You won’t be surprised to learn that an administration that has shown zero skill or interest in the art of diplomacy is trying to pull a fast one. From Ted Snider at antiwar.com:
On June 10, the Security Council adopted a U.S. resolution for a ceasefire in the war in Gaza. The vote was 14-0 with Russia abstaining. There are many odd features of the resolution: especially who proposed it and who has accepted it.
At stage left and stage right are the Israeli and Hamas negotiating teams. At center stage is the United States. The U.S. has kept the audience’s attention focussed on Israel and Hamas. Not enough of the focus is on the maneuvers and performance of the United States.
Misdirection is the essence of a magic trick. The magician manipulates his audience into looking at something else while the sleight of hand goes unseen. While the U.S. is keeping everyone’s gaze on the Israeli and Hamas responses, is it possible that the U.S. is performing a diplomatic sleight of hand? Is the U.S. performing diplomacy or, lacking the ability to pull off the diplomacy, is it deceptive diplomatic sleight of hand?
This article is not about the Israeli or Hamas negotiators nor their responses to the ceasefire proposal. That is the misdirection. So, keep your focus on the American performance. The Israeli and Hamas responses need only be pointed to in order to put a spotlight on the misdirection. The main spotlight needs to be on the American performance that is directing your gaze.
The U.S. says that Israel has accepted the proposal. They go so far as to embed that claim in the text of the resolution, which says that the Security Council “Welcomes the new ceasefire proposal announced on May 31, which Israel accepted.” Though the U.S. tells the audience that Israel is the author of the proposal and that they have accepted it, Israel has nowhere publicly said that.
STRAIGHT LINE LOGIC 