Manhigut Yehudit
28 Sh'vat, 5771
(Feb. 2, '11)
http://www.jewishisrael.org/eng_contents/articles/71/articleA7102.html
Last Thursday, a major simulation exercise was held at the prestigious Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliyah. The exercise, which was impressively and professionally planned, attempted to examine how Israel would respond and what would happen in the event of the following scenario:
More and more countries join with those that have already declared their recognition of a "Palestinian" state in the 1967 borders. The issue is brought to vote in the UN, which votes by a large majority to establish the "Palestinian" state. In two days, the UN Security Council will convene to ratify or reject the decision.
The simulation exercise examined those two critical days. Tens of the most senior experts in academia, security, media and politics in Israel, represented all the major players in the "game" to the best of their ability. Former Israel ambassador to Washington Zalman Shoval acted as Obama, surrounded by additional experts on American policy. The Arab states, the European Union, China. Russia, the "Palestinian" Authority and even Al Qaidah were portrayed in the most professional and authentic way possible. Former Mossad Chief Shabtai Shavit acted the part of Israel's Prime Minister. MK Einat Wilef of Ehud Barak's Atzmaut faction acted as the Defense Minister while Efi Eitam played Foreign Minister Lieberman. Military Correspondent Alon Ben David acted as the Chief of Staff. I represented the ideological Right in the government.
Immediately at the start of the urgent cabinet meeting, it became clear that the strategy that motivated the PM (and apparently, would motivate him in reality) was to attempt to keep doing the same thing. In other words, to return to the negotiating table. Lieberman adopted the same position, as did, of course, Ehud Barak. The difference between the two (Eitam and Wilef) was that Lieberman wanted to negotiate as a delaying tactic while Barak wanted to negotiate with the genuine intention to retreat.
I tried to convince the PM that his more-of-the-same-game was irrelevant. "The world is sick of our pointless initiatives, it already made a unilateral decision, we must make a historical decision and this crisis can actually create great opportunity," I said.
"What do you mean?" the PM asked.
"If they made a unilateral decision, so can we," I answered. "We must announce immediately that we are declaring our sovereignty over all the areas controlled by the IDF.
Not surprisingly, my proposal was rejected. The PM was called out time and again to meet with Obama and ultimately managed to attain a postponement of one half year until the Security Council decision – on the condition that he would immediately embark upon meaningful negotiations.
Posts
