The U.S. struggles to make allies in the Arab world because America has values. Israel shares America’s commitment to liberal democracy, but the Arab world does not. In Israel, freedom of the press is robust; in the Arab world, it hardly exists. In Israel, the law accords minorities full civil rights; in much of the Arab world, that is not the case. The strong relationship between Israel and the United States is a natural one based on shared values. If the United States is perceived as being closer to Israel than it is to the Arabs, that is to the credit of both the U.S. and Israel.
To be an honest broker in the Middle East, the U.S. need not pretend that it has no conception of right and wrong. An effective American broker would state unambiguously that what made the U.S. great in the past was its commitment to core values of freedom, democracy and opportunity, and that those same values will guide its foreign policy in the future. Because it believes in these values, the U.S. should demand that the Palestinians do what the Jews did – treasure their ancient culture while engaging the values of the West, honor the terrible losses of their past while embracing a better future.
An honest American broker would no longer ignore blatant Palestinian myopia. Just this week, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared Jerusalem a Muslim and Christian city, insisting that there will be no peace until the Jewish occupiers depart. The Jews, he said, wish to “destroy the Al Aqsa mosque and build the alleged Jewish temple.”
In Palestinian discourse, even the Temple is “alleged.” Compare that stance to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s politically risky acknowledgement of Palestinian rights to a sovereign national homeland. The peace process is utterly dead not because of America’s values, but because of the Palestinians’. Only when American presidents of both parties insist that the Palestinians take responsibility for their future will we know that America has gotten serious about playing a constructive role in the Middle East.
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Dr. Daniel Gordis is Senior Vice President of the Shalem Center, where he is also a senior fellow. The author of numerous books on Jewish thought and currents in Israel...
The Jewish State must end, say its enemies, from intellectuals like Tony Judt to hate-filled demagogues like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Even average Israelis are wondering if they wouldn't be better off somewhere else. 
President Obama, take note.
I admire your writings for their truth and clarity.
So I am puzzled by your referring to the Palestian’s and their ancient heritage.
Are you being politically correct or are you unaware of their past
being recent, so recent that they are a creation of the second half of the 20th Century? Much has been written about this fact so I will list the sources here. If others wish send you the numerous sources that is welcome. You may certainly contact me and I will provide numerous referrence sources.
Danny,
With all due respect, and you know that you are one of my teachers, to say that Israel has a commitment to liberal democracy and to say that civil rights of minorities are protected ignores the area of “religious rights” – spiritual civil rights, if you will, and you know it. My activism is a direct outgrowth of my Wexner education and my UJA experience – you were involved in both of those experiences and your aliyah coincided with my establishment of a second residence. Please start acknowledging that while Israel is committed to democratic values, in certain areas, there is work to do. The Women of the Wall are an extreme example, but a good one. Strengthening the moderate middle begins with religious values my friend – please remember your roots as an American Masorti Jew!
Congratulations to Daniel Gordis who once again in these 4 short paragraphs and his books and articles offers a factual summary of reasons for universal support from “All Good People” for the State of Israel and its people – all of its people – Jews, Arabs, Muslims, Druze, Chirkassian, Bahai, etc., including permanent and temporary residents and refugees who fled oppression from horrible circumstances and despite continuing challenges, have found a civil society, courts of justice and opportunities to pursue life in relative security and safety there.
Anyone interested in examining “facts on the ground” can do so through numerous free and open channels and sources that make this possible! http://www.Israel21C.com offers detailed reports of progress and developments that contribute to the well-being of Israelis and citizens and residents of the world community, including Arab and Muslim-majority countries, neighbors included.
Dear Daniel
You write: “Israel shares America’s commitment to liberal democracy, but the Arab world does not. In Israel, freedom of the press is robust; in the Arab world, it hardly exists. In Israel, the law accords minorities full civil rights; in much of the Arab world, that is not the case. The strong relationship between Israel and the United States is a natural one based on shared values.
I am quite puzzled. If America shares these values, how do you explain their support for tyrannical regimes for the past 65 years?
As for your continuous use of the term Palestinians – you know very well that there is no existing nation or people called Palestinians. If there ever were, it was before 1948 and always referred to Jews in Palestine not Arabs. If you must use the word Palestinians, at least make sure they are Arabs or Jews born in Palestine.
The arguments you make are sound even if, as Ms. Immerman points out, Israeli governments have ceded far too much to the Jewish religious right. Kalidi’s “response,” completely ignores the contrast you drew between general freedom in Israel and the authoritarianism of the Arab world.That demonstrates that your position is impregnable. Thank you for your work.
Dear Daniel,the fact is that we are all the time forced to defend us with words and sometimes in wars.We should ask the other part that it would be more cultivated that openly in a cultural way
in front of the whole world discuss with our committee the facts they use to attack us.If they will be willing to do so there will always a possibility to observe how serious their points of view will be taken by the listeners.