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2 HASHALOM October

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October

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HASHALOM

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SEEKING PEACE

Prof Antony Arkin

EDITORIAL

Jews the world over are getting ready for our annual period of

introspection and prayer. Beginning with the month of Elul and then

intensifying through Rosh Hashanah and culminating in Yom Kippur, we

use our time to contemplate the gap between our highest ideals and our

actual behaviour. In the words of Psalm 34:14 we must “Turn from evil

and do good. Seek peace and pursue it”. As we approach the High Holy

Days we need to examine the real prospects for peace for Israel and the

Jewish world.

Prof Menahem Milson has written in Mosaic that despite the Oslo

Agreement between Israel and the PLO in the early 1990’s, which led

to the establishment of the Palestinian Authority, there has been no

progress towards the realization of a two state solution.

The Palestinian leadership continues to insist on the right of the

Palestinian refugees and their descendants to return to their original

homes in Israel, which would effectively spell the end of Jewish

sovereignty. It has also rejected or failed to respond to repeated official

offers from Israel to move towards the establishment of an independent

Palestinian state.

Yet the situation in the Middle East has not remained static. Ties between

Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Arab states and Israel are improving.

According to the New York Times Editorial Board, these could evolve into

a more explicit alliance as a result of their mutual distrust of Iran.

The Israeli and Saudis have good reason to work together. They share an

antipathy towards Iran the leading Shiite country. Both are worried about

regional instability. Both are upset with the United States over the Iranian

nuclear deal and other policies such as those dealing with Syria.

Over this period, Israel has also repaired its relations with Turkey and has

sought to strengthen ties with Africa. Prime Minister Netanyahu recently

completed a highly successful tour of East Africa. Egypt has also been

pursuing warmer ties with Israel. Someh Shoutry became the first foreign

minister of Egypt to visit Israel in nine years. Although the two countries

signed a peace agreement in 1979 the relationship never fulfilled its

promise as Egypt refused any process of normalization. However, ties

have significantly improved since Abdel Fattah el-Sisi became Egypt’s

president in 2014. There is now far greater security co-operation against

Hamas in Gaza and militants battling Egyptian troops in Sinai.

Where does this leave the Palestinians? The Saudi and Egyptian

discussions were partly aimed at promoting peace between Israel and

the Palestinians, who have long relied on the Sunni states to advance

their interests. There are reasons to doubt that the Palestinians are the

Arab countries’ real focus. Of course, improved relations between Israel

and its Arab neighbours does not preclude a Palestinian peace deal. But

only when a Palestinian leader emerges, who like Anwar Sadat in 1977

openly and unequivocally declares his readiness to make peace with

Israel and end the conflict in return for Israeli territorial concessions, will

the two-state solution be possible.

May this Rosh Hashanah issue in a period of peace. L’Shana tova

umetukah.

Contact: Robyn Bradley P.O. Box 10797 Marine Parade 4056

Production Manager: Mrs Robyn Bradley

The views expressed in the pages of Hashalom are not necessarily those of the

Editorial Board or any other organisation or religious body unless otherwise

individual.

Hashalom Editorial Board:

Editor: Prof Antony Arkin

Sub Editor: Colin Plen

Editorial Board: Mrs Mikki Norton, Mrs Michelle Shapira

Commitee: Dr Issy Fisher, Ms Diane McColl, Mrs Lauren Shapiro, Mr Colin Plen

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DEADLINE FOR THE NOVEMBER ISSUE: 7 October 2016