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NYT’s Thomas Friedman Attempts to Derail Saudi-Israel Diplomatic Achievements by Netanyahu Led Gov’t
Edited by: TJVNews.com
Thomas Friedman, a prominent New York Times journalist and political commentator, has been a vocal critic of the current Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as was recently reported at the Vois Es Nais web site. In recent weeks, Friedman has expressed his concerns over reports of a proposed peace treaty between Israel and Saudi Arabia, warning both the United States and Saudi Arabia against proceeding with such an agreement, based on the animus he has previously expressed towards Netanyahu and his underlying hatred of Israel as a Jewish state, the report noted.
The proposed peace treaty, which has gained attention in various publications, aims to normalize diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. It also seeks to strengthen the security partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia, with the ultimate goal of contributing to a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the VIN report suggested. This diplomatic initiative has been promoted by the Biden administration, reflecting a shift in U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
Friedman’s concerns primarily revolve around the potential political repercussions within Israel if such a deal were to be reached. He argues that the terms of the deal, as presented publicly, could strain the current Israeli ruling coalition, which includes right wing and religious factions that have not traditionally held national security authority.
Friedman cannot accept that the current government, which he terms “not normal”, could achieve such a coup and he therefore set out in a column Tuesday to warn both the US and Saudi Arabia from proceeding to such an agreement, the VIN report said.
In his column, Friedman suggests that Netanyahu may not be presenting the full scope of the deal to the Israeli public. The VIN report indicated that he posits that Netanyahu’s intention is to sway President Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with an incomplete version of the agreement, one that he could not present to his coalition partners in its current form.
Friedman appeals directly to these leaders, cautioning them against accepting Netanyahu’s proposition, asserting, “You cannot have normalization with an Israeli government that is not normal. It will never be a stable U.S. ally or Saudi partner. And right now, Israel’s government is not normal,” as was reported by VIN.
Friedman references statements made by former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo, who criticized the inclusion of what he termed “horrible racist parties” in Israel’s coalition government. These remarks underscore the concern that the coalition’s composition may hinder the stability of any agreement, the report added.
Additionally, Friedman points to reports suggesting that Israel’s Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, instructed officials to meet with the leader of a Romanian far-right party in Bucharest to gain support for Israel’s settlement policies. Such actions, according to Friedman, contribute to the perception of Israel’s government as radical and unconventional, the VIN report noted.
Friedman contends that Netanyahu may aim to persuade the United States into a deal that weakens Israel’s Supreme Court’s ability to restrain the government’s actions. Simultaneously, he may position himself as a domestic hero by securing a peace deal with Saudi Arabia without substantial concessions to the Palestinians. Friedman believes that such a deal should be rejected by both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
He effectively presents Netanyahu as a diplomatic opportunist who cannot be trusted to uphold the terms of international agreements. He concludes with a plea to the U.S. and Saudi Arabia: “Do not let Netanyahu make you his useful idiots, “ as was indicated in the VIN report.
Instead, the VIN report noted that Friedman suggests that the U.S. and Saudis condition the deal on specific requirements, including freezing all settlement building in the areas designated for a Palestinian state in Judea and Samaria, not legalizing any more illegal Israeli settlements, and transferring territory from Area C to Areas B and A under more Palestinian control, as defined by the Oslo Accords.
Friedman hopes that offering normalization with Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries will lead to the breakup of the current Israeli coalition government, eventually resulting in a more moderate government that prioritizes international cooperation over the expansion of Israel’s borders in Judea and Samaria.
The outcome of any peace agreement will depend on the negotiations and the interests of all parties involved. Ultimately, it remains to be seen how the proposed deal will evolve and whether it will address the concerns raised by Friedman and others.
