Schlaglicht Israel Nr. 21/09 Aktuelles aus israelischen Tageszeitungen 23. November – 09. Dezember 2009 1. Reaktionen auf den Siedlungs­baustopp Am 25. November verfügte die israelische Re­gierung die Aussetzung von Baumaßnahmen in den jüdischen Siedlungen im Westjordanland für die nächsten zehn Monate. Damit reagierte Premier­minister Netanjahu auf Druck aus Washington. Der Baustopp, der alle noch nicht begonnenen Bauvorhaben betrifft, schon begonnene Arbeiten jedoch ausspart, sei eine Geste, um Friedens­gespräche mit den Palästinensern wieder auf­nehmen zu können. Allerdings gilt der Baustopp für Ostjerusalem nicht. Palästinensische Vertreter reagierten dementsprechend negativ und zeigen sich auch weiterhin nicht zu Verhandlungen bereit. In den Siedlungen weiten sich indes die Proteste aus. Es kam wiederholt zu Demonstrationen. Inspektoren, die Anordnungen zum Baustopp ver­teilen sollten, wurden am Zutritt zu Siedlungen gehindert. Auch Opposition und Mitglieder der Regierungskoalition äußerten ihre Kritik an Netan­jahus Initiative. Lessons not learned “Israel agreed to stop all construction once the apartments currently being built are finished, except in Jerusalem.[…] What happened? The PA couldn't stand to see Israel being praised and doesn't want to negotiate peace anyway. So it threw a temper tantrum: riots in Jerusalem, threats by PA leader Mahmoud Abbas to resign, refusal to go to negotiations with Israel, and clamor for a unilateral declaration of independence. […] Why make compromise peace w ith Israel when you can just claim everything you want, ensuring the door is kept open for a future struggle to wipe Israel off the map entirely?[…] Once again, we've seen that a concession doesn't lead to a concession by the other side nor does it lead to progress. It just produces a demand for more concessions without giving any real credit to the last one.” Barry Rubin, JPO 22.12.09 There is no turning back “It was hard to believe the prime minister Tuesday evening when he declared that the settlement freeze is a temporary one-time move, to be followed by resumed construction; a statement he made in a bid to mitigate the anger of the settlers.[…] Let‟s assume that in 10 months the international community is still unable to curb Iran‟s uranium enrichme nt facilities. Israel‟s need for US assistance in thwarting the„existential danger‟ vis-à- vis Iran[…] will be even greater. Is it even thinkable that the Obama Administration will then allow Israel to resume construction in the territories? Does anyone think that Netanyahu will dare resist the American demand to continue the freeze?” Shimon Shiffer, JED 02.12.90 The wink became a rebellion “In the settlements[…] the waves of protest and opposition currently look like a tsunami in the making. The concern that it could eventually flood the country, sweeping aside everything in its path, is a serious one.[…] When Netanyahu decided on the limited freeze, I assume he thought the settlers would understand that this would prove that the Palestinians don't want to reach an agreement with Israel. But the settlers are not willing to play such dangerous games. That is why they do not want to wait 10 months to see whether Bibi will keep his promise.[…] We are now, for the first time, witnessing a confrontation that borders on rebellion or insurrection between an elected government and its citizens in the West Bank.” Yoel Marcus, HAA 08.12.09 1