If you want peace, work for justice.

The Middle East peace process is certainly a headache for President Obama. According to its government spokesman, the State of Israel will continue to allow more construction in West Bank settlements despite a clear call by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to freeze its work. The settlements are illegal under international law and under the US-backed roadmap peace plan.

The question is, does Israel have the right to ignore its powerful ally? How are they going to achieve peace with the Arab world if they are not willing to make concessions? The new prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu–who ran a campaign in favor of more settlements–has already shown some friction with the US and all the partisans of peace in the Middle East. As the Sunni of Zanzibar say, “The chicken thief does not listen to the chicken’s prayer.”