place.
Clearly, the Israelis aren't all that concerned about things now, since the settlement increases remain on track. The U.S. envoy should have created an immediate, full−blown diplomatic crisis with Israel when the settlements announcement came. Upon hearing the news of new settlements that morning, Biden and his team should have been on a Washington−bound plane that afternoon, cutting off all communication with the Israelis. The United States should have been openly aggressive toward Israel, rather than taking its current "quietly make a comment here, cancel a special envoy there" approach. The United States should have instilled great fear in the Israelis and made sure they understand who dictates policy in this international relationship.
During the trip, Biden asserted, "progress occurs in the Middle East when everyone knows there is simply no space between the United States and Israel." Unconditional support for Israel has dug the United States into a political hole in the Middle East. Allowing this most recent example of Israeli arrogance to pass without consequence will only further degrade the peace process and delegitimize U.S. regional diplomatic efforts. The United States should not seek an immediate divorce from the Israelis, as many dysfunctional relationships can be salvaged. But for the immediate future, both should sleep in separate diplomatic bedrooms if true Middle Eastern progress is to be made.
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Teddy Minch is a senior majoring in political science. He hosts "The Rundown," a talk show from 3 to 5 p.m. every Friday on WMFO. He can be reached at Theodore.Minch@tufts.edu.
