1600 Homes on Palestinian Land

"This is starting to get dangerous for us," Biden reportedly told Netanyahu. "What you're doing here undermines the security of our troops who are fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. That endangers us and it endangers regional peace." Yedioth Ahronoth

Biden was responding to the announcement, made while he was meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, that 1600 new homes would be built in Greater Jerusalem, on land previously claimed by Palestinians. Was 1600 chosen as an echo of the White House's address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?

The announcement seemed pointed, but whether it was or not, the problem is the same: the US must de-link itself from Israel's occupation, if it is to be a credible force in the Middle East.

There has been a call to boycott all companies and products associated with the occupation. These should include: Sabra Hummus, but also Motorola, ITT, Terex, Caterpillar, GE, Roadstone Cement, United Technologies and Oshkosh trucks, because of their active role through lucrative contracts, in support of the Israeli occupation. That is something individual Americans can do.

The US administration should go a lot further: it should threaten to withhold military aid, which goes a long way towards supporting the Israel Defense Force, and economic aid, as well. We shouldn't be picky: not just aid that enables the West Bank Settlements, but all aid.

Are the Israelis thumbing their noses at Biden/Obama because they think Democrats are vulnerable? Democrats could lose crucial Jewish support in the upcoming elections, but if Obama put it in terms of Israeli policy "endangering our troops," a muscular policy might actually gain more votes than it would lose. "He's finally showing some balls!" people would say.

What is crucial to understand, however, is that the right-wing Israeli government is not interested in negotiating with Palestinians. Netanyahu wants to establish "facts on the ground" that can't be reversed, that make a two state solution impossible.

Frankly, I don't think it's possible now, because of all the encroachments, settlements and segregated roads. But that means that Palestinians must be integrated into greater Israel. They cannot forever be treated the way blacks were treated in Apartheid South Africa. They have to have rights, votes, and freedom of movement. They must have access to whatever Israelis do, especially opportunities to flourish. Since Israeli right-wing governments have made a two-state solution impossible, Israel will have to live with the consequences, which may, someday soon, mean an Arab majority in Greater Israel.

To continue supporting Israel in its oppressive Palestinian policy justifies al Qaeda in its terror attacks, the Taliban in its nationalism, even Ahmadinejad in his pursuit of regional hegemony.

If the US is to have any influence in the Middle East, it has to assert its interests now. If that's too hard, then we should get out of the empire business.