Nearly two decades after our transformation from a revolutionary people
fighting for their freedom to a quasi-government, semi-autonomous,
severely dissected people, most of us have come to realize that nothing
really changes where Israel is concerned. Maybe, on the contrary, things
have actually gotten worse.

All of this negativity was not created in a vacuum. The past two weeks
have been a circus of diplomatic statements and slogans, which in the
end, mean absolutely nothing. Take for example, the US’s supposed anger
at Israel’s treatment of Vice President Joe Biden on this recent trip to
the country when the construction of 1,600 housing units were announced
in the illegal Jerusalem settlement of Ramat Shlomo. At first, the
Palestinians detected a distant waft of dissent in the Obama
administration. Yes, maybe this time, the US would turn their usually
inane statements when it comes to upbraiding Israel into real actions.
Words such as “unhelpful” and “unproductive” in regards to Israel’s
blatant violations of international law this time transformed into
chides such as “insulting” and “condemning” in regards to Israel’s
settlement policies in Palestine. This, hoped the Palestinians, was a
golden opportunity for real change, the kind of change President Barack
Obama has been promising since he took office last January, the kind of
change he has proven he could make happen like this week’s pass of the
new health care reform bill. If settlement construction is so damaging,
why not cut it off at the knees?

Alas, such hopes are as naïve as they come. It was not long after this
“insult” that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said while he
was sorry for the “unfortunate timing” he would not compromise Israel’s
position on Jerusalem. “There is no difference between building in
Jerusalem and building in Tel Aviv,” he opined. During the annual AIPAC
conference in Washington DC, Netanyahu reiterated that “Jerusalem is no
settlement” and that building in Israel’s “eternal capital” would
continue unhindered as it has for the past 42 years.

What is even more audacious from the cheeky Bibi is his offer to
withhold from publicly announcing settlement construction, especially
when US officials are visiting so that nobody would be embarrassed. Talk
about an insult. Is this the kind of loyal ally the US is so proud of?
Apparently so. Clinton, who last week spurted out some of the
strongest-toned language ever towards Israel, heaped loads of praise on
the country and reassured it once again of the US commitment to Israel.
“Guaranteeing Israel’s security is more than a policy position for me.
It is a personal commitment that will never waiver.” If this were not
clear enough, Clinton spelled it out for the pro-Israel Americans
listening to her, just to set their minds at ease.

“Under President Obama’s leadership, we have reinvigorated defense
consultations, redoubled our efforts to ensure Israel’s qualitative
military edge, and provided nearly $3 billion in annual military
assistance. In fact, that assistance increased in 2010 and we have
requested another increase for 2011.”

That doesn’t sound like someone who is opposed to Israel’s actions, as
illegal and as oppressive as they may be. This sounds like typical
America and whoever deludes themselves into thinking America, even under
a president like Mr. Obama, is really going to turn things around for
the Palestinians is just that: delusional.

That is why the Palestinians are becoming so cynical in terms of the
so-called peace process. It has brought us very little if nothing at
all. Actually, it has given us one thing, and that is a ball and chain
that has shackled us even more to the iron gates of Israel’s occupation,
which by the way, is just as strong and just as permanent as it was 42
years ago. What’s worse, we can no longer play the revolution card
without being shot down by the international community for breaking our
side the agreement, even as Israel is allowed to breach these same
agreements time and again, settlement construction being the most
glaring example. Following the debacle over the east Jerusalem
settlement expansion, the Quartet also “condemned” the construction.
However, even this foursome could not help but throw us into the mix.
“The Quartet urges the government of Israel to freeze all settlement
activity, including natural growth…and to refrain from demolitions and
evictions in East Jerusalem. The Quartet also calls on both sides to
observe calm and restraint and to refrain from provocative actions…”

Now that the Palestinians have a government, a president, prime minister
and a cabinet, apparently the term “both sides” is applicable even when
the sides are far from equal. We are bound hand a foot by the mistakes
of our past, the Oslo Accords being the biggest mistake of them all. Now
we must face a world that pressures us into entering negotiations with
an enemy that does not compromise its intentions even with its biggest
ally and financer, and oppress our own revolutionary inclinations
against a very alive occupation because we pledged years ago to renounce
violence. The worst part of it all is the overall feeling among the
Palestinians that we have been duped. The compromises, the suppression
of our legitimate rights at times would have all been worth it if the
sacrifices had reaped real results. However, as settlements continue to
grow and Israel remains as impertinent as ever, it is a cruel wake up
call for us Palestinians that even though so much has changed over the
years, even more has stayed the same.

Joharah Baker is a Writer for the Media and Information
Department at the Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global
Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH). She can be contacted at mid@miftah.org.