Saudi Arabia and The Vatican have to be at the driver’s seat, driving the Peace limo.
What the UN couldn’t do, both nations can do. USA alone, too, can’t decree a permanent peace. Peace has to come from frank and sincere negotiations by the two parties.
The Vatican and Saudi Arabia have huge influence on both sides spiritually and politically.
My hunch is that the Trump’s 20-point Agenda is targeted towards stopping the bombing and getting the hostages home – which is good -but not sufficient for permanent peace to return.
There’s a need to end the circular bloodletting in Gaza and Israel for the Common Good of Humanity.
However, there are fundamental issues of boundaries demarcation, Jerusalem status and the acceptance of a section of the Arabs world (the Shites- Iran & Co) that Israeli’s existence in the Middle East is real and permanent.
There is 1947 boundary, also 1967, 1973 and even 2025 boundaries. Certain things are irreversible. Trump Peace Package (TPP) is silent on all this.
The Sunni Muslims (Saudi Arabia, UAE &co) are moderate in their opinion towards Israel.
Indeed, there is an unconfirmed research report that says a section of the Sunni’s DNA in the Middle East is 30% Jewish!
Trump’s obsession for the Noble Peace Award, for personal glory, I guess, was the main driving motivation behind the manner he hurriedly unveiled his agenda, which he decreed must be obeyed within 4 days! Now that the Nobel dream is gone with the wind, will Trump’s enthusiasm, commitment and energy level remain the same? Time will tell
The world is not governed monarchical- under the whims and caprices of the guy in Washington.
Agreed, the world is equally not a democratic world.
But context, consensus and consultation are the bedrock of a just peace.
How do you resolve a millennial-problem within 4 days when you are not God or a magician?
Trump’s adhocism is welcome in this instance though- when it puts an immediate end to the suffering in the middle East, but it is not sufficient.
A 3000- year old contaminated wound with clostridium tetanus can’t be healed by putting plaster on the wound without first cleaning it with water and sterile wipe and then pat it to dry!
Greater work and negotiation needs to be done behind the scenes. All issues have to be on the table with the cards face up
And that would take years – to be moderated by the Vatican & Saudi Arabia – behind the scenes.
Why should we all be interested?
A peaceful Middle East will beget a peaceful world
Tim Akano
timakano1@gmail.com
