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After Latest Palestinian "No," the Search for Plan B

(Commentary) Jonathan S. Tobin - Israelis are pondering their next step now that the Palestinians have blown up the peace process. Some believe there must be a "plan B" and suggest a withdrawal in the West Bank. But the problem here is that withdrawing from one place won't convince anyone that Israel has a right to keep another. To the contrary, as with the various withdrawals that Israel has undertaken since the start of the Oslo Accords, every retreat is considered by both the Palestinians and the international community as proof that the territories are all stolen property that must be returned to the Arabs rather than as disputed lands that should be split as part of a rational compromise. The rejection of a mutual declaration of recognition by Abbas constituted the fourth Palestinian "no" to peace and statehood in 15 years. That won't change until the political culture of the Palestinians that inextricably links rejection of Zionism to their national identity changes. Rather than seeking unilateral moves that will strengthen neither Israel's security nor its popularity abroad, the Jewish state must be prepared to wait patiently until the Palestinians are finally ready to make peace. Managing the conflict doesn't satisfy those who want to resolve the conflict. But, as the Israelis have shown over the last forty years, it is the safest and most reasonable approach to a problem that, despite their best intentions, they can't solve by themselves.
2014-05-02 00:00:00
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