OPINION:
A new term for the diplomatic lexicon: “Sustainable quiet”.
Simply put, it’s a strategic goal for the Middle East suggested by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to several news organizations, and the Israeli people themselves.
“I think our goal is to restore a sustainable quiet. And I think if we get that we’ll have to use that quiet to recruit the international community to demilitarize Gaza,” he told ABC News on Sunday.
“I support taking whatever action is necessary to stop this insane situation. Imagine what Israel is going through. Imagine that 75 percent of the U.S. population is under rocket fire and they have to be in bomb shelters within 60 to 90 seconds. You can’t live like that. So I think we have to bring back, restore back a reasonable, sustainable quiet and security. And we will take whatever action is necessary to achieve that,” the prime minster later advised CNN.
And in a public address to Israeli citizens after the deaths of 13 Israeli soldiers, he said, “We will restore quiet and security to the country. We knew this could be a lengthy operation, but our history speaks a truth: the eternal people are not afraid of a long journey.”
Is “sustainable quiet” viable or just a fabulous soundbite? We’ll see, probably sooner than later. President Obama spoke with Mr. Netanyahu on Sunday, their second call in three days.
Mr. Obama “reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself” and confirmed that Secretary of State John Kerry soon will journey to Cairo to seek an “immediate cessation of hostilities based on a return to the November 2012 ceasefire agreement,” the White House said.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.