Liquid Library

Another exceptionally masterful explanation by former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin of what's at stake with what Israel is currently doing. He strongly criticizes the lack of vision among Western leaders: "They do not have any strategic vision, and in particular, they still have not understood that the new world order would be based on principles [...] European diplomacy and American diplomacy have checked out. They are absent!" He says this is because "they are unable to extract themselves from their geopolitical situation as Westerners to create a path towards the rest of the world, especially towards the global south, towards the great powers today that are rising - those of the BRICS and others." He argues that Israel's current path is self-defeating as the use of force, especially when not sanctioned by international law, can only leads to more violence and instability: "I'm afraid that Israel is condemned to lead war after war, each time with more use of force [...] They can maintain security on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, but on Thursday and Friday insecurity will be reborn. Insecurity will be permanent. And that's why the Israelis invented this saying which summarizes everything: they have to 'mow the lawn'. Yes, because violence grows back, and it always grows back more vigorous and always stronger. [...] The only way out would be the creation of a Palestinian state, more justice." He draws a parallel between the current global situation and the lead-up to World War II, reminding us: "Let's not forget that the League of Nations began to die in earnest in 1935 when Italy invaded Ethiopia. There was this great speech of the Negus, the Emperor Haile Selassie, who addressed the League of Nations to request its assistance. And then after, there was the Spanish war and many other dramas and crises that led to World War II." He believes the only solution to all this is the embracing of a new world order with, as "a starting point", respect for international law which can only come with respect for others - in particular the nations of the global South - and the repair of the "injustice" and the "wound" that is the denial of a state to Palestinians. On this he says that Macron missed a unique opportunity at the UN a few days ago, instead of giving a speech reminiscent of "the Queen of England speaking at the UN", he should have "announced that France recognizes a Palestinian state": "There was no moment that could have been more useful than today, in a moment when all this region hesitates between a situation of localized war and a total regional war. It was the time to affirm a political vision.... Because what is at stake is the absence of the western world in this demand for justice. It is the absence of voice from the West. Neither Biden nor President Macron nor Olaf Scholz nor does anyone in Europe take the lead. We forget these misfortunes of the world, and well, unfortunately, these misfortunes of the world will take revenge, and we are in this matter, believe it, all concerned. All the debts will be paid. It's unfortunately history, it's the great history that we all ought to know and never forget."