Don’t Talk, Show Me!
By Israel Zwick, CN Publications, October 18, 2007
See Also: What Does Peace Mean?
In the renowned Lerner and Loewe musical, My Fair Lady, Eliza Doolittle tells her suitor, “Don’t talk of love lasting through time. Make me no undying vow. Show me now!”
Play MP3, Show Me, from My Fair Lady
This is what we should be hearing from the Israeli negotiators preparing for the Annapolis peace conference, assuming there will be one. We’ve heard enough words, promises, and vows from the Palestinians. It’s time to tell them, “Show me!” If they want an independent sovereign state consisting of 6000 sq. km, they need to demonstrate convincingly that they can cooperate with the State of Israel. A simple glance at a map will reveal that the proposed State of Palestine couldn’t possibly survive and thrive without close cooperation with the larger 22,000 sq. km State of Israel. Two tiny states so closely intertwined would have to cooperate on such issues as security, commerce, tourism, agriculture, water development, energy sources, transportation, communication, and health services. They could not survive as dichotomous units separated by concrete walls, electronic fences, and separate road systems. It just wouldn’t work under the best of conditions, and it’s time that the diplomats stop trying to deceive the public.
What the Israeli negotiators need to demand first from the Palestinians is for them to demonstrate that they are capable of peaceful coexistence with mutual cooperation. They need to demand the following:
Show me that you can stop the rockets from Gaza.
Show me that you can stop incitement to violence.
Show me that you can stop arms smuggling.
Show me that you can stop suicide bombers.
Show me that you can accept Israel as a Jewish state.
Show me that you can cooperate in maintaining security and safety.
Show me that you can cooperate in commercial transactions.
Show me that you can cooperate in conserving natural resources.
Show me that you can cooperate in developing joint tourist expeditions.
Show me that you can cooperate in developing emergency response teams.
Show me that you can cooperate in academic and athletic events.
Show me that you can cooperate with health emergencies.
Show me that you can cooperate in developing tolerance and acceptance.
So far, the Palestinians have demonstrated none of the above. If they can’t demonstrate with confidence that they are capable of peaceful coexistence at the minimal levels needed for survival, then all the negotiations are worthless. Our esteemed diplomats in Jerusalem and Washington know that. Yet they persist in treating the public as if they were mushrooms that need to be kept in the dark and fed a lot of bullshit.
It’s time to stop the deception and speak the truth. Deceiving the public in an attempt to develop confidence will only have the opposite effects in the long term. It may bring accolades to lame-duck diplomats, but it won’t bring everlasting peace.
We need actions, not empty words! Show me, NOW!
The lyrics of “Show Me” from My Fair Lady
Play MP3, Show Me, from My Fair Lady
Words! Words! Words! I’m so sick of words!
I get words all day through;
First from him, now from you!
Is that all you blighters can do?
Don’t talk of stars burning above;
If you’re in love, Show me!
Tell me no dreams filled with desire.
If you’re on fire, Show me!
Here we are together in the middle of the night!
Don’t talk of spring! Just hold me tight!
Anyone who’s ever been in love’ll tell you that
This is no time for a chat!
Haven’t your lips longed for my touch?
Don’t say how much, Show me! Show me!
Don’t talk of love lasting through time.
Make me no undying vow. Show me now!
Sing me no song! Read me no rhyme!
Don’t waste my time, Show me!
Don’t talk of June, Don’t talk of fall!
Don’t talk at all! Show me!
Never do I ever want to hear another word.
There isn’t one I haven’t heard.
Here we are together in what ought to be a dream;
Say one more word and I’ll scream!
Haven’t your arms hungered for mine?
Please don’t “expl’ine,” Show me! Show me!
Don’t wait until wrinkles and lines
Pop out all over my brow,
Show me now!