[Video] Iran’s missile launch is more of a reason for Netanyahu to embrace two-state solution
May 22, 2009 at 6:09 am by Ben Luongo
By Ben Luongo
PoHo contributor
Iran’s missile launch on Wednesday is not making President Barack Obama’s diplomatic efforts in the Middle East any easier. This demonstration, however, could be seen as more of a reason for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to embrace the two-state solution.
Netanyahu has made it clear that he sees Iran as a threat. On Tuesday, after meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, he said:
“[Iran] is a great danger to all of us, to Israel specifically and to the moderate Arab regime, and to America. Especially if this regime were to arm itself or arm terrorists with nuclear weapons, the consequences could be unimaginable.”
Here’s video of the Israeli leader in Washington, after the jump.
Netanyahu’s anxiety over Iran is understandable especially with President Ahmadinejad’s language towards Israel. However, Netanyahu has made it clear that he is open to a military response against Iran if he sees it fit. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was right when she warned that Iran’s nuclear ambitions could spark an arms race in the region, but Israel responding with force could turn a cold war hot.
First, it doesn’t look like this launch was an act of aggression. Ahmadinejad is facing reelection and the success of his campaign depends on him demonstrating his ability to protect Iran from national security threats. This launch is likely such a demonstration.
Second, of course two nations are going to be increasingly hostile as long as they are constantly threatening each other. Netanyahu’s talk of resorting to military action against Iran doesn’t deter Iran’s nuclear ambitions; rather such threats are an incentive for hurrying its program.
Obama and Netanyahu’s discussions concerning the need for a two-state solution, however, should have more weight after Iran’s missile launch. Iran exploits the hostility between Israel and the Palestinians for its own political agenda. Ending the conflict between the Israel and the Palestinians could cripple Iran’s influence and make it easier to undermine Iran’s nuclear programs.
Reaching a two-state solution is tricky though. Israel shouldn’t expect a two-state solution on solely its terms; It would most likely have to stop developing on the West Bank and Gaza. Nonetheless, a two-state solution is necessary for security of both Israel and Palestine, as well as crippling the influence of Iran in the region.
