Put on your oxygen mask first

Thomas Friedman, the New York Times columnist,argues that to restart diplomacy (that is to get them to talk) in Middle East, the following must be immediately accomplished:

• Rebuild Fatah
  
• Merge Fatah with Hamas
  
• Elect an Israeli government that can freeze settlements
  
• Court Syria and engage Iran — while preventing it from going nuclear
  

Obviously, these steps are neither easy nor cheap. More importantly and unfortunately, they are highly improbable as demonstrated by the lack of peaceful resolution despite sixty years of support and diplomacy.


Supporting Israel since its formation in 1948 has taken a huge toll on USA not only in terms of resources but also in the form of terrorism and wars. We are wondering whether USA should continue to tackle Israel/Palestine issues while the country itself is in deep shit. The direness of the situation at home can be understood from the following excerpt from Obama's inauguration speech - "That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, .... Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet."


Given this disastrous situation, we hope Obama administration gets away from the Middle East mess (and the Israeli lobby) and focuses on revitalizing this country. Let Israelis and Palestinians sort it out themselves. They are old and strong enough.

As the airlines say, put on your oxygen mask first before helping others.