The PLO agrees to come to Washington and make unreasonable demands of Israel in exchange for an Israeli release of 100 terrorists, a continuation of the existing “silent” settlement freeze” and a US clarification that its position continues to be (as expressed by Obama) that negotiations should be based on presumptive PLO sovereignty over all territories unlawfully occupied by Egypt and Transjordan in 1948 and held until 1967.
As a deal with the Palestinians, it’s clearly a dumb one. But really, the deal is just to get Obama off Israel’s back. In my opinion, it’s cheaper than the 10-month freeze Israel gave to Obama last term. I question the wisdom of both concessions, but avoiding an open breach with the US is an Israeli interest worth paying for.
But the idea that there’s anything behind this is just wishful thinking or paranoia (depending on your politics).
There’s no secret deal on Iran.
There’s no framework for a final status deal with the Palestinians. The PLO is not going to make an offer, and Netanyahu likely is not going to either. And, in any event, even if Netanyahu were to make an offer (unwisely), Abbas would reject it.
American born, my wife and I moved to Israel in 1970. We have lived at Shiloh together with our family since 1981. I was in the Betar youth movement in the US and UK. I have worked as a political aide to Members of Knesset and a Minister during 1981-1994, lectured at the Academy for National Studies 1977-1994, was director of Israel's Media Watch 1995-2000 and currently, I work at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem. I was a guest media columnist on media affairs for The Jerusalem Post, op-ed contributor to various journals and for six years had a weekly media show on Arutz 7 radio. I serve as an unofficial spokesperson for the Jewish Communities in Judea & Samaria.
1 comment:
The terms of the deal are pretty clear:
The PLO agrees to come to Washington and make unreasonable demands of Israel in exchange for an Israeli release of 100 terrorists, a continuation of the existing “silent” settlement freeze” and a US clarification that its position continues to be (as expressed by Obama) that negotiations should be based on presumptive PLO sovereignty over all territories unlawfully occupied by Egypt and Transjordan in 1948 and held until 1967.
As a deal with the Palestinians, it’s clearly a dumb one. But really, the deal is just to get Obama off Israel’s back. In my opinion, it’s cheaper than the 10-month freeze Israel gave to Obama last term. I question the wisdom of both concessions, but avoiding an open breach with the US is an Israeli interest worth paying for.
But the idea that there’s anything behind this is just wishful thinking or paranoia (depending on your politics).
There’s no secret deal on Iran.
There’s no framework for a final status deal with the Palestinians. The PLO is not going to make an offer, and Netanyahu likely is not going to either. And, in any event, even if Netanyahu were to make an offer (unwisely), Abbas would reject it.
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