This week and next, their ruling chiefs—
Israeli and the PLO’s—
In Washington with well-worn briefs
Will play their role as civil foes.
They’re quick to say the other’s wrong.
If only they could get along.
The Arabs want their former land,
Tilled, pre-War of ‘67.
Israelis, on the other hand,
Can't bear rockets lobbed at Zion.
If signed, a two-state settlement
Might achieve what all else doesn’t.
My question, though, is should it be,
Because we bankroll Tel Aviv,
The mediators must be we,
When Arabs generally believe
We set our Mideast standing back
As soon as we attacked Iraq?
Since power vacuums live short lives
It only takes the briefest time
Before a forceful country strives
To makes its local standing prime
By bankrolling its own cat’s paw,
Be it Hamas or Hezbollah.
Tehran, extraordinarily,
Supports each one despite their views
One is Shi’ite, one is Sunni,
Muslim foes but both hate Jews.
As a juggler, mean but able.
Should Iran be at the table?
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hints
His newly tested missile shows
What makes on-edge Israelis wince:
His nuclear intent just rose.
Let’s hope next month at Iran’s polls
The winner has less hostile goals.
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