Israel's grand illusion on Palestinian UN recognition

Hanan Ashrawi
Haaretz (Opinion)
October 23, 2012 http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/israel-s-grand-illusion-on-palestinian-un-recogni...

 

 

The artful magician relies on basic tricks in order to perform his illusions. He talks to distract the audience, giving irrelevant details to keep their minds occupied. He uses his skills to draw their attention to a certain place. Then, while all eyes are focused in one direction, he subtly and deftly carries out his deception, making them believe in a distorted reality; something their common sense tells them cannot be, but that their minds are inclined to accept.

The artful magician is Israel. The grand illusion is that the Palestinian application to the UN for non-member state status is a unilateral step designed to bypass negotiations. Moreover, that this is something perverse, a barrier to peace, “diplomatic terror” even.