The situation in the Middle East

In the past year, we have seen increasing signs of a strategic re-alignment in the Middle East that requires certain prevailing presumptions about the region to be re-evaluated. This is becoming a region that is divided not so much between Israelis and Arabs as between those - of whatever national or religious identity - who believe in tolerance and co-existence, and those who reject the legitimacy of any ideology or interest but their own and are willing to resort to indiscriminate violence to advance their cause.

In this context, we are witnessing intensified efforts by radical forces, such as Iran, Hizbullah and Hamas, to increase their political and military power. These forces are actively seeking to transform disputes that by nature are political and resolvable into irreconcilable religious conflicts that are not amenable to negotiation or compromise.

It is sometimes thought that the Israel-Arab conflict is the cause of this extremism. But it is far more accurate to say that it is the failure to properly confront and overcome these extremist forces that has kept this conflict alive.

This division between moderate and extremist forces is manifested throughout the Middle East. It will require a concerted and sophisticated effort, using all the tools at our disposal, to empower those committed to a stable, secure and peaceful Middle East, while disempowering and de-legitimizing those with a radical, fundamentalist agenda.

Palestinian Authority

Israel remains deeply committed to the two-state solution, in accordance with the Roadmap. Israel supports the creation of a viable, functioning and prosperous Palestinian state that will serve as the homeland for Palestinian people, totally reject terror and incitement and live side by side with Israel in true peace and security. It is Israel's belief that moderates throughout the region and the world share this vision.

As demonstrated by Israel's 2005 disengagement from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, Israel is aware that the two-state solution requires significant risks and painful sacrifices, and it is ready to take them. Israel remains committed to working with moderates on the Palestinian side who truly believe in the two-state vision, are ready to implement the Roadmap, and are prepared for the compromises and historic reconciliation that is required to turn that vision into reality.  

Unfortunately, the hopes for realizing the two-state solution in accordance with the Roadmap have suffered a serious setback with the rise to power in the Palestinian Authority of the Hamas terrorist organization, which is fundamentally opposed to the peace process and genuine co-existence.

The international community, including the EU and the Quartet, should be commended for continuing to insist that any Palestinian government commit fully to the three Quartet principles: renunciation of terrorism and violence, recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap.

Following the agreement reached between Fatah and Hamas in Mecca on the formation of a national unity government, it is critical for the international community to continue to insist on full compliance with these principles. These requirements are not obstacles to peace, but fundamental prerequisites for peace. They should not be subject to negotiation or vague formulations, and they must be fully satisfied for any Palestinian government to receive legitimacy and international cooperation.

By refusing to grant legitimacy to a government or organization that rejects the basic principles of peace, the international community will strengthen the moderates in Palestinian society, facilitate efforts at productive engagement between Israel and Palestinian moderates, while at the same time demonstrating that the path of extremism will not achieve results internally or be tolerated internationally.

Israel's ability to engage and make progress with moderates on the Palestinian side is closely tied to the international community's continued refusal to legitimize any PA government that fails to fully comply with the Quartet principles. It will also be significantly affected by the willingness of Palestinian moderates to demonstrate - through both statements and actions - that they are committed to the Quartet principles. These must include genuine efforts to secure the release of Corporal Shalit, who remains in captivity, to bring an end to ongoing terrorist attacks, including Kassam missile fire on Israeli population centers, and to stop the smuggling of illegal funds and weapons to Palestinian terrorist groups across the Gaza-Egypt border.  

At the same time, Israel continues to support efforts to provide for the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people. Israel welcomes direct humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, as provided by the international community that improves the welfare of the population without co-operating with or legitimizing a PA government that fails to fully accept the Quartet principles.

For its part, the government of Israel has adopted measures with the intention of easing the restrictions on movement and access of people and goods; of increasing the turnover at the crossings; of improving road and water infrastructures; of stimulating the micro-economy by enhancing the trade links between cities and villages; enhancing the micro credits funds; and enabling the restoration of normal banking links with Israeli banks.

The Karni Crossing, the backbone of the Palestinian economy, has seen an increase in the number of trucks and containers crossing on a daily basis, about 500-600 trucks per day both ways. Now that a decision has been taken to extend the working hours of the crossing till 23:00, the full capacity of around 1000 trucks a day should be reached in the next few weeks. Water supply as well as sewage and waste treatment projects are of major importance to the government. With the assistance of the international community, additional villages in the West Bank were connected recently to the Israeli water supply. Electricity is another infrastructure project in which the government of Israel is heavily involved; discussions are being conducted with the Jordanians on the supply of electricity to Jericho from Jordan.

Following the meeting between Prime Minster Olmert and PA President Abu Mazen in December, the government of Israel released $100 million from the withheld tax revenues to strengthen the President's office and Presidential guards.

Lebanon

Interests that are common to moderates within Lebanon and throughout the region are threatened by radical forces that seek to hijack Lebanese society to serve their extremist agenda. Israel shares the desire of the international community and of moderate forces in the Middle East and in Lebanon itself, to see a stable and secure Lebanon, free of foreign interference, exercising its sovereignty and holding a monopoly over the use of force throughout its territory, while living in peace and respecting the rights of its neighbors.

The recent conflict in Lebanon served to highlight the dangers for the region if these goals for Lebanon are not achieved. Armed, financed and supported by Syria and Iran, the terrorist organization Hizbullah ignited a conflict last summer by an unprovoked attack against Israel across the Blue Line - the border to which Israel had withdrawn, in full and confirmed compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 425, six years before. Despite serious setbacks to the organization during the conflict, Hizbullah remains determined to undermine the government of Lebanon and destabilize the region on behalf of Iran's radical goals.

It is in this context that the importance of UNSC Resolutions 1559 and 1701 should be underscored. Israel commends the international community for its support of these resolutions and for the willingness of several European states to contribute a significant number of troops to a new UNIFIL force - with a robust and effective mandate - in order to assist the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in exercising their sovereign responsibilities.

Ensuring the full implementation of Resolutions 1559 and 1701 is a critical test for the international community, just as it is a pre-condition for the establishment of a fully independent and sovereign Lebanon. Failure to successfully implement these resolutions will be perceived as a victory for the extremist forces, evidence of international impotence, and a negative precedent for international involvement in resolving the region's conflicts.

Unfortunately, there remain significant obstacles to implementation. In continuing violation of Resolution 1701, Israeli hostages Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser remain in captivity. In the south, while there is evidence that Hizbullah's freedom of action has been restricted, UNIFIL forces have not always adequately utilized the robust mandate and authority granted to them to ensure, in conjunction with the LAF, that the south is free of armed groups, assets and weapons, and "is not utilized for hostile activities of any kind", as stipulated in Resolution 1701.

The absence of any significant steps to disarm and dismantle Hizbullah as required by the resolutions, compounded by the failure to effectively implement the arms embargo, is a particular cause for alarm. Recent months have seen intensive efforts at rearmament by Hizbullah, particularly across the Syria-Lebanon border, with weapons supplied by Damascus and Teheran in direct violation of Resolution 1701. In addition, representatives of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards remain active in Lebanon, working in close cooperation with Hizbullah forces.

Hizbullah's weapons build-up, openly admitted to by its representatives, is a direct challenge presented by Hizbullah, Syria and Iran to the Lebanese government, to the international community and to UNIFIL. These weapons are illegal; they destabilize Lebanon, endanger UNIFIL troops and threaten Israel. As Hizbullah violations intensify, so do the risks of renewed violence and the need for Israel to be vigilant in defending its citizens from the Hizbullah threat.

What is a required is a far more intensive, concerted and aggressive international and diplomatic effort to ensure implementation of 1701. In this context, UNIFIL troops should be encouraged to use all the authority granted to them under the resolution, the concept of operations and the rules of engagement, in order to fulfill their mandate. All efforts should be exerted to enforce the arms embargo and secure the release of the Israeli hostages. At the same time, the important efforts of the international community, including leading EU countries, to assist in the reconstruction of Lebanon should be linked more effectively to the goals of Resolutions 1559 and 1701.

The extremist forces are counting on the lack of resolve of the international community in order to overpower the moderates in Lebanon and throughout the region who hope for a sovereign Lebanon at peace with its neighbors. Failure to act now will make it far more difficult and far more costly to act in the future. Only a determined stand at the side of the moderates and full implementation of Resolutions 1559 and 1701 will prevent renewed confrontation and advance the realization of our common objectives. 

Iran

There is no greater threat to the stability and security of the Middle East today than that presented by the radical regime in Teheran. The Iranian regime presents a clear and growing strategic danger not only to Israel and other countries in the region, but also to the values of the democratic world, the international community and to global security as a whole.

Israel expects the international community to use all the tools in the "diplomatic tool box" to bring the Iranian leadership to change its policy regarding further development of its nuclear program and end the threat its policies and conduct pose to the region. The only way to bring Iran to reassess its policy is to apply strong, unequivocal pressure on it to implement the demands of the Security Council, as well as the application of additional measures by countries that have strong economic and financial leverage on Iran.

The latest report of the International Atomic Energy Agency, issued on 22 February 2007, reflects again Iran's disregard for Security Council resolutions and international norms. As Iran defied UNSC Resolution 1737, it is essential to act rapidly to achieve a quick additional resolution that includes stronger comprehensive sanctions against the Iranian regime.

Iran's nuclear program constitutes a threat to the entire world. The combination of an extreme leadership that supports terror and denies the right of other states to exist, together with the capability to reach Europe and other parts of the world with its long-range missiles, should concern everyone.

In Iran, the world faces a regime that is driven by an extremist religious ideology with the goal of dominating the region, spreading its radical agenda, and preventing peace between Israel and its neighbors. In this context, Iran's sponsorship of numerous terrorist groups is of great concern. Iranian assistance in financing, training and indoctrinating Hizbullah and Hamas is a particularly destabilizing factor in the Middle East that, if not overcome, could sabotage any efforts to revitalize the peace process.

Iran’s nuclear aspirations and radical agenda are coupled with vile anti-Semitic rhetoric by its President, Holocaust denial, and calls to "wipe Israel off the map". Israel appreciates the strong moral position of the many states throughout the world in declaring as totally unacceptable the statements made by President Ahmedinajad and other members of the regime. The government of Israel calls on the international community to continue to be vigilant and reject in unequivocal terms any manifestations of anti-Semitism and hatred.

Syria 

Israel is committed to peace with all its neighbors, including Syria, and recognizes that such a peace would entail compromises. Recent rhetoric from parts of the Syrian regime notwithstanding, Damascus has thus far failed to demonstrate that it has made a genuine and strategic choice for peace. Syrian policy and actions in a variety of areas continue to show that it is advancing a destabilizing and radical agenda that belies its rhetoric to Western audiences.

Syria has been a central cause of the severe destabilization of Lebanon and to this day continues to provide extensive support and weapons to Hizbullah in direct violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

Syria proudly hosts and supports numerous terrorist organizations, including Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas. In this role, Syria has been especially active in encouraging terrorist activity against Israeli citizens, among other things directly supporting the extremist activities of Islamic Jihad and Hamas leaders, who have been granted safe haven and freedom of action in Syria. Syria also continues to play a destabilizing role in Iraq, and has demonstrated its support for radical forces through an increasingly close alliance with Tehran.

This ongoing pattern of destructive behavior shows that Syria is still choosing to be part of the problem, rather than part of the solution. In light of this record, Syria's recent calls for talks appear to be made for the sake of relieving international pressure and the isolation that its policies have produced, and not as evidence of a genuine commitment to co-existence and peace. To engage the Syrian regime, in the absence of any real change in its actions on the ground, would be to reward the regime for policies that have greatly endangered the Middle East and the cause of peace. 

Israel believes that the international community should make clear to Syria that commitment to peace is demonstrated in actions, not just in words. The message should be that the path to international legitimacy and re-engagement with the international community goes through a clear and decisive shift in Syrian behavior.