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Source: http://www.thejc.com/comment-and-debate/analysis/55943/its-a-fools-errand
Middle East Quartet on a Fool's Errand
(Jewish Chronicle-UK) Emanuele Ottolenghi - The Middle East Quartet is a creature of the Roadmap, the May 2003 blueprint for Mideast peace that U.S. President George W. Bush agreed to endorse as a payback to European allies for their support in the Iraq war. Eight years later, the Quartet is still trying to square the circle. While Israel welcomed the Quartet's latest diplomatic initiative and reiterated its willingness to resume negotiations immediately, the PA refuses to meet Israeli leaders to negotiate directly. Since September 2008, Palestinians have not negotiated with Israel in good faith. The truth is, the Palestinians have never made comprehensive proposals aimed at reaching a compromise. They have only stated impossible goals and never budged from them. They have never displayed any flexibility on their demands for territory, Jerusalem, and refugees. Palestinian leaders have never come forth with a comprehensive peace proposal that fell short of the elimination of Israel as a Jewish state from the Middle East map. But rest reassured - when the dust settles, everyone will find a way to blame Israel. The writer is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.