What Do Ordinary Palestinians Think About The Bahrain Economic Vision?

Inon Dan Kehati leads a group known as The Home, a grassroots organization promoting peace between Israelis and Palestinian Arabs, working on the inside, with the people who are directly and personally affected. They see the problems blocking efforts towards peace created by outside interference of self-appointed peace envoys and promises of money coming from the United States and the European Union -- money that ends up lining the pockets of the Palestinian Authority.

And now they see Jared Kushner's peace plan, or at least the economic part of it: Peace To Prosperity
Kushner claims that the Palestinian Arabs have no reason not to trust Trump.

But is that true?

Jonathan Spyer on Palestinian Magical Thinking

The following by Jonathan Spyer is reposted here with permission of the Middle East Forum:

Palestinian Magical Thinking

by Jonathan Spyer
PJ Media
May 7, 2014

http://www.meforum.org/3825/palestinian-magical-thinking

So April 29^th has passed, and the nine-month period allotted by the current U.S. administration for its effort to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian dispute has come and gone. Entirely predictably, it has failed, in its entirety.

What can be learned from the failure? And what may be expected to happen now?

The failure of the talks was predictable first and foremost because of the irreconcilable positions of the sides. This is not a matter of small details, as is sometimes maintained. It isn't that the Palestinians want 99% of the West Bank while Israel will offer only 98%.

Palestinian nationalism in both its Fatah and Hamas variants rejects the possibility of accepting the permanence of Jewish statehood in any part of the area west of the Jordan River.

Efraim Inbar On Israel's Next Step After Collapse of Talks: Let's Do Almost Nothing

The following by Efraim Inbar is reposted here with permission of the Middle East Forum:

Let's Do Almost Nothing

by Efraim Inbar
Israel Hayom
May 15, 2014

http://www.meforum.org/3820/palestinian-israeli-talks-collapse

Now that the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations have ended in failure, many suggest taking advantage of the political limbo to advance their preferred unilateral plans. The Israeli political right wing is promoting the annexation of Area C, while the left wing is advocating a "coordinated" (whatever that means) unilateral withdrawal. Government officials have spoken about the need for Israel to "do something." Others suggest negotiating with the Quartet, instead of the Palestinians.

Activism is unquestionably a trait that is admired in Israel. Zionist-rooted rhetoric such as "we have to determine our borders and destiny on our own" falls on receptive ears.

However, probably the wisest course of action for Israel is a patient and cautious "wait and see" approach. Resolving the conflict is impossible, but attempting to manage it -- minimizing the suffering to both sides as well as the diplomatic costs to Israel -- is within reach.

Poll: Israel Not to Blame for Failure of Middle East Peace Talks

The Daily Beast reports that a new poll by The Israel Project shows that most Americans blame the Palestinians for the failure of the Israeli - Palestinian peace talks:

Over twice as many Americans agree with Israel’s claim that they are not primarily to blame for the failure of the Middle East peace process than those who agree with the Palestinian claim that moving toward a unity government with Hamas is a step toward peace, according to a new poll by The Israel Project.

The poll was conducted May 2-4, 2014, among a national sample of 1595 likely voters in the 2014 midterm election. The interviews were conducted online by Survey Sampling International.

Among the findings of the Israel Project poll:

Arlene Kushner on Saying Goodbye To Kerry and Peace Talks -- For Now...

From Arlene Kushner:
May 2, 2014

“Bye Bye Negotiations”

Shabbat starts late at this season, which allows me the time to do a post – but even so, Shabbat is Shabbat and this will be brief.

The nine-month negotiating deadline of April 29 came and went with no resolution of the issues, and no promise of an extension of the talks. So we can breath a sigh of relief. It should not, however, be too large a sigh. Somewhere, somehow, it’s going to come back to haunt us yet again.

For the meantime, Kerry has actually declared that he thinks it’s best now to take a “pause” and to re-evaluate what is possible and what is not. What he means by “pause” is exceedingly vague. Is he looking at a couple of weeks or several months or even a year?

Secretary of State Kerry thinks its time for a break. Credit: Slate
Photo not from original article

Efraim Inbar on Why Jerusalem is Not up for Grabs

The following by Efraim Inbar is reposted here with permission of the Middle East Forum:

Jerusalem is Not up for Grabs

by Efraim Inbar
BESA Center Perspectives
April 10, 2014

http://www.meforum.org/3805/jerusalem-israel-palestinians

Efraim Inbar

^{No Israeli government will survive or support any concessions made in Jerusalem and it is time for the U.S. and the international community to recognize this.}

US Secretary of State John Kerry has blamed the sudden deadlock in peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority on Israel's plans to build additional apartments in Gilo, a southern Jerusalem neighborhood beyond the Green Line. This indicates America's profound misunderstanding of the situation. With over 40,000 residents, Gilo is to be part of Israel under any agreement. More importantly, the peace negotiations have little chance of succeeding as long as the Palestinians demand the partition of Jerusalem.

The Palestinians and most of the international community fail to understand that the past offers made to divide Jerusalem – by Ehud Barak at the Camp David summit in 2000, and repeated by Ehud Olmert in 2007 – were divorced from the strong attachment a majority of Israelis feel towards the eternal city. The willingness of Barak and Olmert to divide the city completely lacks domestic political support. Furthermore, strategic considerations also dictate that Israel hold onto greater Jerusalem as a united city.

Arlene Kushner: Kerry’s Misrepresentations Require Correction

From Arlene Kushner
April 9, 2014

Crossing Lines

Has our government finally learned?  No matter what efforts we make, no matter the concessions – in the end it is Israel that faces accusations when things go wrong.  The lesson here is that we should stop trying and refrain from further concessions.

What I am referring to is the tone, as well as content, of testimony given by Kerry yesterday to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.  Tovah Lazaroff, providing an analysis in the JPost, wrote:

“It wasn’t what Secretary of State John Kerry said...it was how he said it....

“It was a narrative exclamation, and pause, strong enough to be heard round the world.

“It fell, like a slow drumbeat...”

Kerry’s accusation: that an announcement by Israel about building over the ‘67 line is what killed the chance to revive the “peace negotiations”

Read: Analysis: 'Poof, that was sort of the moment’

~~~~~~~~~~

Lazaroff describes the progression of events that Kerry presented.  I want to review it quickly here because Kerry’s misrepresentations require correction.   No one should take him at his word.

Efraim Inbar: Respond Firmly to Palestinian Blackmail

The following by Efraim Inbar is reposted here with permission of the Middle East Forum:

Respond Firmly to Palestinian Blackmail

by Efraim Inbar
BESA Center Perspectives
April 6, 2014

http://www.meforum.org/3804/israel-palestinians-diplomacy

^{In response to the latest Palestinian attempt to squeeze Israel, Israel's government should remind the Palestinians, through tough countermeasures, that adhering to maximalist political goals is counterproductive.}

Efraim Inbar

Last week, Palestinian Authority (PA) leader Mahmoud Abbas blew off the US-brokered peace talks with Israel and slapped Washington in the face by re-launching a diplomatic war against Israel through international institutions.

Several lessons should be drawn from this turn of events. First, the breakdown of the talks is a reminder of the stubborn reality that so many prefer to ignore: The gap in the positions of the two sides is too large to bridge even by a creative diplomacy backed by a superpower. Both Israel and the Palestinians still possess tremendous energy to fight for things that are important to them. Peace and coexistence are not the most important goals of the two warring societies.

Therefore, the conclusion to be drawn from this is that attempts to broker conflict resolution between the parties needs to be replaced by a more realistic approach of conflict management. The good intentions of the international community should be directed towards attaining partial understandings and minimizing the suffering on both sides, rather than pursuing an elusive end to the conflict.

Cartoon: Abbas and Kerry Try to Blackmail Israel into "Peace" Talks

I wasn't able to track down the source for this cartoon, but it does illustrate how the game has been played:

As far as the failure of the talks is concerned, here Breitbart notes the timeline that shows how Abbas triggered the failure of Kerry's Israel - Palestinian talks:

Arlene Kushner on Abbas and Palestinians Unable To Get Their Act Together

From Arlene Kushner:
April 3, 2014

Recap

I have no intention here of reviewing matters in the sort of detail I offered yesterday.  It is not necessary, in any event. 

I’m seeing much the same as I did yesterday: Inherently contradictory comments from Kerry regarding his continued faith in the “peace process” that prompts him to declare that he will continue “no matter what,” coupled with a resignation that “you can facilitate, you can push, you can nudge, but the parties themselves have to make fundamental decisions and compromises."

Read: Negotiators scramble to save peace talks

This is a very conflicted man, I would say: he sees the end but cannot admit the failure.

Credit: DaledAmos

~~~~~~~~~~

Arlene Kushner on Clarifying Muddled Picture of Where Israel - Palestinian Peace Talks Stand

From Arlene Kushner:
April 2, 2013

The Insanity Deepens

The current situation regarding “peace negotiations” has evolved into one beyond imagining.  I do not use the term “evolved” to suggest progress to a higher state, I assure you. 

What is more, everything is in almost hour-to-hour flux.  And so, while I hope to send this out today, I advise my readers that within hours of your reading this, the situation may have again shifted.  In point of fact, I had written an extensive posting yesterday, and before I transmitted it, news broke that so changed the situation that I had to table it.

~~~~~~~~~~

In the last posting I sent out, I had touched upon a number of rumors – explaining that media reports on this situation were so conflicting that it was impossible to determine what was accurate and what not.  Now, we have a considerably clearer – but still muddled - picture.

Obama Praises Abbas Leadership -- EU Condemns Abbas Squandering $2.6 Billion in Aid

Yesterday, Obama praised Abbas's leadership for peace:

I also want to point out that the Palestinian Authority has continued to try to build strong institutions in preparation for a day in which the Palestinians have their own state, and I will continue to emphasize the importance of rule of law, transparency, and effective reform so that not only do the Palestinians ultimately have a state on paper, but, more importantly, they have one that actually delivers on behalf of their people.

Unfortunately, Obama did not take the time to elaborate on the extent and type of institution-building Abbas has supposedly been up to.

Arlene Kushner on Kerry's Failure To Understand the Palestinian Inability To Make Peace With Israel

From Arlene Kushner:
March 11, 2014

Preposterous

That’s the diplomatic, political charade called “the peace process.”  And it is only growing more outrageous with every passing week. 

I would like to begin with a superb article - “The Palestinian narrative: The missing link in the ‘peace process’ – by Eric R. Mandel, Founder of the Middle East Political and Information Network.  It clearly and cogently identifies underlying fallacies inherent in current attempts to arrive at a “two state solution” (emphasis added):

”Secretary of State Kerry’s well-meaning attempt to forge a framework agreement between the Israeli and Palestinian governments is based on the conventional Western perspective of conflict resolution. Western democratic nations that sign treaties overwhelmingly respect the words on the paper they sign.

”But what happens when western democracies ask a democratic nation to sign a western- style treaty with an adversary that values tribe and clan over the nation-state? What happens when one party’s narrative is almost totally based on the negation of the other? While the media look through conventional glasses at the prospects for an Israeli- Palestinian framework agreement and pose certain questions, the view for those truly interested in a lasting peace should be through a more nuanced lens. Such an analysis raises questions that are more difficult.

Ever Notice Palestinian Negotiation Is Based on Victory -- Not Compromise?

The following by by Alexander Joffe and Asaf Romirowsky is reposted here with permission:

The Politics of the Palestinian Right of Return

by Alexander Joffe and Asaf Romirowsky
Forbes
February 24, 2014

http://www.meforum.org/3762/palestinian-right-of-return

US-backed negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority are entering a critical period. With reports suggesting Israeli acceptance of the 1967 lines and land swaps, what about Palestinian concessions? Two issues are paramount: the 'right of return' and recognition of Israel as a Jewish state.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas recently stated, "Let me put it simply: the right of return is a personal decision. What does this mean? That neither the PA, nor the state, nor the PLO, nor Abu-Mazen [Abbas], nor any Palestinian or Arab leader has the right to deprive someone from his right to return."

Arlene Kushner on John Kerry's 3 Ring Circus Peace Talks

From Arlene Kushner:
February 4, 2014

More Dangerous Nonsense

Before I get to the nonsense, which increases daily, I note with sadness the untimely passing yesterday of commentator, writer, and author Barry Rubin, who served as director of GLORIA (Global Research in International Affairs).  He succumbed after a long battle with cancer, at the age of 64.  Enormously astute in his analysis, he will be sorely missed.  As the JPost described him: “one of the most important, indefatigable, and prolific commentators on Middle East politics, international affairs and world history.”

May his family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

 

Credit: pjmedia

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Then I ask, please, that if you have not yet visited the Levy Report/Legal Grounds Facebook page, you do so, and “like” the page.

As well, please ask others to do the same; post the URL on your Facebook and website pages.  Thank you.  In the face of the awfulness of the current situation, our work becomes ever more important.

~~~~~~~~~~

There is so much to write about, but I will begin with the dangerous nonsense with regard to “peace negotiations” and the US guidelines that are supposed to be released soon.  I am sooo tired of the rumors, the charges, and the countercharges.  So much that is ridiculous is being said. It is ludicrous that Kerry says he expects to forge a “peace agreement” within this environment.

Will Kerry's Plan Create A Demographic Time Bomb That Will Threaten Israel?

The following by Steven J. Rosen is reposted here with permission of the Middle East Forum:

Palestine's Peace Bomb

by Steven J. Rosen
Foreign Policy
January 31, 2014

http://www.meforum.org/3735/palestine-peace-bomb

Steven J. Rosen

One of the key arguments of Israel's "peace camp" is that, without a two-state solution, the state faces a "demographic time-bomb." The contention is that perpetuating Israeli control over the growing Arab population of the West Bank will dilute Israel's Jewish majority, until it is a de facto bi-national state. Therefore, proponents of this line of thinking argue, Secretary of State John Kerry's push for a two-state solution is imperative if Israel hopes to remain both Jewish and democratic.

Some Israeli policymakers have bought into the threat of a ticking demographic time bomb. In 2007, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned the Knesset of "a demographic battle" if a Palestinian state is not created. Similarly, the current government's chief peace negotiator, Tzipi Livni, argued that "time works to our disadvantage" because of "demographic numbers...[and] a higher Palestinian birth rate that could mean the end of a Jewish majority."

But Israelis on the right see a different demographic time bomb -- one that Kerry's plan will produce, rather than prevent. By opening the West Bank to a flood of refugees from the neighboring Arab countries, Kerry's plan could throw the Palestinian territories into chaos and sow the seeds for the rise of further extremism and terrorism on Israel's borders.

Arlene Kushner: US Demands Yaalon Apology While Ignoring Palestinian Actions

From Arlene Kushner:
January 16, 2014

With Twisted Arm

Today was Tu B’Shvat. Actually the time considered the new year for trees (an issue with import in Jewish law) but popularly thought of as a sort of Jewish Arbor Day.  Trees are planted in honor of the day, and fruits and nuts – products of trees – are eaten.

 Credit: ishashiri

I spent the day with a tour into the Jordan Valley sponsored by World Likud – a tour that emphasized the fact that this Valley is ours.  Anyone in Likud who isn’t for the retention of the Valley, does not belong in Likud, declared key speaker Deputy Minister of Defense Danny Danon.

As I’m beginning late, this post will be short (or short for me, at any rate).

~~~~~~~~~~

The twisted arm I refer to above belongs to Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon.

Credit: Yoav Ari Dudkevitch

In 2008, Abbas Approved A Law That Prevents Him From Making Peace With Israel (Does Kerry Know?)

Writing for the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, Jonathan D. Halevi notes that Abbas Denies His Authority to Make Cardinal Decisions for a Lasting Peace Agreement.

Here is the executive summary of the article:

• Mahmoud Abbas is not a serious partner for negotiating with Israel because he does not have the authority to make decisions for the Palestinian people. His rejection of any authority to make historic decisions regarding a political compromise closes the door to any stable, lasting solution for two states living in peace next to each other.

Mideast Media Sampler 1/12/14: Media Expects Israel to Make Major Concessions in Return for Basics

by David Gerstman, contributing blogger at Legal Insurrection

Palestinians are looking for concessions, not an agreement.

Danger of 1967 borders for Israel. Credit: Legal Insurrection;
Photo: JerusalemCenter / YouTube

Exhibit A:

In June, 1999, shortly after Ehud Barak had defeated Benjamin Netanyahu to become Israel’s new prime minister, Charles Krauthammer wrote a column title, Clinton Should Have Targeted Arafat Instead.

Krauthammer noted that Arafat was going around the world to lobby support for accepting UN General Assembly resolution 181 as a basis for any peace deal.

What is that? An obsolete, defunct resolution passed by the General Assembly (unlike 242 and 338, not by the Security Council, and thus not even binding) . . . in 1947! It partitioned British Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state. At the time, every single Arab state and the Palestinian Arab Higher Committee totally rejected 181. In fact, they invaded the area given to the Jews with the express purpose of wiping it off the map.

They failed. And now 50 years later, the Palestinians are converts to 181.

What’s wrong with that?

Daniel Pipes: Kerry Is Just Not in Touch with Reality

The following by Daniel Pipes is reposted here with permission:

"Kerry Is Just Not in Touch with Reality"

by Daniel Pipes
January 9, 2014
Cross-posted from National Review Online, The Corner

http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/2014/01/kerry-is-just-not-in-touch-with-reality

Despite all that's going on the Middle East – the Iranian nuclear buildup, the violence in Iraq, the shaking of Erdoğan's rule in Turkey, civil war in Syria, Egypt and Yemen in melt-down mode, Libya unraveling, Tunisia in political crisis – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has one main thing on his mind, and that's a Palestinian-Israeli accord. Unbelievably, he is paying a twelfth visit to the region on Jan. 13 to pursue this goal.

As he returns and returns again, senior Israeli diplomatic officials are showing impatience with him. Here are quotes from some, speaking off the record and very candidly to Israel Hayom. First, about process:

• "We believe that in return for Israel's request to extend negotiations by a year, Abu Mazen [Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas] will ask more of Israel, such as a [settlement construction] freeze or another prisoner release, and these demands will be backed by Kerry and turned into an American demand, accompanied by a threat. This, while the Arabs have never given anything in return, from the Oslo negotiations until today."
  
  
• "The negotiations are currently being carried out without papers or documents passing between the sides. This is because the Arabs are refusing to present written documents. The Americans are coming with prepared proposals, they read them and do not leave documents with either side. It is all done verbally. The Netanyahu government is cooperating with Kerry's initiative with the clear knowledge that the Arab side will not accept the agreement and ultimately [Israel] will not be required to make concessions or evacuate settlements."
  
  
• "Israel is forced to cooperate with the American plan, mainly out of concern that if we reject it, the U.S. will blame Israel for the failure of the negotiations."

Then, more revealingly, about Kerry himself and his team:

• "The conduct of the U.S. secretary of state is obsessive. There are those who say that more than wanting to advance peace, he wants to take advantage of the conflict for his political needs. According to this line of thought, Kerry seems to think his path to the White House is via the signing of a Middle East peace agreement."
  
  
• "Kerry, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro and U.S. Special Envoy Martin Indyk are wandering around the country, meeting ministers, briefing journalists and creating a feeling that a peace agreement is about to be signed."
  
  
• Kerry's security plan for the Jordan Valley is "ridiculous and unable to withstand the test of reality."
  
  
• "Kerry visits here a lot, but he does not display any understanding of what is happening here. The U.S. plans are superficial and not serious. There is no connection between what is said in public about the progress of the negotiations and what is actually happening. It seems that Kerry is just not in touch with reality. He is not an expert, to say the least, on the roots of the conflict, he does not know how to create real solutions and does not even demonstrate proficiency in reading maps that are presented to him."

Comments: (1) Kerry has long had a reputation for trying to bend reality to fit his own thinking. This diplomatic effort would seem to be his most ambitious –and harmful – such indulgence to date. (2) The American administration obsesses over the Palestinians because it, bizarrely, sees this as the key to the region's other problems. (January 9, 2014)

John F.Kerry sharing an thoughtful moment with Martin Indyk.

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