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December 4, 1998/ 15 Kislev 5759, Vol. 51, No. 11
Borders shift, priorities stand
MARTY LATZ
Special to Jewish News
The Israeli cabbie drove us right up to the Lebanese border, and then to the Golan Heights, where we looked down at the Syrian encampment. After that we found some bomb shelters, where we crawled around and imagined Israelis huddled down in relative safety during the wars. And every now and again, we'd run across the bombed-out hulk of an abandoned Syrian tank - on the Israeli side of the border.
I had one overriding feeling that day. Israel is a small country physically and will always be vulnerable to a ground attack.
Last week, Israel moved its borders in accordance with the Wye agreement, peacefully withdrawing from areas conquered in war in exchange for paper promises of peace and security.
Land for peace has become the basic premise for peaceful coexistence between Israel and its neighbors since Camp David. Why? Because Israel deeply desires peace, and because its neighbors and the Palestinians deeply desire land and the legitimacy that derives from it. This negotiation framework, however, will work only as long as the following conditions continue to be met.
One, Israel must maintain an independently strong military force that can immediately mobilize and repel a lightning quick ground attack from any of its neighbors. Peace agreement or no peace agreement, Israel's existence as a homeland for the Jews fundamentally depends upon its ability to use force to enforce its borders and protect its citizens. There's no margin for error if Israel is attacked. Israel must always be militarily prepared.
Two, Israel must maintain its democratic nature and the moral authority it derives from it. Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and the West Bank, areas in which Israel's military effectively governed an overwhelmingly Palestinian population, will underscore Israel's critical democratic principles. Continuing to militarily rule rebelling Palestinians would have stressed and possibly undermined Israel's special relationship with the United States and its authority throughout the international community. This would have caused long-term problems.
Finally, Israel and its neighbors must keep their communication avenues open and in working order. Miscommunication in negotiations often fosters anxiety and distrust. So, if direct communication with the Palestinians proves unworkable at times, bring in the United States as a mediator. President Clinton and his team now appear to have both parties' trust. Use it. Don't undervalue the critical nature of effective communication to a fair negotiation process. Effective communication precedes almost all effective negotiated agreements.
Israel must keep these fundamental bases for peace in mind as it implements the Wye agreement and withdraws from substantial portions of the West Bank. Without them, at the least, the peace process will fail.
The cabbie gave us a history lesson as he drove us around northern Israel that day. He described Israel's military strength and how it survived by fighting and winning the wars forced upon it. He told us about Israel's democracy and its challenges with the Palestinians. And he communicated this information to us effectively. This was all critical information we wanted to know. Of course, the cabbie also knew northern Israel like the back of his hand. After all, he drove a tank in the reserves and had to be prepared, at any moment, to defend Israel.
Israel's borders are changing at this very moment, but its need for vigilance will never change. Our homeland's survival depends on it.
Marty Latz is a Valley attorney and negotiation consultant. Send comments to mlatz@negot.com.
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