Urgency and Language in the Middle East

Two articles here, relating to the urgency of peace in Palestine and Israel.  Taken together, they speak to the frustration of Secretary of State John Kerry--who seems as engaged as an American diplomat can be.  His seemingly deliberate use of provocative language gets my attention.  And it should get mainstream America's as well.  Kerry's been steady and determined since he took office.  He obviously wants a practical resolution, a plan that works on the ground for all sides.  Whatever else "apartheid" connotes, his use of it now warns of violence and despair and justice deferred.  Was it Martin Luther King who said, "Justice deferred is justice denied"?  Kerry's clearly worried.

Here's a decent leader, John Kerry, deeply committed to a two-state solution.  He understands that, if the United States does nothing but shrug through these next couple years, the consequences in Israel could be, will be dire.  

THE DAILY BEAST ON KERRY'S LATEST WARNING

And then there's Thomas Friedman, another one who's written poignantly and spoken wisely for a strong and healthy Israel.  While noting that Kerry's doing "the Lord's work," Friedman insists that the status quo may work for radical settlers, but it doesn't lead to a peaceful, democratic Israel.  

FRIEDMAN: NOT THE SAME OLD, SAME OLD

Together, Kerry and Friedman speak as friends of Israel, advocates for a strong democratic state.  But they speak with urgency here, for courageous leadership and an honest reckoning with barriers to peace and partnership.