Peace in Our Time?
Reader comment on item: What's Wrong With Annapolis

Submitted by Blackspeare (United States), Nov 28, 2007 at 20:28

In Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, the Israelis are always reduced to the lowest common standards of the Palestinians at least in the eyes of the third world. Well, so far Annapolis is following the prescribed script; an agreed upon declaration of understanding and grandstanding speeches to be followed by more meetings. But a more telling observation is that there was no handshake between Olmert and Abbas on the final day-----an omen?

It is known that for Israel to reach a peace accord it will have to make most of the concessions. One already, in principle, is a fait accompli----the partition of Jerusalem. The final border is generally known all that has to be settled is on which side will the Israeli settlements be located! As for the Palestinian refugee problem one can either throw enough money at it and it will disappear or when the Israelis are forced out of the West Bank settlements move the "refugees" into those vacated residences----I understand they're really nice.

Of course, the continued and perhaps increasing attacks from Hamas could force Israel into a major military operation or even to reoccupy Gaza. In that case, all bets are off. Some how why do I believe that is exactly what Hamas and Iran want?!

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