“no diplomatic breakthrough”
In the pope’s funeral earlier this week, Katsav, the Iranian born President of Israel (FYI, the president position is a-political) shook hands with Khatami and Assad. The Syrians tried to deny, but but folded later. Khatami is still denying it*. Well, it is safe to assume it did happened.
Katsav briefly discussed with Khatami in Farsi about their common birth city. Assad put out his hand for Katsav and later they shook hand again. This is so uncharacteristic for Arab leaders, that the whole incident is mind boggling. Not long ago, Iranians forfeit an Olympic jodo match because the contender was Israeli!
Most of us know that in business there is no equal to a face-to-face meeting. The “feel” of a person, even brief, can not be matched by any other means; that’s why people fly around the world for a one hour business meeting.
I strongly believe that any such incident is important and should not be trivialized. Something has changed. It is inevitable. Think of the general Arab population that is being brainwashed with anti-Israeli rhetoric hearing of this. If nothing else, the Arab leadership is now publicly treating their perceived enemies with recognition and respect on a personal level, that’s a huge step forwards.
Call me optimistic (you’ll be the first,) but I am encouraged.
* Some people in Israel did not like the handshake with Khatami either.
June 10th, 2005 at 3:16 pm
At least he only shook his *hand*.
Shake anything else of somebody’s in the middle-east and your likely to get lynched !