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Rejectionism by Palestinians Key to Mideast Standoff

(Financial Times-UK) David Harris - Gideon Rachman presents a skewed view of Israeli policy (Financial Times, April 27), unfairly placing the onus for the lack of progress toward peace on Israel's shoulders, while ignoring the conflict's core issue - Palestinian rejectionism. Four consecutive prime ministers, including Benjamin Netanyahu, have endorsed a two-state accord, but to no avail. Withdrawal from southern Lebanon and Gaza has led to increased, not reduced, tension. Virulent incitement against Israel continues apace both in the West Bank and Gaza. Moreover, Rachman ignores the historical record. Previous talks with the Palestinians, prior to the Obama administration, were held without any preconditions. Those negotiations, in fact, led to breakthrough proposals by Israel, in 2000 and again in 2008, to create a viable Palestinian state. The conflict's root remains what it has been for more than 60 years - namely, the Palestinian refusal to recognize Israel's very legitimacy. When that hurdle is overcome, peace will become not just possible but inevitable. The writer is executive director of the American Jewish Committee.
2010-04-29 08:45:29
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