‘Legitimate questions’ about Israel’s new coalition

Typically, the US has expressed reservations about the Israeli coalition government but has reserved judgment. Rather than flaunt knowledge and direct approval of Israel’s increasingly violent policies, the US has resorted to a brief interlude in which it assumes the role of a concerned spectator rather than an eager accomplice.

Quoted in Israeli media including Haaretz, US State Department spokesman Mark Toner declared: “We have also seen reports from Israel describing it as the most right-wing coalition in Israel’s history and we also know that many of its ministers have said they oppose a two-state solution… This raises legitimate questions about the direction it may be headed in … and what kind of policies it may adopt.”

The assertion of “legitimate questions” is belated, even though the recent appointment of Avigdor Lieberman as Israeli defence minister increases the severity of scrutiny as regards future human rights violations committed by the Israeli government. Clearly, the US is indulging in one of its favourite past times which evokes memories of previous right-wing collaborations in South America, for example, when propping up dictatorships and contributing to the torture, murder and disappearance of civilians opposing dictatorial rule was a measure of imperialist success.

Haaretz has interpreted Toner’s statements as evidence that “the Obama administration remains unconvinced by Netanyahu and Lieberman’s calming words,” with reference to the perfunctory and illusory statements uttered by both – a conglomeration of assertions regarding commitment to peace and responsible policy – after signing the coalition agreement. It is inconceivable that the US would be convinced about the validity of such statements; however being unconvinced does not signal opposition to the perpetual colonisation motives.

There has been a myriad of opportunities for the US to depart from its complicit stance with Israel. Lieberman’s appointment, while obviously foreboding for Palestinians, will only enhance US foreign policy towards Israel. Lieberman’s role as defence minister is likely to increase the paranoid security rhetoric at all levels of the Israeli settler population, thus allowing the US to continue in its failure to differentiate between settlers and civilians, emphasise the erroneous equivalence between the indigenous and the settler population, while affirming its commitment to Israel’s alleged defence and, as an outcome, the slow extermination of the Palestinian population.

While the methods may differ, the agenda is similar, perpetual and repetitive. With Israel, the absolute leniency and endorsement of the fictional narrative that has sustained its presence in Palestine is never questioned, hence the US has constructed its own parameters through which it can feign criticism while committing itself to gratuitous funding for Israel. Lieberman’s inclusion is unlikely to affect US support – rather, he will serve as an incentive and thus invalidate the concept of “legitimate questions” as articulated by Toner.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.