If The Israeli Government Is So Right-Wing, Why Is It Willing To Cede So Much?

Charles Krauthammer notes that under the Likud-led government, led by 'right-wing hawk'^© Netanyahu, is willing to do what the Labor party has been ready to do in the past. Israel is not the problem:

It is willing to cede the West Bank -- that’s a national consensus -- under conditions: meaning, guarantees or military control [of] the Jordan Valley, demilitarizing the Palestinian state, and a swap of land. But it's willing to create a Palestinian state on almost all of the territory of the West Bank.


This is new, historically new to have a Likud-led government that would do that. The problem now is the same it was exactly a decade ago when that was essentially offered by the Israeli government under a Labor government at Camp David here under the Clinton administration. The result was it was offered, it was shockingly generous. The Palestinians said no, made no counteroffer, and started the Second Intifada.

The problem is Israel is ready for a final status agreement that will end the conflict under this government. The problem is the Palestinians appear not near there, and I'm not sure Abbas has the power and authority to deliver even if he wanted to.[emphasis mine]

Of course, that is part of the problem--it is not clear if Abbas even wants a final status agreement that will result in peace.

If Abbas is really such a moderate and really wants peace with Israel--when do we get to see the proof?

Technorati Tag: Abbas and Likud.