Aaron David Miller on Mike Pence's visit to Israel
Aaron David Miller had predicted that within a year of
President Trump’s election, the president and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu would be at odds with one another.
His rational was that the two have such big egos that they would part
ways. However, Miller admits that he was
wrong. President Trump’s announcement
that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel is an indication of the contrary.
Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to Israel exemplifies the
present good relationship between the two nation’s leaders. Under President Trump, Miller argues, “the
U.S.-Israel relationship has undergone a transition from a valued special
relationship to one that’s seemingly exclusive.” Pence validated Jerusalem as Israel’s
capital; he stated the US Embassy will open in Jerusalem; he promised to fix
the Iran deal and if need be to drop it; and he promised to make the US-Israeli
relationship even stronger. The timing
of Pence’s visit could not have been better.
Miller argues that,
His visit came just days after
Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud
Abbas, in an unhinged speech ripping Trump’s decision on Jerusalem, veered
into rank anti-Semitism and denied the Jewish people’s historic connection to
Israel. “This is a colonial enterprise that has nothing to do with Jewishness,”
Abbas said. “The Jews were used as a tool under the concept of the Promised
Land—call it whatever you want. Everything has been made up.” Those who have
been arguing for years that Abbas is no partner for peace—Netanyahu above
all—hardly could have scripted it better.
Miller also noted that Pence’s speech to the Israeli
government was “infused with religious references.” The religious language is seen in several
examples provided by Miller from Pence’s speech to the Knesset.
·
“The Jewish people’s unbreakable bond to this
sacred city reaches back more than 3,000 years.”
·
“It was here, in Jerusalem, on Mount Moriah that
Abraham offered his son, Isaac, and was credited with righteousness for his
faith in God.”
·
“We stand with Israel because we believe in
right over wrong, in good over evil, and in liberty over tyranny.”
Even back in 2006, when Miller interviewed Representative Pence
on Israel, Pence began by quoting from the book of Genesis: “I will bless those
who bless the Jews and curse those who curse thee.”
How long will this good relationship between the US and
Israel last? How will this state of
affairs affect the peace process? Miller
points out some possibilities. Some
think the close relationship between the two nations will undermine the
process, but that the Trump administration would disagree. Others might argue that, “the peace process
is all but dead,” or that, “you could invite Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad” to
resolve the situation, but this would likely not help.
Miller concludes with various speculations. As we await Trump’s peace plan, maybe we will
be surprised. Maybe Israel will do
something that will stagnate and alienate the president. Maybe Arab leaders will feel pressure from
their people, thus asks the US to reconsider.
Maybe leaders will realize that too close of ties between Israel and the
US may not be the wisest move.
Regardless, Miller states, “a major bust-up between America and Israel
doesn’t seem to be one" of the options.
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