Those who support Israeli sovereignty are starting to get antsy. There will always be persuasive reasons for why initiative should not be taken, especially when the initiative is a daring one. But Israeli history has shown that daring steps have always led to positive outcomes, whereas hesitancy and fears have led to bad results and sometimes to disasters.
There is no sense in speaking at length about the historic opportunity that might pass us by. Defense Minister Benny Gantz's idea that sovereignty should be discussed when the coronavirus crisis is over is a poor one. This window of opportunity starts today and ends in November, when the US will hold a presidential election. This historic window of opportunity allows us to take a bold diplomatic step and apply Israeli law to a few vital areas west of Jordan.
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All the arguments in favor and in opposition have already been made: the merits of a smaller sovereignty move, a larger and more complete version of sovereignty, and a large but incomplete sovereignty bid.
We must remember, there is a majority in the cabinet and no decision other than a cabinet one is necessary.
It seems as if the questionable piece of the puzzle is Trump himself. The subject of sovereignty doesn't interest him very much. We know he has a completely different agenda. It appears that he is disappointed not only at the lack of support from US Jewry but also from the Jews in the Land of Israel.
The way he sees it, the Golan Heights and Jerusalem were a gift. Now he expects Israel to allow the "deal of the century" to move ahead, including concessions on its part. But Israel is sending mixed, hesitant messages, and the same sector that sought ways into the White House, sometimes intending to skirt the Israeli government, seems to object to the entire process.
This is where daring, initiative, and decisiveness come into play. The US has traditionally sided with the winner; it doesn't like losers. It sent a hesitant, stuttering, and in effect negative message ahead of the 1967 Six-Day War. The moment Israel emerged as the victor, a historical turning point took place in terms of US relations with Israel. The same thing happened after the 1973 Yom Kippur War when the US would have abandoned us if we hadn't turned things around and secured victory on the battlefield. Today, even though we aren't talking about military preparations, the application of Israeli sovereignty in the Jordan Valley and two or three settlement blocs is a turning point in the diplomatic battle. It will project self-confidence and strength. That is what is important, not the concerns that the move may be a provocation.
In January 2021 a new president could take office. If that happens, it will be a Democratic administration that won't act based on "national interest" that dictates investment in the winner; it will be an administration that will operate based on what it sees as values. These will not be the core values of democracy and the historical American ethos, but rather something completely different about which one thing can be said with certainty: it will not be friendly toward Israel.
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