Monday, September 20, 2010

Peace Partners To Die For

"The PLO's representative in Lebanon, Ambassador Abdullah Abdullah, emphasized yesterday that the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, which have started in Washington, are not a goal, but rather another stage in the Palestinian struggle... He believes that Israel will not be dealt a knock-out defeat, but rather an accumulation of Palestinian achievements and struggles, as happened in South Africa, to isolate Israel, to tighten the noose on it, to threaten its legitimacy, and to present it as a rebellious, racist state. He noted that Israel faces international isolation with doubt cast on its legitimacy, because of its actions and the war crimes which it has carried out. He added, 'Many Israelis in senior positions are afraid to travel to European countries lest they be put on trial for their crimes.'"
Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Sept. 9, 2010--translated by Palestinian Media Watch

Remember, this was reported in Palestinian Authority official daily, which has no problem spreading this sentiment around the West Bank--regardless of the peace talks.

So why does this kind of stuff go on in the media in the West Bank, albeit in Arabic, knowing that there are groups like Palestinian Media Watch that will translate it and make it available?


For one thing--why not? There are no consequences. Even assuming that Obama has mentioned to Abbas privately not to allow this sort of thing, the fact is that no Western leaders have mentioned this kind of behavior--let along condemned it publicly in strong terms.

And so it continues, ensuring that Abbas's recalcitrance is reinforced--and guaranteeing the failure of these Mideast peace talks.

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1 comment:

NormanF said...

They will fail.

Barry Rubin asked if a peace agreement is better than the status quo.

He said no. There is no serious discussion in Western circles about the cons of a Palestinian state, its extremism, irredentism and war-like nature.

And Israel is supposed to bet its existence on a happy outcome that is unlikely to materialize?

That is one of many reasons Israelis are unenthusiastic about an agreement that will probably expire on the day it would be signed.

We're not going to see peace happen in our lifetime.