Israeli minister urges unilateral declaration of Palestinian borders

[Violet_Crumble]

DEFENCE Minister Ehud Barak wants Israel to consider imposing the borders of a future Palestinian state, becoming the most senior government official to suggest bypassing a stagnant peace process.

Mr Barak's statement on Wednesday to consider what he and many Israelis call ''unilateral actions'' without offering any specifics, echoed an emerging chorus of political leaders, analysts and intellectuals who have said Israel needs its own solution to the Palestinian crisis.


<snip>

But the Palestinian Authority did take its own steps last autumn, when it pursued United Nations recognition, something it is considering again. Israel has criticised such efforts for stepping outside the bounds of negotiations.

The Obama administration has strongly opposed unilateral action by either side and some senior Israeli officials have worried that such a move by Israel could provoke an uprising by Palestinians.


Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/world/israeli-minister-urges-unilateral-declaration-of-palestinian-borders-20120531-1zkmq.html#ixzz1wXgYVSkv

[Ruby the Liberal]

1. Because unilateral declarations have worked so well in the past?

[aranthus]

2. Because force works.

If Israel has the power to impose boundaries, then it has the power to impose boundaries. Declarations don't count. Power does.

[azurnoir]

3. Perhaps Barak gave a hint of what he means here

Last edited Mon Jun 4, 2012, 05:01 PM - Edit history (1)

Two weeks ago, in an interview with Army Radio regarding the Ulpana Hill settlement, Barak blurted out - probably without even realizing it - that "Beit El, Ofra and Baal Hatzor Hill are all important places that will stay in Israel's hands under any permanent arrangement."

Barak surely knows that it is impossible to annex settlements like Beit El and Ofra, which are only about 10 kilometers from Ramallah, and also to reach a permanent arrangement with the Palestinian government sitting in Ramallah. Perhaps that explains why he told last week's Institute for National Security Studies conference that if Israel cannot reach a permanent arrangement with the Palestinians, "we need to think about an interim agreement, or even unilateral steps."

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/on-both-palestinians-and-migrants-israeli-mks-are-koshering-the-vermin.premium-1.434231

[Ruby the Liberal]

4. You mean Barak. Barack is our guy.

[azurnoir]

6. Thanks I always confuse the spellings

good eye for errors

[Ruby the Liberal]

8. Actually, I saw it and thought, "The Prez said WHAT??"

[oberliner]

10. People do that here with Lieberman

Confusing Joe for Avigdor in spite of it being clearly indicated in the piece.

[azurnoir]

11. I confused the spelling of the names not the people involved

but thanks for your input all the same I do hope it clarified things for you

[oberliner]

12. Wasn't responding to you

Maybe consider the other posters here as well as yourself.

[azurnoir]

13. yes however you were talking about a comment and spelling error that I made

it is usually considered polite or considerate to address the person directly but if you wish to use such methods it's up to you,I did not realize that here we cannot comment unless spoken to first sorry I spoke out of turn perhaps in the future I should 'remember my place'

[oberliner]

14. Very true

Thanks for the courtesy.

[azurnoir]

15. yes in the future I should indeed "remember my place" and not speak unless spoken to thanks so much

for your reply

[shira]

5. Misleading headline. Barak didn't call for borders...

It appears more likely he's for another unilateral withdrawal, but this time from the West Bank.

Funny how anti-Israel extremists aren't overjoyed with Israel putting an end to most of the occupation.

[oberliner]

7. Pretty amazing spin job

Another way of putting it would be that Barak is proposing withdrawal from portions of the West Bank and settlement dismantlement. Seems like that would be a positive development, no?

[holdencaufield]

9. Only a positive development...

... if your ultimate goal is putting an end to the occupation and paving the way for an eventual Palestinian State.

However, if your goal is "other" -- then this could be a real "naqba"