HD
I accept your advantage in experience with the people and conditions in the middle east. I have never been there. Tell me what type of offer would be accepted by the current Palestinian representatives. And those reps would be able to sell to the factions. And missle lobbing would end Obviously, it's senseless to offer a little piece of rock, previous sit-downs were much further along then that. Rioting would ensue as it would be an insult. What is an acceptable starting point, fair to both sides, taking into account Palestinian rights to self government and self determination in a recognized statehood, and true eternal peace (of mind) for Israel? Ironically, it will include the reviled "land for peace". Won't it?
Let's pretend that if Jerusalem ain't in the package they walk from the table without a response. Or whatever is or isn't in the offer causes a walkout without counteroffer? Would it still be up to Israel to keep changing offers?
Does a car buyer have to keep guessing what the car costs?
I am not trying to be provocative, it is morning and I want peace today.
frankj1 wrote:
OK, I'll try.
First, missle lobbing does not come from the West Bank. Gaza has a few but they are wimpy. Hezbollah in Lebanon has a crapload.
There are a number of reasons why time is running out for peace but for now I'll just start with the big one. The Palestinian Authority is about as moderate a government as Israel will ever face in negotiations. If there is an agreement, Israel is going to have to offer enough to keep them from being assassinated. The PA success in a deal is now Israel's success. Israel will also have to win enough to keep its leaders from being assassinated. With failure, the next election in the West Bank will likely put Hamas in power.
The first step will be does either side want peace. I do not believe the current Israeli administration does. The PA marginally does. (but doesn't want to get assassinated)
Where they start is where they left off with the Green Line being the starting point. If they don't start where they left off, someone doesn't want peace and they should be able to figure that out before lunch on the first day.
Palestinian right of return: Everybody knows it won't happen. There will be some sort of Israeli financial compensation. The USA will pay for it. No real issue here.
Land swaps: The wall the Israelis built took over 12% of the West Bank. A lot of this is open land and a lot juts way in to surround settlements. Some places the wall will need to go. Other places there will need to be land swaps. Because of how the wall snakes around, the Israel-West Bank border doubled in length and it not really very defensible.
Jordan border: Palestine cannot be surrounded by an Israeli military zone. Especially when that zone butts up to Jordan for which Israel has a peace treaty.
Settlements: Large numbers of settlements are nowhere near the wall or the Green Line and cannot be defended. They will need to relocate or become Israelis in Palestine. This is the issue that will get the Israeli prime minister assassinated. The International Court of Justice, International law, and most nations recognize all Israeli settlements in the West Bank as illegal. The USA calls them illegitimate. Recent leaked documents show that the Palestinians were willing to heavily compromise on settlements.
Jerusalem: The idea of Jerusalem not being in the package is just another way of saying "Israel will play for 5-0." Even the Israeli negotiators. Here is a number to keep in mind. Jerusalem is 32% Muslim Do you really want them? The Muslim population in Jerusalem is growing faster than the Jewish population. Israel really doesn't want all those non-Jew voters. The problem is the largest Jewish settlements almost surround East Jerusalem. Recent leaks show they Palestinians would agree to annexing most of those settlements but not all so they would have a corridor into East Jerusalem.
Israel doesn't have to negotiate. Israel doesn't have to try to find a better offer. Keep in mind the final deal will be hated by many Israelis and Palestinians. That is just how it will be. The try for 5-0 will also be hated by many Israelis and Palestinians.
Israel can just walk away and do nothing. Right now they control everything and man the prison camp walls. That creates a whole host of other problems for another post.
