Israel’s new ambassador to Washington, Itamar Rabinovich, this week found himself defending his government’s readiness to withdraw from at least part of the Golan Heights.
His challenger was not an Israeli opposition politician but a Jewish leader from Houston, one of more than 30 communities participating in a nationwide satellite broadcast arranged by the Council of Jewish Federations and the National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council.
During the broadcast Wednesday, Rabinovich was asked whether it would not be better to negotiate peace with Syria “without reference to the territorial issue”.
“Yes, it would have been much better,” replied the ambassador, who since last summer has headed the Israeli team negotiating with Syria. “But I’m afraid not realistic or feasible.”
Rabinovich said he had a great deal of sympathy for the former Likud government’s “peace for peace” approach, “but it doesn’t cut much ice.”
He added somewhat plaintively: “I must ask you to give us some credit. We’ve lived in this region for more than 40 years as a state. We’ve fought with Syria, we’ve dealt with Syria in negotiations: We will not be duped by nice words. Syria will not get away with a series of catch phases.”
“If Syria gets anything from us, it will get it with security arrangements, coupled by guarantees.” he said “We know exactly what to ask for, to make sure we are not being led down the garden path.
The exchange appeared to illustrate what some Israeli officials have described as a need to “re-educate” American Jews accustomed to defending hard-line policies espoused by the former Likud government that its Labor successor does not embrace.
OPTIMISTIC ABOUT PEACE TALKS
Rabinovich said he was “reasonably optimistic” about the negotiations with Syria, which are due to resume in Washington on April 20.
The ambassador also appeared optimistic regarding the Palestinians, who have announced that they are boycotting the talks until the fate of some 400 Palestinians deported by Israel to Lebanon is resolved to their satisfaction.
Having failed in their aim of stopping the resumption of the peace talks, the Palestinians will likely take up Israel’s offer to readmit the deportees gradually, Rabinovich said.
He said that the American announcement that it planned on being “a full partner” in the peace talks was a message to the Palestinians that the United States, without shedding its role as a facilitator and co-sponsor, will also try to intercede, gently, on behalf of the Palestinians, being the weaker partner in the negotiations.”
The parameters of that role were agreed upon by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Secretary of State Warren Christopher during the U.S. officials recent visit to Israel.
As defined, (this) need not worry us, and it can allay the Palestinians at the same time,” Rabinovich said. “All of this together offers the Palestinians a package that can bring them to the table.”
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