JSTANDARD Israel must take a stand on Kosovo Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:32 am (PST)
<http://www.jstandard.com/articles/3929/1/Israel-must-take-a-stand-on-Kosovo> http://www.jstandard.com/articles/3929/1/Israel-must-take-a-stand-on-Kosovo NEW JERSEY JEWISH STANDARD (USA) EDITORIAL Feb. 22, 2008 Israel must take a stand on Kosovo By Josh Lipowsky Israel finds itself facing some tough decisions with Kosovo's declaration of independence this week. Israel's government said Monday it would not recognize an independent Kosovo at this time, but it would take its cues from the United States and Europe when considering recognizing an independent Kosovo in the future. While Israelis can certainly appreciate the desire for independence, the Jewish state must tread carefully here. Equality for Israel's Arab citizens has long been a concern, one that has even attracted Jewish organizations to aid Arab communities. Now is the time for Israel to send a strong message of unity and equality to its Arab citizens, lest Israeli Arabs begin looking to the Kosovar independence as inspiration for trying to withdraw heavily Arab areas of the country, such as in the Galilee, from Israel. The peace process might also be negatively affected by developments in Kosovo. Palestinian negotiator Yasser Abed Rabbo brought up the possibility this week that the Palestinians would unilaterally declare their independence if the process does not begin to show some results. Although chief negotiator Ahmed Qureia essentially nixed this idea a day later, the notion that Palestinians could try to force a new scenario on the ground remains a potential monkey wrench in the gears of the "roadmap" peace plan. Finally, there is Serbia, which has had increasingly better relations with Israel in the past few years. Serbia has thus far refused to acknowledge Kosovo's independence. Its representative in Israel has met with Israeli foreign ministry officials and expressed satisfaction with Israel's decision not to recognize the fledgling country - yet. Kosovo, meanwhile, has been asking governments around the world for recognition. According to The Jerusalem Post, Israel is taking a hands-off policy toward the entire issue and considering it an internal matter for the Balkans. Just as Israel does not want other countries intruding on Israeli affairs, it says it will not intrude on those of another region. This position may sound logical, but Israel cannot just ignore the situation. Besides the possibilities already listed above, what would have happened if the United States or France had decided in 1948 that a Jewish state declaring independence in the Middle East did not concern them?
