It is beyond the point where Israel will relinquish sovereignty over Jerusalem. Even East Jerusalem is unlikely to gain more than autonomy, and the suburbs, where there are settlements, are likely to be annexed, to improve the security of the city. The fact is, Jerusalem has a significance for Judaism and the nation which Mecca and Medina have for Muslims, or Baghdad for Arabs. Jews, whether religious or secular, cannot easily see why they should internationalize Jerusalem, when they have proven themselves trustworthy as administrators, and when there are legitimate security issues.
The truth is, there is unlikely to be a resolution any time soon. Israel cannot deal with the PLO, which has been duplicitous, and connived at terrorism unless under extreme pressure to enforce the peace. The Palestinians are cheering on their children as suicide bombers: who can trust them? What Israel will have to do is make it clear to the Palestinians that they should despair of winning through intifadas and terror, and only then can there be realistic negotiation. How long it will take before the Palestinians realize that they are getting nowhere is anybody's guess. But Israel cannot make the mistake of making concessions as a sop to militancy...... |
