Has Olmert Been Channeling Ben-Gurion!?

In his book Ben-Gurion: Prophet of Fire, Dan Kurzman quotes from an interview Ben-Gurion gave that is quoted in "Ben-Gurion And Peace" an article by John M. Roots in the New York Times on February 8, 1975 [articles before 1981 are pay only]:

First, never forget that historically this country [Palestine] belongs to two races...Second, remember the Arabs drastically outbreed us, and to insure survival a Jewish state must at all time maintain within her own borders an unassailable Jewish majority. Third, the logic of all this is that to get peace, we must return in principle to the pre-1967 borders.

...Peace is more important than real estate.

Militarily defensible borders, while desirable, cannot by themselves guarantee our future. Some sections of our people still have not learned this lesson. Real peace with our neighbors, mutual respect and even affection, perhaps an Arab-Israeli alliance, in any case, a settlement they will not reluctantly agree to live with, but will enthusiastically welcome from their hearts as essential for our common future--that is our only true security. Then together we could turn the Middle East into a second Garden of Eden and one of the great creative center so the earth. [p. 461-462]

Would Ben-Gurion be on board with Olmert?
Not so fast.

Assuming the article is in context, there are 2 key points that distinguish Ben-Gurion from Olmert:

1. Ben-Gurion was under the impression that the demographics favor the Arab population. Though Olmert refers to Arab demographics as a reason for "painful concessions," the prolific Arab birthrate is a myth. See Yoram Ettinger's latest article (See posts here)

2. Ben-Gurion clearly says that 'true security' requires "mutual respect and even affection." Have you noticed either of those emotions coming from Abbas and the PA?
Me neither.

Also, there is no indication that Ben-Gurion assumed that the Arab leaders intent was the opposite of what they said. While he thought that Nasser might come around and be willing to make peace, Ben-Gurion did not jump to make concessions with him.

Ben-Gurion may have mellowed over time, but in the quote above he is nowhere near Olmert's willingness to reinterpret refashion Abbas into a moderate willing to make the compromises necessary for a real peace.

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