[Washington Times] Joel Mowbray - No amount of wishful thinking can change the reality that a permanent Israeli-Palestinian agreement has never been within reach. Israel has long been willing to make painful concessions, and the broader public supports some form of a two-state solution. What has been lacking has been a willing partner on the other side of the bargaining table. Terrorism remains more popular with Palestinians than does peaceful coexistence with a Jewish state. In calling on Palestinians to "turn toward peace...in educating their children for peace and in stopping incitement against Israel," Mr. Netanyahu brought to the front burner a subject largely ignored since his last term ended ten years ago. Here Western governments actually possess substantial leverage, as it is their taxpayers' money that underwrites most Palestinian education and media. On the table now is the prospect of making life better for Palestinians, laying the necessary foundation for a future state that is stable and - most important - committed to peace.
2009-06-23 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive