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The Peace Charade
(Commentary) Jonathan S. Tobin - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday: "I remain committed to making peace with the Palestinians and with all our neighbors. The Arab peace initiative includes positive elements that can help revive constructive negotiations with the Palestinians. We are willing to negotiate with the Arab states revisions to that initiative so that it reflects the dramatic changes in the region since 2002, but maintains the agreed goal of two states for two peoples." There were good reasons why Israel did not rush to embrace the Saudi proposal, which included recognition of Israel and an end to the conflict. The Saudis presented it as a take-it-or-leave-it proposal. Its terms required Israel to give up every inch of land it won in 1967, including Jerusalem. It also said that peace must also include a "just" solution to the question of Palestinian refugees, a poison pill that is equivalent to calling for an end to Israel as a Jewish state because the only "just" solution in the eyes of the Muslim world is a "right of return" that means the elimination of Israel. The international community is heading to Paris later this week to hold a conference at which they'll discuss ways to promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The Palestinians are happy about that because their sole object is avoiding direct negotiations with the Israelis. They far prefer diplomatic exercises such as the one promoted by the French because it diverts attention from their intransigence. At no point has the international community come to grips with the grim fact that Palestinian national identity is inextricably tied to the war they have been waging on Zionism for a century. If the U.S. or the French are serious about peace rather than merely bashing Israel, they'll act on Netanyahu's suggestion. But don't hold your breath.