Giving Ground, But Not Giving Up Land
I’d say that’s how Netanyahu played this one:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a major shift, will accept the notion of a Palestinian state — a policy pushed by the Obama administration but resisted until now by Mr. Netanyahu, Israeli officials and Americans briefed on the Israeli leader’s thinking said.
The policy reversal, which is expected to go public this weekend, could help restart negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians and allow the Israeli leader to steer a course between Mr. Obama’s view and those of his own hawkish base.
The Israeli and American officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told The Washington Times on Thursday that Mr. Netanyahu, in a major speech Sunday, will, however, set Israeli parameters for recognizing Palestinian sovereignty.
I wouldn’t give the Palestinians Perth Amboy, NJ, but I’m not Prime Minister. I think Netanyahu knows that this gesture on his part gives President Obama a carrot, but still takes the stick to the Palestinians. Will they reign in terror? No. Cease incitement and bigotry? Hardly. Will they give up on demanding the right of return and half of Jerusalem? Why would they start now?
We’re no further along than we’ve ever been. Each administration wants to bring peace to the Middle East, and each has failed for the same reason: the party opposed to a two-state solution is not the Israelis, but the Palestinians. By bombs or by demographics—doesn’t matter to them— and with a hefty dose of propaganda, they walk away from peace deals, sabotage good-will initiatives, piss on olive branches.
And for their troubles they are paid the highest per capita rate of international aid in the world, and rewarded with yet more plans and opportunities to achieve their ultimate goal of “one Palestine, from the river to sea”. Why would they ever stop? As a business model, it’s unbeaten.
Carol said,
June 12, 2009 @ 1:42 pm
I’m tired of the middle east. I have ceased to care if there is peace there because whatever there might be will only be a hudna. I don’t know why American government has to be so obsessed with this. I think we should just throw in the towel and walk away. That’s walking away in the sense of telling Israel to just do whatever the hell they want since they are the only party involved that is in touch with reality. I’m sick of the delusional thinking that comes from Washington on this subject.
Bloodthirsty Liberal said,
June 12, 2009 @ 3:44 pm
You and me both, Carol. But every admin does it (which only reinforces your point). James Baker was particularly dreadful.
What seems worse this time around is Obama’s determination to enforce a solution before the parties are ready for it. Do the Palestinians appear ready to handle a state? Why should Israel be forced to engage politically with a loose confederation of street gangs? In his Cairo speech, Obama revealed that he considers Israel little more than a zoo for endangered species, namely Jews. If the cage is made a little smaller, he feels, the animals will hardly notice the difference.