You need to tell the whole story.
All that is well and good. But the reality is that it was the best offer they were going to get and Arafat made a devastating mistake in not taking it; unless, of course, he WANTS more death and destruction and terrorism (which he does).
When parties negotiate, they have to give up things, not based on what they want, or what is fair or convenient, or what is righteous. It is about who has the stronger negotiating position. When negotiating, the stronger party wins, which is as it should be (a fact of life which seems lost on many liberals). Israel is the stronger party, and likely will be from now on.
What Arafat failed to see is that his choice of innocent deaths over peace doesn't enhance strength in future negotiations; in fact, it likely makes Israel more determined, if anything.
I think it is easy to get a sense of how Israel might feel just by reflecting on 9/11. Would WE have negotiated with the terrorists after it happened? Of course, not (well, the Madelyn Albrights of the world might have, but luckily, she wasn't in the picture). |
