A New Era of Balance

"Obama Plans to Call on Seasoned Negotiator to Serve as a Mideast Envoy"
A16, Thursday 1/22/09
By Mark Landler

George Mitchell, as reported earlier in the week, will be appointed President Obama’s special emissary to the region.

Before the President has a chance to articulate his approach to the Arab-Israel conflict, it’s being reported that he’s heralding in a new era of “balance”. Mitchell, as described by Martin Indyk, is “in a sense, neutral”.

It’s a relief that Israeli intransigence, like forcing Jewish settlers from their homes, using checkpoints and roadblocks to curb terrorism and operations to kill terrorists could now receive the same reproach as Palestinian intransigence, like blowing up children and educating its public for endless war. With this even-handedness, the Palestinians and Arab world may now finally start to take get a whiff of American morality.

Actually, during the past 15 years, both sides have received the same reproach. Profoundly different actions receiving the same non-response, along with plenty of financial aid. This is the imbalance.