The Real Reason Obama Doesn’t Deserve the Peace Prize
October 16, 2009
Obama has been in a bit of strife after having been awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. His critics argue that he hasn’t actually achieved any of his aims yet, whilst his defenders claim that the important thing is that Obama’s change in rhetoric and style has re-crafted the environment in which peace can be attained. While I personally agree with his critics, I could see that his defenders did have a valid, arguable point.
Unfortunately however, Obama proves the argument wrong by continuing one of the US’ most dangerously flawed and narrow minded foreign policies; the unquestioning support for Israel. One might have reasonably expected this to have been tempered by the release of the UN authorized Goldstone Report into the January Gaza war. It is, after all, hard to accuse a respected and renown judge such as Richard Goldstone of being biased and one-sided, especially since his report criticized both sides.
Most Western Governments realize they have to face up to reality, Britain is one of them with their ambassador to the UN John Sawers stating what shouldn’t be so startling; “we urge the Israeli Government to carry out full, credible and impartial elections into the allegations reported in the Goldstone report.” The US however, embarked on a tirade; citing “serious concerns about the report, its unbalanced focus on Israeli, the overly broad scope of its recommendations and its sweeping conclusions of law.” This denial-of-reality from the US is tiresome and childish. At no point should diplomatic ties between two countries be cited as an excuse for denying past events and de-legitimizing respected judges.
For all of Hamas’ faults, the whole Arab world sees the double standards employed when we refuse to acknowledge Hamas and yet negotiate with “moderate” elements of the Taliban or the corrupt Karzai Government. Hamas are an organization with some vile policies (that’s never stopped the US from negotiating with governments before) but we simply have to accept that unfortunately they won the popular vote in 2006 and were democratically elected. Refusing to acknowledge this, or acknowledge the factors that compelled people to vote “Hamas”, all the US and Israel are doing is guaranteeing their re-election. Indeed, the Gaza war gave Hamas a useful smoke-screen with which to purge opponents.
But it’s clear that while in many areas Obama might be saying the right things (if not quite doing them yet), but on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which is at the heart of the Middle East’s problems, Obama is yet the make the only foreign policy speech that would make a difference on the ground; making it clear to the Palestinians that the US are not their enemy and that he regards the rights of Israelis and Palestinians as equally important.
Let me reiterate; diplomatic ties should never compel the US to deny historical facts and slander respected judges.
Hardly actions be-fitting of a Nobel Peace Prize winner.
