As the past year comes to a close, introspection and reflection begin to enter our thoughts. In our generation, these thoughts are not only on a personal or family level, rather they also reach a national level. The government, media, Yesha Council and the general public are busy contemplating whether construction will be frozen in Judea and Samaria; will some structures be permitted before the freeze, and where will they be placed.

All of this discourse points to one troubling axiom which, unfortunately, is not being second guessed: that there are certain parts of our country which are up for negotiations and are not part of the State of Israel. Until now, Israel has not annexed Judea and Samaria completely because of the existing demographic problem – yet there is a variety of options that stand between total annexation and willing to relinquish parts of the country.

Judea and Samria has been in Israeli hands for forty two years, yet even the major settlement blocs, which are de facto part of Israel, are not fully under Israeli control. The addition of any structure, whether it be a caravan or a house, need permission from either the defense minister or the prime minister. Jewish citizens in Judea and Samaria are subject to administrative detention – something that cannot happen within the pre-67 borders.

Implementing Israeli law within the boundaries of Jewish settlements would settle this problem on a technical level, and would create equality among Israeli citizens without having to absorb additional Arabs. It has already been proven that only Israeli control leads to stability, which is helpful to all populations living in this area. A law in this spirit was suggested in the last Knesset by former Minister Benny Elon, founder of the Israel Initiative, and we are hoping that this law will pickup traction in the current Knesset.

What about us? In the course of the past year we returned to action. The internet site is being updated weekly in Hebrew and English, meetings have taken place between Ministers, Knesset members as well as foreign diplomats. We are continuing in the current ascent and hope that the new year will bring us additional success.

Refugee Resettlement continues: The Khaleej times, an Arab newspaper, reported that last April 117 Palestinian refugees have been resettled in Chile. The President of Chile, at a ceremonial event, stated that Chile’s borders are open to all Palestinian refugees that are in need of a home. “In difficult circumstances, we are first saying that refugees can come here,” said the President of Chile, “This country was built upon the immigration of exiled people. You can only be president once and I am glad to have helped.”

This story contains two points that we continue to emphasize in all our press releases: first, when Palestinian are not under the authority of UNRWA they have been successfully resettled. Second, the myth that Palestinians have no where to go except Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon or other Arab countries is false. Chile’s president made it crystal clear that her country is and continues to be part of the countries who are willing to resettle Palestinian refugees.

The full story can be read at Arutz 7’s website or can be accessed through the news bulletin at our website: www.israelnationalnews.com/News

It seems that the Obama administration is finally realizing that there is no peace partner. Fatah has announced that the armed struggle against Israel has not concluded and that the option remains open. Obama’s attitude of appeasement toward the Arab world has not proved itself, and just the opposite, the chance for peace is gradually distancing itself.

Does this mean that any hope for peace is non-existent? At the Israel Initiative we believe that the answer is no. If one only thinks about the events spanning the last twenty years, they will realize that nothing has distanced peace more than the current peace process. The reason is simple: the political process, thought to be the solution to the Palestinian problem, is actually the problem. The peace process has fostered the Palestinian national narrative which in truth is the major roadblock to achieving peace in the Middle East. This narrative uses the Palestinian crisis for their political purposes; they connect Palestinian salvation to the destruction of Israel.

The Israel Initiative has tried to create a constructive peace for all, one whose cornerstone is built on a realistic vision that may be implemented. Our view of peace doesn’t clash with the Zionistic vision, rather it rests on it and seeks to integrate with it.

We are looking forward to a new year filled with salvation and constructive thinking, a year in which Israelis will seek out peace – after our leaders have the strength to present a new direction.

With blessings for a sweet new year,

Yoav Sorek
Director, Israeli Initiative
www.Israelinitiative.com