(Jerusalem Post) Barry Rubin - The PA wants an independent state on all the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, with no restrictions to prevent them from pursuing a second stage of wiping Israel off the map entirely. The Palestinians know the West will always offer more if they are intransigent. Palestinian public opinion is relatively radicalized and ideological and does not demand a compromise settlement. Due to religious and nationalist ideology, along with misperception of Israel, the PA (and even more so Hamas) believes that time is on its side. I have some constructive policy advice. When the PA rejects the Quartet proposal for negotiations, the U.S. and EU should tell them: "We've tried to help you and you don't want to listen, so since we have lots of other things to do, we'll go do them. Good luck, and if you ever change your mind and get serious about making peace you have our phone number."
2011-10-21 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive