The message that Baker delivered to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee is long overdue. Calling for the return of annexed territory to the Palestinians, before a hostile audience and during a week when Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin was scheduled to meet with U.S. officials, is a welcome sign that the Bush Administration is not terrified of playing political hardball in the Middle East where human rights issues are concerned.
However, strong words will ultimately produce no more than a huff and a puff. The government of Israel will continue to be unswerving in its willingness to relentlessly trod on the rights of the Palestinians or anyone else who gets in its way.
