Skepticism Grows Over Mideast Solution

[Guest]

Middle East Skepticism Grows Over Two-State Mideast Solution
by Eric Westervelt/NPR

Even as President Bush tries to boost prospects for peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, optimism on both sides is dwindling.

Many, including a growing number of moderate Palestinians, are now questioning the basis of the process — the idea of Israel and Palestine living side by side — and the two-state ideal is increasingly slipping away.

President Bush is in Jerusalem, where he addressed parliament Thursday at ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of Israel's independence. He is trying to boost peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. But a majority on both sides now views the peace process with enormous skepticism.

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[Guest]

Re: Skepticism Grows Over Mideast Solution

He is to give a speech on the two state solution in Egypt tomorrow. (Sunday)


http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...c=Worldupdates

In my speech tomorrow I'll make it clear that I believe that we can get a state defined by the end of my presidency, and we'll work hard to achieve that objective," said Bush, who is due to address the World Economic Forum on Sunday.

Standing next to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, with their backs to the Red Sea, Bush sought to ease Arab concerns that Palestinians were slighted during his three-day visit to Jerusalem where he lavished praise on Israel.

Bush said he had spoken with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and other Israeli officials in Jerusalem about his Middle East peace goals, and will hold discussions with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas later on Saturday.

"Every one of these meetings helps advance the process," Bush said.

"Every one of these meetings helps us inch toward the goal of getting a state defined with borders and the refugee issue, as well as security concerns defined by the end of my presidency," he said. "And I believe we can do that, and I know it's going to be important for the peace in the Middle East."

[N1095A]

Re: Skepticism Grows Over Mideast Solution

All it will take is for Israel to turn over the West Bank settlements. The owners can choose to move out or not. They have built new ones while tearing down others.

If Israel says they can have the West Bank, just like the Gaza Strip, it could happen in a heartbeat.

The United Nations will recognize them the next day.

[Christian Soldier]

Re: Skepticism Grows Over Mideast Solution

All it will take is for Israel to turn over the West Bank settlements. The owners can choose to move out or not. They have built new ones while tearing down others.

If Israel says they can have the West Bank, just like the Gaza Strip, it could happen in a heartbeat.

The United Nations will recognize them the next day.

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In the Summer of 2000 at Camp David II, Maryland, then Israeli PM Ehud Barak, with a lot of arming twisting from then President Bill Clinton, offered Yasser Arafat 96% of the West Bank and to Barak's delight and Clinton's consternation, Arafat flatly said "No, thank you. If I did, I would be a dead man the moment I step foot on the Gaza Strip upon my return."

[N1095A]

Re: Skepticism Grows Over Mideast Solution

Of course that was 5 years before Gaza Strip was returned. But I understand what I think you're saying. Peace has never been their end game.

[Christian Soldier]

Re: Skepticism Grows Over Mideast Solution

Of course that was 5 years before Gaza Strip was returned. But I understand what I think you're saying. Peace has never been their end game.

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Nope. In Islam's eyes, there can be no peace between Muslims and "infidel" Jews, only a truce (a temporary cessation of hostilities until which time the Muslims feel they can defeat and obliberate the Jews). In the meantime, take whatever the Israelis offer the Arabs in exchange for peace (Israel's concept that is) and security and then use the given back land as a staging ground for rocket and missile attacks on the embattled Jewish State which will be but a stone's throw away.