Downstream: This Damage Cannot Be Reversed w/ Daniel Levy
Dec 11, 2023
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Daniel Levy, a former peace negotiator, discusses the failure of the Oslo Accords, the central role of Gulf monarchies in negotiations, and how Israel responds to being labelled as an apartheid state. He explores the consequences of Benjamin Netanyahu's political influence in America and explores the potential use of US military aid to curtail human rights abuses against Palestinians. Additionally, he delves into the changing dynamics of Middle East actors post-Arab Spring and emphasizes the importance of considering international perspectives in the Israel-Palestine situation.
The support of left-wing media, like Novara Media, is crucial for resisting the toxic establishment and promoting rational and humanist causes.
The political landscape in Israel has shifted towards maintaining control and completing the project of ethnic cleansing, reflecting a missed opportunity for a substantial resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Oslo Accords failed due to the inability of occupation and limited self-governance to coexist, resulting in the entrenchment of the occupation and the dispossession of Palestinians.
Deep dives
The Impact of Left-Wing Media and Resistance to the Toxic Establishment
Supporting left-wing media, like Novara Media, can be an effective way to resist the toxic establishment. By promoting good, rational, and humanist causes, left-wing media can underpin potential resistance against the establishment without resorting to populist anti-establishment rhetoric. This support is particularly necessary as left-wing media often lacks the backing of the establishment, making it crucial for individuals to offer their support.
Understanding Israeli Politics: Shifting Views on the Occupation
Israeli politics has undergone significant changes since the 1990s and the Oslo Accords. While there was once a fault line that allowed for a significant withdrawal from the occupation, the current political landscape has shifted towards maintaining control or completing the project of ethnic cleansing. The conversation in Israeli politics has shifted from a focus on a potential full withdrawal of Palestinian sovereignty to a discussion of a glorified bantustan or a minimal Palestinian state. This change reflects a missed opportunity for a substantial resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Failure of the Oslo Accords and the Question of a Two-State Solution
The Oslo Accords, signed in the 1990s, aimed to establish Palestinian self-governance and gradually withdraw Israeli control. However, the accords failed due to the inability of occupation and limited self-governance to coexist. The deadline set by the accords passed, and the interim arrangement that was meant to pave the way for a permanent peace deal instead entrenched the occupation. The failure to address core issues such as Jerusalem, permanent borders, and the fate of Palestinian refugees resulted in the Oslo process becoming another means of Palestinian dispossession. The current reality is far worse than it was when Oslo was initiated.
How the Assassination of Rabin Impacted Israeli Politics and Peace Negotiations
The assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin marked a crucial moment in Israeli politics. Rabin's government acknowledged the inherent conflict between maintaining a democratic, Jewish-majority state and continuing the occupation. However, his assassination led to a shift in leadership and a reluctance to progress negotiations. The subsequent government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, adopted a more hardline stance and slowed down the peace process. The assassination created a rupture in leadership and undermined dedication to a negotiated solution.
The Influence of Israel in American Politics and Policy
The influence of Israel in American politics extends beyond the individual leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu. It is influenced by various factors, including lobbying, the military-industrial complex, and cultural narratives. Lobbying plays a significant role in shaping the discourse and policies related to Israel. Additionally, the cultural narrative of Israel as a frontier, settler-colonial society aligns with certain American conceptions of itself. The influence of Israel in American politics has implications for US policies and the potential for leveraging aid and accountability for Israel's actions.
Daniel Levy has had a front row seat at some of the most consequential peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine in the last two decades, as president of the U.S./Middle East Peace Project and as an adviser to former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak. He sat down with Ash Sarkar to talk about the failure […]
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