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Olmert Has Flip-Flopped again: “Convergence” Is Resurrected as a New, “Softer” Saudi Plan By
Susan Rosenbluth, Editor January 2007 Last month, there were indications that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s “convergence plan,” which calls for the unilateral withdrawal of Israel from most of Judea and Samaria and the expulsion of tens of thousands of Jews from their homes and communities, may be due for a resurrection—this time by Saudi Arabia. Although Israel and Saudi Arabia have no official diplomatic relations, US Ambassador to Israel Richard Jones revealed that the two countries have been holding high-level secret talks on the issue of terrorism. Denying that he had any details on the meetings, Mr. Jones suggested that the Olmert government is taking a second look at the long-rejected Saudi “peace plan” proposed in 2002 at a meeting of the Arab League in Beirut and publicized by New York Times columnist Tom Friedman. “I think [the Israelis] recognize that Saudi Arabia’s policies have evolved in recent years and that Saudi Arabia is now more interested, and more on the side of peace. The Israelis are warming to that,” said Mr. Jones. Similar Plans Defense Minister Amir Peretz said the Saudi plan, which calls for Israel to surrender all the land restored to the Jewish State in the 1967 Six-Day War, could be the basis for an agreement with the Palestinian Authority. Mr. Olmert has made similar statements. In return, the Saudi plan offers recognition of the State of Israel by Arab countries. The only differences between the Saudi plan and Mr. Olmert’s “convergence” map is that the Israeli prime minister would like not to surrender heavily populated Jewish areas such as the Jerusalem suburbs of Neve Ya’akov and Ma’aleh Adumim. The original Saudi plan called for the newly created Palestinian state to be given eastern Jerusalem as its capital, including the Old City with the Temple Mount. Weakened Israel According to various reports, including one by the Qatari-based Al Jazeera, the contacts between Israel and Saudi Arabia began soon after Israel’s perceived defeat in last summer’s war with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Mr. Olmert has publicly praised Saudi Arabia for its regional peace plan and for its position opposing Iran’s nuclear development program. The Israeli prime minister said he admired Saudi King Abdullah’s “wisdom and sense of responsibility” and his efforts in the region “both those made publicly and others as well.” When asked by Yediot Achronot if he had met with senior Saudi officials, Mr. Olmert said only, “I don’t have to answer every question.” The Saudis on the other hand flatly denied meeting with Israeli officials. “Softer” Plan There is some speculation that the Saudis are trying to create a “softer” version of their plan, which might be acceptable to the PA’s Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. Jordanian sources told Ha’aretz new elements include an Israeli withdrawal to “temporary lines” and a Palestinian five-year ceasefire, during which the two sides would carry out negotiations and engage in economic cooperation. The original Saudi plan called for Israel to grant all Arabs who left their homes in 1948 and 1967, as well as their descendants, a “right of return.” The result would mean millions of Arabs flooding Israel, ending its status as a Jewish state. Neither the Fatah nor Hamas branch of the PA has relinquished that “right of return,” and it is unclear if any new Saudi proposal will in any way “soften” that part of its plan as well. No “Right of Return” Mr. Olmert has not given any indication that he now plans to accept the Palestinian “right of return.” In a recent policy speech which angered not only members of the right in Israel, but also his own Kadima party, Mr. Olmert promised the Palestinians that in exchange for an end to terrorism, the establishment of a government that will recognize Israel, and the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, he would be ready to grant the PA a contiguous and independent state on the West Bank and Gaza, the release of “many” terrorists currently incarcerated in Israeli prisons, and the “evacuation of many territories and [Jewish] communities that were established therein.” To get this, Mr. Olmert said, the Palestinians would have to relinquish their demand for the “right of return.” That was a deal breaker. “We reject any deal that does not recognize the right of return,” said the Damascus-based Hamas deputy leader Moussa Abu Marzouk. “The Palestinian people will never give up this sacred right. Our people have been fighting for 58 years to achieve the right of return for all those who were expelled from their homeland.” In Gaza, Hamas spokesman Razi Hamad accused Mr. Olmert of “trying to bypass the core of the Palestinian cause, namely the right of return for the refugees.” Common Enemies Analysts say there are reasons, in addition to his speech, to believe Mr. Olmert is considering the Saudi plan, which can be seen as an extension of his own convergence plan with the added benefit of it not being unilateral. Just recently, Saudi and US defense officials, including Vice President Richard Cheney, met for the most comprehensive talks the two countries have had together in years. The discussion reportedly centered on the growing threat from Iran’s rapidly developing offensive power and concerns about the international Al Qaeda terrorist organization, issues that worry Israel as well. Last month, Saudi officials publicly launched a campaign that is purportedly geared to teaching children the dangers of terrorism. The kingdom’s education department said it is trying to combat the culture of terrorism that tries to engage young children in martyrdom activities. Party of Withdrawal Before 2005, Mr. Olmert was a member of the right-wing Likud party. Then he veered left and joined former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s Kadima Party, which was formed for the sole purpose of supporting Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. Under Mr. Olmert, Kadima is now the party that supports withdrawal from Judea and Samaria. Last month, 200 residents of the Samarian community of Migron, located near Beit El and Psagot, were told that they will be expelled forcibly from their homes unless they reach a “voluntary evacuation” agreement with the Olmert government. Peace Now, the radical left-wing group dedicated to ending Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria, brought the issue of Migron to court, claiming it was built on private Arab land. The land is officially listed that way, but, residents say, before Peace Now sought the Arabs out and encouraged them to make their claims, they had not done so. “Restraint” The prime minister has come under continuous political attack, including strong calls for his immediate resignation, not only from the right, but increasingly from the center as well, for his perceived mismanagement of the war in Lebanon last summer and his insistence on a policy of “restraint” regarding a ceasefire with Palestinians in Gaza. It is estimated that since the ceasefire went into effect on November 26, more than 60 Qassams—an average of two each day—have fallen in Sderot and other Negev communities bordering Gaza. Most of the mortars, which are usually timed to land just when children are going to school, have caused a great deal of material damage, but few casualties beyond shock and panic. But on Tuesday, December 26, a Qassam that landed in Sderot seriously wounded two 14-year-old boys when the rocket hit their residential building. It had been the seventh rocket fired that day, one of which had landed near a strategic site in the southern port town of Ashkelon. The other rocket attacks caused no casualties. “Pinpoint” In response to the attack on the boys, Mr. Olmert agreed to allow the IDF to conduct “pinpoint operations” against Qassam launching cells, which means soldiers can take action against specific terrorists when they are detected. Military sources said the new policy would not even help reduce the number of rockets fired at western Negev communities, let alone stop them. “Pinpoint operations are a step in the right direction, but really only partially. Security forces must be allowed to control the area in a more effective manner,” said Maj-Gen (ret) Yiftah Ron-Tal. Mr. Ron-Tal warned that it is extremely difficult to spot terrorists in the act of launching rockets and almost impossible to attack them once they are identified. Like other senior IDF officers, Mr. Ron-Tal criticized Mr. Olmert for turning down a proposal to allow Israeli forces to cross the Gaza border and create a security buffer zone. Helping Hamas Labor MK Danny Yatom, a former head of the Mossad intelligence agency and a candidate to lead the Labor party, also called for an end to government restraint. He said Israel must respond sharply to the terrorists to ensure that they have a reason not to violate any future ceasefires. Even Mr. Peretz, leader of the left-wing Labor Party, said it was uncertain that preventing the IDF from operating against the Qassams was actually “working to the benefit of the moderates.” The head of Israel’s Military Intelligence research division, Yossi Beidetz, told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Hamas is benefiting from the ceasefire. “They are continuing to smuggle, dig tunnels, and exercise military maneuvers learned from Hezbollah. They are bolstering their ground defense systems, and they are getting help from Syria and Iran with their military plans. If this continues, we have to consider what the situation on the ground will look like in a year,” he said. Brig-Gen Sami Turjeman agreed, telling the committee that, in another few months, the IDF will have to deal “with military capabilities of the terror organizations that we haven’t been familiar with until now, especially in the realm of anti-tank missiles.” Preventing Unity Mr. Olmert argued that a military response to the rockets could unite the warring Hamas and Fatah factions against Israel. He also pointed out that the 60 rockets that have fallen in the month since the ceasefire was announced, is less than the 250 rockets that were launched the month before. Shin Bet head Yuval Diskin said Islamic Jihad and renegade Fatah factions were the groups responsible for most of the Qassam rocket fire and that while members of Hamas were not launching the mortars, the Hamas government was unlikely to try to stop them. According to reports in the Israeli press, the groups firing the rockets have another motive besides hatred of Israel. Israeli intelligence sources say Hezbollah troops are smuggling Iranian cash into Gaza which is then offered to terrorists directly, on an attack-by-attack basis. According to the Jerusalem Post, Hezbollah is paying “thousands of dollars” for each Qassam rocket fired at Israel. “Sometimes they are paid before the attack and sometimes they submit a bill to Lebanon afterwards and the money gets transferred a short while later,” a security official told the Post. Letting Them Through In addition to the problems with terrorism from Gaza, there have been scores of other terrorist incidents in Judea and Samaria, most of which have gone almost unreported in the media. These range from stone throwing to stabbings and shootings. Dozens of Jews have been injured. Nevertheless, as a concession to PA President Mahmoud Abbas, Mr. Olmert was initially willing to eliminate 57 checkpoints (some reports say the number was closer to 400) through which Palestinians in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza were compelled to pass. Eventually Mr. Olmert settled on easing inspections at 16 checkpoints and completely eliminating 27 roadblocks. Israelis admit that the roadblocks make life uncomfortable for the Palestinians, most of whom are not terrorists, but, according to the IDF, 60 percent of all would-be suicide bombers are stopped at checkpoints. The military identifies these roadblocks as one of the country’s chief defenses against terror. Checkpoints Work Dozens of Palestinians trying to enter Israel with knives and explosives have been arrested at the checkpoints, thwarting their terrorist intentions. Two weeks before Mr. Olmert ordered the checkpoints dismantled, a terrorist cell was caught with a large supply of explosives as its members attempted to cross the Eyn Bidan checkpoint just east of Shechem (Nablus). According to Arutz 7, when that checkpoint was removed briefly nine months ago, a terrorist passed through and later, dressed as a religious Jewish hitchhiker, murdered four Israelis. The checkpoint was re-established, but now will be removed again. “The checkpoints work. It’s that simple. It’s how we stop terrorism,” said deputy Chief of Staff Moshe Kaplinsky. The strong disapproval expressed by the military prompted analyst Aaron Lerner of the IMRA news agency to suggest Mr. Olmert might be guilty of “reckless endangerment.” Cash and Arms Other concessions made by Mr. Olmert include the transfer of $100 million in frozen PA taxes, the transfer of more than $7 million to Palestinian-run hospitals in Jerusalem, and permission for Egypt and Jordan to provide Mr. Abbas’s forces with weapons for Fatah’s struggle with Hamas. After Egypt, with Israel’s permission, transferred 2,000 Kalashnikov rifles, 20,000 rounds of ammunition, and 2 million bullets to Fatah through the Gaza-Egypt border crossing, the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), another terrorist group which cooperates with Hamas, said those arms would be used against Israel. “We vow to show the Israelis very soon the weapons they lately channeled to [Fatah forces] will be directed against the occupation,” said Muhammed Abdel Al, a spokesman for the PRC. Turned on Jews According to Mr. Al, all PA security services, including those supposedly loyal to Mr. Abbas, include “activists affiliated with all the Palestinian groups, including ours and Hamas.” “At least a third of the workforce in the security apparatuses are affiliated with the resistance movements,” he said, adding that members of the security services have also sold weapons to Palestinian terror groups. Israel’s past experience points to the accuracy of Mr. Al’s statements. “Israeli soldiers and citizens will be killed by these weapons,” predicted Likud MK Yuval Shteinitz, former chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Prisoner Exchange During his first meeting with Mr. Abbas, Mr. Olmert stuck to the original Israeli demand that captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, held since June 25 by several Palestinian militant groups in Gaza, would have to be released before any Palestinian terrorists held in Israeli prisons would be freed. But by the end of December, Mr. Olmert was discussing the release of some prisoners as a gesture to Mr. Abbas, even before Mr. Shalit was let go. A cabinet source told Reuters Mr. Olmert had said, “The time has come for flexibility and generosity, and Israeli policy could be different than what has been said in past meetings.” Part of that flexibility seems to be a willingness to release Palestinian terrorists who have been responsible for violence against Jews, those whom Israelis say “have blood on their hands.” Mr. Abbas wants all 11,000 Palestinian prisoners incarcerated by Israel to be released. Mr. Olmert is reportedly considering releasing 1500. Bethlehem Mr. Olmert has also committed Israel to convening a joint committee to discuss allowing the terrorists who laid siege to Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity in 2002 to return to the PA. In that incident, for more than 30 days, some 150 Fatah terrorists held an equal number of Christian clergymen hostage, trashed the church and its holy books, and, in the words of one of the victims, “stole everything.” To the great relief of Bethlehem’s Christian community, 13 of the ringleaders of the siege were deported to Cyprus and then dispersed to European countries. Twenty-six were sent to Gaza. Now Mr. Olmert seems intent on allowing them to return, as a way of boosting Mr. Abbas’s popularity. Judea and Samaria Another issue on which Mr. Olmert has wobbled is the Palestinian demand that Israel extend the ceasefire to Judea and Samaria. Originally, Mr. Olmert told Mr. Abbas the Palestinians must first demonstrate an ability to uphold the truce in Gaza. Then Mr. Olmert issued instructions that, even in Judea and Samaria, IDF soldiers were to “moderate” their activity. The security establishment said the new policy would endanger Israeli citizens. “Collaborating” Many Israelis, but especially residents of Sderot, have reacted with outrage to Mr. Olmert’s concessions. National Union MK Dr. Aryeh Eldad accused the prime minister of “collaborating,” and his NU colleague, MK Tzvi Hendel called Mr. Olmert “disgusting.” Dr. Eldad said that by giving money to the PA while the Palestinian government held a kidnapped Israeli soldier and allowed rockets to be fired at Israel, Mr. Olmert was “ in violation of the law banning the funding of terrorism, and is collaborating with Israel’s enemies.” Mr. Hendel said he had “no expectations from a man who is so devoid of morality that in the middle of a terrorism war, and amidst threats of murderous terrorism from every direction, he is not embarrassed to promise the enemy the expulsion of the Jewish residents and the establishment of a terror state.” Looking for Ways The Almagor organization, which represents victims of Arab terror attacks, announced that it will present a petition to the High Court against the plan to transfer the tax funds. “Olmert has no way to ensure that the money will not reach Hamas,” said Meir Indor, the leader of Almagor. Asked how Mr. Olmert would prevent the funds from helping Hamas, his spokeswoman, Miri Eisen, was vague. “The money itself will not be transferred to the Hamas-led government, and right now we are looking for the right way to be able to transfer the money for different humanitarian issues,” she said. Recognizing the Flag When Messrs Olmert and Abbas met at the prime minister’s official residence in Jerusalem on December 23, the two shook hands and kissed each other on the cheek. They took seats opposite each other at a long table set for a meal with Israeli and Palestinian flags as centerpieces. It was the first time an Israeli prime minister had recognized the flag of Palestine. After the meeting, Mr. Olmert’s office issued a statement saying they had met “in a good and friendly atmosphere” and had “expressed their willingness to cooperate—as genuine partners—in an effort to advance the peace process between Israel and the PA and to reach a solution of two states living side by side in peace and security, according to the Road Map.” Mr. Olmert has described Mr. Abbas as “an adversary” with whom Israel can do “business.” The concessions, Mr. Olmert said, were necessary to strengthen Mr. Abbas so that he can fight Hamas and make peace with Israel. Bowing to Pressure Jerusalem Post columnist Caroline Glick disagreed, saying if Mr. Abbas were really interested in peace, he would be asking Israel to do whatever possible to escalate the fight against terrorism. “He would prefer that [terrorists] rot in jail and not be released to enjoy the freedom to kill again. In other words, if Abbas were interested in peace he would be doing precisely the opposite of what he is doing,” she said. She accused Mr. Olmert of bowing to pressure from the Bush administration, which has demonstrated its interest in having Israel make concessions to Mr. Abbas while avoiding discussions with Syria, which the US is seeking to isolate. No Concessions Mr. Olmert’s concessions have been dismissed by the PA’s Hamas government as worthless. PA Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zafar, a member of Hamas, told students at the Islamic University in Gaza that the solution to the conflict is not the creation of a Palestinian state, as formulated by the Saudi plan, in the territories won by Israel in 1967, but rather the “total liberation of all Palestinian lands,” a popular Arab euphemism for all of the State of Israel. Referring to Mr. Olmert, Mr. Zahar said even Israelis have begun to question whether Israel will continue to exist in the next few decades. A Religious Battle Mr. Zahar’s Hamas colleague, PA Deputy Director for Religious Affairs Salah Alrakab told the students that Islam forbids signing a peace agreement with Jews, because “the conflict with Jews is a religious, existential struggle and is not a conflict over borders.” The Jews, he said, have no claim to the land of Israel except the Torah, and that, he continued, “has already been proven to be a forgery.” He said liberation of the land will be accomplished only by jihad and the “general mobilization of the Islamic nation,” which, he said, is the shortest way to restore Palestinian rights and “shrink the greed of the Jews.” The Jewish Voice and Opinion is a politically conservative Jewish publication which present news and feature articles not generally available elsewhere in the Jewish or secular media. Articles may be reprinted in their entirety with attribution.
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