In my naivete I thought that the tragedy that transpired in 1948, in which the rise of one caused the disaster of the other, together with 44 years of occupation of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, are the main causes of the Israel-Palestinian conflict. In my ignorance I believed that this argument over the land is generally concerned with land, sovereignty and independence. Recently however, the closer we get to September, the more I get the feeling I am mistaken. The conflict seems to be based on something totally different, not on occupation, settlements, or the right of return. According to the Prime Minister, the core of the matter is the struggle of the Jewish state for recognition. In Congress, Netanyahu received rousing applause, among other reasons due to his call to Abu Mazen to accept the Jewish state. "Our conflict was not about the emergence of a Palestinian state, but about the existence of a Jewish state". In 2011, it is that which we are fighting for, the recognition of our state. It is important to finally realize what exactly it is we are getting wounded, being kidnapped, and dying for. It is refreshing to know where our money is going and why our souls are corrupt. To the author Etgar Keret, who accompanied the Prime Minister to Italy on behalf of the "Haaretz" newspaper, Netanyahu said "Until Abu Mazen recognizes Israel as a Jewish state, there will be no chance for an agreement". It is not a good idea to take the need for recognition lightly. It is ancient, natural and humane. But Israel has existed now for 63 years. It has endured wars, attacks, military operations, and yet still exists. We to such an extent exist, that we no longer have a need to request more and more recognition. Perhaps the time has come to refresh our memory: the struggle to acknowledge Israel as the Jewish national home ended with the announcement, in the UN, on the 29th of November, 1947. Since then, we exist as a state. It's a troubled existence: there are enemies and threats, but our basic existence is not dependent on anyone's recognition. It is dependent only on ourselves. If we continue to intelligently and responsibly live our sovereign and state-based lives, we will survive. Now it is the Palestinians' turn to demand recognition from us and the world. When that recognition comes, they will have to act on it, and implement all their aspirations, plans, and desires. The needs of the Palestinians have yet to be fulfilled, which means that they are the ones who still need recognition. As opposed to the Palestinians, who are looking for a way to shed their dependence, Netanyahu is looking for a way to re-establish that dependence. Beyond that, however, his constant calls for recognition reveal how much, in his eyes, the existence of this state is still in doubt. His position is one of the weaker child, whereby only if a stronger, more threatening child recognizes him, will the doubt of his survival disappear and the feeling of security return. The Prime Minster is afraid and is, in turn, planting the seeds of fear. He wants Mahmoud Abbas ('Abu Mazen') to calm him down, but Abu Mazen is busy with obtaining the recognition he needs. Everyone needs recognition. Some need it because their existence hangs in the balance, some because they deny the existence of others. It is truly frightening that the Prime Minister has not yet internalized that Israel's existence is not up for debate. The state exists, and will continue to exist. It is not just a wish. We are so strong and stable that we can actually take time off and observe others who are not yet at that point.
We don't need our existence recognized
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