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Howard's Way.... a weekly column from the Rt. Hon. Michael Howard QC. MP.

15 January 2009

The start of 2009 has been every bit as gloomy as was predicted.

In addition to the very serious deterioration of the economy we have seen the terrible loss of life in Gaza.

I fervently hope that by the time you read this, the military action in Gaza will have come to an end. Reams of paper have been consumed in discussing the rights and wrongs of what has happened. No-one could fail to be horrified by the loss of life and tragic suffering which we have witnessed on our television screens in recent days. Nor could any country sit idly by while its citizens were subjected to rocket attacks of the kind which Hamas has launched against Israel – 70 in December alone and aimed deliberately at civilians.

Is it too much to hope that there may be a glimmer of light in all this tragedy?

In human affairs the darkest hour sometimes comes before the dawn.

As I see it the most encouraging sign to have emerged from this crisis is the declaration by President-elect Obama that he will make the Middle East one of his immediate priorities when he takes office next week.

He will not be short of challenges. Indeed it has been said that of previous Presidents only Washington, Lincoln and Roosevelt have faced as formidable a combination of difficulties. He will need to match their greatness if the world is to be given the leadership it so badly needs and which it is still the case that only America can provide.

This is particularly true of the Middle East. Only the American President can exert the kind of pressure on both sides that is necessary for a lasting peace. Many of the measures which are needed for the creation of a viable Palestinian state will be unpalatable to Israel. Settlements on the West Bank will have to be dismantled. Arab rights in Jerusalem will have to be respected. But these measures must be taken.

I hope President Obama will use all his influence to ensure that they are.