This, aka "the right of return", is a bargaining chip to be exchanged for complete and total Israeli withdrawal from the territories occupied in 1967.
One might think so, except the eleventh hour came, everything was aligned for a deal providing 95% return of the territories, with land swaps on the table, and the right of return didn't get used as a bargaining chip -- it was introduced just then and it broke the deal, as all sides knew it would. Arafat moved the goal posts farther away, not closer. And would it be to much to remind you that recognizing Israel's existence was one of basic principles of the Oslo accords, by which he got the land he controls now?
I am sure you are aware that Israel can easily reoccupy any piece of Palestine it wants to, as it has convincingly demonstrated over and over again lately.
With the Arab world and Europe blaming only Israel, no matter what the circumstances, as we have seen. Do you think Israel wants to withdraw only as prelude to reconquest when Hamas begins firing Katyushas over the wall?
am surprised you regard the Saudi proposal with such cynicism. I think it's a dream come true for Israel -- and the US. Suddenly, the world looks a lot rosier, IMO.
Perhaps you are unfamiliar with the Saudi's previous times floating this deal. They needed a charm offensive in the US then, too. This op-ed covers some of the history.
latimes.com |
