Israel benefits in Paris conference

The Paris Peace Conference was doomed even before it started. Israel rejected it and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu termed the meeting as a "rigged conference," the results of which his country would not be bound to follow.

The joint statement issued at the end of the meeting failed to strongly condemn the settlement activities in east Jerusalem and the West Bank, which is the most contentious issue. The conference even failed to employ the language of UN Security Council resolution 2334 which terms east Jerusalem as an "occupied territory."

It was expected that some 70 countries and international organizations, including the foreign ministers of more than 30 states attending the conference will use it as a foundation for another resolution at the UN to urge both sides to resume peace talks. It was crucial as the last round of direct peace talks collapsed amid acrimony in April 2014.

But the conference did not press for another resolution at the Security Council. It was a major diplomatic victory for Netanyahu after the humiliation due to the resolution against settlement activity.

The final statement also stopped short of rejecting an announcement by Donald Trump to shift the embassy of the United States. Though, there is growing consensus that any such move would badly damage the prospects of peace in the Middle East and French president also mentioned it.

The only silver lining was the broad support of delegates for the two-state solution to the decades-old conflict. They also urged for negotiations to settle all issues. But in the absence of a UN resolution calling for the resumption of peace talks, none of the parties to the conflict will be obliged to follow the statement.

The conference also agreed for another meeting by the end of the year to help peace negotiations between the two sides.

At the end, Israel's aggressive diplomacy won the day, as John Kerry reportedly made a telephone call to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and assured him that United States would not allow any move detrimental to the security of Israel. True to his words, Kerry used his influence to soften the language of the statement to soothe the Israelis.

The Paris Conference was ill-timed, to say the least about its failure. The regional situation, Israel's increasing unease with the U.S. incumbent administration and the uncertainty ahead of the transfer of power to Donald Trump dimmed any chance of a positive outcome.

The Middle East is passing through a critical phase of history. The major regional conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has been overshadowed by the deadly wars in Syria and security situation Iraq. New alignments are taking place, making everyone uneasy.

The rise of Islamic State has added a new dimension to the regional security paradox. Not only is Israel threatened by the power of this group but also Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other countries are feeling the heat. Hence, it is matter of opinion whether first to seek a solution of Palestinians issues with Israel or fight out the Islamic State.

The rise of Iran after the nuclear deal with the U.S. and its decisive role in the regional politics has further added to the fluidity of the security situation.

The conference was also heavily influenced by other developments. For example, the resolution adopted by the UN Security Council towards the end of December last year against the settlements left Israeli in a bad temper. It was a historic moment as the world opinion was unanimous to denounce the construction of new homes for Jewish settlers. The move was made possible by the abstention of the United States which in the past had scuttled any anti-Israeli resolution.

But the resolution promoted Israel to come forward with full diplomatic force in its defence. It was well prepared and launched a blistering attack to blunt the outcome of the conference. It was known to all that Israel will not accept the outcome.

Second, a truck attack in Jerusalem on January 8 killed four Israeli soldiers and injured 17 others highlighting the ugly side of the conflict and the emergence of several new threats to damage the atmosphere of trust. It also changed the mood and suddenly there was more realization about the "legitimate" security concerns of Israel.

Sajjad Malik is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SajjadMalik.htm

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