Opinion | Columnists
Seeking answers at home
There is a big possibility that the Arab-Israeli conflict will not be on Obama's list of priorities for many reasons, because there are other nagging issues. As far as the peace talks are concerned, nothing is expected before Spring 2009 at the earliest.
- By Jumana Al Tamimi, Associate Editor
- Published: 23:54 November 13, 2008
As the saying goes "the best helping hand is at the end of your arm." Despite the euphoria that swept the Arab world at the decisive victory of Barack Obama in the US presidential elections, it seems irrational to wait for Obama alone to solve the Middle East's problems.
Even before Obama's win, many Arabs were, throughout the last few weeks of the campaign, listing the issues they believed the new president of the world's superpower should deal with and in what way. It seems difficult to explain the reasons behind the high hopes for Obama.
True, America is the world's leader and what it says has a leverage on how things turn out.
But when the American people voted on November 4, they voted for a solution to their own problems: financial crisis at the top of the list, followed by other American concerns, including their sons in Iraq.
Also Obama, as a priority, has restoring the glory of the US image abroad, which was tarnished by the war on terrorism and two wars on Afghanistan and Iraq during George W. Bush's administration.
Justice for the Palestinian question, stabilising Iraq after the US-led 2003 war and the chaos created afterwards, as well as the war in Afghanistan are among the priorities included in some of the Arabs' lists of issues.
Reacting to Obama's victory, Palestinian politician Yasser Abed Rabbo came out with what sounds like a spontaneous reaction that was not really in harmony with the general public trend. "We need to change and not only expect the US and the whole world to change," he said.
These words were few in number, but said it all. "If we don't solve our own problems, neither [Barack] Obama nor ten more Obamas coming after him would be able to help us." His words should not be taken only against one Palestinian faction, but all groups.
Regardless of how Obama views Arabs' issues, he won't be alone in formulating the US policies. There are other agencies which shape America's approach. And when Obama takes the oath on January 20, he will immediately inherit a heavy burden from the previous administration.
There is a big possibility that the Arab-Israeli conflict will not be on his list of priorities for many reasons, because there are other nagging issues. As far as the peace talks are concerned, nothing is expected before Spring 2009 at the earliest.
Attempts at reconciliation
There is no major breakthrough on the horizon, while chances of serious US intervention in peace efforts before that time seem nil. Soon enough, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's term will expire.
Moreover, by mid-February, Israel is scheduled to witness early elections. A new Israeli government will be formed within 60 days. If Labour or Kadima candidates win, their relationship with Obama's administration is expected to be smoother than with a right-wing Likud-led Israeli government.
But in all cases, relations between the US and Israel will keep their warmth. No "pressure" on Tel Aviv should be expected from Washington. There will be "understanding" and "agreement". Meanwhile, the inter-Palestinian differences are simmering.
The first attempt to hold reconciliation talks in Cairo last Monday failed. An attempt to schedule another date is underway. The good news is that both sides realise, at least publicly, the need to solve their differences in the next few months. The bad news is that they can't come to terms with achieving that goal. The gap is becoming wider between Fatah, which runs the West Bank, and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.
At the same time, they don't speak the same political language on how they expect the international community led by the US to try to help them in their search for justice to the Palestinian cause - the longest problem in modern history.
When late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was head of the Palestinian authority, and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation before it, he never allowed internal problems to go public. Palestinians never pointed their weapons against their comrades, unlike the situation a few months ago in the Gaza Strip.
Most importantly, Arafat, whose fourth death anniversary fell on November 11, never allowed the security apparatuses and muscle to be in control. He was in control.
Many people who dealt with him, including journalists, noted that internal problems would have been solved within the appropriate institution or council or committee. Arafat, they say, would have never hesitated in apologising when he was not right. Palestinians then, apparently, embraced the saying "God helps those who help themselves".
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