The Middle East needs a Bob Marley

Annapolis will probably be remembered just as a photo op. The negotiations that follow the conference don’t bring too much hope. The main problem is that the leaders cannot deliver. They lack the political leadership that is needed to end the conflict.

Peace in the Middle East

Israeli PM Olmert was never a charismatic person. Since the war, which came at an early stage of his reign, he’s a lame duck. He is also still in trouble with allegations of corruption.

Mahmoud Abbas, the “Rais” of the Palestinian Authority, is even more lame. He lost control over Gaza. In the West Bank, he lacks a strong grip. If it weren’t for the IDF, I assume that Hamas would take over also there.

And President Bush? Well, the war in Iraq, and his stupidity in general, don’t make him a serious broker for a peace accord. With Bush as the leader of the free world, freedom is very shaky.

The Jamaican Example

Bob Marley making peace
Picture Source: Wikipedia

From 1976, there has been serious civil unrest in Jamaica. Prime Minister Michael Manley who came into power in 1972 made serious socialist reforms. This angered investors, political rivals and the CIA that backed the opposition leader Edward Seaga.

The political culture became violent. Gunmen hired by both parties were fighting on the streets and assassinating their rivals. The situation deteriorated and a civil war looked imminent.

In 1978, a big concert named One Love Peace Concert was organized. Bob Marley, by then a famous reggae musician was the main performer. During the song “Jamming”, he called both political opponents on stage. They didn’t really like it. He then forced them to shake hands. The song finished with Manley and Seaga holding hands together above Bob Marley’s head.

This historic and exciting moment calmed down the civil strife in Jamaica.

Open Positions: Political Leaders

We are in need of a leader in the magnitude of Bob Marley. Saadat, Begin, Rabin, Hussein and Clinton were such leaders. If you have someone in mind, I’ll be glad to hear.

In the meantime, you can see the exciting moment from the One Love Peace Concert, April 22nd, 1978: