Keep the Peace

I am going to try to not comment on the events in Egypt too much., because it's difficult for me to pretend that I have enough knowledge about the situation to pretend to any expertise. I know, this doesn't prevent most people from commentary.

Nevertheless, it seems to me that this "revolution," while dangerous and uncertain, presents the Israelis with an opportunity - and I think my use of that word is risky, and foolish, and subject to significant misinterpretation - to begin to change the dynamic of the Israel-Arab relationship.

It would be wise, I think, for Israel to signal its support for a truly democratic Egypt, not by appearing to back any faction or any overturn of government, but though a simple statement that the State of Israel supports the rights of self-determination, demonstration, free speech and democracy throughout the Middle East and the world, that it views democratic nations as partners in peace, and that, in that spirit, the State of Israel is redoubling its efforts to seek a lasting peace with its democratic neighbors and the establishment of a democratic Palestinian state that can live side-by-side with Israel in a cooperative relationship where the respect of nations and their people is a given. In connection with that, they should call for a renewal of face-to-face negotiations with Palestinians, in Cairo, to be mediated by the U.S., the E.U. and the legitimate democratically-elected governments of the Middle East.

There's a lot of massaging that can go on there, and I understand that Israel is a bit skittish on all of this, and on the risks any change in Egypt's government poses to the three-decade peace treaty with Egypt, but opportunities for true, organic change (as opposed to military takeovers, wars and such) only occur so often. Israel needs a game changer, if there is ever to be a true peace. You don't win friends or peace at the end of a sword, you don't achieve it through occupation or suppression. If they don't find a way to side with the people of the Arab world in this new democratic fervor, those democracies, or whatever they end up as, will surely not be on their side. There's no guarantee that they will be, anyway, but any good will is more than currently exists, and peace requires risk.

Oh, and by supporting the people and democratic ideals, they would also be on the right side of history, which matters.