[this was posted today on the Washington Post - Newsweek PostGlobal]
The Speech Netanyahu Won't Give
By Ori Nir
Here's what Benyamin Netanyahu should - but most likely won't - say in his much-anticipated policy speech on Sunday.
Bar Illan University President Moshe Kaveh, distinguished faculty, distinguished guests, dear Israelis:
In every nation's history, there are moments that call on its leader to face the truth and tell the truth to his fellow countrymen and women. This is such a moment. It is a moment of peril, but also a moment of great opportunity.
You have heard a lot from me in recent months about the peril. I am terribly concerned about the existential threats to our country. But you have not heard enough from me about the opportunity that we have today to devise a strategic, long-term approach to reduce these threats.
We have an opportunity - one that may not reoccur for generations to come - to reach the kind of regional security that we have been seeking since our parents and grandparents established this astonishing country sixty-one years ago.
Sure, there are many potential obstacles on the way to realizing that vision. In my recent public addresses, both as candidate and as prime minister, I have been focusing on the obstacles. I am still well aware of them.
Today, however, I would like to focus on the reasons for hope, on my reasons for making some bold choices. I have decided to pursue a path that may bring us security through peace with the entire Arab world, full normalization with all Arab and Muslim countries, a final settlement with our Palestinian neighbors, who will commit to an end of claims in return for an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza, and full legitimacy in the international community.
If we succeed, we will be in a position to find a reasonable resolution, with full regional and international support, to the Iranian threat. We will be in a much better position to tackle our domestic challenges. We will strengthen our democracy, our economy, our world standing, and our national moral integrity. We will be finally in a position to bolster the Zionist dream of our founding fathers: a just, secure, stable, prosperous democratic Jewish state in the Land of Israel.
We have an opportunity to achieve all that because we have a partner. I am talking about the partner we have in the White House, the leader of the United States, our greatest ally.
When I was in Washington last month, and in subsequent communications I had with President Obama, I realized that unlike his predecessors, he is truly determined to bring comprehensive peace to our scarred, cynical region. He is resolute, and if there is anyone who can lead a successful effort to get it done, it is Barack Obama.
President Obama has inspired not only the American public. He has captured the hearts and minds of hundreds of millions of people worldwide, including Arabs and Muslims. He is already empowering moderates and reformists in the Middle East, as we see in Iran and Lebanon.
Today, I am here to announce that the state of Israel, under my leadership, chooses to contribute whatever it can to this promising transformation. Israel chooses to work with the U.S. president, to form a partnership with him and with moderates in the region to seek stability, security and peace for our people. Israel chooses not to be on the side of the rejectionists. It chooses to say yes; to harness its immense optimism and creativity to the noble task of peacemaking.
It's an ambitious goal, yes. It is risky, of course. It involves sacrifices and internal strife.. But I believe that no Israeli leader can afford to turn down such an opportunity.
I am declaring today that I am willing to resume negotiations, in good faith and without preconditions, with the leaders of Syria and Lebanon, and - of course - with the Palestinian Authority and with any Palestinian leader who is willing to accept the two-state vision. And just as I demand that our Palestinian interlocutors come to the negotiating table having turned their backs on violence, so am I coming to the table in good faith. I have instructed my government to stop all settlement construction in Judea and Samaria - and in East Jerusalem - as long as negotiations are ongoing. It is something we can do, and should do, to show our interlocutors that we are serious. We will also promptly remove all the illegal outposts in Judea and Samaria. Those who continue to build illegally will be tried and punished.
My fellow Israelis, I am determined to do whatever I can to make this effort a success. It is my duty as a responsible Israeli leader. I urge you to demonstrate a sense of national maturity and responsibility and help me steer our country toward a better, secure future.
Thank you.
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8/23 
Wouldn't it be great if Netanyahu would say this? Unfortunately he won't. And the tragedy is that Israel will continue to be imperiled. If he and others would only give "peace a chance"!!!! It can work!!!
As an admirer of Israel and its amazing accomplishments, my sincere hopes are for its continued existence and prosperity. But I also feel deeply about the plight of the Palestinians and the need for Israel to, at the very least, show its sincerity in a search for peace by announcing a freeze to all settlement building as has been asked for by our president and secretary of state. Some Israeli leaders have said that settlements are not the issue. I believe they are an important starting point. Let the Israelis show the world they are serious about finding a peaceful solution to this ongoing misery.
That speech would be better than he has said before but it is NOT forthcoming enough and unlikely to lead to true peace.
The fact that the Arab countries, supported also by Iran
changed their posture in march 2002 and were at last willing to accept a state of Israel must be acknowledged and some response made.
Also it noteworthy that most of the world seems to agree that the "green line" is a good starting point for discussions. (even Alan Dershowitz has publicly said in response to a question that ghe thought that this would be the boundary if peace ever comes).
Richard Wilson
No, it is not likely that Bibi will give such a speech, though it would be in the interests of Israel, the Palestinians, the United States and peace. A proverb
exists in both Arabic and Hebrew that it is better to have wise enemies than foolish friends, but, as we know from bitter experience, foolish friends abound.
Indeed, it is an inspiring political text full of self-contentations of all bands of moderates among American Jewish community,Israelis,christians,Arabs and Muslims worldwide.In this very innovative text,Ori Nir has reflected to us the very keys of leadership Mr.Benyamin Netanyahu really is in need at these troubled times.We hope sincerely, this sort of lesson in conduction of wise policy be circulated and heard among our leading brothers driving the cabinet in the State of Israel.
I would hope that Netanyahu could give such a speech. If Israel, with its enormous strategic forces, does not feel it can deter Iran, a relatively modern country with valuable assets and no history of suicidal tendencies; it is unlikely it will ever feel safe. Some day it will sadly realize that the wall it is building is actually shutting itself off from the rest of the world. This is the time to take bold action, and reach for a truly secure future; not one that will undone each time a neighbor upgrades a missile system.
Unfortunately, this "suggested" speech continues the give-away-the-store and naive tactical direction of your organization.
It would accomplish the very opposite of what you hope to achieve -- peace and prosperity for both Israelis and all others in the Mid-East.
When your adversaries refuse to adhere to past commitments, refuse to accept underlying goals (in this case a Jewish state of Israel to their Palestinian state) -- you don't then squeeze your own negotiators to make further concessions.
That's just common sense.
And that's your group's biggest failure. Not your desire for a two-state solution..not the concept of giving up of settlements..but your lack of savvy over how to negotiate this with an adversary who refuses to compromise and will not act in good faith to strike a deal.
And it's a deal that they're had multiple opportunities to cut, but have blow it every time. Have you forgotten that?
So asking your own side to make even more concessions now to get the other to the table is not the answer. That's the easy solution because you can talk to your own people. You can't and don't really talk to the PA. If you did, you'd determine what all captured security documents show.
That "negotiations" for the PA are really just tactics to ultimately eliminate the state of Israel -- either demographically, politically or militarily. In short -- they have not given up the dream of wiping out the Zionist entity within their midst. Everytime they are squeeze to make such an admission they won't or clearly say that this is the underlying goal. But groups like yours refuse to hear this.
Instead, you should be pushing for bringing pressure on the Palestinians. You should be working to get Obama to squeeze them to give up their unrealistic dream. That's where you should focus your energies.
But that's harder to do, so instead you squeeze the Israeli government.
Sadly, your entire political focus - while well-meaning - is totally miss-guided.
Peace Now glides over keys issue in its proposed speech.
It pretends the Palestinian neighbors are willing to commit to an end of claims in return for an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza, and full legitimacy in the international community.
Polls show more than 50% of Palestinians reject this. Doesn't Peace Now know this?
Arguing for action based on hope and not facts hinders, and does not help, the peace process.
It's a good start of course. I remain concerned that the existing settlements, regardless of a freeze on more, will be a continuing problem. But rolling them back seems to me to be very difficult and not wholly fair to many settlers who were led to believe their colonization was appropriate. And those settlements tend to surround Jerusalem and any final agreement will likely involve East jerusalem becoming the capital of the new Palestinian state. Nothing will be easy here.
Should Netanyahu deliver this message, which I believe and pray he will not, Israelis should prepare to be eliminated. This is no time for Israel to lean on the US, a fickle ally at best. Mr. Obama is no friend of Israel and his true leanings became more clear in Egypt.
I expect Bibi to call Obama's bluff and tell the US 'thanks but no thanks', we will take care of ourselves. This will make the Obama strategy of dividing Israelis and American Jews visable as the blunder that it is. We cannot allow this egomaniacal fraud to drive Israel to its grave.
Am Yisroel Chai!
That would be a great speechif the proviso was added that Palestine would be a disarmed country.
Good speech so far as it goes. The only way Israel will be secure forever is for Palestinians to have a just peace. There will always be the problem of refugees until that issue is settled. As B'Tselem recommends, the settlements should be vacated. It would be well for all the world if Israelis would live in Israel, and the first wave of refugees could return to live in the settlements.
Palestinians would mind their own business in their own state of the West Bank and Gaza, if Israel would only end it occupation and move its people to live in Israel. Israel would also be secure for the first time in its history, as the whole world would guarantee its borders & security.
Every time a new settlement is built, the cry of "security" rings hollow.
excellent. makes total sense.
As it is written: "Blessed are the peacekeepers" and "Love thy Neighbor". We must try everything in our power to resolve the situation without violence and to do so with respect despite our differences.
Although many past Israeli leaders might have had their reservations about peace and about their Arab neighbors, they knew what was possible under the conditions of the day to advance the cause of peace, safeguard Israel's security and satisfy the international community. This was true of Ben-Gurion, Eshkol, Rabin, and Begin. Since Begin Likud leaders have not done so well. If Obama is smart he will push for a deal with Syria and Netanyahu will take it.
In order for there to be peace there must be a independent sovereign state of palestine with no interference from Israel. By calling Israel a Jewish state you are making all non Jews such as Christians,Muslims and other religions second class citizens. to achieve peace we need the two sides to recognize the right of the other to exist without outside interference. The settlements now in the West Bank must be dismantled or the residents become willing citizens of Palestine.
It is my hope that Israel will abandon its policy of 'disproportionate military response' with a Torah-oriented policy of 'disproportionate compassion.' To fail to recognize the suffering of the Palestinian people under oppression is to deny the history of the Jewish people as well.
To begin:
An immediate end to the blockade of Gaza ports; allow the free-flow of humanitarian aid;
An immediate end to the demolition of Palestinian homes;
A rollback of the West Bank settlements;
An end to checkpoints which prevent Palestinians to market their goods;
An end to the destruction of Palestinian vineyards and agricultural fields;
A recognition that Jersalem (city of Peace) is a legitimate residence for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Respect begets respect; recognition of each others' insecurity begets security and peace of mind for all parties.
Isn't it the case that Israeli politicians don't see many votes in reconcilliation but see lots of lost votes for signs of "weakness". Nothern Ireland was like this for 100 years. Now, the leader of the intransigent party is a leader of a reconciliation government and violence is almost over. It may not work, but it's worth trying. Israel could be an economic engine for the middle east, or could continue to be dependent on financial help from outside.
Remember when they used to say about Yassir Arafat " He never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity"? Well now Netanyahu and his cronies will inherit that mantel and will deserve it.
Of course none of the negotiation reports talks openly about the elephant in the room. No, it's not Palestinian continued attacks...it's about Water. Israel is afraid that any shared solution will cut in on an already scarce resource in the area - water. So I hope this is brought to the fore and dealt with openly from all sides.
Thanks for a good hypothetical speech. By this time we know what Netanyahu actually did say. He will accept the establishment of a castrated, eunuch state for Palestinians which they most certainly will reject. For them it will be a ghetto.
To my mind, only if we can find a way to de-escalate the mutual fear, and the consequent mutual hatred between Israel and Palestinians will peace be achievable. Where are the spiritual and the political leaders on both sides to show the way?
Susan Hodges-
Israel has had four Prime Ministers in a row in the last ten years, each of them committed to "peace with the Palestinians" and setting up a Palestinian state. Did they succeed? No, but they did give us three bloody wars.
It is the phony "peace process" that causes wars, because the Palestinians don't want a state, and making concessions to them only makes them think Israel is weak (recall that Nasrallah said "Israel is no more than a cob web"-they ran away from from south Lebanon, they ran from Gaza so if we keep up the pressure, they will run away from Tel Aviv in the end.)