The Third Intifada | The New Republic
The Third Intifada | The New Republic
Here is a rather depressing article from TNR about the simmering tensions among Palestinians and the worries about a potential third intifada. The sad and tragic fact is that Palestinian leaders continue to believe that the only way to advance their legitimate aspirations for statehood is through violence. You cannot build a nation on hatred and violence. Until Palestinians accommodate their thinking and affirm the legitimacy of the Jewish state in the land of Israel we will only see times of sheket--relative quiet and never shalom--peace. Israel can withdraw from this territory or that. Israel can halt the expansion of "settlements" or not. The fundamental issue is that the majority of Israelis have accepted Palestinian aspirations as legitimate whereas the majority of Palestinians (at least as expressed by their leaders) have yet to come to terms not only with Jewish aspirations but Jewish history and present reality. I continue to believe that if Palestinian leaders would truly affirm these and say in English, Hebrew and especially Arabic, "The State of Israel is here to stay. Its establishment was recognized by the United Nations over sixty years ago. It is built on the Jewish people's historical connection to this land that we also hold dear..." the rest of the details could be worked out at the negotiating table.
Addendum: On a more positive note read this TNR post discussing secret talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Here is a rather depressing article from TNR about the simmering tensions among Palestinians and the worries about a potential third intifada. The sad and tragic fact is that Palestinian leaders continue to believe that the only way to advance their legitimate aspirations for statehood is through violence. You cannot build a nation on hatred and violence. Until Palestinians accommodate their thinking and affirm the legitimacy of the Jewish state in the land of Israel we will only see times of sheket--relative quiet and never shalom--peace. Israel can withdraw from this territory or that. Israel can halt the expansion of "settlements" or not. The fundamental issue is that the majority of Israelis have accepted Palestinian aspirations as legitimate whereas the majority of Palestinians (at least as expressed by their leaders) have yet to come to terms not only with Jewish aspirations but Jewish history and present reality. I continue to believe that if Palestinian leaders would truly affirm these and say in English, Hebrew and especially Arabic, "The State of Israel is here to stay. Its establishment was recognized by the United Nations over sixty years ago. It is built on the Jewish people's historical connection to this land that we also hold dear..." the rest of the details could be worked out at the negotiating table.
Addendum: On a more positive note read this TNR post discussing secret talks between Israel and the Palestinians.