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Abbas Still Says No to Talks But Everyone Still Blames Netanyahu

(Commentary) Jonathan Tobin - The decision of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to freeze building homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank has earned him little credit either in Europe or among his country's Arab foes. Rather than respond to Israel's gesture aimed at re-starting peace talks, PA leader Abbas raised the ante. In other words, until the Israelis make concessions that ensure that nothing is left to negotiate about, he won't engage in negotiations. Abbas, whose term in office will probably be extended without holding an election because his Fatah party knows it might lose to the Islamists of Hamas, has been telegraphing his lack of interest in talks all year. Given the fact that the Palestinian public still won't accept any deal with Israel no matter where the borders are set, it's not likely that this will change. Thus the conceit of Ethan Bronner's latest "Mideast Memo" in the New York Times, which ponders the sincerity of Netanyahu's desire for peace. But the frustrating aspect of this discussion isn't so much the condescension toward Netanyahu, but rather the way the peace process is framed - in such a way as to put the entire onus on Israel to make concessions, while virtually ignoring the fact that the Palestinians continue complete refusal to accept the concept of peace with a Jewish state. Foreign correspondents based in Israel might want to pay more attention to the fact that the political culture of the Palestinians makes peace an impossibility even for their allegedly moderate leader.
2009-12-16 08:49:45
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