U.S. Briefs Media on Structure, Motivation for Israel-PA Direct Talks
The only plan that had a smidgen of success in the past 20 years was Sharon’s idea of unilateral withdrawal, setting our boundaries and let them sink or swim with what’s left. It solves the most sticky issue, their claim to parts of Jerusalem based on their victories in the 1948 war when they drove out the Jews who had been a majority there.(In their minds the 1967 war reversing that result never happened.) But Israel had withdrawn unilaterally from the security zone in Lebanon and then Gaza and what they got out of that were cross- border abductions of soldiers and two wars. That plan lost all its appeal.
The Palestinians do not negotiate; they demand, whatever we ask for you have to give us. They won’t even talk unless Israel cuts off its nose to spite its face, freezes building in its ancient territories. The result is that these are not negotiations but ultimatums and the answer is known in advance. No. These talks are a show Obama is putting on to appease the Arab world, but they are just a caricature.
