(National Review) Kevin D. Williamson - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he will no longer accept a role for the U.S. in Arab-Israeli peace negotiations, which have produced little in the way of meaningful peace. The Palestinian cause has devolved into an instrument of ordinary grift. To keep this grift going, it is necessary that there be no settlement between Israel and the Palestinians and no meaningful progress toward it. That means that every step toward resolution must be met with murder and terrorism - terrorism is in fact the main Palestinian mode of negotiation. Whatever sympathy one may feel for the Palestinian people themselves, their leaders are not good-faith negotiating partners and are not likely to become such partners. It is difficult to negotiate a lasting peace when one side does not want peace at all. In 2016, the U.S. gave more in aid to the Palestinians than any other country. The U.S. should consider accommodating President Abbas' demand and step away from the situation for a while, taking our aid money with us. If President Abbas must have his obstinacy and his cheap theatrics, then let him pay the full price for them.
2017-12-18 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive