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A Jewish State
(Wall Street Journal) Editorial - "I think it is a mistake for some people to be raising it again and again as the critical decider of their attitude toward the possibility of a [Palestinian] state and peace," Mr. Kerry told Congress last week. The "some people" refers especially to Benjamin Netanyahu, while the "it" is the Israeli Prime Minister's insistence that the Arab world recognize his country as a Jewish state. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas refuses to do so, and earlier this month the Arab League met in Cairo to emphasize "its rejection of recognizing Israel as a 'Jewish state.''' To Israeli ears, as to ours, the League's rejection of a Jewish state exposes the deep insincerity of the Arab world's approach to peace. You would think, then, that Mr. Kerry would put the onus on Mr. Abbas. Instead, Mr. Kerry pointed a not-so-subtle finger at Israel, as if Jerusalem is being needlessly querulous by insisting on a point that ought to be basic and incontrovertible. The Administration's habit of constantly leaning on the Israelis for concessions while making no similar demands of the Palestinians explains its reputation for being unfriendly to Israel. As to why Mr. Abbas won't accept a Jewish state, it's because doing so means relinquishing what Palestinians call the "right of return," with its implicit promise to eliminate Israel. Such a right is recognized for no other refugee group in the world, least of all the roughly 800,000 Jews evicted from Arab lands. The idea that Israel's settlements are the problem should have been discredited for good after Israel dismantled its settlements in Gaza in 2005 only to get more war, not less. Mr. Kerry would perform a public service by pointing out these simple truths.