Confidence – destroying measures
Rabbi Sholom Dov Volpo, Chairman, ′Our Land of Israel′
A young couple – chosson and kallah- were invited to visit the mother – in – law, who was visiting from Europe, and rented a room in a hotel. She gave the young couple instructions to get to her room: ′Press the buzzer at the door with your elbow, and the doorman will open the door. Then press the elevator button with your elbow, and when the elevator arrives, press seven with your elbow. When you get out of the elevator, make a left, and knock on the door of room 770 with your elbow.
The daughter and son in law got it all down pat, but had one big question: what′s with the elbow? Said the mother in law: are you hinting that you are coming empty-handed?
Making Mom-in-law happy
Netanyahu is waiting with baited breath for the blessed moment that the terrorists will announce, with the government′s approval, the establishment of a Palestinian state, with Yerushalayim as the capital. Maybe then he will rate a Nobel Prize in Oslo, like Rabin and Arafat (yemach shemo). Therefore, the talks must continue.
However, there′s a problem: one can′t arrive with empty hands. Bibi can′t agree to the ′expected gift′ of construction freeze, because that stirs up trouble in the coalition. He wouldn′t dream of degrading the Holocaust denier′s gesture - being willing to meet the PM′s representatives. He is liable to lose his temper! So what can be done to make the mother-in –law happy? How can we make confidence building steps?
So the Prime Minister conferred with the Defense Minister, and they sent a joint message to the ′Chairman′: have you noticed, dear bloodthirsty friend, how we send our henchmen to wreck the hilltop settlements at 3:00 am, to pave the way for your state? Watch the fun! Those men in black cruelly throw babies out of their cribs into the freezing blackness. The children scream and cry, the mothers wail. Isn′t that a great gift for you?
′Ya Chabibi′ how does this look to you?
′NO′ says Abu Mazen. Sorry, there will be no talks. The settlements are a roadblock to peace!
Bibi has an idea to move things along: ′We′ll try to beat up the youth, and the Arab workers will steal the expellees′ belongings. We will also arrest them and accuse them of espionage. How′s that, ya chabibi?′
Abu Mazen is stubborn. ′No way. No talks, sorry! Stop the construction at once!′
Bibi doesn′t give up. He wracks his brain to see what can be done. ′Ya chabibi, listen to me. You can′t stop the peace talks with us. I have an idea. Did you ever hear about Migron? It′s actually a government built settlement, and the court ruled that Arabs never lived there, and it′s obvious that the Supreme Court mistakenly ruled to destroy the homes. Nevertheless, and only for you, I will fight them and destruct the yishuv.
Now could I send Yitzchok Molcho to re-open the talks? And maybe, maybe you will agree to talk with me, too?
No maps, only principles
′No, says Abu Mazen, no talks, sorry! What about the borders? Where are the maps?
Bibi starts nervously biting his nails. How can he convince the Palestinian president to meet with him? ′What can I give him? The ′loyal Likudniks′ will eat me alive if I draw up maps of Palestine.′
Suddenly, his eyes light up. ′Mr. Molcho, listen closely. At your next meeting, you don′t actually draw up maps; rather you present ′territorial principles.′ Anything beyond the Separation Fence is Palestine. Remember: no maps, only principles.′
Pandemonium reigns in the Prime minister′s office in Yerushalayim. The charedi partners are scurrying about in search of stipends, Lieberman is busy with a hearing, the Likud is busy with primaries, Bayit Yehudi is feuding. There is no one around to whisper in Bibi′s ear: the more trust you build with Abu Mazen, the more you destroy the trust of the nation and betray them. You betray the Nation of Israel, the Torah of Israel, and, of course, the Land of Israel. |
