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Roundup: Barak Departs for Summit, Lack of Political Backing
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak left here Monday night for crucial negotiations in the United States with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. But this time he does not have enough political backing at home.
On the eve of the commencement of the summit at Camp David near Washington, three coalition partners, Yisrael Ba'aliya, National Religious party and Shas, defected in a maneuver basically aimed at derailing the summit.
They suspected that Barak has filled his briefcase with concessions to the Palestinians, which they said would cause disaster for the state of Israel, damage its national security and interests.
The withdrawal of the three parties took the Barak government down to 13 cabinet ministers from 22, and more importantly, reduced his coalition from 68 members to 42 in the 120-member Knesset (parliament).
Moreover, Foreign Minister David Levy will not go to the summit with Barak, citing that the Palestinian side is not ready to make compromise on all issues the two sides will try to settle at the summit.
The opposition Likud party has been trying its best to sabotage the summit. Shortly before Barak's departure for Washington, it tried to topple the government by asking the Knesset to vote its no-confidence motion.
Never before has an Israeli leader embarked on such a crucial mission for his country amid such a domestic crisis. Barak and Arafat are going to try to conclude a framework agreement that contains principles for a permanent settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, under Clinton's watchful eye at Camp David.
The disintegration of Barak's government is also causing serious concern in the U.S. Administration. The Americans are worried that Barak will arrive at the critical summit without power to make hard decisions the summit will require.
Barak has brushed off his coalition crisis and turned to the public with a plea to support him in his endeavors for peace. He promised that, if a peace agreement is reached, he will bring it before the people in a referendum.
Barak further pledged to abide by the "red lines" he set for the summit, which include no return to the 1967 lines, no foreign army west of the Jordan River, Israel has no moral responsibility for the Palestinian refugees, the majority of the settlers will be in settlement blocs under Israeli sovereignty and Jerusalem will remain united and under Israeli sovereignty.
Despite Barak's "red lines," the summit has to resolve the above mentioned issues and Barak promised that he will bring home a peace deal with the Palestinians which will strengthen Israel's security.
Earlier reports said that Barak has indicated that the Jerusalem and refugee issues are too complicated to be settled right now and suggested to negotiate their settlement in the future. The Palestinian side has reportedly agreed to that, but asking Israel to give something in return by making compromise on other issues.
An opportunity to reach a comprehensive peace with the Palestinians, and subsequently with the Arab states, now looms in front of Israel. Missing it would mean fanning the dispute to almost inconceivable levels of tension and strife.
Political observers here believe that without political backing at home, it is more difficult for Barak to make hard decisions at the summit. But Barak is determined to strike the framework agreement with Arafat and the summit could produce some positive results if the two sides make compromises.
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