Let's just look at the WB and Gaza. Why are the Palestinians not being given the WB and Gaza?
They where offered over 95% of this territory plus some of some other land to make up the difference. I can see some reasons why the Palestinians might consider the offer to inadequate (for example Israel would control all of the new territory's borders) but that makes it a starting point for negotiations. But instead of a counter offer the Palestinians get "pissed" and start blowing things up. How do you negotiate in a situations like that?
I think they want all of the WB and parts of Gaza. If they didn't, why have they settled
over 200,000 Israelis into the occupied territories?
The 200,000 only take a small part of the territory, mostly around Jerusalem. That's the part that Israel wants to keep so that Jerusalam can have a minimal buffer zone and Tel Aviv will be out of artillery range.
And now they want to annex the settlements to Israel. How much land do you
think there will be left in the WB.
Over 90%, and an even higher percentage of Gaza.
Please tell me that you would not be p*ssed if you were Palestinian.
Oh I would have plenty to be pissed at, the Israeli's, Arafat, the Arab governments who only care about the Palestinians when they are a useful club to bash Israel with, and who hate Israel but would rather the Palestinians die to express this hate.
OK, imagine I'm pissed about something. I want a concession from you on some issue which we have been negotiating and I think you are being totally unfair. So I slash your tires, beat up your son, and threaten your wife. After a few days of this third parties suggest we go back to the negotiation table. Would you now be prepared for a major increase in what you offered. What if you did increase it, but then I decided it still was not enough so I firebombed your car and killed your dog. You decide enough is enough so then you go after me. You mess me up a bit and eventually we get back to the negotiating table. Is your first thought "gee he must be pissed, I better offer a lot more"?
In case my point isn't clear I'll express it more directly. OK there pissed. So what. Of course there pissed. The relationship between Israel and the Palestinians has not exactly been one of love and understanding. But I don't care how pissed they are. The terrorism is sick and wrong. It wont get them what they want and if it did then it would only encourage others with a grievence to turn to terrorism. If Arafat or someone who takes over from him in the future can not stop the terrorism then there is no point in negotiating with him. If he can but will not stop the terrorism then why should he be treated any better then any other terrorist?
Tim |
