Focus on the essence

[LeftishBrit]

Focus on the essence

By Haaretz Editorial

Tags: Israel News, Settlements



U.S. President Barack Obama intends in about a month to present his initiative for peace in the Middle East, at the heart of which is the renewal of negotiations for the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, this time with active American mediation. Obama's envoy, George Mitchell, is to meet this week in London with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an effort to reach an understanding about the freezing of construction in the settlements, in exchange for which the Arab countries would move toward normalization of ties with Israel. These mutual steps are intended to create a new and conciliatory atmosphere in the region, which would leverage the diplomatic process.

Stopping the momentum of construction and settlement expansion in the West Bank is not an Israeli concession to the Americans or the Palestinians. Rather, it is in Israel's own interest. The time has come to put an end to the huge wastes of the settlement project, which only damages Israel diplomatically and security-wise, deepening the conflict and threatening to cause the two-state solution to fail. Netanyahu also seems to grasp the diplomatic reality, even if he is still not prepared to say so, as evinced by his decision not to issue new construction permits in the settlements, even without a formal declaration of a construction freeze.

If, in exchange for the freezing of construction in the settlements, Netanyahu manages to obtain a renewal of ties with the Gulf states that were severed during the intifada and Operation Cast Lead, it would be an Israeli tactical and diplomatic achievement. However, the cessation of construction must not be conditioned on the renewal of such ties. More importantly, Israel must not try once again to pull any fast ones in the form of of pretexts, and new terminology for continued development beyond the Green Line and provocative settlements in East Jerusalem. Israel must freeze construction without circumventions and provocations.


(more at link):

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1109627.html

[oberliner]

1. It is really so very unfortunate that Netanyahu is the PM

Especially considering that Livni's party got the most seats.

If she were the PM, I think that we would be on a much different and more positive road towards peace today.

Sadly, it's hard to be very optimistic with the current government.

[IndianaGreen]

2. Strange, but I find myself in total agreement with you

Kadima would have invited Lieberman into the government (no choice there), but it would have kept a tight reign on him.

I know many don't agree with me, but I still say that the reason Peres asked Bibi to form a government was because Livni was a woman.

As to Ehud Barak, the man makes me sick!

Israel will agree to a peace deal that provides iron clad guarantees of secure borders. I don't blame the Israelis for not trusting the words of Hamas or Hizbollah, but by the same token, one cannot use that as a pretext for keeping the status quo.

[oberliner]

3. It's really a shame how the election turned out

I sincerely hope they take a good look at their electoral system and implement some reforms.

Livni won - she should be PM.

[IndianaGreen]

4. Livni should have been given the opportunity to form a government

Barak had no intentions in helping at all. Lieberman would have gone with anyone that offered him a portfolio.

[Violet_Crumble]

5. Nutty doesn't have what it takes...

he needs to take on the extremists in his own govt. as much as I detested Sharon, credit to him for when he was willing to take them on, but I'm very doubtful Nutty would do that.