Even after moving back in with his mother in 1952, and while addicted to morphine and an alcoholic, the talented Hank Williams was still able to write songs that would become Country music classics. One such song was his #3 hit "settin' the woods on fire". Little did Mr. Williams know that writing this song would one day have international ramifications. For six decades later, Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Avigdor Lieberman, would adopt its title as his modus operandi.
 On Monday morning, the Minister was quoted as saying that he would oppose any measures taken by the Israeli government to strengthen the status of PA President Mahmud Abbas, which may have been damaged following the Shalit deal. Lieberman then added that Abbas was an obstacle on the road to peace and his resignation would come as a blessing. "Anyone who comes after him would be better for Israel". It would appear that Mr. Lieberman was up to his old tricks of making flammable statements in a region where water is scarce. On a previous occasion, he had suggested that Israel bomb the Aswan dam in Egypt and flood its surrounding area.
By the look of it, the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs does not suit Avigdor Lieberman. His husky physique and macho facade indicate that this is a man of action who does not feel comfortable at the round tables and endless phrasing sessions of diplomacy. He would have much rather been a sheriff in the Wild West, a modern day Wyatt Earp. That way, he could have simply challenged Mahmud Abbas to a showdown at the Ok corral. But a Jew of Russian decent as a sheriff? Even Mel Brooks couldn’t have imagined that when writing "Blazing Saddles". So Wyatt Lieberman settled for the Middle East and a seat at the UN.
 Had Lieberman made Monday's statements while serving as the Minister of Agriculture, or Trade or even Religious affairs it would have been a matter of little consequence. But when the Foreign Minister makes such an announcement in a briefing to the press, one can only assume that he is speaking on behalf of the government and is presenting its new policy. The international community, as well as many Israelis, would be confounded by such a shift in policy given the fact that only last month Prime Minister Netanyahu looked Abbas in the eyes and said "President Abbas, why don't you join me? We have to stop negotiating about the negotiations. Let’s just get on with it. Let's negotiate peace." If this is the case, has Abbas officially gone from possible partner to Persona Non Grata?! Is the end of the PA?! Easy there, partner! As we have learned in the past, consistency of messages is not Israel's strong suit. Following Lieberman's verbal attack on Turkey's Prime Minister, Erdogan, last December at an assembly of Israeli Ambassadors, PM Netanyahu stated that the Minister's remarks do not express the view of the government. This raises the question, who do you have to talk to around here in order to hear the government's views? The chairman of the Hadassah Women's Organization?
 Besides, one has to remember that first and foremost Lieberman is a politician, and a gifted one at that. So it should come as no surprise that his comments on Monday were made only twenty four hours after Tzipi Livney, leader of the opposition, spoke in favor of Mahmud Abbas and against the deal the current government struck with Hamas, in an interview to Yediot Aharonot, one of Israel's highest circulation daily newspapers. Forget about foreign policy or domestic policy; Lieberman almost suffered a cerebral palsy after reading Livney's interview. Sensing that somewhere over the rainbow- way up high, there are a few more mandates to be plucked in the next general election, he saddled up and rode into town. The two headed government, lead by Netanyahu and Lieberman, should better get its act together. Not simply because it's too confusing to follow, but because the two state solution is slowly slipping out of their hands. Contrary to Mr. Lieberman's comments, Mahmud Abbas might just be the right man at the right time. A pragmatic and moderate leader, who before leaving to the UN summit reiterated the legitimacy of Israel and its right to exist alongside a Palestinian State. Given his wish to enter the history books as the father of Palestinian independence, which Lieberman commented on during Monday's press briefing, Abbas may be the one man willing to make the necessary sacrifices for peace. Perhaps the Minister of Foreign Affairs should change the record from Hank Williams to Tammy Wynette's "Stand by your man".
Ilan Manor |