Netanyahu calls for recognition

[ProgressiveMuslim]

Mr Netanyahu has offered "economic peace", not statehood, to Palestinians

Israel's new PM says he will discuss a Palestinian state only if Palestinians recognise Israel as a Jewish state.

Benjamin Netanyahu was speaking to US President Barack Obama's envoy to the Middle East about prospects for peace.

Mr Netanyahu, of the right-wing Likud party, has not previously endorsed the creation of a Palestinian state.

The envoy, George Mitchell, reiterated US support for a Palestinian state alongside Israel, in talks with the Israeli president and foreign minister.

But Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said the diplomatic process was at a "dead end" and a new approach was needed.

A senior official in Mr Netanyahu's office quoted the new prime minister as telling Mr Mitchell: "Israel expects the Palestinians to first recognise Israel as a Jewish state before talking about two states for two peoples."

The US envoy is having dinner with Mr Netanyahu on Thursday before travelling to the West Bank for talks with Palestinian leaders on Friday.

more...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8001497.stm

[ProgressiveMuslim]

1. Existence... Right to exist... Right to exist as "jewish" state... What's next? Prettiest flag?

Hummus is "Israel's national food?"

"Israeli" couscous is better than "regular" couscous?

How can anyone with 2 brain cells and an ounce of morality not see this shell game for what it is?

[sabbat hunter]

2. considering how many

countries call themselves "Islamic Republics" would it be all that bad to recognize Israel as a jewish state?

[ProgressiveMuslim]

4. Of course it would. You know full well what that recognition entails.

[sabbat hunter]

5. So I guess that you also oppose

Any country calling themselves "Islamic republic of ...."

[ProgressiveMuslim]

9. Why would you suppose that?

I could give a rat's ass what Israel calls itself. And it already is a state for Jews, as its Jim Crow laws, and disparities between Jewish and Arab communities fully illustrates.

I'm not against recognizing Israel as a Jewish state as an end result of a peace process.

Asking Palestine to recognize Israel as a Jewish state at the outset, however, is tantamount to giving up on any right of return for refugees. That is an issue that must be carefully negotiated, not handed over up front.

Live and learn from Oslo, I say!

[sabbat hunter]

12. right of return

I think that all Palestinians who were driven out during the war of independence should be compensated monetarily. At the same time all jews who were similarly driven out of Arab countries should be compensated monetarily.

and what jim crow laws are you referring to? do not all have the right to vote, freedom of speech, religion? Are there separate arab and jewish bathrooms and restaurants? Are arabs forced to the back of the bus or to stand when a jew boards?

[ProgressiveMuslim]

14. How nice that you think that. I think all refugees should be given their property back.

I can't wait to move to Ashdod with my hubby. (Sarcasm)

However, I imagine the final settlement will fall somewhere in between.

[sabbat hunter]

15. Good luck in convincing

all the Arab countries to allow back all the jews and give them back their properties.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

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[sabbat hunter]

19. do you think you could convince

the arab countries to take back all the jews that they threw out and give them back the land/property and money they took?
Good luck. I mean just look at Egypt, Saudia Arabia, Syria, Yemen, Jordan (where King Abdullah pretty much is the final authority on all matters in the country) all have repressive regimes to one extent or another (how many parties are in the parliament of Jordan? one?) So no I do not think that they or any other arab countries who mistreat their own citizens would allow jews back and give them their property or possessions.


You will have better luck trying to convince Dick Cheney to admit everything he and bush did between 2001 and 2009 was wrong.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

21. You're funny.

[Vegasaurus]

20. The Arab countries who kicked out Jews are as evil as Israel

if you want compensation and right of return for Palestinians, then the Arab countries owe Jews the same thing.

After all, nearly the same number were expelled from Arab countries, and they had all their land and possessions stolen from them, which has never been compensated.

Fair is fair.

Of course, the Arab countries will never allow Jews back in, so there goes that argument.

Palestinians will NEVER have full right of return to Israel.

Never.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

22. Thus spake Veggie. nt

[Vegasaurus]

23. Try responding to the point, for once

Jews WERE expelled from Arab countries,a nd had all of their possessions, land and property stolen from them.

Do you care for a just settlement for these Jews?

I have never heard you speak a word about them receiving compensation for their losses.

[sabbat hunter]

24. you reallly think that

regimes who mistreat their own citizens will give the land/possessions back to jews who were thrown out?

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

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[Ken Burch]

45. Well, the Mizrahim do have a legitimate grievance

Since they didn't support Zionism, they should never have been punished for Israel's actions by being expelled. What the Arab countries should have done(and acknowledging this would not harm the Palestinian position)was say "we'll show the world that Zionism isn't necessary by making our countries places where Jews can forever live in peace and equality with the rest of us".

This could still be done.

And doing it would make it that much easier to press Israel to do right by the Palestinians.

[Ken Burch]

44. What Netanyahu means by recognition is that Palestinians should surrender

By Bibi, recognition means renunciation of all Palestinian grievances and an admission that the Nakba was justified.

[bemildred]

3. Anything but talking about land. nt

[sabbat hunter]

6. Here is my take on it

the PA should declare a Palestine using the approximate green line as their borders (leaving the old city of Jerusalem out of the equation). Israel has done some things unilaterally (like pulling out of Gaza) so I see no reason why the PA shouldn't do the same. As long as the accept the name PA(Palestinian Authority) rather than a full fledged government, there will be not enough pressure on Israel. During that same announcement, they will also openly and fully recognize Israel as an independent nation and recognize their borders as per the approximate green line (once again leaving the old city of jerusalem out of the equation)

[bemildred]

8. Thank you.

I agree about declaring Palestine into existence, but perhaps not yet. It is important to remember that the Palestinians have NO effective military capability and not much to enforce civil order, nor would the Israeli state tolerate it long if they did, as things stand now. So I would think to pretend that they can be a state without being provided with the usual means to enforce order would be to set them up to fail.

You seems especially interested in the Old City, can I ask why?

[sabbat hunter]

11. Because

when it was not in Israeli hands, Jews were not allowed in to it and in fact prior to 1967 there was an attempt to wipe out any claim that jews might have to it by building houses/businesses at the foot of the western wall. Once Israel gained control of it, all religions were allowed back in, as it should be. Control of the holy sites is controlled by the various religions but Israel has political control to make sure that it stays an open city.


I see no signs that a nanoscent Palestinian government would have the ability or desire to protect the rights of all religions to go in to the old city.

Finally under no partition plan was the old city supposed to be in Palestinian hands. It was supposed to be an international city. However, I do not trust the UN to be given control of it (ie international city status) as they did little if anything to protect that status when Jordan invaded and took it over back in 1947.

[bemildred]

13. I always liked the international city approach.

But you are right, everybody should have access, whatever resolution is come to on other matters. I do agree that enforcement is important in that regard, too, but I think that a proper divving up of the tourist money could go a long way towards keeping all the "leaders" interested in not upsetting the money flow. If it were to stay under Israeli control, I would want them to sign agreements with teeth in them to guarantee access. The current Israeli government is entirely too fond of making political statements by excluding people. Of course, in the context of a resolution of the present conflict, the motives for that would somewhat go away. But the habit of witholding things that people have a "right" to to express political displeasure can be hard to break.

[Douglas Carpenter]

37. the simple political reality is that is a complete nonstarter - NO Arab leader could any more agree

to taking the Old City out of the equation than any Israeli leader could agree to an unconditional right of return to the refugees of 1948. It is impossible. No Arab leader CAN or will ever in a thousand years agree to that. This has nothing to do with any personal opinion of mine or even the personal opinion of ANY Arab leader. Jerusalem, The Old City, is absolutely central.

To take the Old City off the table is to reject the two-state solution, period. It is not even remotely plausible to anyone familiar with the political realities.

And do please remember that the vast majority of Palestinians have had no access whatsoever to any of Jerusalem for several years now and certainly not the Old City. In theory they might be able to apply for a permit. In reality the vast majority of Palestinians and the vast majority of the world's Muslims and the world's Arab-Chritians do not have access and will never be granted permits to obtain that access under current arrangements.

Although I don't agree with everything in the Geneva Initiative - they do offer one of the more plausible and workable proposals:

http://www.geneva-accord.org/mainmenu/english

Geneva Initiative - Article 6 – Jerusalem

Religious and Cultural Significance:

The Parties recognize the universal historic, religious, spiritual, and cultural significance of Jerusalem and its holiness enshrined in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In recognition of this status, the Parties reaffirm their commitment to safeguard the character, holiness, and freedom of worship in the city and to respect the existing division of administrative functions and traditional practices between different denominations.

The Parties shall establish an inter-faith body consisting of representatives of the three monotheistic faiths, to act as a consultative body to the Parties on matters related to the city’s religious significance and to promote inter-religious understanding and dialogue. The composition, procedures, and modalities for this body are set forth in Annex X.

Capital of Two States

The Parties shall have their mutually recognized capitals in the areas of Jerusalem under their respective sovereignty.

Sovereignty

Sovereignty in Jerusalem shall be in accordance with attached Map 2. This shall not prejudice nor be prejudiced by the arrangements set forth below.

Border Regime:

The border regime shall be designed according to the provisions of Article 11, and taking into account the specific needs of Jerusalem (e.g., movement of tourists and intensity of border crossing use including provisions for Jerusalemites) and the provisions of this Article.

al-Haram al-Sharif/ Temple Mount (Compound)

International Group

An International Group, composed of the IVG and other parties to be agreed upon by the Parties, including members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), shall hereby be established to monitor, verify, and assist in the implementation of this clause.

For this purpose, the International Group shall establish a Multinational Presence on the Compound, the composition, structure, mandate and functions of which are set forth in Annex X.

The Multinational Presence shall have specialized detachments dealing with security and conservation. The Multinational Presence shall make periodic conservation and security reports to the International Group. These reports shall be made public.

The Multinational Presence shall strive to immediately resolve any problems arising and may refer any unresolved disputes to the International Group that will function in accordance with Article 16.

The Parties may at any time request clarifications or submit complaints to the International Group which shall be promptly investigated and acted upon.

The International Group shall draw up rules and regulations to maintain security on and conservation of the Compound. These shall include lists of the weapons and equipment permitted on the site.

Regulations Regarding the Compound

In view of the sanctity of the Compound, and in light of the unique religious and cultural significance of the site to the Jewish people, there shall be no digging, excavation, or construction on the Compound, unless approved by the two Parties. Procedures for regular maintenance and emergency repairs on the Compound shall be established by the IG after consultation with the Parties.

The state of Palestine shall be responsible for maintaining the security of the Compound and for ensuring that it will not be used for any hostile acts against Israelis or Israeli areas. The only arms permitted on the Compound shall be those carried by the Palestinian security personnel and the security detachment of the Multinational Presence.

In light of the universal significance of the Compound, and subject to security considerations and to the need not to disrupt religious worship or decorum on the site as determined by the Waqf, visitors shall be allowed access to the site. This shall be without any discrimination and generally be in accordance with past practice.

Transfer of Authority

At the end of the withdrawal period stipulated in Article 5/7, the state of Palestine shall assert sovereignty over the Compound.

The International Group and its subsidiary organs shall continue to exist and fulfill all the functions stipulated in this Article unless otherwise agreed by the two Parties.

The Wailing Wall

The Wailing Wall shall be under Israeli sovereignty.

The Old City:

Significance of the Old City

The Parties view the Old City as one whole enjoying a unique character. The Parties agree that the preservation of this unique character together with safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the inhabitants should guide the administration of the Old City.

The Parties shall act in accordance with the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List regulations, in which the Old City is a registered site.

IVG Role in the Old City

Cultural Heritage

The IVG shall monitor and verify the preservation of cultural heritage in the Old City in accordance with the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List rules. For this purpose, the IVG shall have free and unimpeded access to sites, documents, and information related to the performance of this function.

The IVG shall work in close coordination with the Old City Committee of the Jerusalem Coordination and Development Committee (JCDC), including in devising a restoration and preservation plan for the Old City.

Policing

The IVG shall establish an Old City Policing Unit (PU) to liaise with, coordinate between, and assist the Palestinian and Israeli police forces in the Old City, to defuse localized tensions and help resolve disputes, and to perform policing duties in locations specified in and according to operational procedures detailed in Annex X.

The PU shall periodically report to the IVG.

Either Party may submit complaints in relation to this clause to the IVG, which shall promptly act upon them in accordance with Article 16.


Free Movement within the Old City

Movement within the Old City shall be free and unimpeded subject to the provisions of this article and rules and regulations pertaining to the various holy sites.

Entry into and Exit from the Old City

Entry and exit points into and from the Old City will be staffed by the authorities of the state under whose sovereignty the point falls, with the presence of PU members, unless otherwise specified.

With a view to facilitating movement into the Old City, each Party shall take such measures at the entry points in its territory as to ensure the preservation of security in the Old City. The PU shall monitor the operation of the entry points.

Citizens of either Party may not exit the Old City into the territory of the other Party unless they are in possession of the relevant documentation that entitles them to. Tourists may only exit the Old City into the territory of the Party which they posses valid authorization to enter.

Suspension, Termination, and Expansion

Either Party may suspend the arrangements set forth in Article 6.7.iii in cases of emergency for one week. The extension of such suspension for longer than a week shall be pursuant to consultation with the other Party and the IVG at the Trilateral Committee established in Article 3/3.

This clause shall not apply to the arrangements set forth in Article 6/7/vi.

Three years after the transfer of authority over the Old City, the Parties shall review these arrangements. These arrangements may only be terminated by agreement of the Parties.

The Parties shall examine the possibility of expanding these arrangements beyond the Old City and may agree to such an expansion.

Special Arrangements

Along the way outlined in Map X (from the Jaffa Gate to the Zion Gate) there will be permanent and guaranteed arrangements for Israelis regarding access, freedom of movement, and security, as set forth in Annex X.

The IVG shall be responsible for the implementation of these arrangements

Without prejudice to Palestinian sovereignty, Israeli administration of the Citadel will be as outlined in Annex X.

Color-Coding of the Old City

A visible color-coding scheme shall be used in the Old City to denote the sovereign areas of the respective Parties.

Policing

An agreed number of Israeli police shall constitute the Israeli Old City police detachment and shall exercise responsibility for maintaining order and day-to-day policing functions in the area under Israeli sovereignty.

An agreed number of Palestinian police shall constitute the Palestinian Old City police detachment and shall exercise responsibility for maintaining order and day-to-day policing functions in the area under Palestinian sovereignty.

All members of the respective Israeli and Palestinian Old City police detachments shall undergo special training, including joint training exercises, to be administered by the PU.

A special Joint Situation Room, under the direction of the PU and incorporating members of the Israeli and Palestinian Old City police detachments, shall facilitate liaison on all relevant matters of policing and security in the Old City.

Arms

No person shall be allowed to carry or possess arms in the Old City, with the exception of the Police Forces provided for in this agreement. In addition, each Party may grant special written permission to carry or possess arms in areas under its sovereignty.

Intelligence and Security

The Parties shall establish intensive intelligence cooperation regarding the Old City, including the immediate sharing of threat information.

A trilateral committee composed of the two Parties and representatives of the United States shall be established to facilitate this cooperation.

Mount of Olives Cemetery:

The area outlined in Map X (the Jewish Cemetery on the Mount of Olives) shall be under Israeli administration; Israeli law shall apply to persons using and procedures appertaining to this area in accordance with Annex X.

There shall be a designated road to provide free, unlimited, and unimpeded access to the Cemetery.

The IVG shall monitor the implementation of this clause.

This arrangement may only be terminated by the agreement of both Parties.

Special Cemetery Arrangements

Arrangements shall be established in the two cemeteries designated in Map X (Mount Zion Cemetery and the German Colony Cemetery), to facilitate and ensure the continuation of the current burial and visitation practices, including the facilitation of access.

The Western Wall Tunnel.

The Western Wall Tunnel designated in Map X shall be under Israeli administration, including:

Unrestricted Israeli access and right to worship and conduct religious practices.

Responsibility for the preservation and maintenance of the site in accordance with this Agreement and without damaging structures above, under IVG supervision.

Israeli policing.

IVG monitoring

The Northern Exit of the Tunnel shall only be used for exit and may only be closed in case of emergency as stipulated in Article 6/7

This arrangement may only be terminated by the agreement of both Parties.

Municipal Coordination

The two Jerusalem municipalities shall form a Jerusalem Co-ordination and Development Committee (“JCDC”) to oversee the cooperation and coordination between the Palestinian Jerusalem municipality and the Israeli Jerusalem municipality. The JCDC and its sub-committees shall be composed of an equal number of representatives from Palestine and Israel. Each side will appoint members of the JCDC and its subcommittees in accordance with its own modalities.

The JCDC shall ensure that the coordination of infrastructure and services best serves the residents of Jerusalem, and shall promote the economic development of the city to the benefit of all. The JCDC will act to encourage cross-community dialogue and reconciliation.

The JCDC shall have the following subcommittees:

A Planning and Zoning Committee: to ensure agreed planning and zoning regulations in areas designated in Annex X.

A Hydro Infrastructure Committee: to handle matters relating to drinking water delivery, drainage, and wastewater collection and treatment.

A Transport Committee: to coordinate relevant connectedness and compatibility of the two road systems and other issues pertaining to transport.

An Environmental Committee: to deal with environmental issues affecting the quality of life in the city, including solid waste management.

An Economic and Development Committee: to formulate plans for economic development in areas of joint interest, including in the areas of transportation, seam line commercial cooperation, and tourism,

A Police and Emergency Services Committee: to coordinate measures for the maintenance of public order and crime prevention and the provision of emergency services;

An Old City Committee: to plan and closely coordinate the joint provision of the relevant municipal services, and other functions stipulated in Article 6/7.

Other Committees as agreed in the JCDC.

Israeli Residency of Palestinian Jerusalemites

Palestinian Jerusalemites who currently are permanent residents of Israel shall lose this status upon the transfer of authority to Palestine of those areas in which they reside.

Transfer of authority

The Parties will apply in certain socio-economic spheres interim measures to ensure the agreed, expeditious, and orderly transfer of powers and obligations from Israel to Palestine. This shall be done in a manner that preserves the accumulated socio-economic rights of the residents of East Jerusalem.

http://www.geneva-accord.org/mainmenu/english

[Tripmann]

7. Oh wonderful,

This buillshit again. As if the PA recognising Israel is going to influence or change Nethenyahus thinking and actions one bit. More smoke and mirrors. Hopefully the new talk from washington is more than just hot air.

[bemildred]

10. Hamas: We will never recognize the enemy

Two top Hamas leaders made their first appearances at public events since Israel's Gaza war on Friday, signaling defiance of rival Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as he discussed peace prospects with a U.S. envoy.

"We cannot, we will not, and we will never recognize the enemy in any way, shape or form," Mahmoud Zahar, one of the two leaders, said in a mosque sermon broadcast on the Islamist movement's radio station.

Ismail Haniyeh, who heads the Hamas administration in Gaza, spoke at another mosque. As a precaution against assassination, both men had gone underground during a 22-day offensive Israel launched on Dec. 27 to counter Palestinian rocket fire. Their rare statements since have been mostly in pre-recorded speeches. Hamas won a Palestinian legislative election in 2006, forming a unity government with Fatah that was dissolved by Abbas after the Islamists seized control of Gaza in 2007.

Egypt has been trying to arrange a new factional alliance after brokering an end to the Gaza war, which killed hundreds of Palestinian civilians and 13 Israelis, most of them troops.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1079063.html

[Donald Ian Rankin]

16. Calling for the Palestinians to recognise Israel while opposing a Palestinian state

strikes me as unlikely to achieve much.

I suspect it's simply an attempt to impose more preconditions to avoid being forced to the negotiating table and actually having to discuss giving up land.

[Sezu]

18. Earth to Donald. NOT recognizing Israel means they can

carry on their goal of erasing Israel now that Fatah has said the PA never did recognize Israel. They, Hamas, Hezbollah and many others in the area want Israel GONE and have since 1948; prior to that they just wanted JEWS gone.

So yeah, recognizing Israel is the FIRST necessity for these folk to get any meaningful peace.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

31. If recognition is vital to peace, we're doomed.

If it's vital to recognise the other side as a state *before* peace negotiations can start, we're doomed, because Netayahu has explicitly stated that he opposes Palestinian statehood.

If the Palestinians' purely symbolic refusal to recognise Israel as a valid state is an insurmountable barrier to peace, how much more so must the government of Israel's refusal to permit the foundation of a viable Palestinian state be?

Thankfully, it isn't - recognising Israel as a Jewish state is one of the few cards the Palestinians have to play in negotiations; they'd be fools to give it up in exchange for nothing. What they *should* do is give a list of conditions - withdrawal to the Green Line, removal of settlements & the "security" wall to Israel's own land, recognition of a Palestinian state, compensation for refugees - which, if Israel meets, they promise to recognise it.

[azurnoir]

26. One would think that if recognition

was really so damned important to Israel then the Arab peace initiative of 2002 would have have been embraced rather than refused out of hand

[Vegasaurus]

27. Gee, "recognition" while still embracing terrorism

remember, renouncing terrorism is one of the goals, and that has never been upheld by any Palestinian leadership, whether it was fatah or Hamas.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

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[shira]

34. anyone not 5 steps left of Gideon Levy is worse than Lieberman apparently

and not worthy of being called a progressive or liberal at the I/P dungeon.

you missed that memo.

but now you know better.

:eyes:

[Vegasaurus]

33. No, and you know I have never said anything in favor of settlements

or "greater Israel".

However, Hamas and Fatah can't even get their own position straightened out.

Talk about an impediment to peace.

It's like a brick wall.

Won't happen as long as Hamas is intent on destroying Israel.

[Violet_Crumble]

36. I'm pretty sure you have spoken in support of all existing settlements...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I recall posts from you stating yr opinion that while you don't have a problem with any existing settlements, you'd prefer there not to be new ones (and that last bit was said in an even more wishy-washy way than the Bush administration saying settlement activity was *unhelpful*). That stuff sure isn't the attitude of anyone who's opposed to the settlements. Anyway, let me know if that's what you said or not. I'd be interested to know...

[Vegasaurus]

38. I have never said that I

"don't have any problem with existing settlements".

I do have a problem with the settlements, and building of new ones is foolish.

What I have said, is that there are more than half a million people who live in those settlements, and in some of the older ones, there are now several generations who have lived there.

This is not about the crazy Americans who have come to "settle in greater Israel" recently, but people who have lived in their homes there for forty years, and have raised children and grandchildren in these communities.

No one will be uprooting all of those people, at least without a major war (and I would not be in favor of such a war).

There have always been land swap offers in the past for the biggest settlements which have will not be destroyed.

It isn't whether or not I am in favor of the settlements or not.

It's just a reality that they exist and aren't going away.

And also, I am not in favor of forcibly uprooting generations of families.

The newer crazy settler settlements?

Of course those will go away, as they should.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

39. "I am not in favor of forcibly uprooting generations of families."

Does that apply to Palestinian families too, such as the ones forcibly uprooted to make way for Israel's "Security Wall"?

[Violet_Crumble]

41. I found a post of yrs where you give the impression you do support existing settlements remaining...

There was another one, more strongly worded than this, but the DU search engine sucks and I couldn't track it down...

Personally, I also don;t believe that the existing settlements will be disbanded, for all the reasons that Pelsar mentions. What would be the point of removing them? The removal of the Gaza settlements has just resulted in thousands of rockets. There is no control over the Arab militant groups, so there is no point in even talking about removing the existing settlements.

That said, I don't think the existing settlements should be expanded, or more land taken. That's just throwing fuel on an already raging fire, and seems foolish to me.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=124&topic_id=189338&mesg_id=189665

Those aren't the words of someone who's opposed to the settlements...

Also, the settlements are illegal under international law. It doesn't matter if someone moved there and had some kids, the settlements are still illegal. You've never expressed any worries when Palestinians have been forced out of homes they've lived in for generations, so it's a tad strange that when it comes to Israelis living in illegal settlements, yr attitude changes...

It isn't whether or not I am in favor of the settlements or not.

Uh, yeah. It is. You claimed that you didn't support the settlements, and as I've read posts from you indicating otherwise, I thought I'd ask...

[grassfed]

35. I recognize that Likud/Yisrael Beitanu are violent white supremacist fascists nt

[IndianaGreen]

40. They are a Hebrew speaking version of America's GOP

Likud got too crazy for even Ariel Sharon.

Any compromise by Bibi on I/P with the Obama Administration will bring the downfall of his government.

[LeftishBrit]

43. Violent yes

Fascist- I would describe Beitanu that way; Likud questionable though they're very right-wing

But white supremacist? Where does that come in? They are preoccupied with nationalism and to some degree religious differences - not colour.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

42. Netanyahu effectively told: GO TO HELL!

U.S.: Palestinians need not recognize Israel as Jewish state before talks

By Akiva Eldar

Tags: Israel News, Iran



Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demand that the Palestinians recognize Israel as the state of the Jewish people as a condition for renewing peace talks is unacceptable to the United States, the State Department said during special envoy George Mitchell's visits over the weekend to Ramallah and Cairo.

The State Department released statements saying that the United States would continue to promote a two-state solution. In Ramallah, Mitchell met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Mitchell's talks also seem to indicate that the United States does not accept Netanyahu's position that the renewal of negotiations should be postponed until the Iranian nuclear threat is removed.
Advertisement

While Defense Minister and Labor Party leader Ehud Barak has not spoken publicly on the issue, his associates said Saturday he is obligated to the party platform, which supports the establishment of a Palestinian state. The platform does not mention Palestinian recognition of Israel as the state of the Jewish people as a precondition for establishing a Palestinian state.

Barak also reportedly opposes linking the renewal of the peace process with the Iranian threat and supports a regional peace agreement that includes dealing with that threat.

The demand that the Palestinians recognize Israel as the state of the Jewish people was raised for the first time about 18 months ago in talks between Israel and the United States ahead of the Annapolis Conference. Then-foreign minister Tzipi Livni demanded that the conference's closing statement mention a nation-state solution, a formulation meant to neutralize a Palestinian demand for refugees' right of return.

more...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1079213.html

[Malikshah]

46. Way to push that bar forward. Did Oslo require the same semantics?

"recognize Israel as a Jewish state."

???????