Israel: Bibi it's time to stop babbling

HAARETZ.com

U.S. has had enough of Netanyahu's babbling
In view of the Americans' disappointment after Netanyahu's Bar-Ilan speech, only acts of substance will impress them and the rest of the world.
By Yoel Marcus

What is the common denominator linking proposed solutions for the housing market and the Israeli-Palestinian dispute? In both cases, it's all just talk. Bibi believes that words replace deeds, and he puts what we say ahead of what we do. His attempts to mitigate international pressure on Israel by promising a "path-breaking" speech in a few weeks, either before the U.S. Congress, or at the annual AIPAC conference. The key element is that it be delivered in Washington. Why? Is the Knesset insufficiently distinguished for his taste?

At the same time, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, increasingly eccentric with each public appearance, claimed in interviews with Arieh Golan on Israel Radio and with the Wall Street Journal that Israel needs $20 billion in additional aid, in view of the volatile situation that has developed in the region. Implicitly, this call for more dollars is a precondition for presenting a "daring plan" to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Dan Halperin, a former diplomat in Washington and an expert on U.S.-Israel relations, says that Bibi and Barak have forgotten a well-known American saying: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. In view of the Americans' disappointment after Netanyahu's Bar-Ilan speech, only acts of substance will impress them and the rest of the world. They've heard enough speeches.

Whoever has his feet on the ground, and understands how deep is the crisis of confidence marring our relations with Washington, not to mention the economic stagnation gripping America, knows that prospects of receiving additional assistance depend entirely on genuine progress in the peace process - taking risks, such as (for example ) the return of the Golan Heights, or the designation of borders so the Palestinians can feel, at long last, that they have a state of their own. Even in this scenario, an American government well-versed in dealings with us will tread carefully. Obama cannot afford to come out looking like a sucker.

Apparently, Barak was much impressed by Ari Shavit's column of March 3, which referred to a Bar-Ilan II speech of Churchill-like dimensions. Interviewed by Golan, Barak said the time has come for leadership, and for making important decisions. "Bibi admires Churchill, but I say that these are decisions more on the level of Ben-Gurion or de Gaulle," Barak said.

It's not clear why Barak felt a need for such distinctions. To deliver a Churchillian speech, one needs, first of all, to be Churchill. Nor are there Ben-Gurions in these parts; a Ben-Gurion is a leader who knows where he's headed, and who has the strength to tell the truth to his countrymen. Ariel Sharon did not deliver speeches in Congress or the UN; instead, he spoke to his people via an interview in Haaretz, and before he evacuated Gaza, he spoke historic words: "The time has come to end our addiction to the dream of Greater Israel."

As Barak sees it, Bibi has sweeping support for any daring decision he might reach. That depends on who you ask. Barak himself can contribute a mere five Knesset votes. Benny Begin, asked about the putative peace proposal, replied nonchalantly that he does not know how to talk about eggs before they are hatched.

One political commentator said recently that when Bibi talks about how every settlement built on private land will be razed, whereas retroactive authorization will be given for houses built on state land, he must think that everyone is dumb. Retroactive authorization for most of the settlements would be an illegal act. Bibi is trying to lessen international pressure on Israel by talking about a breakthrough speech in a few weeks in the U.S. Why does Bibi believe he can appear before Congress with an egg that has yet to be hatched? Who knows? Perhaps after the strange precedent set by Obama, he will receive a Nobel Peace Prize, even before he does anything.

While Barak is a careful commentator, when it comes to words, Bibi is a wizard. He wants the grandest stage, and instead of writing the play, he wants to produce and direct it. But if he really does have a plan, it is important that he present it first to the Knesset, and his people. We've had enough of babbling on about nothing.